Delta Gamma - Texas Tech University

Gamma Xi Anchor 4 Alumnae News LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Why Julie Spano '81 Gives Back to Delta Gamma W hile going through recruitment, it's not always easy to see which chapter you will fit in with or the women who could become your friends. The thought of joining an organization where your membership lasts for a lifetime is a bit overwhelming to most college women. Nonetheless, you find a chapter where it feels like home, and women you met just the day before suddenly feel like sisters. First you were a part of it, and then it became a part of you. "Gamma Xi means everything to me; it has been one of the most important aspects in my life." Julie Spano '81 shared. "From helping with my major, making special friendships, or volunteering in the community: Gamma Xi gave me everything." From the moment Julie came to Delta Gamma for recruitment, she knew it was the chapter for her. Through the support from her sisters, Julie was crowned Miss Texas Tech, Homecoming Queen, a Pi Kappa Alpha dream girl, and was a Raiders Recruiter for the athletic department, all while studying architecture. "Delta Gamma has given me so much, so giving back is important. Gamma Xi has been a big part my life and all of our lives since we pledged. I've had the opportunity to volunteer with the Dallas and Louisiana chapters. I currently participate on the alumnae Panhellenic board for Delta Gamma as the city sponsorship chairman. It ought to be our obligation as sisters to give back and be involved. Give whatever you can; it all makes a difference for such a worthy cause in the bonds of sisterhood." Julie is retired from her career in architecture and is working on designing her new home in Shreveport, La. She and her husband, Anthony, have three children: twin boys, Christian at Texas Tech, Conner at LSU, and their daughter Lauren is married with two boys in Midland, Texas. Julie encourages other alumnae to join her and find a way to give back to Gamma Xi, big or small. Feel free to reconnect with her or contact her to get involved with the campaign, undergraduate chapter, or to learn how to donate. E-mail: TTUfan@bellsouth.net Chapter Eternal Anne Bahlman '01 entered Chapter Eternal at her home in Oceanside, Calif., April 1, 2014. Anne graduated with dual degrees in international business and Spanish. While in school, Anne studied in Seville, Spain, and served an internship at the American Embassy in Santiago, Chile, where she met her husband, Stephen Gouak. Following graduation from Tech, Anne used her Spanish language skills as an interpreter for the JSY Mission effort in Mexico and was employed with The Retirement Group of Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, and Readylink Healthcare. She was an active Marine Corps wife who loved hiking, off roading, snowboarding, and skiing with Steve and their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Tucker. She will be greatly missed. Alumnae News Emelea Hinz Mandeville '54 has two married daughters, five grandchildren (one graduated from Texas Tech Law School), and four great-grandchildren. All of her family lives in the Fort Worth and Arlington area. E-mail: meel07@yahoo.com Deborah Clark Willingham '80 shares that her son, Chris, Delta Tau Delta, will graduate in December 2014. She lives in Houston, Texas. E-mail: debbiewilmingham@rocketmail.com Shannon Smith Hanberry '00 welcomed Everly Kay on October 7, 2013. She and her husband, Kris, live in Dallas. E-mail: shannonhanberry@gmail.com Kristi Batcha Hodge '03 gave birth to a daughter, Katelynn Leeann, on July 24, 2013. She loves being able to stay at home and raise her two children. They live in Sparta, Wis. E-mail: krisithodge@live.com Lisa Van Zuylen '03 joined Arbonne International in September. It is a health and wellness business that is vegan and sulfate and paraben free. "I am very blessed to be part of this beautiful business. A fellow DG just joined my team too! Anyone interested in bringing in extra income please contact me." Lisa lives in Los Angeles. E-mail: lisa_vanz@hotmail.com Sara Hafer '07 is in graduate school at TCU for her MBA. E-mail: sara.hafer@yahoo.com Sara Stubblefield Ivey '09 and her husband, Brian, were married February 2013, and are expecting a baby this May. E-mail: sn.stubblefield@yahoo.com Above: Alyssa Williams '09, Grace Hadlock '09, and Dawn Zuerker '91 all earned their master's degrees last spring. Right: Skylar Strait '10 earned her master of education in counselor education with a concentration in community counseling.

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