Happy 1st Founders' Day, Xi Omega Xi!

Please join me in celebrating the 1st Founders' Day for our Virtual Alumnae Chapter, Xi Omega Xi by making our Founders' Day logo your Facebook Profile picture!!! :)

As many of you know, Xi Omega Xi is a virtual alumnae chapter of Alpha Chi Omega for Beta Eta women. With the advances in technology, we are now capable to reunite all Alpha Chi Omega women from Florida State University regardless of current location. Unlike your local Alpha Chi Omega alum chapters, we all share similar past experiences: we were all initiated in 518 West Park Avenue; we all have Seminole pride and bleed garnet and gold; we have an emotional connection to the beautiful campus that we called home for our college experiences. We stay connected to the current collegiate chapter of Beta Eta for communications of their successes and fun.

The Xi Omega Xi Virtual Alumnae Chapter began as a thought and dream of several Beta Eta Alumnae during the planning of the chapters' 80th anniversary during April 2009. The thought was that not only Beta Eta's are some of the most active alumnae in the nation; they are some of the most loyal to Florida State University; their home chapter of Beta Eta. Alumnae travel to Tallahassee for events such a Homecoming, the chapter’s annual charity golf tournament Par-Tee, and reunions. However, during the remainder of the year, they are virtually left "in the dark" about the happenings of the collegiate chapter and fellow alumnae.

After speaking with Amy Zoldak, and members of the first virtual alumnae chapter, Mu Tau Mu, we knew that a virtual chapter was the right decision. We rallied the alumnae during the 80th, filed, and were officially installed July 11th, 2010 at Alpha Chi Omega Convention in Washington DC. You can read original blog post for more details on installation here.

Our Founding Members are: Jessica Beers, Joy Piatek Behan, Margaret Bennett, Jessica Harwood Bouwsma, Dana Brookes, Mitzi Brown, Monica Cepero, Kristina Clarke de Moya, Diane Cutler, Celia Seleya Dubey, Britain Dwyre, Jan Faulkner, Catherine Fly, Sylvia Foster, Patty Garrard, Heather Goodman, Katie Halliday, Brittany Horwitt, Janis K Polk Kennedy, Katy MacDiarmid Leach, Ann Marshall, Nadean McLaughlin, Melissa Palori, Allison Parker, Erin Pauley, Michele M Perry, Aimee Phipps, Tara Reynolds, Stephanie Roy, Linda Stanford, Beth Schmidt, Kristen Snyder, Aggie Steiner, Claudia Thomas, Carolyn C Thorton, Aileen Warshaw Thurber, Susan Wilcox, Bonnie Wilson and Lynn Wittenburg.

If you are interested in becoming a member of Xi Omega Xi as we embark on our second exciting year, please click here.

Thank you for your continued support of our Beta Eta and Xi Omega Xi chapters.

LITB,
Jessica Bouwsma
President
Xi Omega Xi Virtual Alumnae Chapter
Alpha Chi Omega

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Joy Piatek Behan

Joy is a Fall 2000 initiate of Beta Eta.  During her time at Beta Eta, Joy was involved as a the Cultural Chair, Philanthropy Chair, and participated in many intramural sports.  In fact, she won racquetball intramural three years in a row for Alpha Chi. She graduated from FSU in 2004 with a B.A. in International Affairs and French.  In 2007 she received her JD from Mercer University College of Law.

After law school, Joy moved to Amelia Island to be near her fiance and practice commercial litigation and employment law with a boutique firm in Jacksonville. In 2008 Joy married Paul, her high school (and college) sweetheart, with many Alpha Chi's in attendance.  Earlier this year Joy left her law firm, went on an adventure-filled vacation to New Zealand (complete with bungy jumping) with her husband, and began working as a career services counselor with Florida Coastal School of Law.

Joy and Paul have two miniature dachshunds that rule their house and are expecting their first little legacy this March. 

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Katie Halliday

Katie was initiated into the Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at Florida State University in Fall 2004. She held the positions of Chapter President, Vice President of Intellectual Development, Fundraising Chair, and New Member Class Agent. She graduated from Florida State University Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Mathematics Education in April 2008.

