The Parlor 2009Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
A letter from a charter member, on the Chapter Room Dedication...
Dear Delta Upsilon Sisters of Gamma Phi Beta,
My own candlelight was held in this house back in 1985 when I became engaged to our sorority big brother, Mark White, whom I started dating in 1983. That time seems so long ago, yet it is so bright in the memories of the women who were charter members of Gamma Phi Beta at the University of Georgia. Rush, chapter meetings, and our first candlelight were all held in the terribly hot upper room of Memorial Hall where we had so many decisions to make and so much to learn. It was our hope and dream to have a house of our own, but we thought that a group of apartments near Atlanta Highway would have to do until the amazing chance came for Gamma Phi Beta to own 397 S. Milledge Avenue.
With help from national, collegiate and alumnae advisors, we hurried to get the house ready for fall rush in 1983 with all of us cleaning, polishing, doing yard work and learning flip flop in our free time. It was exciting to see this house decorated and filled with flowers, one family even presented us with a beautiful engraved antique hall tree. Rush that year was amazing, but the reality that the meeting space was too small was very clear. Chapter meetings filled every available inch in the front of the house, and during candlelight ceremonies it was hard to tell who blew the candle out. PACE meetings had to be elsewhere in the “Bell South” community room or in a campus classroom. We all thought that we would have a chapter room soon, but we really had no idea what an effort would be involved.
The crowding never got in the way of our fun, though. We laughed our way through each new challenge, and we loved each other, though Ms. Carolyn, our first house mother, didn’t always think so. That love still lasts through the years, and it brings me joy to reconnect with Gamma Phi Beta sisters and to meet new ones in my community of Northern Virginia. It is with delight that I’ve seen daughters of friends become Gamma Phi Betas, too. When parents of seniors at our children’s school met recently, one said that being in a sorority was the worst mistake of her life. I had to disagree with her, though, because Gamma Phi Beta has only enriched my life. Were there problems? Yes, of course there were, but we grow through adversity. Were there temptations? Yes, of course there were, but this helps us to learn how to focus on what is important. Did each of us grow as people? Absolutely, we are all still growing. You are on a lifelong adventure filled with love, labor, learning, and loyalty.
We enjoyed the fruit from many sisters who had gone before us, and today you enjoy the fruit from many sisters who have gone before you. We could not forget that this house needed extensive renovations since we used it ourselves, and it is a pleasure to help you to have the first chapter room for Delta Upsilon. We know that you will use it well, and you will leave things better than you found them, too. Our Chapter Advisor, Martha Mendenhall, was one of the sweetest women I’ve ever known. She helped us through many struggles, and she lived an incredible example of love and forgiveness. I challenge each of you to always have someone you are mentoring and to always have someone to be mentoring you, too. Wherever you go, may you be a shining light for Gamma Phi Beta, honoring those who came before you and, like those of us continuing our commitment to Gamma Phi, helping those who will come after you.
In IIKE,
Sharon Anderson White ‘83
My own candlelight was held in this house back in 1985 when I became engaged to our sorority big brother, Mark White, whom I started dating in 1983. That time seems so long ago, yet it is so bright in the memories of the women who were charter members of Gamma Phi Beta at the University of Georgia. Rush, chapter meetings, and our first candlelight were all held in the terribly hot upper room of Memorial Hall where we had so many decisions to make and so much to learn. It was our hope and dream to have a house of our own, but we thought that a group of apartments near Atlanta Highway would have to do until the amazing chance came for Gamma Phi Beta to own 397 S. Milledge Avenue.
With help from national, collegiate and alumnae advisors, we hurried to get the house ready for fall rush in 1983 with all of us cleaning, polishing, doing yard work and learning flip flop in our free time. It was exciting to see this house decorated and filled with flowers, one family even presented us with a beautiful engraved antique hall tree. Rush that year was amazing, but the reality that the meeting space was too small was very clear. Chapter meetings filled every available inch in the front of the house, and during candlelight ceremonies it was hard to tell who blew the candle out. PACE meetings had to be elsewhere in the “Bell South” community room or in a campus classroom. We all thought that we would have a chapter room soon, but we really had no idea what an effort would be involved.
The crowding never got in the way of our fun, though. We laughed our way through each new challenge, and we loved each other, though Ms. Carolyn, our first house mother, didn’t always think so. That love still lasts through the years, and it brings me joy to reconnect with Gamma Phi Beta sisters and to meet new ones in my community of Northern Virginia. It is with delight that I’ve seen daughters of friends become Gamma Phi Betas, too. When parents of seniors at our children’s school met recently, one said that being in a sorority was the worst mistake of her life. I had to disagree with her, though, because Gamma Phi Beta has only enriched my life. Were there problems? Yes, of course there were, but we grow through adversity. Were there temptations? Yes, of course there were, but this helps us to learn how to focus on what is important. Did each of us grow as people? Absolutely, we are all still growing. You are on a lifelong adventure filled with love, labor, learning, and loyalty.
