Alpha Phi - University of Missouri

Omicron Chapter Always Alpha Phi Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Spring 2017 I mages of Greektown as it was during our college years are vivid memories for many of us. But matching Greek letters to photos of today's Greektown would challenge many of us. The photos would reveal splendid new mansions, construction sites, building additions, and housing in place of flat parking lots. Greek chapters at Mizzou are outgrowing their houses. Sorority new member classes have grown tremendously in the past several years including Alpha Phi, which has a new member class of 103 young women. Here's an overview of a few Greek projects: • ADPi underwent a $3 million expansion/ renovation in 2013. The bed count increased from 71 to 102 and more meeting and study space was added. They're now the largest Greek house on campus. • Chi Omega's rebuild included combining its annex and chapter house into one mega chapter house that houses 100 members. • Tri Delta tore down its annex and added a large expansion that includes a large multipurpose meeting room and additional bedrooms. • Kappa Alpha Theta is on the third phase of its expansion plan, which will be ready this fall. • Zeta Tau Alpha tore down its house and is in the middle of a complete rebuild that will be completed this fall. • Delta Gamma completely tore down its house and annex and is in the process of constructing a much larger house to be open for members in the fall of 2017. While summer "refresh" efforts by the House Corporation Board (HCB) have added new décor and other necessary updates, our Omicron facility, despite its familiar charm, has not dramatically changed in appearance or size in recent years. By comparison, our Omicron house and annex can house only three quarters the size of other chapters and does not provide a large gathering space for our members to meet, study, and foster sisterhood. Developing a Long-Range Strategic Plan At our March 19 HCB meeting, we discussed strategic plans for the chapter house in the next three to five years. Key initiatives include fact- finding and planning decisions regarding our chapter facility and its future growth. Special attention will continue to be on how Omicron compares (both physically and by membership size) to other Greek chapters at Mizzou. It is important to balance our fiscal responsibilities and the need to provide the best and safest housing for our sisters. Focus on Alumnae Relations We will also focus on enhancing a climate of lifelong alumnae engagement, support, and partnership with the collegiate chapter. The bond of sisterhood we developed through Omicron is special and we need to foster it to ensure the prosperity of our future sisters. We welcome Cherie Stephens Bock '89 as our new alumnae relations chairperson. Cherie joined the HCB this spring after spending a year as the new member recruitment advisor. Cherie brings an energy and excitement to this critical position. She has many ideas and is excited to start planning more events and reunions with a focus on bringing classes and eras together on campus. It Takes a Team to Support the Chapter and Facility The Advisory Board, which underwent a shift in membership in spring 2016, remains Progress Never Stands Still Major Construction in Greek Town Continues Ada Klostermayer Gingrich '49 Grateful for Alpha Phi Membership Led to Friendships and Love A da Klostermayer Gingrich '49 has her good friend Barbara Gibbs Marsh '49 to thank for becoming an Alpha Phi. Ada and Barb were suitemates at William Woods College before they both transferred to the University of Missouri in 1948. A hometown friend of Barb's, Virginia Porter Skelton '47, had pledged Alpha Phi, so when Barb pledged, "I did, too!" said Ada. Ada recalls how crowded the university was, as it was after the war, and says sorority facilities were desired housing. "We were crowded—three in a room—and stayed in the house until we were initiated second semester. Then we had to live in an annex." Alpha Phi membership provided Ada with companionship and lifelong friends. Some of her favorite memories are of dances and getting rides to campus. Not many students had cars then, so Mary Gingrich Clark '50 would ask her brother to pick them up and drop them off for classes. Ada would eventually begin dating that brother, Wesley Gingrich, and they married in August 1952. Ada graduated from MU in 1950 in a memorable ceremony with sitting President Harry S. Truman delivering the speech under a darkening, thunder- filled sky. As soon as he finished speaking, rain poured down. Ada earned a B.A. degree with a Looking up Providence Road, you can see dramatic changes taking place in Greektown. Omicron's leadership constantly assesses where we stand in comparison to other houses and our ability to truly foster sisterhood. (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 4) Omicron Chapter Omicron Chapter

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