After graduation, Katie continued her sorority experience by working for Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters as a Chapter Consultant. She traveled to the southeastern chapters and worked with them on chapter management, leadership, and recruitment.

A year later in Summer 2009, Katie finished her chapter consultant experience and began her teaching career at a high school in the Pittsburgh suburbs. She currently teaches 11th and 12th grade mathematics and is the Student Council Advisor. She also began working with the Delta Chapter at Allegheny College and the Kappa Nu Chapter at Carnegie Mellon University as the Recruitment Advisor and Intellectual Development Advisor. In June 2010, Katie also added Province Collegiate Chair of Western Pennsylvania to her Alpha Chi Omega volunteer positions. She enjoys working with and empowering chapter women.

In Fall 2010, Katie will begin graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh to earn a Master of Education with School Leadership. She plans to pursue her goal of becoming a principal.

Katie enjoys spending time with friends and family-especially her two nieces. She enjoys reading, dancing, yoga, skiing, fashion, and rock music!

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Lynn Wittenburg

Lynn was initiated into Beta Eta in the Fall of 1990 (back when you had to wait til second semester to get in :-))During her collegiate years, she held the offices of Philanthropy Chair, Sisterhood Chair, & Par-Tee Chair. She was also VP, Membership of Lady Spirithunters and President of Seminole Ambassadors.

She graduated in 1994 with a BS in Marketing. Originally from Chicago, Lynn moved home upon graduation and started her sports career with the Chicago Bulls. Since then, she's worked for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning and spent a short stint in both Christian publishing & minor league baseball before settling in with the Professional Bullriders as their VP of Marketing.

Lynn currently lives in Colorado Springs with her 2 black labs. She still makes it back to FSU once a year to see the NOLES with some of her AX sorority pledge sisters and visit the Beta Eta house.

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Dana Brookes

Dana Brookes was initiated into Beta Eta in 1997. While a collegiate member Dana received the Red Carnation award her first year, was a member of the Standards Board and served as Chapter President in 1997. Dana was very active on campus and served as a Student Senator in 1996-1997 and again in 1999 and 2000. Dana served on the board of the Student Alumni Association, Seminole Ambassadors, Gold Key, and Order of Omega. Dana was a student member of Burning Spear Inc. and served as their new member educator for two terms.

After college, Dana moved to Washington D.C. and lived with pledge sister Hannah Highfill. Dana worked for U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and became a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Dana worked her way up to become the director of the Majority Trust of the DSCC, responsible for development of major gifts from across the country. Dana also worked for U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman during his Presidential campaign, Tony Knowles’ (former Governor of Alaska) Senate Campaign, and the John Kerry/John Edwards Presidential Campaign as the DSCC liaison in Louisiana. After working for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s re election campaign in Palm Beach County, Fl, Dana left political work and began raising funds for the YMCA of South Palm Beach County.

Dana is currently the Director of Financial Development and Marketing for the YMCA of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fl. Dana serves on the Board of Directors for the Palm Beach Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and is the Chairperson of National Philanthropy Day. Dana was the recipient of the AFP’s Chamberlin Scholarship in 2010. Dana is a member of the YMCA Professional’s Organization and a member of the National Association of YMCA Development Officers. In Palm Beach County, Dana volunteers for Sunfest, Democratic Professionals Council and other non profits. Dana is an active alumni member of Burning Spear, Inc.

Dana has a five year old son named Samuel whom she enjoys spending all of her free time with. Dana and Samuel love living at the beach and can be found surfing and paddle boarding. Dana also enjoys staying active and completed her first ½ marathon in Orlando in March 2010.

Dana is currently leading a Philanthropy Discussion group for Xi Omega Xi and is excited to stay in touch and involved as an Alpha Chi Omega Alumna with her Beta Eta sisters through our new Virtual Alumnae Chapter.

