ZTA & Co.
Zetas from around the state gathered in Fort Wayne on April 2 to celebrate their sisterhood at Indiana Zeta Day. The day started with a breakfast with some chit chat and singing. The main program of the day featured several educational sessions on topics ranging from the jewelry of Zeta Tau Alpha (facilitated by Indiana's own Archives Committee Co-Chair Patti Levitte) to women's health (in a twist that reunited the speaker with her big sister, Past President Sherry Tilley). Many pitched in to provide pajamas to the Pajama Program, and one session allowed sisters to deliver some of those items to local children in need. Vice President Alumnae Diane Keegan offered well-wishes on behalf of National Council. A great number of women were awarded their White Violet pins and the state was able to honor their first 75-year attendee in recent history. The chapter seniors were transitioned officially into the alumnae world in a beautiful ceremony. The day closed with an address on fashion and philanthropy by two Vice Presidents of Vera Bradley...and the claiming of silent auction items. It was a well-attended and eventful day.
Not the least of the events was the collegiate awards portion. Here is the list:
Achieving Panhellenic Quota & Total: Alpha Theta, Alpha Xi, Beta Theta, Gamma Chi, Zeta Alpha
Achieving Panhellenic Total: Lambda Epsilon
Chapter Academic Achievement: Alpha Xi (3.31)
Anne Winnes Redmond Chapter Service Award: Beta Theta
Outstanding New Member Programming: Zeta Alpha
Outstanding Chapter Programming: Alpha Theta
Helen Winton Jenkins Service Award: Lauren Ratcliff, Alpha Xi
Senior Academic Achivement: Dana Benedetti, Alpha Theta, 3.97; Brittnee Singco, Beta Theta, 9.963; Briana Zmikly, Gamma Chi, 3.77; Lauren Wahl, Zeta Alpha, 3.99; Christina Bleeke, Lambda Epsilon, 3.52
The Spirit of Indiana: Gamma Chi
Outstanding Advisor: Heather Matthews Kirk, GA/MA of Gamma Chi
Sherry Server Tilley Zeta is Forever Volunteer Award: Patti Levitte and Mary Miller, nominated by Zeta Alpha
To learn more by reading the script for the awards, click on the "Read More" link.
Not the least of the events was the collegiate awards portion. Here is the list:
Achieving Panhellenic Quota & Total: Alpha Theta, Alpha Xi, Beta Theta, Gamma Chi, Zeta Alpha
Achieving Panhellenic Total: Lambda Epsilon
Chapter Academic Achievement: Alpha Xi (3.31)
Anne Winnes Redmond Chapter Service Award: Beta Theta
Outstanding New Member Programming: Zeta Alpha
Outstanding Chapter Programming: Alpha Theta
Helen Winton Jenkins Service Award: Lauren Ratcliff, Alpha Xi
Senior Academic Achivement: Dana Benedetti, Alpha Theta, 3.97; Brittnee Singco, Beta Theta, 9.963; Briana Zmikly, Gamma Chi, 3.77; Lauren Wahl, Zeta Alpha, 3.99; Christina Bleeke, Lambda Epsilon, 3.52
The Spirit of Indiana: Gamma Chi
Outstanding Advisor: Heather Matthews Kirk, GA/MA of Gamma Chi
Sherry Server Tilley Zeta is Forever Volunteer Award: Patti Levitte and Mary Miller, nominated by Zeta Alpha
To learn more by reading the script for the awards, click on the "Read More" link.
I have said it before, and now I say it again: It is a GREAT time to be an Indiana Zeta! Our collegiate chapters are doing amazing things, and I am thrilled to celebrate some of those with you today.
The achievement of quota during formal recruitment and of maximum chapter size, or total, during each semester is an expectation within ZTA, but achieving these markers is the result of hard work and dedication and is surely to be celebrated. Well, we have a LOT to celebrate. Each of our chapters that participated in formal recruitment matched quota and each of our chapters has achieved total both semesters. If you are your chapter’s VP III, please come accept your award when called. If your chapter’s VP III isn’t here, please send up your President or another VP.
