Sisters for WKU

 

Kentucky Area Alumnae

Alpha Xi Delta has more than 163 alumnae Sisters within 60 miles of campus. That number balloons to over 519 Sisters when the range is expanded to 90 miles.  Our more than 400 Epsilon Kappa Chapter members are thrilled with the opportunity to once again see the double blue and gold deck the Hill. 

Our local alumnae stand ready to be the first line of assistance to the WKU colony in the same wonderful ways many of our other alumnae have assisted our recent new chapters.  

Avenues of alumnae assistance include Alumnae Aunt programs; providing food, decorations and support during recruitment activities; jointly hosting Sisterhood events and educational programs with the new colony; and even providing occasional financial assistance for a new member. Additionally, individual alumnae not active as advisors or in a local alumnae association often support Alpha Xi Delta chapters ad colonies during recruitment, present Realize Your Potential programs, offer career and personal mentoring, and provide general moral support. 

True alumnae strength lies in those Sisters who make a commitment to serve, and Alpha Xi Delta is proud of our many Sisters who have already pledged their time and talents to the support of a potential  Western Kentucky University colony.

WKU Alumnae

Dear Panhellenic Sisters:

I remember the day I pledged a sorority at Western Kentucky University.  I wasn’t quite sure of what I was getting in to, but I knew I was going to be a part of a group I would call sisters who accepted me unconditionally. 
That was 28 years ago.  Little did I know when I was just 19 years old what the impact that decision to join would make on my entire life – literally.  I have been involved with my sorority – Alpha Xi Delta - since the day I left WKU.

I’ve had many exceptional experiences because I chose to be Greek.  In my chapter I was pledge trainer (now called new member orientation chair) and president.  Upon graduation I was hired by my national Fraternity to travel the country as a consultant for a year.  In that one year I was on more than 30 college campuses in nine months and saw first-hand the benefit of sorority nationwide.  Then I went to work at Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity Headquarters in Indianapolis and did so for 14 additional years.  I served as editor of the national magazine, and I got to help establish new chapters, and finished my tenure on staff as the National Executive Director.
Because of the opportunities Alpha Xi Delta presented to me to build and hone important skills, I now get to wake up every day doing what I love to do – running my own business and spending much of my time speaking at workplaces and on college campuses across the country about leadership.  I know the true meaning of the word Panhellenic because I get to work with sorority women of every affiliation across the country every day.  The beauty of alumnae involvement is that you belong to a bigger community of sorority women – some of my closet friends are in different sororities.  I attend Colts football games with a Sigma Kappa and an Alpha Phi (at right).  And it all started because I chose to join a sorority at Western Kentucky University.

When the Alpha Xi Delta chapter closed at Western it was difficult for me as an alum of the chapter, but I knew (as an employee of the Fraternity at the time), that it was necessary. While I was on campus as an undergraduate, Alpha Xi Delta was an integral part of the Greek community.  And I know, being very involved in the national Greek community, that Alpha Xi Delta is a vibrant, progressive organization that can positively contribute to Panhellenic success at Western again.

I wait eagerly to hear that the Panhellenic Association at Western will invite Alpha Xi Delta back to campus to re-establish our (my) Epsilon Kappa Chapter.

Sincerely,
Ginny Carroll, Western Kentucky Alum
Epsilon Kappa Chapter, '82

It's the fall of 1970, and I am a very shy 17 year old just starting her career on the Hill. I decide to participate in sorority rush, as this is something I've wanted to do for awhile even though none of my closest friends are rushing. Happily the ladies of Alpha Xi Delta see past the shyness and uncertainty and welcome me with open arms into their sisterhood. A new chapter of my life has started!   

Four years of growing and learning follow. Alpha Xi Delta is the constant in my life. From living in the chapter house and laughing with my Sisters during late night gab fests to the comfort I received when I learned of my grandmother's death, my Sisters were there for me. Together, we write many new chapters filled with sisterhood and memories of WKU. After receiving a bachelor's degree in Computer Science in 1975, I left the Hill and lived in several different cities. In all of my moves, with each turn of the page, there were always new Sisters to meet in my new home who were ready to offer support and advice on everything.

During my forty years of being an Alpha Xi Delta, I have grown and learned a lot from my many volunteer positions. The lessons in teamwork and leadership I have learned in my volunteer positions have benefited me in my professional life. As a software engineer for IBM with thirty years of experience, I have been a team leader and delivered many software projects, including a work team that has been granted several patents. Behind me always was the support and love of my Sisters. I am so thankful I began my story with Alpha Xi Delta at WKU. 

- Paige Faries, Western Kentucky Alum
   Epsilon Kappa Chapter '71