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Patty Renick Garrard

Patty is a 1970 initiate of Beta Eta. Her campus activities included student government, Junior Counselor (JC), President of Broward Hall during her junior year, and 1st Vice-president of Beta Eta as a Senior. She graduated in 1972 with a BA in English Education and returned to South Florida to begin her teaching career. Patty will celebrate her 38th wedding anniversary with her Alpha Chi Sweetheart, Walter, in December. Their wedding included three Alpha Chi attendants and bouquets of red carnations.

In Miami, Patty joined Beta Omicron Beta alumnae and served as president 1978-79. She attended the convention in Scottsdale, AZ in 1978 as a delegate and proudly remembers the vote to form the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. Patty and Walter moved to Cooper City in 1979 where she became active in the South Broward Alumnae club. From 1986-1992, Patty was Province Alumnae Chair for Florida/South. This experience truly cemented her love and loyalty to Alpha Chi Omega; meeting and working with the many talented Alpha Chi Omega women was a pleasure and taught her much. Patty also served as PACE Alumnae Chair 1996-98 and chair of the Alumnae Awards Recognition Committee. Closer to home, she served as President of her local alumnae group for over 10 years. During this time, the South Broward alumnae became Theta Phi Theta and merged with the North Broward alumnae chapter. Patty represented Alpha Chi Omega in the Fort Lauderdale Area Panhellenic through the years as a Board Member and President 1999-2000.

Patty and Walter have two grown daughters, Elizabeth and Danielle, and two very special granddaughters, Skylar and Ashlyn. After 30 years of teaching middle school language arts, Patty retired in 2009. She spent 25 years at Pioneer Middle School where she was Department Chair and became a National Board Certified Teacher. Patty and her husband moved to Vero Beach after their retirement where she is an active volunteer at The Environmental Learning Center and as a tutor with Literacy Services of Indian River County. Of course, she found her new alumnae chapter, Iota Nu Iota. Retirement means more time to enjoy the beach and water recreation, good books, Florida State Football, theater, and most importantly her family -- especially her granddaughters.

Patty attended her twelfth convention this summer, representing Theta Phi Theta as a delegate. Participating in the installation of our Xi Omega Xi virtual chapter was a very special highlight filled with emotion and devotion for Alpha Chi and Beta Eta. She is grateful for the award-winning BH advisory board and hopes our new alumnae chapter will help continue the excellence of BH.

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Katy MacDiarmid Leach

Katy was initiated into Beta Eta in the Fall of 1998. During her collegiate years, she held the offices of Warden, Recording Secretary and Par-Tee Chair. She was also a memeber of the Lady Spirithunters.

She graduated in 2001 with a BS in English/Creative Writing. She moved back to St. Petersburg, FL and started working with Cox Radio Tampa in the promotions department. At the same time, her relationship with Ryan Leach was growing more serious and when her parents told her that they were moving to Louisiana, she decided to see where the relationship would lead and she followed her heart to Orlando where he was living. She started her new job with Everything But Water as the Executive Assistant. In the summer of 2002, Ryan proposed to Katy at her annual family reunion...he got down on one knee in front of 96 of her family members! They were married November 8, 2003 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with 3 Alpha Chi sisters standing by her as bridesmaids and her Big Sister as her maid of honor! During the reception, they ladies serenaded Ryan with the Sweetheart Song in the garden.

After returning from their honeymoon, Katy started working with Plato's Closet as the Orlando district manager and opened 3 stores in the area. In March 2005, they were excited to find out that they were expecting their first child. Gavin Micheal Leach was born November 25, 2005. Katy decided to stay home to raise their son, but also started her own wedding coordination business (Event Fabulous) that has been steady since day one with referrals from past clients and other wedding vendors. On January 7, 2010 Ryan, Katy & Gavin welcomed the newest member of their family; Caden Michael Leach.

Katy has enjoyed staying in touch with her Beta Eta sisters and in looking forward to meeting more as the Xi Omega Xi chapter continues to grow.