· Alpha Theta: Quota and Total
· Alpha Xi: Quota and Total
· Beta Theta: Quota and Total
· Gamma Chi: Quota and Total
· Zeta Alpha: Quota and Total
· Lambda Epsilon: Total
The Chapter Academic Achievement Award is given to the collegiate chapter with the highest grade point average in the past year. Our chapters have outstanding academic programming in place and are demonstrating the ability to prioritize academics while maintaining a balanced chapter and personal schedule. This year’s winner has an average chapter GPA of 3.31. Amazing. Congratulations to the women of Alpha Xi Chapter at Indiana University!
The Anne Winnes Redmond Chapter Service Award is given to a chapter whose dedication to serving those within and without our circle leads the way in Indiana. Mrs. Redmond served at ZTA’s National Service Chair for over 50 years, so our chapters have a lot to live up to. This year’s winner certainly has met that challenge. Philanthropy has become a love of this chapter, with them holding numerous activities a year to bring attention to breast cancer. Campus events such as Bounce Out Breast Cancer in which a bounce house was run during a college football game to raise money and pass out pink ribbons, pinking out everything from volleyball games to basketball games to the campus and a growing Big Man on Campus are just a start. The sisters take the Think Pink message to the whole community by painting the town pink, running a percentage night at a local restaurant, arranging a percentage day with a local spray tan salon, and organizing a high school pink out game. Local service is a growing interest in this chapter, with the leadership dividing the service and philanthropy jobs into two this year, allowing each to grow. 50% of the chapter is involved in at least one non-ZTA service organization. The chapter as a whole has supported troupes overseas with holiday gifts, supported each Greek philanthropy on campus, and took part in Up Til Dawn, benefitting St. Jude. They recently played Bingo at a retirement community with another chapter, as well. The thing is, in this state, none of those are unusual. What made this chapter this year’s winner was that they were outstanding in service within our circle, as well. Allow me an anecdote: This chapter was ALL OVER volunteering to staff a room at the Initiation of our newest chapter at IUPUI. We were in pretty dire need of extra conductors when I visited with the chapter in November. I will admit to a pretty hard sell....but TWENTY-TWO women volunteered. PLUS the ritual team. PLUS then they volunteered to round out three additional roles in another Initiation room. AND THEN – when some miscommunication left us three roles short for the Presidential Initiation with two hours to go – guess which chapter agreed to stay. Yeah....this chapter gets service. And it is fitting really......Mrs. Redmond was from Ft. Wayne.....and she graduated from this year’s winning chapter. The 2011 Anne Winnes Redmond Chapter Service Award goes to Beta Theta Chapter at Franklin College.
Outstanding New Member Programming is key to the health of our chapters. A positive and well-rounded new member experience develops the traits we need in our next big sisters, presidents, and alumnae. One chapter has set herself above the rest this year with innovation in programming that will allow for more personal connections and hopefully an increased sense of commitment. The nomination submitted by this year’s winner begins with words I think all chapters should ponder: “From the beginning to the very end of new membership, our chapter strives to create a sense of home and peace that was promised during recruitment.” This year our winning chapter has added individual meetings between the new member and the VP II to help make sure that both sides are living up to the promises made in the first days of their relationship. These meetings can cover everything from ZTA to classes and allows the VP II to make sure that the new member is invested and is experiencing the investment of her sisters, as well. Taking the time to make sure that each individual is seeing herself as part of the future of ZTA is one of the many things that sets this chapter aside. I am thrilled to present the New Member Programming Award to Zeta Alpha Chapter at University of Evansville.
