Kappa Alpha Theta - Purdue University

KAPPA ALPHA THETA 5 me leadership skills and taught me how to work with a large group of people from varying backgrounds and varying interests." Linda's wonderful experience as an undergraduate inspired her to take on new roles as an alumna. She has served as advisory board member and chairman, Facility Corporation Board member, and co-chairman, alongside Mary Lincoln Campbell '64, for the centennial celebration. She is currently the treasurer of the local alumnae association and the founder and president of the Alpha Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta Educational Foundation. Her involvement with Theta has become one of her biggest devotions. "I believe in these young women and I believe in the ideals taught by Kappa Alpha Theta. It is important the younger women look back and appreciate the history, but it's also important they look forward and mold the history," Linda says. "We older members can learn a great deal from them." Outside of the sorority, she stays deeply rooted within her community. For many years, she served as a high school teacher and guidance counselor, the president of the YWCA board of directors, and the YWCA foundation board of directors. She is currently the president of the Art League of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. "My passion is to be involved in strengthening organizations that are working to improve the lives of people in the community, especially women and children," Linda says. She is a strong believer in staying connected with her sisters through email, reunions, and face- to-face meetups. "We treasure our memories within the chapter and we benefitted from our membership while on campus," Linda says. "I feel a commitment to make that possible for the younger women and I know many of us share that commitment." In her spare time, Linda enjoys traveling with her husband Robert, knitting, quilting, and reading. She has two children, R. Scott and Anne Sorensen Inman '87, in addition to six grandchildren. You can reach Linda at sorensenwl@comcast.net. Kappa alpha TheTa InspIres lInda MarKIns sorensen '60 (Continued from page 1) THE FIRST ALPHA CHI THETA T alented and inspiring are words that describe the first woman initiated into the Alpha Chi Chapter. Lyla Vivian Marshall entered Purdue University in the early 1900s, a time when women were strongly discouraged, rather than encouraged to pursue higher education. Determined to get a college degree, Lyla joined the class of 1904, one of only eight women in a class of 230 students. While a student at Purdue, Lyla realized her love of art and began a lifelong commitment to her passion. Following graduation, she studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Academie de Paris. She always took every opportunity to further her education in art. She embraced life and had a great sense of adventure. One summer, she lived on a mesa with a remote Hopi Indian tribe, sketching and painting the native culture. When trying to return to Chicago, she was caught in a blizzard and survived the night by covering herself with her beautiful paintings. In 1927, Lyla moved to Santa Barbara, California, with her husband, Constantine Harcoff, and their daughter, Jane. There, Lyla opened her own studio and became a celebrated and nationally acclaimed artist. Today, Lyla's work is in many private collections and can still be found in prominent exhibits in California. Loyally, Marilynn Bottomley Dammon '66 (Top) This Phi Lambda Psi mug, c. 1913, is in the Alpha Chi collections. The charter members of Alpha Chi Chapter were all members of Phi Lambda Psi, a local sorority at Purdue University. When the Alpha Chi Chapter was installed on May 22, 1915, Phi Lambda Psi alumnae who had graduated from Purdue were given the opportunity to return to campus and be initiated as Thetas. Lyla Vivian Marshall did so and became "link number one." (Bottom) In 2014, a group of Alpha Chi Thetas purchased the above portrait by Lyla Marshall Harcoff. It was presented to the chapter during the centennial celebration in honor of Lyla Marshall, the first Alpha Chi Theta, and in memory of Leslie Bohlin Freeland '65. It now hangs in the hallway at 607 Russell Street. Alpha Chi's New Educational Foundation Begins to Soar T he Alpha Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta Educational Foundation, Inc., was formed in 2012 and was granted 501(c)(3) status by the IRS. It was created for two purposes: 1. To support the Century of Sisterhood campaign in fundraising to pay down the mortgage and to be a source for funds for the educational components of the chapter house as needed in the future. 2. To provide funds for scholarships for members of the active chapter. SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS The centennial campaign has ended and the Educational Foundation can now focus on raising funds to provide scholarships to active members of the Alpha Chi Chapter, recognizing their scholarship, leadership, and service with monetary scholarships. The first four awards were made during the centennial celebration in May. The women who received these awards are: Laura Poletti '12, Payton Swan '12, Lauren Peacock '13, and Claire Schumann '14. In expressing her appreciation for the scholarship, Laura Poletti said, "I could not be more thankful to be selected. As an out-of-state student, I have found a second home at Theta, and I am grateful to be able to apply this scholarship to the out-of-state tuition. I am so thankful for the donors who invested in me and my education and their continuing support of the Alpha Chi Chapter." In addition, the Educational Foundation will continue to support educational upgrades to the chapter house, as the need arises. The 2015 recipients of scholarships from the Alpha Chi Theta Educational Foundation are Laura Poletti '12, Claire Schumann '14, Payton Swan '12, and Lauren Peacock '13. (Continued on page 6)

• Cover