Delta Gamma - University of Kansas

Anchored In page 2 G oing through recruitment, Karen Elliott Trees '83 did not know what being in a sorority truly meant despite her sister, Kelly Elliott '77, being in one. That changed once Karen chose Delta Gamma. "Actually, I believe Delta Gamma chose me. Once I joined, I knew this was something much bigger than me, and from that moment forward I have stayed connected any way that I could, big or small." Karen always knew she wanted her daughter, Phoenix Trees '09, to be a part of a sorority. "I wanted her to have the same experiences and opportunities I had. I saved many of my artifacts for her over the years just in case DG chose her and she chose them. I am so glad I did." Phoenix joined Beta Kappa after feeling most comfortable with the girls going through recruitment. As a Beta Kappa, Phoenix is proud of the sisterhood that has shaped her as a woman. "College changes who we are as humans, and having my sorority sisters to support and challenge me helped me grow as a woman and helped me overcome any adversities." During Phoenix's years in the Chapter house, Karen was parent club president and went above and beyond to make sure Phoenix and her sisters had a great experience. Together, Karen and Phoenix have shared many DG memories that will last a lifetime. "Having my mom pin me at my initiation was an emotional experience that I could never have imagined," says Phoenix. "Being sorority sisters helped our relationship grow and mature while I was in college." Karen feels there was recognition that they were more alike than she knew or realized. "Phoenix is my child, my baby, and now my sister." Karen has also enjoyed seeing her pledge sisters and sharing a second-chance experience when their daughters also chose DG. This past year Karen and Phoenix both joined the House Corporation. "First and foremost, I wanted to continue to give back. I enjoyed sharing the experience with Phoenix and I thought joining the house corporation would be another way we can continue to bond," said Karen. Phoenix loved living in the house and wants every DG that walks through the door to have the same experience she did. "I hope that being fresh out of college will give a different perspective to what the house corporation has had previously." Karen and her husband, Bradley, live in Olathe and also have two sons, Cord, a Phi Kappa Psi at KU, and Maxwell. She is a faculty member at the University of Kansas School of Nursing and co-owner of Phoenix HealthCare Clinic, the first nurse- led and owned family practice healthcare clinic in Johnson County. Phoenix is working on her master's of accounting at KU and has a job lined up at a CPA firm in Kansas City as an auditor. She plans to marry her fiancé in May 2016. E-mail Karen at ktrees@kumc.edu and Phoenix at phoenixtrees@comcast.net. Beta Kappa Mother and Daughter Dedicated to Giving Back to DG Spotlight on Karen Elliott Trees '83 and Phoenix Trees '09

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