A balanced, innovative, and fun calendar: That is the holy grail of Zeta Tau Alpha college chapters. If that is the Holy Grail, then this year’s winner may very well be Indiana Jones. This fall this chapter undertook a chapter interest survey and each member marked that risk management was important or very important. The chapter has responded by mixing ZTA national programming such as items from My Sister, My Responsibility with created programs based on campus-specific needs. This year has seen chapter programming on safety and awareness, online and social networking safety, sex education, theft, and alcohol awareness. The chapter has integrated guest speakers and skits to increase presentational interest. The chapter has developed a partnership with a policeperson whose expertise they make use of on a regular basis. The chapter also makes use of other organizations on campus. They host chapters for dinners, enjoy pairings for philanthropies and intramurals, and work with other Greeks on service projects. This week they enjoyed a “Zeta Alliance” event with members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. This event bridged NPC/NPHC lines with food and a step demonstration. The women are working on a step routine themselves under the guidance of the gentlemen of Alpha Phi Alpha. They use their highly successful BMOC to build relationships with other organizations as much as raising money. A program council position exists simply to reach out with greetings to other campus organizations. And speaking of PC, this chapter completely restructured theirs this year to allow for more coherence in message and leadership development. Also service-minded, the chapter has been involved in clothing drives, and school carnival, a Valentine’s Day card delivery and Easter Egg delivery to an assisted living community, and Go Red For Women. This is all without even mentioning the individual participations of the members that reach far beyond the umbrella of ZTA. Balanced, innovative and fun programming isn’t an impossible goal. Just ask members of this year’s Chapter Programming winner, Alpha Theta at Purdue University.
Will a representative of the Columbus Alumnae Chapter please make her way to the stage? The Helen Winton Jenkins Collegiate Service Award honors the memory of National Secretary-Treasurer Emerita Helen Winton Jenkins. It is awarded to the Zeta Tau Alpha collegian whose service to her campus, community, Fraternity and world has been exemplary. Each of this year’s nominees could be recognized today. We are fortunate to be sitting in a room of great people and great sisters. But today’s honoree has become a bit of the poster girl for ZTA service in the past year or so. She has been the public business face of a highly successful BMOC as the corporate relations chair. She was chair of a residence hall judicial board. She served as a delegate for IMPACT and as a task force textbook manager for her campus student association. She has participated in dance marathon and served on the campus student ethics board. She has attended a ZTA National Leadership Conference AND a ZTA Convention by merit of serving in THREE Executive Council positions: VP II, Panhellenic Delegate, and – most recently – President. She assisted with the colonization of Lambda Epsilon and served on one of their Initiation teams. She traveled to Louisville to help secure the reactivation of our Beta Lambda chapter at the University of Louisville’s extension presentation. She is not with us today because she is serving as a 500 Festival Princess. Yes, this resume is enough...but it is not why she is our honoree today. She is our winner because she has given of herself, at GREAT personal sacrifice, to steer the course for her chapter and serve as an example for the entire Fraternity. We should all be as devoted. It is my honor to award the Helen Winton Jenkins Collegiate Service Award to Lauren Ratcliff of Alpha Xi Chapter at Indiana University.
The Senior Academic Achievement Award goes to the senior at each chapter who has earned the highest cumulative grade point average in her college years. This year’s honorees are outstanding examples. As your name is called, please come to the stage.
· Alpha Theta: Dana Benedetti: Dana has earned a 3.97 GPA while working on a dual degree in Psychology and Law & Society. She has been the butter-ups chair and led Alpha Theta’s Fraternity Education programming. Dana has made the Dean’s List every semester. She will be attending law school this fall in Chicago. Her sisters say, “Dana truly demonstrates to all Alpha Theta sisters what it means to be committed to academics while also being a positive role model to not only all Alpha Theta sisters, but Purdue University's entire campus.”
· Beta Theta: Brittnee Singco: Brittnee has earned a 3.963 GPA while working on a chemistry major and biology minor. She is planning on graduate or medical school. Brittnee has been on at least the Dean’s List every semester, with most appearances on the President’s List. She is also involved in a variety of honoraries, is president of chemistry club, and is secretary of student foundation. Her sisters say, “She is so dedicated to helping a sister out, that she has even helped people out on numerous occasions at the most inconvenient times, for example 2 a.m. before a huge exam. Multiple sisters that are chemistry and science majors have also stated that Brittnee is the student professors ask for help when they cannot even figure out a problem.”