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Claudia Wenzel Thomas

CLAUDIA WENZEL THOMAS was initiated into Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega in 1967. While a collegiate member, she served as pledge class Social Chairman and several terms as Rush Chairman. As an alumna, Claudia has held numerous positions on the local, regional and national levels. These positions include President of Gamma Lambda Gamma Alumnae Chapter, President of Chicago Area Board, Province President X and Assistant Collegiate Vice President-Collegians. She was privileged to serve on Alpha Chi Omega’s National Council as Vice President-Secretary and on the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation Board of Trustees as Director of Endowments. Claudia has also served Alpha Chi Omega as National Convention Program Manager, Training Leadership Seminar Program Manager, Chairman of the Committee to Study the Ritual, Chairman of the Foundation Advisory Cabinet, Challenge to Excellence Officer, Rush Visitor, TEAM Leader, Colony Advisor and Chairman of the Zeta Tau Oversite Committee. She is currently a member of the Alumnae Initiate Ceremony Task Force and is a nominee for the 2010-2012 National Nominating Committee. She belongs to Eta Sigma Eta Alumnae Chapter, Upper Pinellas County, and Xi Omega Xi Alumnae Chapter.
In her community, Claudia has been a Glen Ellyn Capital Improvement Commissioner, Chairman of the Partnership for Educational Progress Foundation Board of Trustees, Secretary of the Warrenville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Co-Chairman of the Save Our Streets Referendum Committee, a Vision Glen Ellyn Facilitator, a member of the Glen Ellyn Community Information Initiative Council and the Glenbard Township High School District Communications Action Team and active in her children’s schools. In 2002, she was honored to receive a State of Illinois Woman of Achievement Award from Lt. Governor Corinne Wood. She was President of Palm Harbor Newcomers Club and still serves on its board and has also served as Secretary of the Reserve at Lake Tarpon Homeowners’ Association Board. She has been producer of the Suncoast Hospice Annual Fashion Show and Boutique, raising over $50,000 annually for the charity.
In her professional life, Claudia has been an Assistant Buyer for Macy’s, Editor-in-chief of the Warrenville Post newspaper and Executive Director of the Warrenville Chamber of Commerce. She is currently a part-time Wholesaler’s Assistant.
Claudia and her husband Clif moved from Glen Ellyn, Illinois to Palm Harbor, Florida in June of 2008. They have two grown children: a daughter, Jessica Hughes (Beta Eta 1994), and a son, Gavin. Gavin is an engineer currently working in the United Arab Emirates. Jessica and her husband Tony live in Parkland, Florida, where Claudia spends a great deal of time visiting and doting on grandsons Jake (5) and Gavin (2).

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Aggie Smith Steiner

Aggie Smith Steiner '67

  

Aggie Steiner initiated at Beta Eta in 1967. During tenure as a collegian, she served as a Standards Board Member, Assistant Pledge Trainer, Family Weekend Chair, Circus Decorations Chair and won the Favorite Pledge Award. She graduated from Florida State Cum Laude with membership in several academic honoraria.

     Aggie is active in Alpha Gamma Alpha Alumnae chapter, Atlanta, Georgia, and has served as President, Vice President and held the chairmanship of several committees including fundraising, social and membership.

     She has served the national organization as National Vice-President, National Nominating Committee Chair, Recruitment Program Chair, National Director of Ritual, District Alumnae Chairman IV-S and Province President IV. She has held various Advisory Board positions including Recruitment, Colony, and House Corporation Board President for Epsilon Phi chapter, Georgia Tech. Additionally she was the NHC Liaison and project chair for new facility construction for Epsilon Phi and Theta Upsilon chapter at the University of South Carolina. She is currently the National House Corporation President. Aggie has attended 16 National Conventions.

     Retired now, Aggie’s professional career included serving as the Telephone Pioneers of America Annual Meeting 2000 Chairman, Lucent Technologies, 1999-2001; the Profile Showcase Manager, Lucent Technologies / AT&T Network Systems, 1988-1999; Marketing Manager, AT&T - Network Systems, 1984-1988; and ReproGraphics / Art Department Manager, Artist, Western Electric, 1974-1984.

