Beta Jau Conn EKtion Beta Tau Housing Corporation of Sigma Kappa at the University of Florida Summer 2021 THRIVING THROUGH ADVERSITY AND FOCUSED ON A BRIGHT FUTURE Beta Tau Wins Multiple Awards, Looks Forward to Celebrating Sisterhood This Fall D espite the tumultuous changes we have all Additionally, chapter women raised more than all decades to come together and solidify the faced during the past year, we are truly $18,000 for the Alzheimer's Association. We future success of our chapter. One of the ways proud of all the incredible accomplishments that are in awe of their dedication to their chapter, that you can help is by contributing to the Beta Tau has achieved during the last several school community, and service. Digital Museum to commemorate 75 years of months. Through ongoing discussion with the Beta Tau. We are also working hard to create current chapter leaders, we are confident that Preparing for Future Gators more opportunities and events for alumnae to Beta Tau Chapter of Sigma Kappa will keep Over the summer, we will be working reconnect in person. We are hoping you are as excelling in the coming school year. diligently to get our beautiful house ready excited as we are for our Summer Sleepover to welcome the next class of Florida Gators, Soiree in July. Chapter Accolades as most of fall recruitment will be back in We want to take this opportunity to highlight person. We look forward to the opportunity The house corporation board, along with a few of their many accomplishments from to invite the women going through fall the entire Beta Tau Chapter, welcomes your last fall through the end of the 2020-21 school 2021 recruitment into our home. If you are thoughts, encouragement, and support during year. Not only did Beta Tau have the largest interested in supporting the women of Beta the coming months. recruitment in our history during fall 2020 Tau during recruitment in whatever form you and spring 2021, but they also brought home can, it is sincerely appreciated. Please reach In Sigma Kappa, several awards in 2020: the Helen Mamarchev out to Jeanneen Watson for more details at Emily Reich '14 Greek Person of the Year Award, the James E. btcorpboardVP@gmail.com and look for future Beta Tau House Corporation Board Scott Living the Ritual Award, the Outstanding communication on how to contribute. Director of Events Community Service Program recognition, and btcorpboardevents@gmail.com the Dr. Michael Bowie Greek Involvement Celebrating 75 Years of Award. Beta Tau also received the Three Star Sigma Kappa at UF Standards of Excellence Award-the highest One of our main goals as the house corporation honor a Sigma Kappa Chapter can receive. board this year is to reunite our alumnae from THEN K AND NOW! Sigma Kappa 2 Meet the Beta Jau House Corporation Board What's been your favorite moment, where your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma Amanda Linda Kappa sisterhood? Everyone singing "Love in Banister Rone '02 Neiman Netzer '86 Any Language" at Parent's Weekend 1988. Role on Corporation Role on Corporation Board: President Major and Graduation Year: Board: Secretary Telecommunications/Business 1988 What's your vision for how this house Career/Title: Business Leader - General What's your vision for how this house corporation board, and your role on it, will Manager corporation board, and your role on it, will help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of Sigma Kappa forever? By demonstrating, Family: Husband Jeff, sons Jeffrey and Sigma Kappa forever? Everything I do for the through our actions, that Sigma Kappa is a Christopher, daughter Amy and son-in-law board contributes to sustaining the chapter. lifelong sisterhood. Sergio, and grandchildren Isabel, Angelina, Sydney, and Dominic What was your favorite Sigma Kappa What was your favorite Sigma Kappa tradition or usual chapter occurrence that tradition or usual chapter occurrence that Favorite Hobby: Traveling you loved when you were a collegian? Candle you loved when you were a collegian? lightings-I don't know if they still do them. Candle lightings, sisterhood retreats, and the Favorite Vacation Spot: Snow-covered exhaustion of recruitment (it's true!). mountains What's been your favorite moment, where your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma What's been your favorite moment, where Kappa sisterhood? When my daughter was your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma initiated in front of sisters from my pledge Paige Kappa sisterhood? My surprise candle class. Norton Seekford '86 lighting at my wedding reception. Role on Corporation Major and Graduation Year: College of Board: Treasurer Major and Graduation Year: Psychology, Liberal Arts-History, 1989 2003 (B.S.); Applied Behavior