Delta Delta Delta - University of Alabama

L aVonda Bowdoin Keel '79 was impressed with Delta Delta Delta's reputation from the very start. When she entered college in 1978, they were extremely well-respected on campus, which drew her in and was a big proponent in her subsequent membership. The strength of sisterhood remains a high point at Delta Mu, and LaVonda is proud that the tradition has remained through the years. "I am glad that Delta Mu continues to be a leader on campus and one of the best sororities," LaVonda said. "The bonds formed during my tenure at Tri Delta remain strong today. I love reminiscing about afternoons on the Round House sundeck laughing with my sisters. We still get together every so often, and we love attending each other's events, especially our children's weddings!" LaVonda earned her bachelor of science degree in accounting. She held positions at Ernst & Young as senior manager and at Carraway Methodist Medical Center as director of internal audit. She now works in the Christian education department at Cathedral Church of the Advent, where she does a little bit of everything: bookkeeping, administrative work, and teaching Sunday school. This year, LaVonda will take over the role of treasurer for Delta Mu's House Corporation. "My history with accounting, as well as my organizational skills, make me an obvious candidate for the job! The previous treasurer, Jane Finley '67, did a fantastic job of getting us through the new house build and the move from the Round House. My role will be fairly easy compared to the hard work and dedication she put in. LaVonda and her husband, Perry, live in Mountain Brook, Alabama, and have three daughters: Ginny (A Kappa Delta at Rhodes), Kathleen (an Alpha Gamma Delta at Auburn), and Laura (a Kappa Alpha Theta at Vanderbilt). "I'm holding out hope that any granddaughters will be Tri Deltas!" In her free time, LaVonda enjoys reading and playing tennis. "I have a great career, a great family, and a great church." You can contact LaVonda at lavondakeel@gmail.com. The Crescent page 2 Jane Hardesty Finley '67 Cherishes Her Lifelong Delta Mu Membership J ane Hardesty Finley '67 gained a multitude of opportunities from her Tri Delta membership. She met so many wonderful women through Delta Mu from other cities, towns, and states. Her experience with Tri Delta expands beyond her years at the University of Alabama as she has continued to enjoy those friendships to this day. "My time with Tri Delta started in 1966 and has never stopped," Jane said. "That's the blessing of this lifelong affiliation. I want to encourage others to stay involved as well." Jane had served the Mobile Alumnae Chapter as president, so she had a natural interest in serving Delta Mu and volunteered to help with recruitment. When her daughter, Laura Jane Finley Wolf '03, joined Delta Mu in 2003, Jane became even more familiar with the needs of the Chapter. "A small group of alumnae began working on improving the house, and from that beginning, we joined the board and became officers. The first issue we addressed was to establish a sound business plan for the Chapter. Then, I worked closely with Tricia Stone '83, Emily Patton '81, Amanda Humber '70, and others in studying expansion possibilities for the property, because it was obvious that the Chapter needed more space. Fortunately, a much better opportunity came along when the University opened land for new houses a stone's throw from the Round House. "My role as treasurer during that time was to be intimately involved in the planning and process of bringing the new house to fruition on sound financial footing. We have been good stewards of our resources, making our financial condition very healthy now and for the future, and we have a beautiful, well-functioning home now for Delta Mu." Even though Jane has stepped down from her role as treasurer, her vision for the Chapter remains the same: that Delta Mu remain in the top-tier among Greek organizations at UA. That requires the Chapter to continue its financial stability, recruit young women of the highest character, and provide them with valuable lifelong memories and skills. Jane has worked in higher education for decades, with the most recent 20 years at the University of Mobile, nine of those as dean of the School of Business. Now a professor teaching finance and marketing at the undergraduate and graduate levels, Jane advises young, career-oriented individuals to take advantage of opportunities to learn more at each step in their careers. Jane and her husband, Bruce, will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary in January. Laura Jane and her husband, Zack, also live in Mobile, which is convenient for Jane to visit her joy, her grandson George. Jane is heavily involved in service in the community and her church. For leisure, she is an avid gardener and enjoys learning and doing things related to horticulture. She and Bruce have also always owned English Springer Spaniels, which has taken her into the dog showing world a bit. You will also see her at all the Bama home football games and some of the basketball games. You can contact Jane at janehfinley@bellsouth.net. LaVonda Bowdoin KeeL '79 Joins deLta Mu's House Corporation Passing the Torch Jane has served Delta Mu so diligently for years and now hands over the reins to LaVonda. Thank you, Jane, for everything you've done, and we have the utmost faith that LaVonda will continue your hard work.

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