Kappa Alpha Theta - University of Missouri

10.75" 3 KAPPA ALPHA THETA H Anne Raymond '77 and Kate Raymond '06 overlook the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru after a four-day hiking and camping adventure on the Salkantay Trail in June 2014. Anne Lewis Raymond '77 and Kate Raymond '06 Live Bond Bond Eternal Mother and Daughter Share Memories, Stories, and Vision for the Future I t's no question that fall in Columbia is a wonderful time of year for nearly every University of Missouri student who floods campus with a renewed sense of school spirit and camaraderie. For Anne Raymond '77 it was no different, as fall brought with it the promise of spending football game days at her family tailgates with Alpha Mu sisters. What's even better, Anne fondly remembers, is "nearly 30 years later my dad had the privilege of hosting the same tailgates he did for me with another group of Thetas. Those tailgates were for his granddaughter." Kate Raymond '06 went into recruitment at the University of Missouri with an open mind about the Greek system but says it was undeniable by the end of the week what chapter she wanted to join. "Bid Day was a joyous event," Kate reflects. "There was so much energy being surrounded by the 60 girls I'd be spending four years—and even a lifetime—with." When initiation finally rolled around, Anne and Alpha Mu sister Patty Gee Nicholson '76 flew in to surprise Kate for this memorable celebration. It's hard to conceptualize just how meaningful Alpha Mu connections are, but to see firsthand how these traditions transcend generations was a feeling that has resonated with them ever since. For this reason, Anne makes staying connected to Alpha Mu a high priority. "When I joined many years ago, hundreds of women before me had been dedicated to ensuring the traditions were carried on. We've all benefitted from that greatly. Now it's our responsibility to do that for future generations," Anne implores. "Alpha Mu is over 100 years old, and staying connected is our responsibility." Though Anne teases that she isn't interested in living in a house with 80-plus women again, she says the opportunity is an inherent part of the rich Theta experience. She says, "Living in a home for three years with such a diverse group of personalities, backgrounds, talents, and interests was an extraordinary experience that I will always treasure." Similarly Kate says, "I experienced so much rich joy and laughter that I've only shared within my group of Thetas. The best way to put it is: when we're together sparks fly." For Anne and Kate, the fondest memories aren't the big events but the small moments that, when put together, make up the bonds that have stayed with them since graduating. While life has inevitably brought these formidable college friendships to all corners of the globe, Anne and Kate's Alpha Mu connections have only grown stronger as alumnae. Each year, Anne and 10-15 Alpha Mu sisters—or as they call themselves, the Betties, after founder Bettie Locke Hamilton—get together for a several-day retreat. This annual reunion has been going strong for 17 years and has taken them to Jamaica, New Orleans, Boston, Colorado, Kansas City, a cruise, and, this summer, to the Bahamas. Kate's Alpha Mu sisters, who have dubbed themselves the Baby Betties, have already begun this tradition and enjoy rallying in different parts of the country to celebrate weddings and major life events. Kate looks forward to maintaining lifelong connections with sisters, as they have been some of the most influential role models in her life. "While we all keep busy schedules, it is important to maintain contact with the sorority as a whole. Any Theta connection—however big or small—can be meaningful," Kate says. "Whether you mentor an undergraduate, plan a coffee date with someone in your city, or organize a reunion, it's important to find Theta connections you're passionate about." When Anne and Kate aren't traveling and spending quality time with family and friends, Anne works as the managing director of Crow Holdings, a private investment firm, in Dallas, Texas, while Kate is finishing her final year of graduate school at UVA to become a nurse practitioner. Anne and her husband, Rob, will celebrate their 30th anniversary in June, just two months before Kate and her fiancé, Endel, tie the knot in front of family, friends, and, of course, the Baby Betties. E-mail: araymond@crowholdings.com or kraymond@raymond-design.com E arlier this spring we sent the first mailing of our reestablished program, an alumnae records update request. Did you receive your copy? To help us better connect, please fill out the form and drop back in the mail to us (if you haven't done so yet!). We value your responses as they will help us build content for future issues of the The Theta Update and deepen our database. We encourage you to stay connected with the chapter and your sisters and hope this program helps you in doing so! Now Is the Time to Reconnect!

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