Analysis, 2010 (Ph.D.) Career/Title: Government Account Advisor- What's your vision for how this house Applied Software Technology, Inc.; Software Career/Title: Senior Regional Behavior corporation board, and your role on it, will Sales, and Services Analyst with the Agency for Persons with help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of Disabilities Sigma Kappa forever? Maintaining the most Family: Husband Evin (married for 30 years important asset of any family, its house, is this summer-he was also my high school Family: Husband Robert, daughters Peyson (9) imperative. sweetheart and boyfriend in college), children and Maren (5) Isaac (25) and Deanna (22), both UF grads What was your favorite Sigma Kappa Favorite Hobby: Spending time with family tradition or usual chapter occurrence that Favorite Hobby: Gardening and friends, reading, and soaking in any quiet you loved when you were a collegian? Candle time I can get! lighting; guessing who was going to blow out Favorite Vacation Spot: Bonaire the candle was always fun. Favorite Vacation Spot: The beach What's been your favorite moment, where Andrea your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma Pease Schafer '86 Jeanneen Kappa sisterhood? I'm sentimental, SO Role on Corporation initiation, naturally, but especially laughing Board: Director, Coleman Watson '87 Role on Corporation while reminiscing with sisters. Alumnae Relations Board: Vice President Major and Graduation Year: Marketing/ Management, 1989; Accounting, 1993 What's your vision for how this house corporation board, and your role on it, will What's your vision for how this house Career/Title: Self-Employed help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of corporation board, and your role on it, will Sigma Kappa forever? Ensuring a lifetime help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of Family: Husband George, daughters Sydney of meaningful Sigma Kappa sisterhood- Sigma Kappa forever? Create a strong vision and Taylor Beta Tau style. and foundation that encourage involvement and dedication to the chapter's success. Favorite Hobby: Vacationing What was your favorite Sigma Kappa tradition or usual chapter occurrence that What was your favorite Sigma Kappa Favorite Vacation Spot: Every one! I want to you loved when you were a collegian? tradition or usual chapter occurrence that see everything! LOVED formal dinners on chapter nights- you loved when you were a collegian? I loved good food, great sisterhood! preparing for recruitment. Beta Tau 3 What's been your favorite moment, where What's been your favorite moment, where your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma Susan your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma Kappa sisterhood? Late-night chats in the Rose '86 Kappa sisterhood? Pinning my daughter at her lounge-consoling/supporting about school Role on initiation to Beta Tau. and life. Corporation Board: Member-at-Large Major and Graduation Year: Mathematics, Major and Graduation Year: Bachelor of 1989 Science in Public Relations (yes, a B.S. in P.R.), 1988 What's your vision for how this house Career/Title: Math teacher, community corporation board, and your role on it, will volunteer, substitute teacher Career/Title: Long career in public relations, help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of now CEO of my own boutique PR firm. Sigma Kappa forever? We are amazingly Family: Husband Steve, daughter Emily, son talented women of all ages driven to succeed! David Family: Married for 29 years with two (now adult) daughters. Lots of Australian Shepherd What was your favorite Sigma Kappa Favorite Hobby: Reading, puzzles, spending "children" since I've left college. tradition or usual chapter occurrence that time with family and friends you loved when you were a collegian? We Favorite Hobby: Traveling and scrapbooking! were too new we created the traditions as we went along. Chris Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere in Europe Holmes Sims '88 What's been your favorite moment, where Role on your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma Corporation Board: Emily Kappa sisterhood? Reconnecting with pledge Member-at-Large Reich '14 sisters after 30 years and not missing a beat! Role on Corporation Board: Director, Major and Graduation Year: Political What's your vision for how this house PR/Events Science, 1987 corporation board, and your role on it, will help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of Career/Title: The Rev. Dr. Susan Rose; I am Sigma Kappa forever? Nurture Beta Tau What's your vision for how this house a pastor and founded a non-profit to mentor alumnae sisterhood and sustain our house for corporation board, and your role on it, will women in