Kappa Alpha Theta - Texas Tech University

Theta Techsan Kappa Alpha Theta • Gamma Phi Chapter • Texas Tech University Dr. Brenice Menzies Murlette '80 Encourages Alumnae to Stay Connected U nlike many women going through re- cruitment today, in 1979 Dr. Brenice Menzies Murlette '80 came to Tech not knowing the Greek alphabet or anything about the different sororities. What she did know about Kappa Alpha eta was that it had a large membership of women from her hometown, and that etas were admired for their high school achievements and sweet personalities. Brenice soon learned that the relationships with her eta sisters would develop into lifelong friendships. One of her favorite mem- ories was when her big sister, Pam Wagnon '79, insisted a group of etas to go to #19 Greek Circle to wash their cars. "I realized that once we started it was not about getting a clean car as we were joined in the parking lot with many of the fraternity men who also were at their lodges enjoying the beautiful day. It turned into a parking lot party. To this day Pam still knows how to get a party started!" Being a Gamma Phi means much more than having good college memories. "With time, the friendships expanded past the Gamma Phi lodge into our adult lives and included weddings, the birth of children, the pain of divorce, or the death of a parent. We were oen told that eta was for a lifetime and the memories of my eta sisters encompass a lifetime of memories." One of Brenice's best eta memories was when her daughter, Sara Meador '13, went through recruitment. "Aer a great rush and the encouragement from me to do what her heart told her to, my daughter pledged eta. Facility corporation Board StrategizeS plan For lodge Reconnect with Gamma Phi Today! G amma Phi is pleased to relaunch production of the eta Techsan news- letter, and publish our new issue! We hope this will be an excellent tool to allow all alumnae to keep in touch and know what is happening with Gamma Phis in Lubbock and across the nation. In 2013, we celebrated 60 years at Texas Tech with a reunion of all ages! etas traveled near and far to be with their sisters for this monumental occasion. At the reunion a dedicated group of Gamma Phi alumnae launched a plan to renovate our chapter lodge. However, in an effort to maximize our potential and the long-term needs of the chapter, we are exploring additional options in addition to the original renovation plans. We want to be sure we have the space to accommodate the growth in our membership which we anticipate to correlate with the proposed growth of Texas Tech in the coming years. Chancellor Kent Hance's goal of 40,000 students by 2020 has led to new member classes of more than 80 women and significant changes at Greek Circle. Delta Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, Chi Omega, and Alpha Phi are all in aggressive campaigns to renovate or build new lodges. ese changes are exciting and wonderful for the Greek system, but require the Facility Corporation Board to plan appropriately for the coming years, while still pre- serving Gamma Phi's history at the university. Gamma Phi remains strong and vital on the Texas Tech campus, recruiting 83 women this fall. Our active members have done a fantastic job of drawing in the top recruits as more than 1,100 women registered for formal recruitment this year. We are excited for the changes to come and look forward to exploring additional op- tions for Kappa Alpha eta's next 60 years! We will keep you up to date as our plans develop. We feel proud to be a part of such a fabulous group of women and are honored to help keep Gamma Phi strong. Loyally, Alison Stiles Nicholson '94 Facility Corporation Board President Read more on page 2! Fall 2014 Welcome to Gamma Phi's 83 new members in August 2014.

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