· Gamma Chi: Briana Zmikly: Briana is an early childhood and elementary education major with a 3.77 GPA. She has earned a spot on the Dean’s List in 6 semesters. In addition to Zeta, Briana is active in National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Student Council for Exceptional Children Association. She is also a mean tandem rider during spring week. Her sisters say, “When Briana is not busy with school and Zeta she holds a part-time job at United Campus Ministries and tutors students at the public library in her spare time. In summary, Briana is a well rounded girl, who not only excels in academics, but all aspects of life.”
· Zeta Alpha: Lauren Wahl: Lauren is earning a degree in actuarial science with minors in Spanish and business. For me, that makes the fact that she is doing so with 3.99 cumulative GPA all the more impressive. Lauren completed an internship with the actuaries at Humana in Louisville last summer and will be returning to their employ upon graduation. Lauren used her math skills as assistant treasurer and treasurer throughout several EC terms. Her sisters say, “She will undoubtedly success at Humana in the future. The Zeta Alpha chapter has been lucky to have an example of a sister, such as Lauren, who is academically exceptional, active as a sister, a leader within the chapter, and a woman who truly upholds the creed of Zeta Tau Alpha in her daily life.
The Spirit of Indiana award is an engraved silver plate awarded to the chapter that best exemplifies this moment in Indiana Zeta history. When it comes down to it, this year has been about change and growth. We have been striving statewide to meet every Crown Chapter criterion and develop a “big picture” view of what is possible in Zeta Tau Alpha. While our chapters are great, none of us has it perfect...yet. The chapter that is being awarded this title this year, however, now sees how big that 3-letter word “yet” is. When I first met representatives of this chapter last summer at Convention, they were reserved. They were somewhat aware of the fact that their chapter was not quite seeing the big picture and investing in a way that would yield them the greatest rewards in Zeta. At the Crown Chapter Banquet last summer, one of their delegates leaned over in the midst of the celebration and whispered to me, “We’re going to be the only ones, aren’t we? The only ones who don’t win it.” It was heartbreaking. They just weren’t on track. Yet.
A year later and this chapter is anything but reserved. They are being audacious Zeta Tau Alphas. They have been blowing through Crown Chapter criteria like this is how it always goes. They have used Links programming for the first time. They are learning how to develop a calendar that may soon give Purdue some competition. They have gone from Panhellenic relations being a huge concern to winning Panhellenic chapter of the week. They have raised their GPA. They have raised more money. They are setting higher expectations and holding each other accountable for living up to them.
They haven’t won Crown Chapter....yet.
They are not a silver contendor...yet.
But they know darn well that they were founded for excellence and as a result of their determination they are well on the way to getting those yets out of their vocabulary.
I say this to my sisters at Gamma Chi: continue to earn this. You are SO close to blowing this thing outta the water.
Every once in a while you open an awards nomination and smile that the chapter is thinking just like you are. These final two awards are those.
I could say a LOT of things, myself, about this year’s Outstanding Advisor, but I will say that she has often been my sanity and leave it at that. When it comes to it, the words of her chapter members are better. “She challenges us to be the best we can be and to understand and live out the values in our Creed. She pushes us so we will be able to achieve anything that is thrown at us in the future. Through example, she shows how to live our values and morals, and She gives our chapter a better understanding of what the ZTA experience is about and how to fulfill our lifetime commitment to Zeta. She is always encouraging and motivating us strive to recognize our full potential and have confidence in our skills. , Without her guidance and encouragement, I don’t think I would have been able to fully succeed in my position as Treasurer last year. She has taught us how to build sisterhood, resolve conflicts and encourage and support each other. If any member is having problems, she can always go to the her for support and guidance. She doesn’t always tell us what we want to hear, but always want we need to hear to be better – even if it is a difficult conversation to have, it is empowering to us as leaders. She does not treat us as if we are just another member, but as individuals and SISTERS. She is constantly concerned for our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our chapter.” In short, this award recipient deserves a lot of credit for the last award recipient. This year’s Outstanding Advisor is Heather Kirk, the General Advisor for Gamma Chi chapter at Indiana State University.