ministry. current and future members. help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of Sigma Kappa forever? I hope we can build Family: Married 27 years to Dave and have What was your favorite Sigma Kappa connections between all generations of two young adult children. tradition or usual chapter occurrence that Beta Taus! you loved when you were a collegian? Favorite Hobby: Cycling on Saturdays with Friendships forged during late-night lounge What was your favorite Sigma Kappa Dave! chats, long hours of recruitment, and sisterhood tradition or usual chapter occurrence that events. you loved when you were a collegian? Favorite Vacation Spot: Either the mountains Sisterhood trips-especially to Disney. or the beach-outdoorsy with a view! What's been your favorite moment, where your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma What's been your favorite moment, where Kappa sisterhood? The sincere outpouring your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma Fane of support for sisters facing life and health Kappa sisterhood? When my Little, Sarah, Feldt Crossett '86 challenges. turned around to me! Role on Corporation Board: Major and Graduation Year: Advertising, Major and Graduation Year: Public Member-at-Large 1990 Relations, 2018 Career/Title: IT PMO Organizational Change Career/Title: I will soon be leaving full-time What's your vision for how this house Manager work to start law school in August at the corporation board, and your role on it, will University of South Carolina. help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of Family: Husband Greg, daughter Sadie (15) Sigma Kappa forever? Creating a financially Family: My fiancée, Savannah, and I live in stable and well-organized corporation to Favorite Hobby: Reading, walking and being Columbia, South Carolina, with our five cats support a safe and happy chapter. my kid's taxi service and our dog! What was your favorite Sigma Kappa Favorite Vacation Spot: All things Disney! Favorite Hobby: Saving all the kitties! I serve tradition or usual chapter occurrence that as the adoption coordinator for a local cat you loved when you were a collegian? Dinner (Continued on page 4) rescue. with my sisters was an important part of my daily life. Favorite Vacation Spot: Atlanta, Georgia Sigma Kappa 4 Meet the Beta Jau House Corporation Board (Continued from page 3) Amanda Kappa sisterhood? Watching the excitement What's been your favorite moment, where Vega '18 on my Littles' faces when they saw me on Big/ your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma Role on Little reveal day. Kappa sisterhood? Traveling to visit my best Corporation Board: friend and Sigma Kappa sister. Chapter President Major and Graduation Year: Accounting (Pre-Law), 2023 Major and Graduation Year: Health Science, 2023 I serve as one of the collegians on the board Favorite Hobby: Reading and the chapter president of Beta Tau. I make Career/Title: Working as a certified nursing sure to facilitate great relations between the Favorite Vacation Spot: Panama City Beach assistant and group fitness instructor at the collegians and the house corporation board, and gyms on campus and planning to attend P.A. I also make sure there is clear communication school in the future. between both parties. Lindsay Warner '19 Family: My parents, older brother, and What's your vision for how this house Role on Corporation Australian Shepherd live in Clearwater, Fla. corporation board, and your role on it, will Board: Chapter help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of House Manager Favorite Hobby: I love to exercise and do Sigma Kappa forever? To grow the strong anything on the water or in the sun! relations between the collegians and the corporation board. What's your vision for how this house Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere on a corporation board, and your role on it, beach! What was your favorite Sigma Kappa will help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter tradition or usual chapter occurrence that you of Sigma Kappa forever? We will make loved when you were a collegian? Being able to improvements to cement the house as a enjoy family-style dinners in the dining room. welcoming environment. What's been your favorite moment, where What was your favorite Sigma Kappa your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma tradition or usual chapter occurrence that VISIT US Kappa sisterhood? Living with my Big and you loved when you were a collegian? I love Little for the past year. having our family-style dinners, connecting with my sisters. ONLINE Major and Graduation Year: Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience and French Minor, 2022 What's been your favorite moment, where