     Aggie has been married to her college Pi Kappa Phi sweetheart Don for 39 years. She is an active community volunteer – involved in the American Heart Association, the 1996 Centennial Olympics Volunteers and the ACOG Volunteer Advisory Board , the Telephone Pioneers of America, and the FSU Seminole Boosters. Her interests include travel, snow skiing, spectator sports, needle work and shell collecting.

Xi Omega Xi Founder -Sylvia Foster

Sylvia Foster '57

 

Sylvia Miller pledged Alpha Chi Omega in 1957 at FSU. While an active she was the recommendations chair for recruitment and warden.  She served on the Student President's Cabinet as Secretary of Honor as well as Alpha Lambda Delta (freshman women's honorary) President and other organizations while working part time in biochemical research during college.  She graduated in 1960 with a Chemistry degree. She then moved to DC to work for IBM where she served as both the rush and scholastic advisor for Beta Rho. While in DC she organized the Federal Systems IBM Club and served as president. Later in life, after moving to Tampa she was both the financial advisor and designated by National to close Gamma Pi in the late 1970s.  She was the Gamma Pi reinstallation chair in 1982. She was an active alumna as well.... She served as the Gamma Phi Gamma Alumnae President, Vice President, Pan Hel Rep (Tampa Alumnae Pan Hel President and USF Greek Housing Study Chair), Treasurer, and now Alpha Chi Lunch Bunch Chair. At the national level she was active as the 1990 AX national convention photo chair and was the local co-chair of the 2004 AX national convention. Working as systems engineer at the IBM Global Network Services, she organized the IBM Network Club and served as its president. Later working at AT&T after retiring from IBM, she organized the AT&T Pioneers of Tampa Club and was its president as well as the Florida president of the AT&T Pioneers. Sylvia served as Chair of Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women where she won Tampa NOW's Leadership Award, served on the Tampa-Hillsborough County Libraries Development Committee and was the campaign chair for several local candidates who won offices. Sylvia was also the co-owner of Radiation Monitoring Services. She is now retired. She is married to George Foster and they have 2 sons and 6 grandchildren. Sylvia Foster served as the North Florida Province Alumnae Chair since 2005-2010. She served on the Beta Eta Love and Loyalty Fund, BH 75th and 80th Reunion Committees. She was a member of the 2008 Convention Minutes Committee and the 2008 Alumnae Chapter Awards Committee.  She served on the Alumnae Engagement Team starting in 2009.

She currently serves as the Xi Omega Xi, correspondence chair, and will serve as Lead Specialist for Alumnae Engagement, starting 2010.

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Britain Dwyre

  Britain Dwyre '99

             Britain initiated at Beta Eta in the fall of 1999. During her years as a collegian; Britain she served as VP Fraternity Relations, Alumnae Chair, Senior Programming Chair, Parents Weekend Chair,PACE,and resource coordinator. Some of her best memories come from when she also served as co-float chair with her "little sister" in 2001; successfully winning float and sweeping overall homecoming with Sigma Nu! She also danced 4 years in Dance Marathon benefiting the Children's Miracle Network.
            While at FSU Britain was active on campus, as a member of Lady Spirithunters, Collegiate Merchandising Association and Greek B.A.S.I.C (Brothers And Sisters In Christ), she served on the Greek Basic exec board for two terms. She graduated in 2003 with a BS in Merchandising.
Upon graduating Britain joined the Epsilon Tau Epsilon Alumnae Chapter in Tallahassee and became a member of the Beta Eta advisory board. In 2005 Britain became the chapter advisor for Beta Eta. In 2007 she became Alpha Chi Omegas Tallahassee Alumnae Panhellenic Representative. (serving as Treasurer in 2010) She has had the opportunity to attend 3 national conventions, the Mid-America Inter-Fraternity council convention, Association of Fraternity Advisors Convention. (serving on awards committee twice) She has attended 3 chapter advisor summer camps, and facilitated four impacts (Marshall,University of Florida,Iowa and UT Tyler).    
         Britain currently serves as a Release Figure Management Specialist for the National Panhellenic Conference. It is these experiences that have allowed her to see the "big picture" of Alpha Chi & the Panhellenic community.
          Her favorite alumnae past times are keeping up with her new member class sisters through her monthly emails as class agent and serving as the project chair for house renovations. In 2010, she was honored to receive the Young Alumnae of the Year award from Alpha Chi Omega, and the Panhellenic Advisor of the Year award from the Florida State University.
          Professionally, Britain is employed by Gap Inc, and resides in Tallahassee, Florida. Britain is a member of the Seminole Extra Point Club, and the Tallahassee,March of Dimes Walk Steering Committee. Her interests include travel, wine, reading, and did we mention traveling. Britain is currently serving as the Xi Omega Xi Treasurer.

