Kappa Alpha Theta - Purdue University

Theta Kite 2 Alpha Chi's 2015 Grill-Off $10,570 Raised for Tippecanoe County CASA A lpha Chi's 2015 Grill-Off was on Sunday, October 18. It is a much-anticipated event that not only raises funds to support CASA, but also provides a lot of fun as Greek teams compete to win one of three trophies for best tasting dish, best theme, and most creative dish. The winners are the teams that receive the most votes. College students and parents pay $4 at the door, and each person receives four tickets to taste one dish at each of four tables. The 2015 event raised $10,570 for Tippecanoe County CASA. Coleen T. Connor, executive director of the Tippecanoe County CASA Program, sent a note saying that since 2000, the Alpha Chi Theta Grill-Off has raised over $108,000. She wrote: "The total is simply amazing and is truly appreciated by our program, our CASA volunteers, and more directly by the children that we serve. Thank you for all your support. I will look forward to hearing about the next Grill-Off in the fall of 2016!" O ld Masters is a long-standing campus organization that unites generations and embraces Purdue traditions by hosting 10 distinguished alumni every year for a three- day program in November. Every year, there are at least two or three Thetas involved, either as a hostess, promotional officer, or central committee member. A hostess is a member of the organization that is assigned to a specific Old Master during his or her visit to Purdue. A promotional officer publicizes the events of the program on campus, and central committee members have a wide range of responsibilities, from selecting the Old Masters and their hosts to scheduling all events of the program. This year, one of the Old Masters was Lorna Utley '73. She was able to visit the house for lunch and a tour. Recent Thetas who have been involved with Old Masters include Erika Paajnen '10, Hannah Neff '10, Margaret Boldebuck '11, Rachel Pauley '11, and Laura Poletti '12. If you have questions, you can contact Laura Poletti '12, who served on the Old Masters committee, at lpoletti@purdue.edu. Purdue Old Masters Program During her visit as an Old Master, Lorna Gless Utley '73 visited the Alpha Chi Chapter house for lunch and a tour. Back row, from left: Madison Sprecher '15, Libby Quinn '14, Linda Markins Sorensen '60, Alpha Chi Theta Educational Foundation presidemt, Lorna Gless Utley '73, Sammi Boram '14, and Laura Boodt '15. Front row: Elaine Bottomley '14 and Beverly Beck McCollough '55, Lafayette Alumnae Association president and advisory board member. Alpha Chi members wore blue shirts for the Grill-Off, customized on the back with the names of all the Grill-Off sponsors. Pictured above in their blue shirts are Alpha Chi's new initiates. TheTa Remains FiRsT in academics 35 Members Initiated This Fall I t has been a very busy year, as usual, for the Alpha Chis. After fall semester, our chapter GPA went from a 3.36 in spring of 2015 to a 3.4 in the fall. We have now been first in GPA for the fifth consecutive semester. Between the summer and this spring, we have had a handful of women studying abroad in a variety of places: London, Spain, Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, Italy, and New Zealand. This spring, we have four women participating in internships at Apple, Disney World, Marathon, and Eskenazi Hospital. We've also had eight women participate in Panhellenic roles since last spring, including myself. In October, we initiated 35 bright and determined young women and we are so excited to see them flourish. At the Greek Gala last spring, Alpha Chi won many awards, including Best Chapter. To top it all off, in May, we celebrated Alpha Chi's 100th birthday! So as you can see, it's been quite the year, and I hope this gives you a glimpse of it. We look forward to seeing what future accomplishments are in store for the coming year. Loyally in Theta, Jaclyn Schuler '13 Chief Executive Officer Being a part of the 2015 Purdue Old Masters Program in November was another highly rewarding experience. "It was like being a rockstar," Lorna says. "It was not only wonderful from an individual standpoint, but for the opportunity to give back to the university." During that weekend, she was ecstatic to return to Purdue, and understands the importance of keeping ties with Theta. "I stay connected to maintain the sisterhood and help provide the same experience to the young women of the chapter," she says. She stays in contact with a number of her sisters: Julie Page Schleck '73, Georgia Sinclair Strickland '73, Melanie Barnette Caldwell '73, Carole Wood Gorenflo '73, Jeanne Verbosky Kelsay '74, Betty Brixey Bullion '74, and Mary Weiland Jarman '74. Lorna and Jud live in Detroit, Mich. They have two children, Colin and Will. Lorna is excited to soon become a grandmother. In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf, exercising, traveling, spending time with her black labs, and giving back to the community. E-mail: lutley@goodwilldetroit.org Lorna Utley '73 (Continued from page 1)

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