your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma Alumnae E-mail Contact Favorite Hobby: I love the ocean and am always Kappa sisterhood? I loved hearing sisters' btcorporationboard@ kayaking and paddle boarding when I can. stories during recruitment, knowing I wanted gmail.com this sisterhood. Favorite Vacation Spot: One of my favorite vacation spots is Capri, Italy! Major and Graduation Year: Psychology, 2023 ufl.sigmakappa.org Madison Miller '19 Sydney Richardson '19 f Sigma Kappa - Beta Tau Role on Corporation Role on Corporation Housing Corporation Board: Collegiate Vice Board: Collegiate Vice President of Finance President of Alumnae Relations f Sigma Kappa at the University of Florida What's your vision for how this house corporation board, and your role on it, will What's your vision for how this house help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of corporation board, and your role on it, will Sigma Kappa forever? I want to strengthen help perpetuate the Beta Tau Chapter of @sigmakappauf the relationship between all Sigma Kappas. Sigma Kappa forever? To foster everlasting relationships between alumnae and collegiate What was your favorite Sigma Kappa members of Beta Tau. tradition or usual chapter occurrence that P @skbetatauhc you loved when you were a collegian? Sitting What was your favorite Sigma Kappa by my best friend at chapter! tradition or usual chapter occurrence that you loved when you were a collegian? As a What's been your favorite moment, where collegian, my favorite tradition is our annual your eyes tingled with tears, of true Sigma sisterhood trip. Beta Tau 5 Sigma Kappa Values Serve as Guideposts for Beta Tau Chapter Amid Challenging Year Focused on Philanthropy, Diversity and Inclusion Chairwoman Position Created T he women of Sigma Kappa have awarded the Three Star Standards of shown their passion, loyalty, and Excellence Award, which is the highest leadership this past year, not only on the honor a Sigma Kappa chapter can receive! University of Florida campus but within the Our former president, Emily Little '17, was community. The past year has presented awarded the Dr. Helen Mamarchev Greek many challenges, but the women of Sigma Person of the Year Award, as well as the Kappa have stayed strong and committed James E. Scott Living the Ritual Award to Sigma Kappa's values by focusing on for her outstanding leadership, drive, and our sisterhood, community, academics, and compassion. philanthropy. Going Above and Beyond Beta Taus Give Back The active sisters of Sigma Kappa are Beta Tau sisters raised more than $18,000 involved in various campus organizations for the Alzheimer's Association and at UF, such as the Student Government participated in a socially distanced Walk to Senate, Florida Blue Key, Order of the End Alzheimer's last fall! We also hosted Sigma Kappa Beta Tau's 2021 Executive Council Omega, Gator Growl, Danza, Sister our first-ever virtual philanthropic event, Support Ambassadors, Preview Staffers, Sigma Singo, and we were able to raise $680! This spring, the women The Big Event, Project Makeover, March of Dimes, FYF Peer Leaders, of Sigma Kappa at UF put on Sigma Kappa's annual Pasta Buffet and Best Buddies, Panhellenic Counselors, and various positions in the raised $3,920 toward the Sigma Kappa Foundation. The ladies of Beta Panhellenic Council Activities and Communication Director's Board. Tau also prepared about 250 care packages for the staff at UF Health Sigma Kappa overcame the many obstacles the pandemic brought during Shands Hospital to show appreciation for their hard work during the the last year and accomplished SO much. The young women following in pandemic. your footsteps can't wait to see what the future holds for us all! Personal and Cultural Growth Loyally, Sigma Kappa sisters at UF also implemented a diversity and inclusion Amanda Vega '18 chairwoman this year and stayed committed to implementing steps Chapter President to foster positivity, growth, and change within Beta Tau Chapter. ufsigmakappapresident@gmail.com Additionally, the University of Florida Sigma Kappa Chapter was Remembering a Vibrant and Well-Traveled Sigma Kappa Sister Anne Kehoe Lanier-Hedrick '55, May 24, 1933-May 9, 2020 A nne Kehoe Lanier-Hedrick '55 passed away in included traveling through Europe, going on an African Indianapolis, Ind., on May 9, 2020. She graduated safari, traveling in India by elephant, and taking a from the University of Florida with bachelor's degree in motorboat upstream in the jungle in the Amazon, just education and went on to obtain her master's degree in to name a few of her numerous adventures. Naturally, rehabilitation counseling, which was the first major of Anne was a great fit at Rhein Travel as a travel agent its kind in the nation. While