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Aileen Warshaw Thurber

Aileen Warshaw Thurber '98 

A true Florida girl at heart, Aileen pledged Beta Eta at FSU in Fall 1998. At her initiation ceremony, Aileen, a legacy, was pinned by her mother, also an Alpha Chi (Gamma Chapter - Northwestern University). While active, Aileen participated in as many AXO events as possible. She held the position of Philanthropy Chair, Secretary, and her most honored position, Executive Board VP Panhellenic Delegate. In this position, Aileen established herself as a representative of her sorority within the FSU community. At the end of her term, she was awarded the PACE Award (Promoting Alpha Chi Everyday) by her fellow sisters. Aileen was also nominated for 1998 Class Agent, a position she continues to fulfill to this very day.

     Aileen was also a huge participant in Homecoming events...most importantly, the skit! She was involved with the skit for three consecutive years, and even performed twice at POW WOW, where she got to meet Bobby Bowden and Sinbad! Along with homecoming events, Aileen was also a member of many other philanthropies within the Greek community. She graduated from FSU in Spring 2002 with a B.S. in Communication Disorders. She continued her education at The Ohio State University where she received her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology. While at OSU, Aileen participated and volunteered in events at the Alpha Omicron Chapter.

     In December 2007, Aileen married Richard Thurber in a South Florida wedding. To fulfill every Alpha Chi's dream, Aileen had her candlelight and was sung to by friends and family, all AXO sisters! Currently, Aileen and Rich reside in the Boston area, where she works as a Speech-Language Pathologist in a school setting.She has a beautiful daughter, Hailey, and will be serving as Xi Omega Xi's secretary.

Xi Omega Xi Founder - Jessica Harwood Bouwsma

This will be a new weekly spotlight. Each Friday, we will get to know one of the founding members of Xi Omega Xi. First up, Madame President:

Jessica (Harwood) Bouwsma 

Jessica (Harwood) Bouwsma was initiated into the Beta Eta chapter of Alpha Chi Omega in 1997 at Florida State. During collegiate membership, she held positions as Vice President of Fraternity Relations, Caucus Leader, Cultural Chair, Alumnae Chair and served on many committees. She continues to hold the office of Class Agent for PC 1997, sending out monthly email updates to the group and helping locate and reunite sisters.

     Other organizations she was a member of at FSU include: Sigma Alpha Iota - Professional Music Fraternity (President & VP Membership), Order of Omega, Phi Sigma Kappa Sweetheart - 1999, University Symphony, School of Music Board of Advisors, Women's Glee Club, Mas 'n Steel - Steel Drum band, African Drum & Dance Ensemble, and Children's Choir Mentor. She graduated with two degrees - Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Bachelor of Arts in Music.

     After graduation, Jessica spent some time in Colorado working at a private school, and then moved to Atlanta where she was employed by Robert Half International for nearly five years, and then at RussellPhillips - a boutique Executive Search firm - for nearly 3 years. She assisted with Georgia Tech, Epsilon Phi recruitment in 2005. She began her membership with the Alpha Gamma Alpha Alumnae Chapter in Atlanta that same year, and served two terms as the Recording Secretary on the Executive Board. Community involvement included volunteering with the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House and Samaritan House of Atlanta. 

      Jessica recently moved to Melbourne, Florida with her husband, Nathan and Weimaraner, Dezmund. She will be attending Convention 2010 as the Xi Omega Xi President/Delegate, and will be a member of the Convention Choir.