Alpha Nu chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Missouri
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Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Missouri • Spring 2016 T he House Corporation Board is preparing for further renovations to the second and third floors over the summer including replacing all of the bedroom doors in the oldest sections of the house and replacing all of the room door locks with combination locks. Along with the new doors will come a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting throughout the upstairs. These updates will make a huge difference in aesthetics of the living areas upstairs, providing a clean, bright and newer look. Other projects being planned are the replacement of additional floors as needed and continued upgrades of bedroom furniture. If time and funds allow, there may be additional, smaller projects. Other areas of the house that need further attention are the bathroom in the house director's suite and a renovation of the chapter president's room to make it ADA compliant. The board also is reviewing a plan for a major update to the kitchen. The last time that area of the house was renovated was nearly 30 years ago. We hope all alumnae make a point to stop at the chapter house to see the changes that have taken place in the past four years. For some of us, the place is unrecognizable from when we were collegians. And more good news, we are pleased to report that chapter members respect the property and it remains in excellent condition. Loyally, Bev Wood Nichols '75 President, House Corporation Board / kc5cents@aol.com President Bev Wood Nichols '75 has been on the HCB since she was the chapter treasurer for two years in college. "I love being part of the improvements and helping to provide a better future for the chapter," she said. "900 Richmond has been the home to so many women, and it's rewarding to see the facility grow and improve each year." Ensuring that the facility is competitive on campus and provides a safe home for members is what the HCB strives to do. "For Alpha Nu to remain competitive at Mizzou, it's critical to have alumnae support," Bev said. "The stronger the support, the stronger the chapter will be on campus." Bev believes that connecting with sisters is the best part of the Alpha Chi sisterhood and encourages alumnae to visit the chapter, which has remained at the same location since 1927. Bev grew up in St. Louis, Mo., but has lived in Shawnee Mission, Kan., since graduating from the University of Missouri. She worked for Hallmark Cards for 35 years before retiring three years ago. Bev and her husband, Craig, who is a Delta Upsilon and Mizzou alumnus she met through an ACW sister, have two children and three grandchildren. Her son Kris was a Pi Kappa Phi at the University of North Dakota and her daughter-in-law was a Pi Beta Phi at Mizzou. Her daughter Ashley was a Delta Gamma at Drake University and is the president of the Drake DG house corporation board. "I believe Greek life is an important experience and provides many leadership opportunities," Bev said. Treasurer Karen Knoblauch Neylon '79 joined the HCB in 1993 because she liked the idea of being involved with her chapter without the time demands of a chapter advisor position. "I enjoy being one of the caretakers of 900 Richmond as we strive for a balance between preserving the house we all cherish while creating and maintaining a modern facility that serves the needs of today's students," she stated. Ultimately, Karen hopes the women living in the chapter house can create the same happy, lasting memories of their time that many alumnae did before them. "I think of it as honoring the lifelong connections I made by supporting the next generation of Real.Strong.Women." In 2022, Alpha Nu will celebrate its centennial. "We all have a part in that legacy and we all should plan to celebrate that milestone with the chapter." Karen and her husband, Pat, who is a Mizzou Delta Sigma Phi alumnus, live in Columbia, and she works for Mizzou law school. Vice President Jeannine Bax Brickey '81 was always interested in what the HCB did from the time she was a student. "I thought it would be a good way for me to continue to give future members a beautiful place to live," she said. She hopes that the chapter will continue to grow and have a strong presence on campus. "We learn by example: by showing your support for the chapter, current members will learn to step up and show their support as they become alumnae," Jeannine stated. "In today's world, networking plays an important role. By staying in touch and reconnecting with the chapter and alumnae we can provide a wonderful networking system." Jeannine grew up east of Jefferson City, Mo., in Taos and now lives in Centertown, Mo. She has been a stay-at-home mom for the past 18 years. Before starting her family, she taught family and consumer sciences at the high school and middle school levels, as well as worked as a supervisor in vocational education for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Jeannine and her husband, Keith, own Central Missouri Professional Services, which is a land surveying, engineering and soils testing company in Jefferson City, where she helps out part-time in the office when needed. Jeannine and Keith have a son, Kalen, and twins, Krista and Kurtis. Secretary Ginny Shellhorn Hermanson '90 became a member of the HCB because she felt that it was a way to give back to the chapter after all of the opportunities her Alpha Nu membership afforded her as an active member. The goal of the HCB is for the chapter to evolve and grow into something better and to create a place where the women want to Meet the House Corporation Board Officers More Renovations to Second and Third Floors Planned for Summer 2016 Additional Updates Possible if Time and Funds Allow (Continued on page 3)