Alpha Phi - University of Missouri

T here seems to be a special moment during the four years of college where relationships grow roots capable of weathering everything that will come after the graduation caps are thrown in the air. For nine sisters from the early '90s, the friendships formed in Alpha Phi have blossomed into a sisterhood that encourages, supports, and makes each woman a stronger version of herself. Through texts, e-mails, phone calls, and annual trips, they build on what was started more than 20 years ago. Amy Conner Callihan '92, Courtney Kemper Dill '92, Kim Hoehn Hause '92, and Kellye Crockett Bunch '93 share with us what makes their bond so unique. The Years Since College "A lot of life has happened for all of us over the last 20-plus years, both good and bad. We have been there for one another through marriages, births, new jobs, promotions, moves—the exciting parts of life. But, perhaps even more importantly, we've been there for each other through the hurt, divorce, miscarriage, death of a parent, and health issues." –Courtney "We are all living parallel lives in different cities and yet, even though we see each other only one weekend a year, once we are together, it is as though no time has passed and we pick up where we left off." –Kim "The people influencing you are your girlfriends. They're the ones encouraging you to take that interview or pursue a promotion. My Alpha Phi sisters have all been in professional work environments and give me women to relate to as a working mother." –Amy A Different Kind of Friendship "My Alpha Phi sisters are my best friends and the most brilliant women I know. The friendship we have doesn't require us to be in a certain stage of life." –Kellye "These friendships truly have the perspective of past, present, and future. We know each other's parents and families as we were kids when we met. Yet, we're invested in each other's present—the jobs, kids, marriages, hopes, and fears. We know that we have a future together that transcends geographical challenges. In these relationships there is no judgment or striving to measure up, because we know from where we've come and the true heart of the others." –Kim "The connection in Alpha Phi gives us a common bond from a time in our lives when we were starting to figure out life for ourselves, before we were professionals, wives, or mothers. That common bond of Alpha Phi has held us together over the years." –Courtney The Importance of Sisterhood "You may not agree with everyone, but when you surround yourself with diverse friends, they build you up and make you want to learn what their experience was about. My sisters introduced me to different faiths and new types of art. There's a bigger world out there to be exposed to and your sisters can open your eyes to things you never knew existed." –Amy "When I was an undergraduate, I didn't think I needed the sisterhood part of the experience. Now, as the mother of a daughter, I see it with really different eyes. Finding a place where honoring being a woman is so important—a place like Alpha Phi, where there is genuine importance placed on the experience of being a woman—has a value that is immeasurable." –Kellye Building a Sisterhood Amy Conner Callihan '92, Candace Wilhelm '92, Ellen Siebenborn Forsyth '92, Courtney Kemper Dill '92, Karena Pennycuick Williams '92, Sarah Lewton Grueber '93, Jennifer McNay '92, Kim Hoehn Hause '92, and Kellye Crockett Bunch '93 in Chicago for their annual gathering. Omicron Chapter Omicron Chapter President Victoria Workman '15 vnwhwf@mail.missouri.edu VP Risk Management Kelsey Bekermeier '15 VP Chapter Operations Danielle Dodd '15 Director of Finance Sabrina Scott '16 Director of Administration Izzie Burridge '15 VP Programming and Education Allie Sadler '15 Director of New Member Education Kaelin Unks '15 VP Membership Recruitment Ashlyn Hoff '15 aeh4h8@ mail.missouri.edu VP Marketing Tatum Pugh '15 VP Campus Affairs Lauren Hutto '15 Panhellenic Delegate Sydney Kalich '15 Our new executive board gathered just before the holidays. Omicron Executive Board Always Alpha Phi 4 concentration in social work. She then attended graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis. After they were married, Ada and Wes moved to Boonville, where he worked in his family's wholesale grocery business and she was a stay-at-home mom. Ada returned to work when their children, Andrew, Mary, and Paul, were in college and high school. She was the social worker for the local hospital for a fulfilling 20- year career. "I enjoyed the challenge of helping people in difficult situations." Ada credits Alpha Phi for the experience necessary in working with others. She has been a longtime donor to Omicron Chapter and feels it is important to support the sorority, as it was the springboard for her work and family. She says, "I believe Alpha Phi gave me my start, and thus I owe them some allegiance." Ada and Wes still live in Boonville, Mo., and spend as much time as they can with their children (all of whom graduated from MU), seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Ada can be reached at awgingrich@sbcglobal.net. Ada Klostermayer Gingrich '49 (Continued from page 1) AF

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