Kappa Delta - University of Illinois

Spotlight on Sigma Omicron 2 Sue, what were some of your favorite memories from living at 1204 S. Lincoln Avenue? Sue: I loved living in house and being part of such an amazing and fun circle of ladies. There was always a ton of sisters to eat meals with, hang out with, laugh and talk with late into the night, borrow clothes from, and there was always, always someone there to love you and support you when the chips were down. Those were the best of times. Sue, what do you hope Lauren experiences as a KD? Sue: I hope Lauren experiences all that I did and more. I hope she takes advantage of everything Kappa Delta has to offer and all that she can give back to the sorority in return. The opportunities and experiences are endless, and each and every member has the ability to do great things if they so desire. I hope Lauren develops lifelong friends just as I did and makes lasting memories that will stick with her for a lifetime. Lauren, what do you hope to gain as a Kappa Delta? Lauren: I hope not only to continue to gain lifelong friendships but also to become a better leader by getting more involved in Kappa Delta and our philanthropic events. What do you hope for the future of Sigma Omicron? Sue: I hope Kappa Delta continues to recruit strong members who display the qualities of the great sisterhood we are. I'm very excited for the new chapter house and all the amazing opportunities it will afford the girls. I also hope Kappa Delta continues to be known as campus leaders, community volunteers, good friends, and positive role models to others. I have watched Kappa Delta grow and change in so many positive ways since my time there, and it has been a joy to remain connected after almost 30 years. My life changed in so many ways for the better from being a Kappa Delta, and I am honored to have been a part of it and still be a part of it today. Lauren: I hope our Kappa Delta sorority continues to grow and for the future young women who join our sisterhood to experience the new and exciting opportunities that come along with the Girl Scouts of America and other philanthropic opportunities. I also hope that everyone in the chapter leaves their own mark on what this sisterhood has to offer. When a Mother and Daughter Become Kappa Delta Sisters (Continued from page 1) H ave you even been able to look back on your college experience and identify one event or one point in time that shaped you as a person? For Stacey Karzen Van Scoyoc '87, finding Kappa Delta was the springboard that helped form who she is today. "I did not have the most enjoyable recruitment experience," Stacey admitted, "but I also knew God had a plan for me." By end of the process, Kappa Delta, fortunately her top pick, was the last one left, and she was glad it was. "What I saw at the time were women who were well-rounded; they were intelligent, involved in various campus activities, and displayed their individuality," she said. Stacey entered the University of Illinois knowing she wanted to move toward advanced studies and get into the medical field. But even when she was busy studying and working toward that goal, she knew she had a solid foundation to go back to. "Oh my goodness, I was studying all the time," she said. "Looking back, everything else revolved around Kappa Delta. My social life and emotional health were tied to Sigma Omicron. It was so much so that I lived in the house for three years." As a member of Sigma Omicron, Stacey worked on the standards board and was elected standards chairman as a senior. She joked it was because she was a stickler for the rules, but then stated that it was because she really loved the ritual and how it reinforced the chapter's history and values. During her junior year, Stacey shifted her focus from pursing medical school after gaining valuable insight into the profession by volunteering at Carle Hospital. She decided to pursue dentistry instead and continued her education at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. She believed that it was a career that allowed her to be both a mom and a doctor with more flexibility and quality of life. After dental school, she began practicing dentistry as an associate and at the McLean County Health Department Children's Clinic. In 2001, she and her husband, John, opened up their own dental practice in Bloomington, Illinois. On top of helping run the dental practice, Stacey also gives of her time. For Sigma Omicron, she has worked as a recruitment advisor and was an alumna attendee of the Kappa Delta National Convention. Within dentistry, she has been involved in organized dentistry since starting dental school. After she graduated, she became active in her local dental society and served in all positions, including as president. She is on the Illinois State Dental Society Board of Trustees and is running for an officer position. On the national level, Stacey is one of 17 members serving on the Council on Dental Practice for the American Dental Association in addition to being a delegate from Illinois to the American Dental Association House of Delegates. "I have to thank Kappa Delta for a lot of my successes in these various organizations," Stacey said. "For one thing, I learned how to write a lot of reports, which transferred to these dental positions, and in social situations or dentistry events, I can carry on conversations. It is not too dissimilar to recruitment." Outside of work, Stacey still keeps in close contact with some of her Kappa Delta sisters, including: Jenni Laible Schierer '87, Leigh foLLoWing yoUr Path to becoMing a Leader how Kappa delta Prepared stacey Karzen van scoyoc '87 for Life after college (Continued on page 6)

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