Sigma Kappa - Missouri State University

Delta Upsilon Update Delta Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Kappa at Missouri State University Fall 2015 INSIDE: Undergraduates Welcome 96 New Members p. 2 Alumnae News p. 3-4 House Corporation Begins Chapter House Projects Donate Now to the Barbara Denham Warren Scholarship A new semester is well underway, and the House Corporation has been working diligently to improve the living conditions at the chapter house. In addition to interior improvements, the board has exterior restorations set in motion, as well as plans for streamlining administrative tasks. Current ProjeCts New tables and chairs for the social hall are currently being researched and designed. We are working on a solution that would provide more space for the women and a product that is durable, all while keeping the same feel as our current tables. We have also planned improvements and resurfacing to the driveway for this spring. The board worked many hours to improve the Wi-Fi system within the chapter house. We also installed new motion detector switches in all public rooms and bathrooms to help reduce our wasting of electricity. We are in the process of bringing our accounting books online as well as beginning work to have all billings, payments, contracts, etc. online. BarBara Denham Warren sCholarshiP In honor of Barbara Denham Warren's dedication to our chapter, we are proud to announce a new grant fund in her name via the SK Foundation. The Barbara Denham Warren Scholarship is available to collegiate Delta Upsilon women who find themselves in financial distress, emergency, or crisis and need assistance. As an alumna, you can donate to the fund via the SK Foundation at www.sigmakappafoundation.org/givenow. On that page, indicate whether you want to make a one-time donation or installment payments over a period of time. You can make a donation for ANY amount—no amount is too small to show your appreciation of Barbara's long, hard work. Under Gift Designation, you need to click "Show me all fund options," which will then provide a pull-down menu that provides the option to select the fund: Delta Upsilon Scholarship. It's very easy—just follow the prompts and complete the information requested. The Foundation will take it from there. interesteD in GettinG involveD? If you are interested in joining the Corporation Board for Delta Upsilon, or would like to help with projects, please contact Claire David '08 at cedavid603@gmail.com or Traci Sooter '81 at tsooter@drury.edu. Thank you to all alumnae for your continued support of the Sigma Kappa sisterhood and assistance in fostering a positive learning environment for current undergraduate members. Janice Ballestracci '60 Paves the Way for Delta Upsilon Education, Growth, and Leadership T he 1950s were an extremely different time for women seeking a higher education. Opportunities were limited and expectations for female success through academics were much lower than today. However, Janice Ballestracci '60 did not let society's view of women discourage her, and she became the first president of the Delta Upsilon Chapter once it became affiliated with Sigma Kappa. "The chapter improved," Janice said. "We pledged more girls. From the beginning there was a lot of help from National Headquarters and their counselors." Today, sororities are more goal-driven and service- oriented. They were important from a social aspect in their earlier days. Janice and several of her high school friends decided to join sororities mostly for that reason. Some of her fondest memories of her time at Delta Upsilon are the friendships of the girls, laughing together, playing the piano and singing for the Greek Sing, and the socials and sorority dances. Janice looks forward to renewing bonds with her Sigma Kappa sisters through the Delta Upsilon alumnae relations program. Although Janice has not been back to visit the chapter house, she knows it is better than the one she lived in as an undergraduate, thanks to Sigma Kappa. "Shortly after I graduated, NHQ assisted the chapter in purchasing a new, nicer, much larger house. (Actually, I have dreamed about visiting that house many times). There was just a much stronger National influence than with Pi Kappa Sigma. Even the Alumnae Chapter seemed more helpful." She is pleased to read the National magazine and to hear that women in Delta Upsilon today are more volunteer-oriented. (Continued on page 3) Donate toward the Barbara Dehham Warren Scholarship today! www.sigmakappa foundation.org/ givenow

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