We enjoyed the fruit from many sisters who had gone before us, and today you enjoy the fruit from many sisters who have gone before you. We could not forget that this house needed extensive renovations since we used it ourselves, and it is a pleasure to help you to have the first chapter room for Delta Upsilon. We know that you will use it well, and you will leave things better than you found them, too. Our Chapter Advisor, Martha Mendenhall, was one of the sweetest women I’ve ever known. She helped us through many struggles, and she lived an incredible example of love and forgiveness. I challenge each of you to always have someone you are mentoring and to always have someone to be mentoring you, too. Wherever you go, may you be a shining light for Gamma Phi Beta, honoring those who came before you and, like those of us continuing our commitment to Gamma Phi, helping those who will come after you.
In IIKE,
Sharon Anderson White ‘83
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Phase 2
Just because I haven't been posting as regularly lately doesn't mean things haven't been moving a mile a minute at the sorority house! I will catch you up on all of the details soon, but suffice it to say that there will be women living in the new upstairs bedrooms (above the new chapter room) in JANUARY!
That's right! The bedrooms and new large bathroom will be complete in the next week or two. Then, in December, while school is closed for the holidays, our amazing contractor team will come in and open up the hallway between the existing back of the house with the new addition, create bedrooms where the old back stairwell is, and also make bedrooms where the upstairs president's room bathroom and hall bath are currently.
If you're a visual person like I am, all these words do little for you. I will post pictures as soon as I can.
I would love to hear from you if you've been to the house since construction started. Am I the only one who is blown away by all these changes?!
That's right! The bedrooms and new large bathroom will be complete in the next week or two. Then, in December, while school is closed for the holidays, our amazing contractor team will come in and open up the hallway between the existing back of the house with the new addition, create bedrooms where the old back stairwell is, and also make bedrooms where the upstairs president's room bathroom and hall bath are currently.
If you're a visual person like I am, all these words do little for you. I will post pictures as soon as I can.
I would love to hear from you if you've been to the house since construction started. Am I the only one who is blown away by all these changes?!
Monday, November 16, 2009
It happened!
I actually ate dinner in our sorority's chapter room last night!
182 women were in attendance, including a couple dozen alumnae. (Shout out to my pledge sisters Emily, Hannah and Stacey - great to catch up!)
Stop by the house when you are in Athens next... it's really pretty unbelievable until you see it for yourself.
182 women were in attendance, including a couple dozen alumnae. (Shout out to my pledge sisters Emily, Hannah and Stacey - great to catch up!)
Stop by the house when you are in Athens next... it's really pretty unbelievable until you see it for yourself.
Top Row L-R: Meredith Gurley Carr (Alumnae Collegian Advisor), Michelle Hood Rosenthal (HCB President), Julie Dunn Eichenberg (Atlanta Alumnae and Founder Day Keynote Speaker), Kristen Schmidt White (Chapter Advisor), Natalie Black Muir (Capital Campaign Co-Chair)
Bottom Row L-R: Joan Trefz (2009 Alumnae Collegian Co-Chair), Sarah Rettker (2009 Chapter President), Jillian Farr (2009 Alumnae Collegian Co-Chair)
(PHOTOS/Jackie Reedy, jackiereedy@gmail.com)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Don't Miss Founders Day Chapter Room Dedication
All Alumnae:
The sisters of the Delta Upsilon Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta cordially invite you to attend
2009 Founders Day Dinner &
Chapter Room Dedication
Sunday, November 15, 2009
6:00 p.m. Networking and Socializing Activity
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Program and Chapter Room Dedication
Tickets: $25.00
Please RSVP by November 11, 2009
Mail payments to: Joan Trefz, Alumnae Relations Liason, 397 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, GA 30606
Please RSVP by November 11, 2009
Mail payments to: Joan Trefz, Alumnae Relations Liason, 397 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, GA 30606
(E-mail me with questions flowers.jennifer@gmail.com)
Please join us in welcoming our Founders Day Speaker, Julie Dunn Eichenberg. Julie, an alumna from the Beta Mu Chapter at FSU, has been an active Gamma Phi Beta sister since joining the organization. While being active on her campus and Panhellenic activities in college, Julie continued her dedication to Gamma Phi as a Collegiate Leadership Consultant. Julie visited Delta Upsilon in the 90's as a CLC, and continues her involvement and leadership with alumni through the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter. Julie is the Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Turner Network Sales.
