Delta Delta Delta - University of Missouri

Tri Delta Is for Always By Linda Glascock O'Bryant '66 Crescent News page 4 Tri Delta Bonds Lead Peggy Potter Swaney '69 to Give Back I pledged Tri Delta in 1965. I remember walk- ing into the Tri Delta house (the barn) during what was known then as rush week and feeling I was home. What impressed me most were the members—they were diverse in their looks, back- grounds, and majors, and warm in their welcome to each and every one of us passing through their door. Coming from a family of two brothers, I now had sisters who became my best friends. They encouraged me to follow my dreams—I became the youngest cheerleader in 25 years for our Mizzou Tigers and held the first chapter office of co-alumnae coordinator, working with local alumnae. During my junior year, my pledge mom set me up on a blind date with a Beta who had just finished his MBA. We fell in love and got mar- ried with four Tri Delta bridesmaids leading us down the aisle. After 44 wonderful years together, my husband died in 2001 and once again a Tri Delta has introduced me to someone who is becoming increasingly important in my life. I started my life in Chicago not knowing anyone, but found the Tri Delta "Loop Group" Alumnae Chapter in 1970. The Loop Group was there for me when I went back to school to finish my BA at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and later my MBA at the University of Chicago. I'm retired now, but worked in an investment firm, a design firm, had a consulting company, was in advertising, and came back to the University of Chicago to run the Alumni Affairs Office of the business school and later the University. During all this time I stayed active with my Loop Group chapter and have held every office. On a national level, I became a financial specialist for collegiate chapters and held district and regional offices. This culminated in becoming a trustee/treasurer for our Tri Delta Foundation, which grants funds for scholarships, financial aid, and collegiate programming. I never imagined that pledging Delta Delta Delta would change my life and provide me with an ever-increasing network of wonderful women. This or- ganization has given me skills, encouragement, opportunities, and support throughout my life. My pledge mom gave me a DDD ring when I was initiated. It was engraved with TDIFA—Tri Delta Is for Always—and it surely has been for me. I hope each of you will consider giving to our Delta Xi capital campaign. Let's keep our house strong, functional, and attractive so that our chapter can continue to attract that perfect combination of outstanding and diverse women! Hope to see you all at our house dedication October 4. Linda can be reached at lindaobryant@sbcglobal.net. C oming from a small school with 60 in her graduating class, finding a place to fit in on Mizzou's campus was no small task for Peggy Potter Swaney '69. It was Jean Stahle Howard '67 and the women of Tri Delta who welcomed Peggy and brought her into a group that would last well beyond her college days. "I enjoyed the house while I was in school, but I have really come to enjoy the whole Tri Delta system. There aren't many groups that will ac- cept you unconditionally, but in Tri Delta, you've always got a friend and you're automatically a part of the group." Peggy jumped into Tri Delta as an alumna through alumnae chapters in the Kansas City area. She served as president of the KC Northland Chapter, was the art auction chairman for the KC Shaw- nee Chapter, an alumnae district officer for the national office for six years, and has served the Delta Xi House Corporation for at least 20 years. "When I went to Mizzou and became a Tri Delta, they emphasized that you should get involved. I don't know if I would have taken that leap other- wise. Serving others is a part of my life whether it's the school board, church, or various philan- thropies. The Greek system gets you involved and on that path." Being involved in DDD over the years and seeing two daughters, Marianne Swaney-Stueve '94 and Katie Swaney Smith '95, go through Delta Xi, Peggy had the opportunity to see firsthand the changes on campus and in the Greek system. Knowing that the number of women joining so- rorities was increasing and that house capacity wasn't getting any larger, Peggy saw that some- thing needed to happen. "When I was at Mizzou, we could live in for three years. I know we'll never have space for everyone to live together, but at least they can have a place where everyone can eat together. That is such an important time to have fellowship and create memories." "I treasure the friendships I've made through Tri Delta and know that I wouldn't have those women in my life if it hadn't been for the house. If you have friends that meant so much to you, why wouldn't you want to support the experi- ence for someone else? That's the giving back that we were taught. So many have realized the importance of Tri Delta with big checks, little checks, whatever they can." Peggy lives in Platte City, Missouri, with her husband, Hal. She is retired after earning her master's degree and finishing an extensive ca- reer in elementary education, with seven years teaching in public schools, running her own pre- school for 27 years, and working for 17 years with the Parents as Teachers program. She now keeps busy with reading, playing bridge, volun- teer work, and her six grandchildren. She can be reached at pegswaney@gmail.com. Christopher and Katie Swaney Smith '95, Peggy Potter Swaney '69 and Hal Swaney, Marianne Swaney-Stueve '94 and Jake Stueve.

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