Mrs. Tilley, would you please make your way to the stage? The Sherry Server Tilley Zeta is Forever Volunteer Award is named in honor of past national President and ZTA Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy Sherry Server Tilley. This year, I am not playing by the rules. This year, we have two winners....because there is no way to separate these two women in consideration. The chapter said that, and I agree. In her nomination, chapter member Shelby George said, “Throughout the years Patti Levitte and Mary Miller have displayed tremendous love, enthusiasm, support, and dedication to not only Zeta Tau Alpha but specifically to Zeta Alpha. They never were just our advisors; they took on a much larger role. They became a part of our family. Always being there to listen, to lend a kind word, and help through any situation that came about in our lives inside and outside of Zeta. They took the time out of their days to be there whenever we needed them. These two women were not just our college guardians but they became our second mothers. Throughout the years these two women have contributed so much to help form our chapter into what it is today by helping to pass along the traditions and values of a true Zeta Tau Alpha woman.” Mary and Patti have now moved on from advising but continue to support collegians. Mary was instrumental in helping me fill the advisory board through her work as the President of the Evansville Alumnae. Patti shared her expertise from her work with the national archives in her roadshow presentation today. Both were slated to travel to Purdue to speak at our ice-storm-cancelled multi-province officer training. These women love Zeta and love collegians and continue to serve in ways that are truly above and beyond. It is my pleasure to award the Sherry Server Tilley Zeta is Forever Volunteer Award to Mary Miller and Patti Levitte.
Thank you so much for sharing in our collegiate successes. I hope to bring even more great accomplishments next year!
Stefanie Davis, Province President XIV-A
Indiana Zeta Day
April 2, 2011
The achievement of quota during formal recruitment and of maximum chapter size, or total, during each semester is an expectation within ZTA, but achieving these markers is the result of hard work and dedication and is surely to be celebrated. Well, we have a LOT to celebrate. Each of our chapters that participated in formal recruitment matched quota and each of our chapters has achieved total both semesters. If you are your chapter’s VP III, please come accept your award when called. If your chapter’s VP III isn’t here, please send up your President or another VP.
· Alpha Theta: Quota and Total
· Alpha Xi: Quota and Total
· Beta Theta: Quota and Total
· Gamma Chi: Quota and Total
· Zeta Alpha: Quota and Total
· Lambda Epsilon: Total
The Chapter Academic Achievement Award is given to the collegiate chapter with the highest grade point average in the past year. Our chapters have outstanding academic programming in place and are demonstrating the ability to prioritize academics while maintaining a balanced chapter and personal schedule. This year’s winner has an average chapter GPA of 3.31. Amazing. Congratulations to the women of Alpha Xi Chapter at Indiana University!
The Anne Winnes Redmond Chapter Service Award is given to a chapter whose dedication to serving those within and without our circle leads the way in Indiana. Mrs. Redmond served at ZTA’s National Service Chair for over 50 years, so our chapters have a lot to live up to. This year’s winner certainly has met that challenge. Philanthropy has become a love of this chapter, with them holding numerous activities a year to bring attention to breast cancer. Campus events such as Bounce Out Breast Cancer in which a bounce house was run during a college football game to raise money and pass out pink ribbons, pinking out everything from volleyball games to basketball games to the campus and a growing Big Man on Campus are just a start. The sisters take the Think Pink message to the whole community by painting the town pink, running a percentage night at a local restaurant, arranging a percentage day with a local spray tan salon, and organizing a high school pink out game. Local service is a growing interest in this chapter, with the leadership dividing the service and philanthropy jobs into two this year, allowing each to grow. 50% of the chapter is involved in at least one non-ZTA service organization. The chapter as a whole has supported troupes overseas with holiday gifts, supported each Greek philanthropy on campus, and took part in Up Til Dawn, benefitting St. Jude. They recently played Bingo at a retirement community with another chapter, as well. The thing is, in this state, none of those are unusual. What made this chapter this year’s winner was that they were outstanding in service within our circle, as well. Allow me an anecdote: This chapter was ALL OVER volunteering to staff a room at the Initiation of our newest chapter at IUPUI. We were in pretty dire need of extra conductors when I visited with the chapter in November. I will admit to a pretty hard sell....but TWENTY-TWO women volunteered. PLUS the ritual team. PLUS then they volunteered to round out three additional roles in another Initiation room. AND THEN – when some miscommunication left us three roles short for the Presidential Initiation with two hours to go – guess which chapter agreed to stay. Yeah....this chapter gets service. And it is fitting really......Mrs. Redmond was from Ft. Wayne.....and she graduated from this year’s winning chapter. The 2011 Anne Winnes Redmond Chapter Service Award goes to Beta Theta Chapter at Franklin College.
