Sigma Kappa - University of Florida

2 Beta Tau ConnSKtion CHOOSING SIGMA KAPPA Tina Maura '70 Reflects on Her Life-Changing Experience R ecruitment can be a hectic, overwhelming time for college freshmen, and sometimes you simply cannot decide where you belong. This was the case for Tina Maura '70. After going through formal recruitment, she decided not to sign a bid card, but quickly saw how enthusiastic her roommate, Diane Wallace, was about her new membership in Sigma Kappa. The women of Beta Tau Chapter invited Tina to participate in informal recruitment and, by the end, she was finally sure she had found the place she was meant to be. Living in the chapter house was a fond experience for Tina. "I remember late-night deep discussions with Marie Igual Galin '72 and Mary Smith Edwards '71," Tina said, "I even enjoyed hearing the muted chatter of my sisters as I studied or went to sleep." She lived in the chapter house from her sophomore to senior year and it became a place she felt as if she truly never wanted to leave. Sigma Kappa not only became a home for Tina, but a motivational presence in her life. The many Beta Tau women involved in campus organizations pushed Tina to pursue her own interests, and Judy Koons '69 was one of her largest supporters. "Judy Koons was my pledge trainer, as well as my dear friend. She encouraged me to develop my leadership potential and definitely expanded my horizons," Tina said. The support and encouragement of her sisters led to Tina serving as the first vice president for the chapter. Not only did Sigma Kappa impact Tina's involvement as an undergraduate, but it helped shape her future beyond the college campus. In her pursuit of her degree in English, Tina toyed with the idea of becoming a librarian. "When I was a freshman, one of the seniors was planning to go to library school, and that certainly gave me a nudge," said Tina. Her love of libraries would take many detours after college, as Tina served as an Air Force officer, studied as a graduate student in guidance and counseling, later studying English literature, and worked as a book seller for eight years. After many career changes, she ultimately would return to the library where she now works as the collection development coordinator at the Mandel Public Library in West Palm Beach, Florida. Tina has been able to return to her beloved chapter for many wonderful visits in recent years, and has enjoyed seeing the growth Beta Tau has experienced. Though the chapter house and the members have changed, she feels the same sense of spirit in this new generation of women. "I think our active sisters have a more secure sense of who they are and where they are going," Tina said. Through Beta Tau, countless other women have become a part of the Sigma Kappa sisterhood, sharing the same "life-changing experience" Tina will always cherish. Tina lives in Palm Beach County, Florida, which she calls Florida's "cultural capital." This has allowed her the fortune of being around the arts and theater, two of her passions. In her spare time, she is heavily involved in the United Methodist Church as a certified lay servant and usher, while also leading Bible study and working with the creative arts team and United Methodist Women. You can contact Tina at tmaura@yahoo.com. From Chapter House to Capitol Hill Katherine Getty '08 Reminisces About Sigma Kappa C oming from a Greek family, Katherine Getty '08 knew the value of the Greek experience, and through recruitment, she found her very own place to call home. "I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself," Katherine said, "and I found that in Sigma Kappa." As an undergraduate, Katherine worked both within the chapter house and in the Greek community. She served as the Panhellenic delegate for Beta Tau and as the vice president of communication for the Panhellenic Council. "My only goal was to leave the chapter in a better place than I found it," Katherine said. For all of the hard work she gave to the chapter, Beta Tau gave just as much through opportunities that would help shape her future. "During my senior year as a Sigma Kappa, I applied and was later selected to participate in the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee's Hill Day. This opened up my eyes to the world of government affairs, which marries my two interests— politics and advocacy work," Katherine said. This opportunity through Sigma Kappa allowed Katherine to find her passion and gave her confidence in her future career path. "If I had not been sponsored by Sigma Kappa to participate in FSPAC's lobbying day, I am not sure where I would be today," Katherine said, "The exposure to the world of government affairs and the skills needed prepared me for this career." Many Beta Tau sisters have motivated Katherine over the years through their work with the chapter. "Jennifer Gove- Cooper '98, Courtney Hannah '05, and Gabrielle Ferro '04 inspired me to give back in the future," Katherine said, "Each woman who has been a member of Beta Tau made a difference." Katherine recently finished her master's degree in public administration from George Washington University. Though graduate school has been her main focus in recent years, she does stay in contact with sisters sprinkled throughout the country, both from her time at Beta Tau and those she met as a Sigma Kappa leadership consultant. In her free time, Katherine enjoys visiting the local farmer's market, cooking for her friends, and exploring everything Washington has to offer. You can contact Katherine at katherineagetty@gmail.com. To learn more about the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee, please visit www.fspac.org.

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