Alpha Xi Delta - University of South Dakota

Epsilon Calls page 2 House Corporation Board Members Ellen Kennedy '05, President Mary Duncan '98, Vice President Connie Cottington Colwill '66 Kay Cameron Olson '67 Michele Morse Bordewyk '05 Maggie Pearson '05 Stephanie Dahl '08 Lesley Pusey, House Director New Faces oN the corporatioN Board Connie Cottington Colwill '66 Connie is retired and living in Sioux Falls. She spent her career in education, teaching and working for the State Department of Education, and serving as superintendent of Montrose Schools. Alpha Xi Delta has always held a special place in her heart. She is a past chapter advisor and is ready to serve the chapter once again by joining corporation board this fall. Kay Cameron Olson '67 Alpha Xi Delta remains one of Kay's greatest passions. She has volunteered on and off with Epsilon, most recently helping organize a fundraiser that raised over $17,000 to support chapter scholarships! This summer, Kay was invited to use her energy and dedication to help great things happen on Epsilon's corporation board. She has been hard at work connecting us to other area Sioux Falls and South Dakota alumnae. Mary Duncan '98 For the past two years Mary has volunteered as chapter advisor for Epsilon. This summer, we invited her to join us on the house corporation board as vice president to help us plan and strategize the needs of the chapter house. She brings with her 14 years of fundraising, marketing, networking, and community building experience to help us manage the next steps in our long-term strategy for maintenance and expansion at 214 North Plum Street. Leslie Pusey – House Director This fall, a new house director, Leslie Pusey, welcomed chapter women back to USD. Leslie works with the honors program at USD. House Corporation board members Mary Duncan '98, Connie Cottington Colwill '66, Kay Cameron Olson '67, and Ellen Kennedy '05 at Dakota Days. Kim cleaver KletschKe '78 Thankful for her aΞΔ experieNce G rowing up in Vermillion and living at home her freshman year, Kim Cleaver Kletschke '78 was looking for an opportunity to meet people and make friends. Joining Epsilon Chapter became her lifeline to connect with other freshmen, and she moved into the house her sophomore year. "Being an A Xi at USD was one of the biggest defining times of my life. There was always someone to hang out with, someone to do things with, and someone to study with. It really was an incredible experience!" After graduation, Kim had the pleasure of traveling the U.S. as a field consultant for Alpha Xi Delta. In nine months, she went to more than 35 campuses and worked with all types of A Xi chapters. "It gave me a great sense of pride to answer questions about Epsilon Chapter and Greek life at the University of South Dakota!" After serving as a consultant, she worked in sales and management in the television broadcasting business, her last position as general manager of the local ABC affiliate. After realizing she wanted to spend more time with her children and managing her family's financial affairs, she began working as a financial advisor. Kim recently celebrated her 19th year as a financial advisor and works at Stifel Nicolaus. Kim credits AΞΔ with preparing her for her career path. "I would not be where I am today without all the experiences I had being an A Xi! I learned how to make friends, set goals, and work with others to achieve goals. I learned about philanthropy and I learned about leadership." Alumnae such as Gloria Anderson Christopherson '66, Karen Knutson Ferris '63, Phyllis Christol '35, and Bonnie Untereiner Bjork '73 were highly involved in the chapter and were great mentors to Kim. "Alpha Xi Delta offered the right challenges to help me grow into the person I am today. My sisters were great mentors in all things college life. I am not sure that I would have stayed in school if it wasn't for Alpha Xi Delta and all the friends I had there. I would like to thank all the women who came before me to make Alpha Xi Delta the wonderful experience I enjoyed, and all the women that came after me who have kept the traditions and sisterhood alive!" Kim and her husband, Kal, enjoy spending time with their 22-year-old daughter and their 26-year-old son. She also enjoys biking, walking, photography, traveling, and community service. Kim is active with her church, the Siouxland Estate Planning Council, Mercy Health Foundation, and the University of South Dakota Foundation. E-mail: krae77@live.com "Being an A Xi at USD was one of the biggest defining times of my life."

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