Outstanding New Member Programming is key to the health of our chapters. A positive and well-rounded new member experience develops the traits we need in our next big sisters, presidents, and alumnae. One chapter has set herself above the rest this year with innovation in programming that will allow for more personal connections and hopefully an increased sense of commitment. The nomination submitted by this year’s winner begins with words I think all chapters should ponder: “From the beginning to the very end of new membership, our chapter strives to create a sense of home and peace that was promised during recruitment.” This year our winning chapter has added individual meetings between the new member and the VP II to help make sure that both sides are living up to the promises made in the first days of their relationship. These meetings can cover everything from ZTA to classes and allows the VP II to make sure that the new member is invested and is experiencing the investment of her sisters, as well. Taking the time to make sure that each individual is seeing herself as part of the future of ZTA is one of the many things that sets this chapter aside. I am thrilled to present the New Member Programming Award to Zeta Alpha Chapter at University of Evansville.
A balanced, innovative, and fun calendar: That is the holy grail of Zeta Tau Alpha college chapters. If that is the Holy Grail, then this year’s winner may very well be Indiana Jones. This fall this chapter undertook a chapter interest survey and each member marked that risk management was important or very important. The chapter has responded by mixing ZTA national programming such as items from My Sister, My Responsibility with created programs based on campus-specific needs. This year has seen chapter programming on safety and awareness, online and social networking safety, sex education, theft, and alcohol awareness. The chapter has integrated guest speakers and skits to increase presentational interest. The chapter has developed a partnership with a policeperson whose expertise they make use of on a regular basis. The chapter also makes use of other organizations on campus. They host chapters for dinners, enjoy pairings for philanthropies and intramurals, and work with other Greeks on service projects. This week they enjoyed a “Zeta Alliance” event with members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. This event bridged NPC/NPHC lines with food and a step demonstration. The women are working on a step routine themselves under the guidance of the gentlemen of Alpha Phi Alpha. They use their highly successful BMOC to build relationships with other organizations as much as raising money. A program council position exists simply to reach out with greetings to other campus organizations. And speaking of PC, this chapter completely restructured theirs this year to allow for more coherence in message and leadership development. Also service-minded, the chapter has been involved in clothing drives, and school carnival, a Valentine’s Day card delivery and Easter Egg delivery to an assisted living community, and Go Red For Women. This is all without even mentioning the individual participations of the members that reach far beyond the umbrella of ZTA. Balanced, innovative and fun programming isn’t an impossible goal. Just ask members of this year’s Chapter Programming winner, Alpha Theta at Purdue University.
