Alpha Chi Omega - Purdue University

q q Helping New Generations Seek the Heights Kelsey Walls Kasting '05 Donates to Alpha Beta Campaign S earching for a sense of home on a college campus is important as a freshman, and for Kelsey Walls Kasting '05, no place felt more like home than Alpha Chi Omega. "It was the only chapter that made me feel like I was at home during recruitment," Kelsey said. "All of the women I spoke to were so real, genuine, and sincere." After 10 years of membership in Alpha Beta, the friendships and relationships Kelsey made through this sisterhood remain an impactful force in her life. After graduating with a degree in sales and marketing, Kelsey took a position with the National FFA Organization in event management, and her time in Alpha Beta greatly aided in her career pursuits. "The connections I made while in the chapter, and my campus involvement, helped direct my career path," Kelsey said. "My roles with the Grand Prix Foundation, Alpha Beta executive board, and Panhellenic Council provided me with experience and passion for my career in event management." To help ensure future generations of women have the same experience Alpha Beta gave her, Kelsey has joined the Alpha Beta Centennial—Celebrating Our Past, Securing Our Future campaign by making a donation. "Alpha Beta helped make my collegiate experience one for the books and I wanted to contribute to help make that possible for future generations of Alpha Chis and to allow them to become Real. Strong. Women.," Kelsey said. Kelsey encourages all alumnae to reflect upon their time in the chapter house and the impact Alpha Chi has made on them. "Really think about everything that this sisterhood Q: Why did you decide to join Alpha Chi Omega? What made you stay a part of the sisterhood? Bonnie A.: My cousin, Myrtle Boyer Zollinger 1918, who was a founding member of Alpha Beta, was my first knowledge of Alpha Chi Omega. I did not join as a freshman because I was involved with 4-H, and at that time the state fair was during the time of rush, so I waited until my sophomore year. I knew very early that Alpha Chi was where I belonged. Bonnie H.: Similar to my sister, our mom and her involvement as province collegiate chairwoman encouraged my decision to become an Alpha Chi Omega. My mom would go away for five days of province training each year, and I remember she would come back and I told her that she looked so young and excited. I also enjoyed visiting Deb at the chapter house as she was a senior in college and I was a senior in high school. My favorite picture of us is outside the house by the swing from that weekend. Q: How would you encourage other alumnae to get involved with Alpha Chi? Bonnie H.: Our organization would not survive without all of us! Supporting with your dollars, with your talent, and your time will help Alpha Chi Omega last forever. We all have to work to keep Alpha Chi Omega the best that it can be. Deb: Hall of Commitment is so very special to Alpha Chi Omega seniors and is an easy way to get involved. This campaign is our chance to impact the world with our leadership. It is so important to support and join in where you can. We are all Real. Strong. Women. Q: What motivated you to support the Alpha Beta Chapter? Bonnie A.: It is so essential to maintain our high position in Alpha Chi Omega by impressing our high ideals through the years. To do this, we all have to fight for them. Sometime those ideals are lost, but they are worth fighting for always. It takes all kinds of women coming together to maintain this sorority and to keep it strong. Deb: We give to see Alpha Chi Omega preserved. It takes work, dollars, and loyalty. Bonnie H.: We truly want to celebrate our past and secure our future of Alpha Beta. Alpha Chi Omega at Purdue has always been the best; our goal is to continue that. We need everyone! Honor the past, invest in the present, and secure ACW at Purdue as the best for the future. Q: Do you stay in touch with your sisters from Alpha Beta since graduating? Deb: Social media and Facebook are such a great way to stay connected with sisters. I used to exchange Christmas cards with my friends, but now I can connect with sisters a few classes before me and after me. Serving on the Alpha Chi Omega Home Corporation Board has also been a great way to stay involved, especially with friends like Cele Arrington Flanary '70. Bonnie H.: I recently attended the 1975 reunion at the home of Lori Craig Wanders '76. Even though this was the class behind me, it was so fantastic! Many of these sisters had not been together in years and being with them seemed like we all had seen each other the day before— it is the Alpha Chi Omega bond for life! The bond that connects us does translate. I'm looking forward to the centennial celebration to reunite with all of the women I've come to know and love over the years. No one will want to miss it! Campaign Involvement Q&A with the Andrews Family Bonnie House Andrews '38, Deb Andrews Poelstra '70, and Bonnie Andrews Hockema '74 Bonnie House Andrews '38, Bonnie Andrews Hockema '74, and Deb Andrews Poelstra '70 Bonnie Andrews Hockema '74 visiting Deb Andrews Poelstra '70 for Little Sisters Weekend at the chapter house in 1972. (Continued on page 4)

• Cover