Chi Omega - Kansas State University

Χ Ω The Cardinal and Straw Keeping Close with Kappa Alpha Spring 2016 Inside: Alumna Spotlight 2 Thank You, Generous alumnae 2 Alumnae News 2, 4 Kappa Alpha Celebrates Success 3 House Corporation Invested in Enhancing the Lives of Kappa Alpha Actives O ne of the takeaways from the Reyna and Jason Palais National House Corporation Summit that Marilyn McCrillis Nichols '75 and I attended last summer is how important it is to have the president of the House Corporation Board (HCB) reside in or as near to Manhattan as possible for emergency and liability reasons. So, we changed things up a bit on the board, and our long-time president, Joan McCrillis Lafferty '69, who lives in Lenexa, has moved to the position of vice president, and I have moved into the position of president, as I live in Wamego, which is about 15 miles from the Kappa Alpha Chapter House. HCB WELCOMES NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF FACILITIES These shifts in positions created an opening for the vice president of facilities, which the board is thrilled to announce has been filled by Annette Taylor Wilson '80, who joined the board last October. Annette lives in Abilene, Kan., and graduated from K-State in 1982 with a B.S. in elementary education and an M.S. in educational media and technology in 1988. Her husband, Evan (K-State FIJI), is a partner in his family's farming operation, Warren Wilson Hay, Inc., and also owns a trucking operation, Wilson Transport. After 31 years in education, Annette is now enjoying her second year of retirement. Annette and Evan have two grown children. Their son, Kelly (K-State FIJI), and his wife, Calista, have a 20-month-old son, Corbin. They live nearby and Annette is overjoyed that she gets to babysit him every Friday! Their daughter, Jordan Wilson '07, is a flight attendant and lives in Sarasota, Fla. They enjoy tailgating at K-State football games, going to the lake, enjoying their backyard, spending time with family and friends, going to movies, and slipping down to Florida to see their daughter and take in the southern warmth. She also dabbles in crafts and cooking. Annette says that she's looking forward to working with the other women on the Chi Omega HCB! MAKING ACTIVES FEEL AT HOME Annette jumped right in to her new board position duties in November by helping me select and purchase much-needed new Christmas decorations for the Chapter House. One of the goals of the HCB is to provide a comfortable and home-like ambiance in the house for the actives, and we decided that a good way to do that last fall was by decorating the house for Christmas while the actives were away on Thanksgiving break. Annette and I enjoyed running around Manhattan in search of a new tree and ornaments, as well as new greenery and wreaths for the living room, foyer, and dining room. The HCB was excited to provide a touch of holiday warmth and cheer to the active members' beloved home away from home. CHI OMEGA SISTERHOOD CONTINUES TO FLOURISH The HCB held its annual meeting the weekend of February 6 and attended the initiation banquet the next morning to welcome 53 new initiates and their families to Chi Omega. Meeting the new initiates really sent home the message to us that "Sisterhood Never Stops"—it brought back memories to all of us of our initiations, living in the house with our sisters, getting together with various pledge sisters through the years, and becoming involved with the Chapter as advisors and HCB members. We encourage any alumnae to become involved with the active Chapter by volunteering for an Advisory Board or House Corporation Board position! Now is your chance to enhance the lives of active members and provide a brighter future for generations of Kappa Alphas to come. Lovingly Yours in Chi Omega, Kim Jacobson '80 President, House Corporation Board kimba495@gmail.com Board MeMBer Position Changes in ChaPter's Best interest House Corporation Board President Kim Jacobson '80 Vice President Joan McCrillis Lafferty '69 VP of Financial Management Kelly Williams '72 VP of Personnel Eleonore Kenning Ingram '75 VP of Facilities Annette Taylor Wilson '80 Secretary Marilyn McCrillis Nichols '75 Treasurer Rebecca Stack '09 Member Mimi Balderson '68

• Cover