Alpha Xi Delta - University of South Dakota

Epsilon Calls page 4 A Housemother's Influence C hristen Lacey was first approached for the position of Epsilon Chapter housemother by her friend and colleague, Cristi, who was serving on the chapter's House Corporation Board. "She was in charge of filling the position, and as she talked about it, I thought, 'hey, that sounds like something fun that I could do,'" Christen shared. A housemother, she learned, meant serving as the in-house role model and adult support for the undergraduates. Once hired for the position, Christen moved into the Epsilon chapter house at the University of South Dakota, where she was greeted by a welcoming chapter. "The members brought me a welcome gift and card, which I found quite touching," she stated, "and they were all very kind to me as I met each of them." Christen enjoyed getting to know the women as she settled into her new role. As housemother, Christen did everything from purchasing groceries for the house and calling maintenance workers to repairing a can opener. "I've changed furnace filters, unclogged drains, put a new battery in the thermostat—all kinds of things," she recalled. In performing these tasks, she tried to instill a sense of self-reliance in the women and encourage them to fix things on their own before reaching out to dads, partners, or professionals. "I hope they've seen that if you are patient and focused, you can figure out how to put something back together rather than simply replacing it." Having a certain degree of handiness and being resourceful are skills that Christen believes are important, and that can save time and money. Still, she emphasizes that it is okay to ask for help when necessary. Christen found her biggest challenge in managing the chapter house schedule, which was complicated when unexpected situations arose and by the full-time job she had at the university. Fortunately, the women living in the Epsilon house made Christen's duties worthwhile, and she enjoyed overseeing the chapter despite the occasional obstacle. Watching the women take care of each other and work together was Christen's favorite part about working in the chapter house. She also enjoyed celebrating national pizza day with the women and watching the Super Bowl together. While her time as housemother has ended, Christen had fond memories of the experience and hopes her impact on the chapter was a positive one. Epsilon needs a new house director! Pay is negotiable and room and board is included (a two-bedroom suite with handicap-accessible personal bathroom and deluxe closets). Epsilon also needs a new cook! Contact Cristi McClelland '89 at tfmsd@yahoo.com or (605) 670-7803 for more information on both positions. CHAPTER ETERNAL Esther Jonnes Peterson '41 passed on to Chapter Eternal on November 30, 2017. A Vermillion "townie," she was an active member of Epsilon Chapter from 1938 until graduation. She was president of the Panhellenic Council and an attendant to Miss Dakota, as well as the first woman on campus to earn her pilot's license. After graduation, she worked in the governor's office in Pierre, and married James Peterson, a WWII pilot and an enrolled member of the Oglala tribe at Pine Ridge. After James' passing, Esther moved to Thousand Oaks, California, to live with her daughter, Randi Oines. Over Esther's long life, she was a church secretary, high school registrar, and U.S. Customs agent, occupations that she felt used similar skill sets. Esther was quite proud of her grandsons, Dr. Leif Oines, Luke Oines, and Dr. John Ringquist, who made her heart soar higher than any plane she ever flew. Chapter Officers President Emily Badura '16 emily.badura@coyotes.usd.edu Vice President of Chapter Life Shampaign Fields '17 Vice President of Communications Kate Kirkebak '17 Vice President of Philanthropy Angela Burke '16 Vice President of Membership Madison Godschalk '16 Vice President of Membership Development Emily Moor '17 Vice President of Financial Abby Josta '17 Panhellenic Delegate Jennifer Jensen '17

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