Will a representative of the Columbus Alumnae Chapter please make her way to the stage? The Helen Winton Jenkins Collegiate Service Award honors the memory of National Secretary-Treasurer Emerita Helen Winton Jenkins. It is awarded to the Zeta Tau Alpha collegian whose service to her campus, community, Fraternity and world has been exemplary. Each of this year’s nominees could be recognized today. We are fortunate to be sitting in a room of great people and great sisters. But today’s honoree has become a bit of the poster girl for ZTA service in the past year or so. She has been the public business face of a highly successful BMOC as the corporate relations chair. She was chair of a residence hall judicial board. She served as a delegate for IMPACT and as a task force textbook manager for her campus student association. She has participated in dance marathon and served on the campus student ethics board. She has attended a ZTA National Leadership Conference AND a ZTA Convention by merit of serving in THREE Executive Council positions: VP II, Panhellenic Delegate, and – most recently – President. She assisted with the colonization of Lambda Epsilon and served on one of their Initiation teams. She traveled to Louisville to help secure the reactivation of our Beta Lambda chapter at the University of Louisville’s extension presentation. She is not with us today because she is serving as a 500 Festival Princess. Yes, this resume is enough...but it is not why she is our honoree today. She is our winner because she has given of herself, at GREAT personal sacrifice, to steer the course for her chapter and serve as an example for the entire Fraternity. We should all be as devoted. It is my honor to award the Helen Winton Jenkins Collegiate Service Award to Lauren Ratcliff of Alpha Xi Chapter at Indiana University.
The Senior Academic Achievement Award goes to the senior at each chapter who has earned the highest cumulative grade point average in her college years. This year’s honorees are outstanding examples. As your name is called, please come to the stage.
· Alpha Theta: Dana Benedetti: Dana has earned a 3.97 GPA while working on a dual degree in Psychology and Law & Society. She has been the butter-ups chair and led Alpha Theta’s Fraternity Education programming. Dana has made the Dean’s List every semester. She will be attending law school this fall in Chicago. Her sisters say, “Dana truly demonstrates to all Alpha Theta sisters what it means to be committed to academics while also being a positive role model to not only all Alpha Theta sisters, but Purdue University's entire campus.”
· Beta Theta: Brittnee Singco: Brittnee has earned a 3.963 GPA while working on a chemistry major and biology minor. She is planning on graduate or medical school. Brittnee has been on at least the Dean’s List every semester, with most appearances on the President’s List. She is also involved in a variety of honoraries, is president of chemistry club, and is secretary of student foundation. Her sisters say, “She is so dedicated to helping a sister out, that she has even helped people out on numerous occasions at the most inconvenient times, for example 2 a.m. before a huge exam. Multiple sisters that are chemistry and science majors have also stated that Brittnee is the student professors ask for help when they cannot even figure out a problem.”
· Gamma Chi: Briana Zmikly: Briana is an early childhood and elementary education major with a 3.77 GPA. She has earned a spot on the Dean’s List in 6 semesters. In addition to Zeta, Briana is active in National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Student Council for Exceptional Children Association. She is also a mean tandem rider during spring week. Her sisters say, “When Briana is not busy with school and Zeta she holds a part-time job at United Campus Ministries and tutors students at the public library in her spare time. In summary, Briana is a well rounded girl, who not only excels in academics, but all aspects of life.”
· Zeta Alpha: Lauren Wahl: Lauren is earning a degree in actuarial science with minors in Spanish and business. For me, that makes the fact that she is doing so with 3.99 cumulative GPA all the more impressive. Lauren completed an internship with the actuaries at Humana in Louisville last summer and will be returning to their employ upon graduation. Lauren used her math skills as assistant treasurer and treasurer throughout several EC terms. Her sisters say, “She will undoubtedly success at Humana in the future. The Zeta Alpha chapter has been lucky to have an example of a sister, such as Lauren, who is academically exceptional, active as a sister, a leader within the chapter, and a woman who truly upholds the creed of Zeta Tau Alpha in her daily life.
The Spirit of Indiana award is an engraved silver plate awarded to the chapter that best exemplifies this moment in Indiana Zeta history. When it comes down to it, this year has been about change and growth. We have been striving statewide to meet every Crown Chapter criterion and develop a “big picture” view of what is possible in Zeta Tau Alpha. While our chapters are great, none of us has it perfect...yet. The chapter that is being awarded this title this year, however, now sees how big that 3-letter word “yet” is. When I first met representatives of this chapter last summer at Convention, they were reserved. They were somewhat aware of the fact that their chapter was not quite seeing the big picture and investing in a way that would yield them the greatest rewards in Zeta. At the Crown Chapter Banquet last summer, one of their delegates leaned over in the midst of the celebration and whispered to me, “We’re going to be the only ones, aren’t we? The only ones who don’t win it.” It was heartbreaking. They just weren’t on track. Yet.
