Gamma Phi Beta - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

A Slice of Pi page 2 Thank You, LOYAL ALUMNAE Remembering the Tradition Kristin Westin Behmer '76 Reflects on Lifelong Friendships and Developing Skills Through Gamma Phi Beta e are truly grateful to the generous alumnae who donated to Pi Chapter's spring 2017 annual campaign appeal. Your contributions make a difference in the future of Gamma Phi at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Eileen Hepperly Arpke '46 Marion Campen Mahone '46 Joan Hanson Perry '50 Agnes Anderson Olson '52 Charlotte Hellbusch Zimmerman '58 Karen Pflasterer Authier '61 Jean Pittman Cederburg '62 Katherine Carstens Safris '62 Janice M. Wiebusch '65 Linda Thurber Hemmingsen '69 Kris Baack '72 Jennifer Fix Reck '72 Tamara Heinson Fowler '76 Sally Riha Bane '78 Tammy Larson Miller '78 Lori Von Minden Stillman '78 Susan Roddy Olson '79 Jacqueline Liebig Woolway '80 Angela Nims Miller '82 Diane Davis Warneke '82 Brenda Fernau Schimenti '83 Elizabeth Briard Hofmeister '84 Kimberly Bichlmeier Coffey '87 Nicole Hitz Ayer '89 Stacie Yost Higgins '89 Tami Hunke Sova '99 Nicole Salonen Ladd '00 Karen Stokely Rodgers '02 Kelsey Hohlen '06 to have another sister in the area because I immediately had at least one friend." This summer, Kristin traveled to Lincoln for the opening of the art exhibition in the Eisentrager- Howard Gallery. The exhibit hosted the work of 40 University of Nebraska alumni. While in town, she was able to go by and tour the recent renovations to the house. "The house is looking fabulous. Julie Dannehl Doolittle '76, Karen Brandt Hassler '76, and all the other women on the house corporation board have done a fantastic job at preserving our tradition and legacy. What truly makes Gamma Phi special is the extraordinary people that go through the house and create a forever bond outside of it." She and her family went to France this summer and stayed at Julia Childs' neighbor's house. Kristin and Chris have two daughters and one son. Her son, Kirk, went to the University of Nebraska and then the Western Michigan Cooley Law School. He now lives in the Orlando, Fla., area. Her daughter, Cortney Behmer, Rho '05, followed her mom and joined Gamma Phi at the University of Iowa. She now lives in the Chicago, Ill., area. Her second daughter, Taylor, followed her mom to the University of Nebraska and joined Pi Beta Phi. She graduated last spring and is now in Denver, Colo. While being in the relaxing air of Colorado, Kristin hopes to paint more and enjoy being active. You can connect with Kristin at kmbehmer@comcast.net. ristin Westin Behmer '76 came to the campus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln looking for a place where she would meet her best friends and have the opportunity to grow as a person. She had known a few Gamma Phis that were older than her, which made it an attractive option during recruitment, but what truly sold her was the people. "The women at G-Phi were very welcoming and everyone seemed interested in learning about me during recruitment. That made me realize that I would be able to make quality friends at Gamma Phi. I had known Gamma Phi's reputation as a prestigious sorority when I went through recruitment, but when I met the women they all had qualities that I wanted and what they thought was important, I thought was important." As an undergraduate, Kristin served as etiquette chairwoman, which provided experience in leading and public speaking. As an alumna, serving on the school board in Batavia, Ill., for 11 years and holding volunteer positions, public speaking was a necessary skill. "Gamma Phi afforded me the chance to learn and develop these skills that I use on a regular basis and have since graduating." Kristen has been able to keep in touch with her sisters and does so often. Some advice that she would give to all active members and recent graduates is to stay in contact. Most of her lifelong friends come from this period in her life. "Even if you haven't spoken in years, the bond is reignited once you reconnect. I have stayed close with my new member class, especially with Karen Brandt Hassler '76, Gina Lauber Roter '76, and Tammy Heinson Fowler '76. We make an effort to see each other in Lincoln every year." When Kristin and her husband, Chris, moved to Sioux City, Iowa, they found out that Cindy Gross Sapp '76 had also moved there. "It was good Corbyn Ayer* Gretna, Neb. Meredith Batten Fremont, Neb. Anna Boothe Lincoln, Neb. Emily Downs Springfield, Neb. Alex Engberg* Kearney, Neb. Audrey Erker* Omaha, Neb. Bria Foley Leawood, Kan. Murphy Glen* Hastings, Neb. Jennie Hammel Lincoln, Neb. Brynley Klein Benedict, Neb. Amanda Lewis* La Vista, Neb. Amy Li Lincoln, Neb. Alyssa Mahon Lenexa, Kan. Emma Mantel Shawnee, Kan. Brenna Micek Omaha, Neb. Kate Botkin Omaha, Neb. Zoe Bour Sioux Falls, S.D. Kadi Carleton Elkhorn, Neb. Olivia Coffey* Lincoln, Neb. Camille Coulter Carmel, Ind. Mikayla Dorff Lincoln, Neb. Kathryn Hammer Sioux Falls, S.D. Madison Han Omaha, Neb. Bryn Harding Andover, Kan. Chelby Huck Bayard, Neb. Lacey Jessen* Lincoln, Neb. Olivia Johnson Lincoln, Neb. Clare Morehouse Lincoln, Neb. Riley Nitsch North Platte, Neb. Courtney O'Brien Omaha, Neb. Tayten O'Brien* Falls City, Neb. Krista Ott Wisner, Neb. Welcome, New Members

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