Kappa Alpha Theta - Purdue University

KAPPA ALPHA THETA 3 Founders Day, January 1917 Theta Is For A Lifetime O n Saturday, January 21, actives from 607 Russell Street joined with alumnae at the Lafayette Country Club to celebrate the founding of Kappa Alpha Theta in 1870. The four founders, Bettie Locke Hamilton, Alice Allen Brant, Bettie Tipton Lindsey, and Hannah Fitch Shaw, were true visionaries. The Theta "Preamble" is one of the best mission statements ever written. For Thetas everywhere, it is an affirmation that Theta is for a lifetime. Chapter CEO Claire Schumann '14, Ann Neale, Rho '82, an Alpha Chi legacy mom and chairman of Founders Day, and Laura Poletti '12, treasurer of Alpha Chi Educational Foundation. Emily Schneider '15 Ritualist Alli Ferrara '14 New Member Educator (Left) Jenny Wilkins '04, Education Advisor (Right) Beverly Beck McCullough '55, president of the Greater Lafayette alumnae chapter and member of the chapter advisory board. Littleton House Rendering Added to the Chapter House F ive years ago the Corporation Board found the architect's colored rendering of the 1957 Theta house in the basement paint room of 607. Judy Bernet Evans '64 took on the project of framing both the rendering of the house and the pen and ink rendering of the 1992 addition and has hung them in the dining room. Framing of one of the renderings was a gift from the class of '57 in memory of departed pledge sisters. Judy said, "We have always intended to add a rendering of the Littleton house and we finally have done so. The rendering was created by Cincinnati artists David and Barbara Day using a photograph found in the archives. The finished work was unveiled at the Founders Day celebration and now completes our trio of Purdue Theta homes." MARK YOUR CALENDARS 2018 FOUNDERS DAY Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Lafayette Country Club If you are having a class reunion, we would love to post a photo of your group on Facebook, on our website, or in the Theta Kite. They can be sent (with a caption) to Marilynn Dammon'66 at marilynn@dammon.com. Share Your Reunion Photos "Although we didn't live there long, we kept in touch through letters at Christmas time. Then, 22 years later, we both ended up back in West Lafayette and reconnected with Theta through the alumnae chapter." "Katie supported events for the alumnae and also events at the chapter house, sharing her experiences at the house on Littleton Street and expressing how close she still was with her pledge sisters. She also served Theta on the district level." Katie also loved Purdue. Her class's 50th Reunion gift was a wonderful statue in the class of 1950 Lecture Hall of a boy and a girl, dressed in their Purdue cords. It's called "A Force for Change." The ring on the girl's hand that is resting on the bench is Katie's Theta ring from college. "Katie was a role model for all of us with her enthusiasm and support. Theta was important to her all of her life. When she passed away in December, the local alumnae and a few Theta friends created a scholarship for Alpha Chi Chapter in Katie's memory. The scholarship is being administered through the Alpha Chi Chapter Educational Foundation under the direction of Linda Markins Sorensen '60." mAry ellen Binney totten-lovell '50 (Continued from page 1) Remembering Katie Dittrich Wood McMillin '48 CArol strAley trimmer '62 K atie Dittrich Wood McMillin '48 made a large impact on anyone who was fortunate enough to know her. Carol Straley Trimmer '62 said, "She was smart, funny, and optimistic. She was a leader among leaders, representing the best of Alpha Chi Chapter." "Katie knew how to work with a group of able and talented women in a collaborative environment and how to set goals and achieve them and motivate others to do the same," Carol explained, "She put that talent to good use as a community leader and as a leader within the fraternity." When Carol was an Alpha Chi pledge, she and her pledge sisters had made flying kites on the Purdue golf course a tradition. Carol's kite refused to lift. Many years later, having managed to fly a kite properly, Carol called Katie to say, "I finally flew my kite." Katie responded, 'I knew you wouldn't quit trying and isn't that what's important? To try until you succeed?' I will never forget that." To Carol, Katie was her mentor, advisor, and cheerleader. She says, "Katie will always be remembered as a friend and an inspiration and for representing the qualities that we all love about Kappa Alpha Theta." Katie McMillin '48 is shown above with her daughter Carole Wood Gorenflo '73 at the Centennial Gala Dinner in May 2015. Carole was in remission from cancer and Katie was delighted that Carole could attend. Sadly, Carole lost her battle with cancer in September 2016.

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