Tour the beautiful renovations of our Sorority House. Celebrate the past and envision our future!
Monday, August 24, 2009
College Housing Infrastructure Act - fighting for tax-deductible donations
Wouldn't you be even more enticed to contribute to this renovation if the donation were tax deductable? The fact that HCB donations are currently not tax deductable is a reality we've been frustrated by from the outset of our renovation project. Below is an invitation I received via the Gamma Phi Beta Atlanta Alumnae grapevine (thanks for the heads up, ladies) in support of the College Housing Infrastructure Act. Regardless of whether or not you attend, check out more information about the political action committee focused solely on Greek issues in Washington and make your support heard!
__________________
On August 25, the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee
will be hosting a reception in support of the College Housing
Infrastructure Act. As you can see from the reception invitation, Kris
Bridges (Phi Mu) and Julie Burkhard (Alpha Chi Omega past
international president) are on the host committee, as well as various
other IFC members.
Currently, you cannot make a tax-deductible donation to a Housing
Corporation to assist with improvements in campus sorority or
fraternity housing. The College Housing Infrastructure Act (CHIA)
will work to make these donations tax deductible. At a time when
housing on campus is difficult to come by, safe, affordable fraternity
and sorority housing is critical, and our support of campus housing is
paramount. Each college depends on IFC/NPC housing for their
students, yet support of those organizations which provide the housing
is not eligible for tax deductions. As you know, donations to the
colleges themselves are! This will make capital campaigns for housing
much easier. It’s in the interest of IFC /NPC organizations to push
for and gain support of this act so that they can continue to thrive
on campus.
Please Join Us For A Reception For The
Fraternity & Sorority Political Action Committee
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Anthony’s Restaurant
3109 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30305
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Reception
Cash Bar & Hors d’oeuvres
Honorary Host Committee
Congressman Nathan Deal (R-GA) ΑTΩ
Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) ΣN
Congressman Jack Kingston(R-GA) ΛХΑ
Host Committee
Brian Bates, TKE
Kris & Tee Bridges, ΦМ & ΣΑE
Julie Cain Burkhard, ΑХΩ
David Carico, KA
Mike Carroll, ΔХ
Robert Durham, ΣN
Bart Newman, ΣΦE
Joe Zimmerman, ΑEΦ
State Representative Joe Wilkinson, ΛХΑ
Electronic payments can be made by visiting: www.fratpac.org
Or checks can be made payable to:
Fraternity & Sorority PAC
P.O. Box 3435, Alexandria, VA 22302
Contribution: $100
Student Contribution: $25
To RSVP: Contact Kevin O’Neill – (757) 207-6002
Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report
the name, address, occupation and name of employer of each individual
whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year.
Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.
The maximum an individual may contribute is $5,000 per calendar year.
Corporations, foreign nationals without green cards, and minors under
age 18 are prohibited from contributing.
__________________
On August 25, the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee
will be hosting a reception in support of the College Housing
Infrastructure Act. As you can see from the reception invitation, Kris
Bridges (Phi Mu) and Julie Burkhard (Alpha Chi Omega past
international president) are on the host committee, as well as various
other IFC members.
Currently, you cannot make a tax-deductible donation to a Housing
Corporation to assist with improvements in campus sorority or
fraternity housing. The College Housing Infrastructure Act (CHIA)
will work to make these donations tax deductible. At a time when
housing on campus is difficult to come by, safe, affordable fraternity
and sorority housing is critical, and our support of campus housing is
paramount. Each college depends on IFC/NPC housing for their
students, yet support of those organizations which provide the housing
is not eligible for tax deductions. As you know, donations to the
colleges themselves are! This will make capital campaigns for housing
much easier. It’s in the interest of IFC /NPC organizations to push
for and gain support of this act so that they can continue to thrive
on campus.
Please Join Us For A Reception For The
Fraternity & Sorority Political Action Committee
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Anthony’s Restaurant
3109 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30305
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Reception
Cash Bar & Hors d’oeuvres
Honorary Host Committee
Congressman Nathan Deal (R-GA) ΑTΩ
Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) ΣN
Congressman Jack Kingston(R-GA) ΛХΑ
Host Committee
Brian Bates, TKE
Kris & Tee Bridges, ΦМ & ΣΑE
Julie Cain Burkhard, ΑХΩ
David Carico, KA
Mike Carroll, ΔХ
Robert Durham, ΣN
Bart Newman, ΣΦE
Joe Zimmerman, ΑEΦ
State Representative Joe Wilkinson, ΛХΑ
Electronic payments can be made by visiting: www.fratpac.org
Or checks can be made payable to:
Fraternity & Sorority PAC
P.O. Box 3435, Alexandria, VA 22302
Contribution: $100
Student Contribution: $25
To RSVP: Contact Kevin O’Neill – (757) 207-6002
Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report
the name, address, occupation and name of employer of each individual
whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year.
Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.
The maximum an individual may contribute is $5,000 per calendar year.
Corporations, foreign nationals without green cards, and minors under
age 18 are prohibited from contributing.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Pledge Class 2009
This coming Monday will mark their first Chapter experience... Say hello to the new faces of Gamma Phi Beta, three of which are legacies, and three of which are sophomores! (Click here for more information on the new upperclassman quota. ) Quota was 47 but because our chapter was not at Panhellenic cap (due to ebb and flow of graduating seniors), we were able to take additional new members... a great thing because all of these women are incredible!
New Member Educator Kate Adams is looking for alumnae guest speakers for new member meetings. If you are interested in contributing - in this way or another - please contact Chapter Advisor Kristen (Schmidt) White via e-mail: kristinschmitwhite@gmail.com.
Gamma Phi Beta New Members, Pledge Class 2009:
*Goldberg, Hannah (daughter of Delta Upsilon founding member Jan (Hawell) Goldberg of Roswell, Ga)
*Ensley, Emma
*Swindall, Caitlin
Adams, Lyndsey
Anderson, Brittany
Cook, Carsen
Cowart, Caroline
Croteau, Brea
Dunlap, Laura
French, Rachel
Gray, McKenzie
Green, Katie
Hamblin, Sarah
Hampton, Rebecca
Harmon, Sara
Haymaker, Ali
Hebb, Lauren
Hinkson, Kristin
Hodges, Haley
Hylinski, Julia
Kottis, Christine
Ladson, Anna
Lattanzi, Jenna
Leduc, Corynne
Lindsley, Lauren
Maddox, Beth
Malone, Mackenzie
McCain, Bethany
McLaughlin, Bethany
McLean, Liz
Minish, Briana
Morris, Sarah
O'Connor, Lauren
Payne, Taylor
Peacock, Courtney
Pease, Emily
Peterson, Erin
Price, Meredith
Pulliam, Kacey
Pulliam, Lia
Quester, Rachel
Seabolt, Alex
Sharis, Wanda
Shaw, Emily
Slaughter, Elizabeth
Smith, Kaley
Sosnowski, Hailee
Strickland, Ashleigh
Suhr, Abby
Taylor, Emily Kathryn
Unger, Megan
Van Wagner, Court
Weinstein, Danielle
Wheeler, Sarah
Whigham, Claire
Yealy, Katie
Zolghadri, Shireen
*Ensley, Emma
*Swindall, Caitlin
Adams, Lyndsey
Anderson, Brittany
Cook, Carsen
Cowart, Caroline
Croteau, Brea
Dunlap, Laura
French, Rachel
Gray, McKenzie
Green, Katie
Hamblin, Sarah
Hampton, Rebecca
Harmon, Sara
Haymaker, Ali
Hebb, Lauren
Hinkson, Kristin
Hodges, Haley
Hylinski, Julia
Kottis, Christine
Ladson, Anna
Lattanzi, Jenna
Leduc, Corynne
Lindsley, Lauren
Maddox, Beth
Malone, Mackenzie
McCain, Bethany
McLaughlin, Bethany
McLean, Liz
Minish, Briana
Morris, Sarah
O'Connor, Lauren
Payne, Taylor
Peacock, Courtney
Pease, Emily
Peterson, Erin
Price, Meredith
Pulliam, Kacey
Pulliam, Lia
Quester, Rachel
Seabolt, Alex
Sharis, Wanda
Shaw, Emily
Slaughter, Elizabeth
Smith, Kaley
Sosnowski, Hailee
Strickland, Ashleigh
Suhr, Abby
Taylor, Emily Kathryn
Unger, Megan
Van Wagner, Court
Weinstein, Danielle
Wheeler, Sarah
Whigham, Claire
Yealy, Katie
Zolghadri, Shireen
*Legacies
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About Me
- Jennifer Flowers Cheek
- I pledged in 2000, and that's when I first heard we were going to renovate the house. I graduated in 2004, moved to Atlanta where I now live with my fellow UGA grad (and AKL advisor) hubby Eric. Since 2006, I've been volunteering with HCB. I have been an Atlanta-area Realtor for the past 3 years and now also serve as the southeastern property manager for Chick-fil-A, Inc. You can reach me at: flowers.jennifer@gmail.com