Chi Omega - University of Kansas

Thank You pg. 2 Lambda Log Personnel Jennifer Mueller Alderdice, Kappa Alpha '91 New Member Educator Anne Hackman, Nu Zeta '97 Cardinal Cabinet Erin Guss Scraper, Nu Zeta '96 Financial Tori Mirfasihi '08 Scholarship Caroline Turlington, Eta Gamma '05 Recruitment Sarah Rasmussen Hegarty '85 Jacquie Kasner, Rho Alpha '08 Sarah Hamilton Vogel, Tau '97 Ritual Katrina Ogden Kanary, Mu Beta '96 Marketing Jenni Waring Howard '02 Alumnae Corbett Smith, Epsilon Alpha '94 Panhellenic Nell Neary '10 Social Stephanie Hermreck '08 Sisterhood Sydney Stoops, Sigma Alpha '04 2015-16 advisory Board Chi Omega Remains a Hallmark of Carol Blubaugh Zoellner's College Experience Alumna Shares Words of Wisdom on How to Succeed in Business B efore Carol Blubaugh Zoellner '83 became a member of Chi Omega, she had already been exposed to Lambda life by her older sisters, Kate Blubaugh Mason '80 and Karen Blubaugh Evans '82. Carol visited them on multiple occasions and participated in Little Sisters Weekend, allowing her to sleep in the house and see first-hand what it was like to be in a sorority. So when it came time for recruitment, her choice was clear. As a collegian, Carol held positions as treasurer and philanthropy chairman, the latter involving the organization of Wheat Meet, a Greek track meet and party to raise money for KU Cancer Research. "Chairing this event was important to me because it was started by my brother, Jon Blubaugh, an Alpha Kappa Lambda, and my sister, Kate. My family had been involved with the Lawrence Optimist Track Club and Lawrence High School track and field for years, so we had the connections and understanding to set up and run a track meet." Carol graduated with a degree in accounting and business administration (after "spending many hours studying in the chapter room with Dee Dee Diederich Carmody '83") and joined a public accounting firm to become a CPA. A couple of years later she joined Hallmark Cards Inc. in Kansas City as a financial analyst, learning the business through a series of lateral moves and promotions. Now, after 27 years with the company, Carol is the Vice President of North America Finance, leading all strategic and operational decision support, financial reporting, and forecasting for the core Hallmark business. Carol is also the finance and accounting recruiter for the company, a role that allows her to meet many students and young professionals. "I have interviewed many Chi Omegas and am always impressed! My advice for students is to get good grades and build your resume with leadership activities and work experience. The other important component is establishing relationships with professors and administrators. I just went to class incognito and did not get to know my professors and that was a missed opportunity. For young professionals, don't just do what you are asked to do, ask for more. There are no 'participation trophies' in the workplace; you will not be rewarded for just showing up. Keep learning, work harder than others, and actively participate in growing your career by contributing to your company. "People who aren't involved with the Greek system sometimes think all sorority girls are alike. But those of us who have lived it know better! Living with 80 women enables you to experience and observe so many different ways of approaching life. You learn how people handle stress (or don't), and see strength and determination in others that makes you push yourself to be better. There's not just one way to get through college or life, and we all have to find our way. Being a Chi O was the beginning of that learning for me and opened my eyes to different thought processes and choices that have become part of me." Carol and her husband, Win (a Beta at KU), live in Lake Quivira, Kansas, and have two sons, Adam and Eric. Adam is a KU alumnus and member of Beta Theta Pi (Carol and Win enjoyed hearing about some of the same events they participated in as undergraduates) and Eric is a senior majoring in chemical engineering at the University of Colorado. "Balancing a career and raising my family was challenging, but it is possible to have both! It was crazy and hectic, but I was doing the two things that I loved so it was a natural choice for me. It's great now that I have such a fulfilling career because life is almost too quiet without all of the boys' activities. As empty nesters, we're traveling more and taking long-weekend getaways—because we can!" You can contact Carol at carol.zoellner@hallmark.com. Thank You to Each Alumna Who Made a Contribution A special thanks goes to the 19 alumnae who made a gift this summer, totaling over $1,800! The successes achieved by Lambda Chapter are directly attributed to the loyal support from you and your sisters. Your gifts allow us to provide an environment where our undergraduates can prepare for excellence in their lives after college while gaining friendships that will last a lifetime.

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