Kappa Alpha Theta - Purdue University

Theta Kite Alpha Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta • Established at Purdue University in 1915 • Fall 2015 The Century of Sisterhood Campaign Comes to a Close, Centennial Celebration a Great Success W e have been on quite a ride these last several months. The centennial celebration was amazing, and the success of the campaign was outstanding. Our goal of reducing the mortgage to a manageable amount of debt on attractive terms has been accomplished. The undergraduates, who received best chapter for the second consecutive year, are enjoying a new kitchenette. Plans for the first floor renovation, funded by proceeds from the campaign, are moving forward. Ring out three cheers! On behalf of all of us, I extend our gratitude to co-chairs of the Century of Sisterhood campaign, Kay Murphy Yeomans '64 and Ann Fawcett Murphy '72, as well as to their hardworking board. Without their leadership, we could not be celebrating our success to date of $1,144,779 raised. Our old mortgage ended in July and a small one was negotiated on excellent terms. Your generosity made that possible. In fact, the new mortgage has already been substantially reduced as a result of July donations. So thank you to all our new donors as well. Our donor banner listing all donors will be updated and displayed for the annual meetings of both the Corporation and the Foundation on Saturday, November 7, coinciding with Homecoming. It will be displayed at Founders Day on January 23 as well. Once the first floor renovation begins, permanent recognition of all donors who gave $2,500 or more will be placed at 607 Russell Street. Until then, names of donors of $2,500 or more can still be added. The centennial celebration held the weekend of May 22 exceeded our expectations on many counts. Sharing the excitement generated among our sisterhood was my personal favorite, followed closely by the opportunity to strengthen our linkages in the years to come. I offer a shout-out to Jim and Marilynn Bottomley Dammon '66 for their creation of the journal, astonishing both in its beauty and its completeness, and to Barbara Keenan Brock '60 for donating her excellence in photography to capture so many memories. Many of you at the centennial asked, "Now that the hard work of the House Corporation is behind you, what is the board going to do?" Here is an answer to that question, beginning with our mission: "To own, maintain, and enhance the value of the physical property known as 607 Russell Street, West Lafayette, Indiana, so that the facility will permit and enhance the fraternity life of the Alpha Chi Chapter, and to maintain and enrich alumnae connectivity both with the chapter and among alumnae." Parsing the mission led to an outline of topics for our current annual plan: Own the facility: Eliminate the mortgage. As of this writing, we have reduced the $150,000 principal amount of our new and only mortgage by $42,000. Maintain and enhance the value of the facility: Develop a five-year physical plan and a companion five-year financial plan. We have worked on this each year and believe the time has come to take these plans to a new level of detail and action items. Increase alumnae connectivity: Through an accurate database, paper and electronic communications, events, and by attracting other sisters to our work. Our goal is to have a class link for each year. Please let me know if you would like to do this for your pledge sisters. Work with other Alpha Chi stakeholders: Including the chapter, advisory board, local alumnae chapter, and Purdue University. The media reflects a heightened interest in Greek life on our campuses. We believe the conversation is more negative than our own experience. We want to heighten our own level of excellence and let our light shine. If you would be willing to serve on a Facility Corporation Board committee focused on one of the specific areas of need, please e-mail me. Conference calls make it possible for sisters from all over the country to join meetings and share their ideas. Loyally in Theta, Mary Lincoln Campbell '64 Alpha Chi Facility Corporation President (734) 516-8337 Final Campaign Totals $1,144,779 Total Committed 646 Contributors 33.8% Participation Kappa alpha TheTa InspIres lInda MarKIns sorensen '60 To GIve BacK L inda Markins Sorensen '60 went to a small high school and didn't have any sisters, but the Alpha Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta changed that. "My membership gave me a family, a small group within a large university, a large number of wonderful sisters, and allowed me to grow as a person," she says. As an undergraduate, Linda served as the chief education officer, formerly known as the pledge educator. She felt so proud to watch the group of women grow into outstanding sisters in Kappa Alpha Theta—in fact, she saw many of the pledge class of '62 at the centennial celebration this May. Her role truly shaped her as a person. "Theta allowed me to grow in and taught (Continued on page 5)

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