at UF, she was prominent in in Carbondale, becoming part owner of Thunderbird campus activities such as president of Panhellenic Council, Travel. She helped people find the enjoyment in the new vice president of Sigma Kappa, Florida Union Social adventures of foreign countries that she had experienced. Board, Pep Club, Phi Kappa Phi Sweetheart, and Greek She was active in the organization Business and Week Council. She became incredibly active in Sigma Professional Women and later joined Outreach Neuro Kappa as that was the sorority house on campus that had Rehab, where she counseled and assisted several head- air conditioning! She spent several years as an elementary injured young men. school teacher in Alamogordo, N.M., Gainesville, Fla., Fullerton, Calif., and Carbondale, Ind., where she and her Anne was happily a crazy "cat lady" and will long be husband raised their daughter, Anne "Anita." remembered for the many cats (and cat items) who found love at her house, sometimes seven at a time! Alzheimer's eventually took over and took her Anne was a devoted volunteer and mother, serving as a Girl Scout leader life, but she retained her kind personality, wit, and strength throughout this and winning awards for her leadership in the troop and as a cookie ordeal. She is survived by her daughter, Anita (Kevin), along with her only leader. She loved to travel both with family and by herself. Trips grandchild, Dylan (Celeste). She is greatly missed by all who knew her. Save the Date- Beta Jan ConnEKtion July 16-18 Beta Tau Housing Corporation of Sigma Kappa at the University of Florida Sigma Kappa, University of Florida Beta Tau Summer PRSRT STD P.O. Box 442100 U.S. POSTAGE Sleepover Soiree Lawrence, KS 66044-2100 PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE 66044 $250/night to cover: a bed in the Address Service Requested PERMIT #570 new Sigma Kastle; 4 meals; special Beta Tau alumnae swag; a small donation to a critical house project: organization shelves for the storage closets; and lots of sisterhood! More information coming. Mark your calendars and get ready to reserve a limited spot in the house! AGMA Beta Tau alumnae enjoyed reconnecting in person and sharing lots of laughs together in April at the chapter's annual corporation board meeting. Beta Jau Alumnae Enjoy Reconnecting In Person, Excited for More Events in 2021 Don't Miss Your Chance to Catch Up with Your Sigma Kappa Sisters! P earls and doves and violets, oh my! April 2021 brought the best- July 16 to 18 will be our next big alumnae event: The Beta Tau Summer attended Beta Tau alumnae weekend we have had in decades. Sleepover Soiree. It's a chance to relive your college days for a weekend. While adhering to all COVID-related requirements, we still managed to We'll be sleeping and eating most meals in the house; we'll have a few reconnect and build our mystic bond across generations of Beta Taus- house prep projects; we'll create special surprises for the active members painting, giggling, brew-hausing, pouring over old pictures, and taking when they arrive for new member recruitment; and yes, we'll even have care of business at our chapter's annual corporation board meeting. We a couple of our own sisterhood bonding events. Watch for an email with really missed you, if you were not there, and we look forward to seeing details about that! you at an upcoming Beta Tau alumnae event. Speaking of In collaboration with the chapter and the vice president of alumnae Beta Tau Chapter of Sigma Kappa is known for being hard-working, relations, there will be fall 2021 connection opportunities. Stop by the diligent at building membership of the collegiate chapter, and house if you are in town for home games-nothing formal, just a pre- or accomplishing great feats, like building the beautiful new chapter house, post-game rest stop. There will be a big weekend event in November to aptly nicknamed The Sigma Kastle. One tiny thing missing has been celebrate Sigma Kappa's Founder's Day in a new and exciting way! building the structure of events and emotional connections where our own Beta Tau alumnae cannot wait to "come home" on a regular basis. If you haven't already, please follow the Sigma Kappa Beta Tau Our new corporation board is making it a priority to build that alumnae Facebook page and update your contact information in the national structure with enhanced communication, more alumnae events, and database at sigmakappa.org. We do not want to miss connecting with stronger ways to tie all Beta Tau eras together. This past annual meeting you, and those are the two main ways we have to reach you. Be on the was our first step in that effort. lookout for enhancements and added Beta Tau alumnae news on the chapter's website, ufl.sigmakappa.org.