A year later and this chapter is anything but reserved. They are being audacious Zeta Tau Alphas. They have been blowing through Crown Chapter criteria like this is how it always goes. They have used Links programming for the first time. They are learning how to develop a calendar that may soon give Purdue some competition. They have gone from Panhellenic relations being a huge concern to winning Panhellenic chapter of the week. They have raised their GPA. They have raised more money. They are setting higher expectations and holding each other accountable for living up to them.
They haven’t won Crown Chapter....yet.
They are not a silver contendor...yet.
But they know darn well that they were founded for excellence and as a result of their determination they are well on the way to getting those yets out of their vocabulary.
I say this to my sisters at Gamma Chi: continue to earn this. You are SO close to blowing this thing outta the water.
Every once in a while you open an awards nomination and smile that the chapter is thinking just like you are. These final two awards are those.
I could say a LOT of things, myself, about this year’s Outstanding Advisor, but I will say that she has often been my sanity and leave it at that. When it comes to it, the words of her chapter members are better. “She challenges us to be the best we can be and to understand and live out the values in our Creed. She pushes us so we will be able to achieve anything that is thrown at us in the future. Through example, she shows how to live our values and morals, and She gives our chapter a better understanding of what the ZTA experience is about and how to fulfill our lifetime commitment to Zeta. She is always encouraging and motivating us strive to recognize our full potential and have confidence in our skills. , Without her guidance and encouragement, I don’t think I would have been able to fully succeed in my position as Treasurer last year. She has taught us how to build sisterhood, resolve conflicts and encourage and support each other. If any member is having problems, she can always go to the her for support and guidance. She doesn’t always tell us what we want to hear, but always want we need to hear to be better – even if it is a difficult conversation to have, it is empowering to us as leaders. She does not treat us as if we are just another member, but as individuals and SISTERS. She is constantly concerned for our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our chapter.” In short, this award recipient deserves a lot of credit for the last award recipient. This year’s Outstanding Advisor is Heather Kirk, the General Advisor for Gamma Chi chapter at Indiana State University.
Mrs. Tilley, would you please make your way to the stage? The Sherry Server Tilley Zeta is Forever Volunteer Award is named in honor of past national President and ZTA Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy Sherry Server Tilley. This year, I am not playing by the rules. This year, we have two winners....because there is no way to separate these two women in consideration. The chapter said that, and I agree. In her nomination, chapter member Shelby George said, “Throughout the years Patti Levitte and Mary Miller have displayed tremendous love, enthusiasm, support, and dedication to not only Zeta Tau Alpha but specifically to Zeta Alpha. They never were just our advisors; they took on a much larger role. They became a part of our family. Always being there to listen, to lend a kind word, and help through any situation that came about in our lives inside and outside of Zeta. They took the time out of their days to be there whenever we needed them. These two women were not just our college guardians but they became our second mothers. Throughout the years these two women have contributed so much to help form our chapter into what it is today by helping to pass along the traditions and values of a true Zeta Tau Alpha woman.” Mary and Patti have now moved on from advising but continue to support collegians. Mary was instrumental in helping me fill the advisory board through her work as the President of the Evansville Alumnae. Patti shared her expertise from her work with the national archives in her roadshow presentation today. Both were slated to travel to Purdue to speak at our ice-storm-cancelled multi-province officer training. These women love Zeta and love collegians and continue to serve in ways that are truly above and beyond. It is my pleasure to award the Sherry Server Tilley Zeta is Forever Volunteer Award to Mary Miller and Patti Levitte.
Thank you so much for sharing in our collegiate successes. I hope to bring even more great accomplishments next year!
Stefanie Davis, Province President XIV-A
Indiana Zeta Day
April 2, 2011
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