Sigma Kappa - University of Kansas

Xi Chapter of Sigma Kappa 3514 Clinton Pkwy., Ste. A312 Lawrence, KS 66047-2145 Address Service Requested H H H H Star sigma Alumnae Update Zelina Higginbottom Hickox '47 has two new great-grandchildren, which brings her to a total of 12 great-grandchildren. Her three grandchildren are supportive of Zelina, so she is able to live in her own patio home in Fort Collins, Colo. She says, "I can't believe it's been almost 70 years since I graduated from KU." E-mail: zelinahickoc@centurylink.net Mary Lou Brewer Akright '48 shares that the 1948 initiates are still getting together for their birthday luncheons, including Joanne Alton Riordan '48, Alyce Fawkes Mason '48, Ruth Routon Rader '48, Areta Hemphill Garden '48, and Joyce Stehley Boucher '48. She lives in Leawood, Kan. E-mail: makright@outlook.com Cheryl Frazee Burdette '58 shares that the worst night of her life was April 28, 2016, when her husband, Ken, passed away unexpectedly three months before their 55th wedding anniversary. "I am, however, doing well and learning to adjust to widowhood. My daughter, Evin, and her husband, Mike, have been pillars of strength and support for me." Cheryl lives in Prairie Village, Kan. Joann Johns Janzen '59 is a retiree who lives in Wichita, Kan. She keeps busy teaching English classes part time for Butler Community College. She is also a volunteer docent at the Wichita Art Museum and volunteers with the children's activities at the Wichita Gardens. She also reads a lot and plays bridge whenever possible. E-mail: jzreader@gmail.com Joan Howard '63 and several of her pledge sisters planned a trip to KU for Homecoming 2016. They were excited to visit the chapter house and see all the improvements. The last time Joan had seen the chapter house was in 1969! She still enjoys meeting with her Sigma Kappa alumnae sisters for lunch each month and volunteers with the Lakewood Historical Society near her home in Lakewood, Colo. E-mail: joanlhoward@q.com Jacqueline Hawkins Kraft '63 serves as the president for the Fireside Committee of Kansas City Art Institute. The group has 100 members and raises money for scholarships and the endowment. She also serves as president for the Border Crimes chapter of Sisters-in-Crime, an organization for professional mystery writers and people who love to read a mystery. She lives in Shawnee Mission, Kan. E-mail: jackie. kraft@outlook.com Karen Hunt Exon '72 has been retired academically from Baker University since June 2010, and now serves as a professor emeritus. She continues to coach men's and women's golf at Baker. She enjoys service to the USGA as a committeeperson and to the Kansas Women's Golf Association as president and as a rules referee. And she continues to do long distance and ultra-marathons in the Midwest with her racing kayak and hybrid canoe. She lives in Topeka, Kan., with her husband, Robert. E-mail: karenexon@sbcglobal.net Melodie Priddy Parman '73 plays trombone at a regional symphony and a local community band. Her daughter, Meghann Parmen Borum '99, gave her two grandchildren, and they are the light of Melodie's life. Melodie and her husband, Jon, live in Arkansas City, Kan. E-mail: medley54@cox.net Shalene Bayless Link '83 shares that her son, Clay, is in medical school, and her son, Tyler, is working on his engineering degree at UMKC. She and her husband, Scott, live in Grover, Mo., and stay busy volunteering and traveling. E-mail: shay1963@charter.net Rachel Burger Welland '98 works as a wedding coordinator in the San Diego, Calif., area. She and her husband, Adam, welcomed their second child in April 2016. Jennifer Robb Beck '99 and her husband, Aaron, welcomed a baby girl in December 2015. They live in Wichita, Kan., with their son and daughter. E-mail: jennrbeck@gmail.com Jennifer Torrens '02 is working in Los Angeles as a recruiter for a creative staffing agency. She is a part of the entertainment team, which means she gets to work with Disney, Viacom, and Netflix, among others. She loves living in sunny California, and takes advantage of the beach as often as possible. E-mail: torrensjen@ hotmail.com Alicia Kolman '09 was given the opportunity to travel to the Singapore office of her company, Zenith Media, to help train new starters. She used the opportunity to plan some additional traveling to Krabi, Thailand, for the elephants and the beaches. E-mail: akolman4@gmail.com Women from the 1987 pledge class got together recently to catch up.

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