Alpha Chi Omega - University of Florida

page 2 The Carnation Chronicle S urrounded by an elegant candlelight glow, Karen Rusher McElwain watched her daughter, Elizabeth McElwain, Alabama '11, become an official member of Alabama's Alpha Upsilon Chapter. However, she wasn't watching as an alumna, she was watching as a fellow initiate. In 2011, Karen and Lizzie were both pinned into Alpha Chi Omega by their daughter and sister, respectively, JoHanna McElwain, Alabama '09. "It is truly special knowing my two daughters are now my sisters," Karen said. "They were so sweet and encouraged me to join. It was great learning the history, vision, and mission of Alpha Chi Omega. I truly love everything ΑΧΩ stands for and wish I had become one sooner." Since Hanna joined, Karen started volunteering for the Alpha Upsilon Chapter. She had just accepted a role as an advisor when her husband was recruited as the head football coach at Colorado State University. For the McElwains, Jim's coaching career is seen as a "family job." Throughout the past 30 years, they have lived in eight states, following him from Fresno State to Alabama, Colorado State, and now the University of Florida. "I truly believe in finding the positive in each new location," Karen said. "I feel there has to be something darn right special about the community, or people wouldn't be calling it home. The hardest part is leaving friends behind." For Karen, her favorite part of being a coach's wife is assisting the players in becoming fine young men. She sees her husband becoming a father-figure for the players and loves witnessing how coaches can inspire their players. "They help them mold their God-given talent and remind them to utilize that gift for future success on and off the field. The part that truly warms my heart is when the graduated athletes take their earned wisdom and assist others who cross their path," she said. During their time in Louisville, Kentucky, Karen was dubbed MamaMac. The nickname stuck and she tries her best to do it justice. Part of her role involves baking cookies with other coaches' wives and handing them out after Wednesday practices. Karen's hospitality never stops, as it's not uncommon for their home, the MACFAM INN, to be filled with company. Everyday life changes with the seasons—fall ball, winter recruiting, spring ball, and summer Gator Club touring. Fall ball is filled with a lot of X's and O's (football and hugs and kisses) and a dozen family and friends staying at the MACFAM INN each home game. Recruiting season is spent sharing the qualities of the university and the football program with recruits and their families, and the final two seasons are spent on the road meeting wonderful people. As for a typical game day, "Alarm goes off at 6 a.m., assist my hubby with a wonderful game- day outfit, drop him off at the team hotel, return to the MACFAM INN and whip up a hearty breakfast, pack for the game, pick my game-day outfit and freshen up, caravan to the stadium with our houseguests, arrive at the stadium no later than 3.5 hours prior, enjoy the Gator walk, clam nerves at the tailgate, view warm-ups on the field and head up to the suite to watch and cheer on the mighty Gators, head down to the field to congratulate the team on the win, take in the press conference, meet and greet recruits and families, head home and celebrate the win with houseguests, and slip into bed with a big smile on my face." Upon the family's arrival at the University of Florida, the Gamma Iota Chapter was among the first to reach out. Although Karen has not visited the chapter house due to her wild schedule, she sees the chapter as an extension of what she found at the University of Alabama: a grand collection of beautiful, strong, smart women with fun-loving and giving hearts. "I'm proud to be one of their sisters and look forward to interacting with them," she said. "If our founders visited the sisterhood today, pride would fill a room knowing their vision has continued all these years." Karen and Jim both love to cook. They live in Gainesville and can be reached at mce5fam@aol.com. Welcome to the MACFAM INN MamaMac on Her Role as Head Coach's Wife Nikki Abis Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Sydney Achinger Lakeland, Fla. Sarah Adams Oviedo, Fla. Lauren Adler Weston, Fla. Parker Allen Gainesville, Fla. Vicki Arguelles Palmetto Bay, Fla. Shelly Bachmann Palm Harbor, Fla. Alex Blom Anchorage, Alaska Stephanie Bradley Fleming Island, Fla. Kirah Cahill Carmel, Ind. Sawyer Carlton Riverview, Fla. Meagan Carroll Winter Garden, Fla. Jena Conley Daytona Beach, Fla. Katrina Crider Titusville, Fla. Marissa Culbreth Zephyrhills, Fla. Emmalyn Dalton Boynton Beach, Fla. Maddie Dow Palm Harbor, Fla. Tara Dow Palm Harbor, Fla. Kristen Durand Grafton, Mass. Marissa Dye Live Oak, Fla. Jai Fiallo Miami, Fla. Victoria Fortier Ocala, Fla. Audrey Genest San Francisco, Calif. Lily George Williamsburg, Va. Haley Grasty Maitland, Fla. Morgan Hill Boca Raton, Fla. Monica Hool Orlando, Fla. Jillian Howery Boca Raton, Fla. Cara Hunter Riverview, Fla. Carolyn Jenson Pace, Fla. April Kho Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Sophia Lentine Orlando, Fla. Carly Leonard Memphis, Tenn. Alex Loop Jacksonville, Fla. Hailley Loper Camden, Del. Tracy Love Melbourne, Fla. WelCoMe, NeW MeMbeRs

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