Alpha Xi Delta - University of South Dakota

Coming Home: The Campaign for 214 North Plum Why I Gave to the Coming Home Campaign "I loved my time at USD. I tribute that joy to the lifelong friends I made at Alpha Xi Delta! TFJ forever!" – Angie Butler Ackerman '78 "Congratulations on all your hard work on the building project and all you are doing to make the AXD house successful and vibrant. I have had three children graduate from USD and our fourth will start next fall. They have all been a part of Greek life. I haven't missed a Stroller Show the past 10 years. It has been so fun to see the AXD house become stronger every year. I have such wonderful memories and connections from my years in Vermillion. I wish you the best!" – Anne Falk '79 "My mom, Martha Adams Glissendorf '55, passed away September 27, 2016. She would be honored to help build a new sorority house. She was proud to be an Alpha Xi during the 1950s." – Anne Mairose "There are so many reasons why I gave. I came from a small high school with 25 in my graduating class. Most of us had known each other since grade school. I took off for USD and didn't know a soul. The AXD sisters became my family. I would not have made it through without that core. There were so many life lessons I learned during my four years as an AXD, things that guided me through my career. The sisterhood bond never leaves you. You always feel those heartstrings tighten when you talk about AXD. I was afraid by the report we got on the condition of the house that it would not last and would end one of the longest-living sororities on campus. I just couldn't let that happen. Now I have a granddaughter as an AXD and it thrills me to think of all she is going to experience." – Donna Heggelund Jensen '66 Love for Alpha Xi Delta Inspires Mary Brandon Miller '67 to Serve as Chairman of Epsilon's Capital Campaign W hen Mary Brandon Miller '67 joined the Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta, she wasn't aware of the impact the chapter and sisterhood would ultimately have on her life. During her time in Epsilon Chapter, Mary forged several invaluable friendships with women she's still proud to call her sisters today. More than 45 years later, as campaign chairman for Alpha Xi Delta's Coming Home: The Campaign for 214 North Plum campaign, Mary is passionate about leading Epsilon's fundraising efforts because she wants active members to have the same meaningful, lifelong experiences and friendships she had as an undergraduate. Epsilon's journey toward building a new home began in 2013, when Mary and three of her AXD sisters, Cynthia Manke Jewett '67, Mary Ann Vlahakis McAtee '67, and Kay Cameron Olson '68, started talking about how they could help their beloved sorority and improve Alpha Xi Delta's competitive standing on campus. "We decided to attend the university's Homecoming and visit the chapter house," Mary recalls. "I can't tell you how impressed we were with our undergraduate sisters and all that they have accomplished up to this point. Their enthusiasm and commitment to leading a quality chapter is what keeps Alpha Xi Delta alive and thriving to this day. We told the active members that we would remodel the basement, improve the plumbing, or any other large-scale projects that needed to be completed to ensure the house maintains its polished appearance. The house corporation board informed us that the infrastructure was crumbling and we would have to rebuild the facility." Leading a project of this magnitude is certainly quite a challenge, but for Mary, having the privilege to serve as Epsilon's campaign chairman has been nothing short of rewarding and memorable. "This campaign has allowed me the opportunity to reconnect with many sisters and unite Alpha Xi Deltas of all generations. I dream about the moment all of our sisters will be standing together in a brand new house. Knowing how much support is out there makes my job as chairman even more fulfilling." Mary is confident that with the help of each and every alumna, this dream of a new home will soon become a reality for Epsilon. "Alpha Xi Delta has made a profound impact on countless lives and is a bond we all share. For many of us, 214 North Plum is where we found our future bridesmaids, best friends, confidants, and biggest supporters. Epsilon gave me the confidence to pursue and fulfill my goals, and I want nothing more than to be able to provide that and so much more to the next generations of women. The campaign has gained so much momentum in such a short amount of time, with campaign pledges totaling more than $888,000, and with your help we will achieve our goal. Please join me in supporting this once-in-a- lifetime opportunity for the future leaders of Alpha Xi Delta." Aside from her leadership in Epsilon, Mary takes advantage of every opportunity she gets to see her Alpha Xi Delta sisters. "Our chapter held a reunion in Rapid City in 2014, which generated a huge response from sisters of all classes and generations. It was so wonderful to see women sharing laughs and memories with each other as if no time had passed at all. In 2016, I invited 14 of my pledge sisters to my house in Florida, and it was amazing to see how strong the friendships still were after all these years. I can't wait to welcome all of our sisters back to the unveiling of our new chapter house in the near future and for them see the outstanding transformation for themselves!" In her spare time, Mary enjoys speed walking, golfing, playing card games, and spending time with her six grandchildren and her three children, Jeannie, Brad, and Erik, in Florida and Charlevoix, Michigan. Mary and her husband, Larry, live in Rochester, Michigan. You can contact Mary at marlarmiller24@hotmail.com. "Alpha Xi Delta has made a profound impact on countless lives and is a bond we all share." Why did YOU give to the campaign? Send an e-mail to mlisher@

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