Alpha Epsilon Phi - University of Illinois

Mu Chapter Strand of Pearls 2 Thank You, Loyal Alumnae W e wish to extend our gratitude to the alumnae who chose to support Alpha Epsilon Phi during our spring 2017 appeal. Your gifts make it possible for our undergraduates to reside in a safe and comfortable home while remaining competitive at the University of Illinois. Thank you for your support! Vivian Zwick '35 Frances Fleischer Fisher '39 Susan Sherman Helfman '54 Susanne Silverberg Pinzur '71 JoDee Sharps Walsh '76 In honor of Heather Buffone Andrea Halperin Kowalski '87 Julie Shayne Halperin '97 The House Corporation is happy to see these projects completed. A productive summer leaves Mu with a renovated kitchen with all new appliances, new first-floor windows, and some new furniture throughout the house, making it look better than ever. F rom the first time Andrea Halperin Kowalski '87 walked through the doors at Mu, she was captivated by the women of Alpha Epsilon Phi. "AEPhi made me feel welcomed and afforded me many opportunities to grow as a person." As an undergraduate, Andrea served as recruitment counselor her senior year and was also on the Panhellenic officer board for the university. "I truly enjoyed the leadership opportunities AEPhi afforded me while living in the Mu house. Those experiences helped me understand what I wanted to do after college." Following graduation, Andrea became a traveling educational consultant for AEPhi. From there she learned that she wanted to continue her education and become a professional educator. Andrea went on to earn two master's degrees, one in speech communications and public relations and another in education and English. As an alumna, Andrea has experienced a further understanding of the proud and rich history of AEPhi. "My pride in being an AEPhi stems from knowing and meeting famous Phi, Nancy Goodman Brinker '64, who founded the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation and was also the first Jewish Homecoming queen at the University of Illinois." AEPhi strengthened Andrea's ability to handle adversity and helped shape who she is today, as the organization has also been doing for Jewish women since 1909. During her sophomore year, Andrea faced a particular kind of adversity when her mother passed away. Reflecting on that difficult time, Andrea said, "I know that without the support of my chapter adviser and sisters, I would not have stayed in college." Andrea went on to pay back the support of her sisters by working for the national o r g a n i z a t i o n , attending the national conference and helping support her sisters around the country. "I would suggest that collegiate AEPhis and young alumnae make connections and stay connected. The opportunities are amazing! I was hired for my first paying job after graduation because of AEPhi, so get involved because it is never too late to reestablish connections." Andrea and her husband, John Derek Kowalski, a member of Alpha Gamma Rho at the University of Illinois, have been married for 30 years. They have three sons, Elliot, Josh, and Benjamin. Elliot is 22 and in his second year of graduate school at Dominican University. He is working toward his master's degree in business administration and plans to sit for the certified public accountant's test in 2018. Josh is 19 and in his second year of undergraduate study at Aurora University. He plays football and is majoring in criminal justice. Benjamin is a freshmen at Webster University in St. Louis, Mo., and is studying history and playing baseball. "Although I do not have any daughters, I do one day I hope to have a granddaughter in the Mu chapter." Andrea is a full-time high school English and speech teacher at DePue High School in DePue, Ill. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, Ill., where she has taught speech for the past 23 years. She is also the acting principal and fifth grade teacher at Temple B'nai Israel in Aurora, Ill. Andrea is working to complete her required hours to earn her doctorate and plans to teach until she can't walk up the stairs to her classroom. In her little down time, she loves traveling, photography, and spending time with her family and friends. You can reach Andrea at jderek_k@yahoo.com. AEPhi's Rich History Provides Rich Sisterhood Lifetime Educator, Andrea Halperin Kowalski '87, Reflects on Her Time in Mu

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