Sigma Kappa - University of Florida

2 Beta Tau ConnSKtion Carole Oetke Townsend '66 Promotes a Strong Future for SK I t should go without saying that attending college more than 1,000 miles from home is a brave, yet intimidating feat for an 18-year-old. With very few connections and on a large campus such as UF, it's easy to feel lost. Yet for Carole Oetke Townsend '66, being so far away became less daunting once she joined Sigma Kappa. Carole was the first in her family to attend college, and she went out for recruitment (or "rush" as it was called back then), at the suggestion of her then-boyfriend. "I had no prior knowledge about sororities, but when I first set foot in the Sigma Kappa house, I felt like I was home. The closeness I felt with everyone I met was like we'd been friends forever. This was essential to my college experience." After graduating from UF with a degree in math and minor in library science, Carole worked with Exxon Mobil (formerly the Humble Oil and Refining Company) for 34 years. She held many positions in information technology and supported downstream, upstream, controllers, and human resources, as well as being involved with many large systems projects. When she retired, she was the human resources system architect. Carole's Beta Tau tenure gave her many opportunities to learn about leadership. She held the role of chapter president for a year, which laid a good foundation for her career. She also learned to be a good listener, a skill many would overlook but is useful in all walks of life. Sigma Kappa also helped her learn a lot about herself. "I was very shy as a teenager, but Beta Tau definitely gave me confidence and built my self-esteem. I can also attribute that to the amazing times spent in the house, such as developing skits for rush, being serenaded by fraternities, but mostly the simple moments like watching TV and eating popcorn with our housemother." "I believe that joining Sigma Kappa was one of the best decisions I ever made. And because it has given me so much, I feel compelled to give back what I can to help mold the future leaders of our sorority. I had the opportunity to start a new alumnae chapter in 1989 (North Harris County Texas Alumnae Chapter), and it's still going strong. I have also had the opportunity to be a national officer, specifically serving on National Council for six years. What a tremendous experience that was! Sigma Kappa is for a lifetime! Get reconnected!" Carole and her husband, Robert, live in Montgomery, Texas. She has one stepdaughter, Jenna, two step grandchildren, and one step great- granddaughter. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, genealogy ("I've traced all my ancestors back to their villages of birth in Germany and did a 17-day research trip there in 2010"), scrapbooking, watching baseball, and traveling. She is also an avid bowler, taking part in her 29th national women's bowling tournament in 2014. You can contact Carole at cotowns@gmail.com. Missy Stover Loudy '96 Found a Home at Sigma Kappa C ollege can be intimidating when you first arrive, especially on a campus as large as the University of Florida. Joining a sorority, however, can help make it less daunting, which is exactly what Sigma Kappa did for Missy Stover Loudy '96. Sigma Kappa helped make UF seem smaller, more approachable for Missy. It was there she found a home away from home and a group of women she could relate to. These women quickly became her closest friends, creating memories to last a lifetime. "I remember staying up all hours of the night chatting with Melissa Iwanoski '97 and Leslie Block Zlotnick '97, studying physics with Jennifer Lionetti Roberts '97, going to fraternity events with Laura Gamm Scarborough '95 and Jennifer Gulino Hayes '95, the shoe hunt for Big Sister reveal, going on a scavenger hunt for Initiation Week, and my sisters making my 21st birthday unforgettable." Since graduating, Missy has joined the ranks of successful Beta Tau alumnae. She's known since middle school that she wanted to be a pharmacist, and made that dream a reality after graduating with a doctorate of pharmacy. She is now the pharmacy professional education coordinator for St. Vincent's Medical Center, as well as the residency director for five post-graduate year- one pharmacy residents. Missy did not anticipate Sigma Kappa playing a role in her career, but she has found that her sorority experience has been very valuable in her professional life. Missy often uses the skills she gained at Beta Tau as she is in charge of recruiting new residents, so every year feels like recruitment all over again. Despite her busy career schedule, she still makes time to stay in touch with her Beta Tau sisters. "Sigma Kappa is where I developed my sense of self, gained my leadership skills, and found the true meaning of friendship." If you've lost touch, the best way to get back involved is by joining your local alumnae chapter. It's there you'll remember the wonderful times that Sigma Kappa gave you during college. Missy makes her way to UF every year for football games. She visited the Beta Tau house not long ago and said while some things have changed ("The house corporation has made some wonderful improvements!"), the essence is still the same. She also recalls the collegians she met being welcoming and hospitable, which speaks volumes of the quality women being recruited and the future of the chapter. Missy and her husband, Chris, live in St. Johns, Florida, near Jacksonville, with their children, Noah and Anna. You can contact Missy at missyloudy@aol.com.

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