Alpha Epsilon Phi - University of Illinois

Mu Chapter Strand of Pearls 2 Jordan Koziol '11 was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Jenna Epstein '11. Thank You, Loyal Alumnae W e wish to extend our gratitude to the alumnae who chose to support Alpha Epsilon Phi during our fall 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! Joan Neustadt Weil '43 Susan Bleiweis Silberman '75 Cheryl Kraff-Cooper '76 Beth Axelrad Zemach '76 Susan Lambert Cohen '81 Julie Maeir '84 Andrea Halperin Kowalski '87 Hope Weinstein Shamberg '90 Coming of Age at AEPhi Jordan Koziol '11 Shares Mu Chapter's Impact on Her Personal Growth J ordan Koziol '11 felt a sense of pride as an Alpha Epsilon Phi sister from her first day, and that pride continued to grow over her years in the house. "Out of all the houses that I was able to visit, AEPhi felt the most real and welcomed me with open arms from the very beginning," Jordan said. "All of the girls that I spoke with during recruitment made me feel as if I were already part of the team, so it was much easier to imagine myself there than in any other house I had visited. Doing things with the house just made it feel like an extension of myself." As Jordan spent more time with Mu Chapter, she felt like a more open and compassionate individual. She didn't know many sisters well in the beginning, but the house's programs helped her bond with many of them, allowing her to meet some of her closest friends, both in her undergraduate and postgrad years. "Everyone in the house had many different interests and backgrounds, and having new experiences with those people opened my eyes to a wider perspective," she said. "It taught me a lot about who I am as a person, what I love, and what makes me tick." This inspired Jordan to serve in a variety of house leadership roles, starting out on the minor boards and committees and eventually working her way up to the executive board. She even served as the house's graduate resident advisor for two years, where she gained a deeper understanding of the behind-the-scenes work. "I felt proud that I was able to have a hand in giving other girls the great experience I had in the house," Jordan said of her time giving back. "I realized how much truly goes into making it the great place that it is: a constantly welcoming environment that emphasizes our core values of sisterhood, selfless service, intellectual growth, and personal development." Jordan keeps in touch with several undergraduate sisters. She met one of her best friends, Jenna Epstein '11, during recruitment and was recently a bridesmaid at her wedding. Last year, Jordan and Gertie Bakalus '15 traveled to Paria Canyon, a 50-mile hike from Utah to Arizona, going through Buckskin Gulch, the world's longest and deepest slot canyon. Jordan also lives near Trish Fleming '12 (her pledge daughter), Jett Levin '12, and Katie Coyle '13, and they occasionally get lunch, go to baseball games, or have Game of Jordan Koziol '11 took this picture at Buckskin Gulch on spring break with Gertie Bakalus '15. A photo of Montmorency Falls, taken by Jordan Koziol '11 during a hike in Quebec.

• Cover