CONTENTS
Dear Sisters of
Sigma Psi:
History Tidbits
365 Days of Service
Scholarship Important at Sigma Psi
Alumnae/active Buddy Program
Births
Engagements
Alumnae News
Deaths
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Dear Sisters of Sigma Psi:
Over the past several months, Sigma Psi has had many issues come up affecting both active and alumnae members. The Sigma Psi Alumnae Board has been very busy trying to keep up with everything. However, there are very few of us. We need your help!!
The active chapter has experienced rush problems lately and our numbers are shrinking. This is particularly important lately because CWRU is shutting down all UG Southside housing. This means that we are going to get a house on Northside- but only if we consistently have enough members to fill it. If you are not aware, Alpha Xi Delta was dissolved this past year by their national because of lack of numbers. We don't want the same thing to happen to Sigma Psi!!
The active chapter is in need of the kind of support a national provides, but because we are local, they instead turn to their alumnae. They need us, and we need to be here for them!!! The actives have been looking into the possibility of going national, but won't do so if they have our support and help.
We are asking that you help in any way you can. Just stopping by the house for an alumnae meeting (they're only once a month) or pitching in for specific projects (like painting or rush) would help more than you can probably imagine. If you are interested in more regular involvement, the alumnae board has openings for a VP as well as one or two chapter liaisons and a member at large.
Here are a few events coming up where we could use your help:
Next Alumnae Board Meeting: August 6, 6:30 PM at the house
"Painting Party" (we're repainting every room in the house!!): Friday, August 16 (all day) at the house
Formal Rush isn't until January this year, but there will be Informal Rush events in the fall.
If you live out of town and cannot physically come for events, we ask that you still remain in touch. Participating in the "buddy system" or sending the current rush chair ideas for rush really means a lot to the sorority. Here are some more ideas:
Offering your professional services to sorority members (ex. Accountants could offer tax advice at a reduced rate)
Sharing stories of your experiences with Sigma Psi via e-mail, phone, or letters
Attending alumnae events
Joining the alumnae group on Yahoo! to get up-to-date info on alumnae board activities (go to www.sigmapsi.org and follow the link to sign up)
We also encourage you all to check out www.sigmapsi.org frequently. Marie does a wonderful job of keeping activities up to date there. If you are also interested in helping in other ways, but are not sure how or what, please feel free to contact a board member.
Your sorority really needs your support now!
IE&SL,
Cheryl Wozniak Thompson
Melissa McNichols Cardon
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History Tidbits
-From Laura Monette Opincar '92
With respect to the story about our losing items in a Delt house fire- I do know that the Adelbert fire happened in the summer of 1991, by which time the Delts had moved out of the house on Bellflower and were living in the house behind Leutner Commons (beside the Theta Chi house). I was living on campus that summer in the Delt House and saw the fire first hand with Monisha Pasupathi, one of the rommies for the summer. I also know that when we moved out of our house in the fall of 1988 and into the dorms, we supposedly stored some items at the Pike house. Their house burned down over Thanksgiving, either the fall of 1988 or 89, which may have been when our stuff was lost. We then stored what remained in the same dorm that the Pikes were then housed in and rumor had it that the Pikes had broken into the storage rooms in the dorm and taken some of our stuff.
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365 Days of Service
For the ninth year, the Greek Community of CWRU challenged itself to complete 365 days worth of service to the community. This year, they exceeded the goal by accumulating 446 days of service. Each chapter was given a goal of its membership multiplied by 10 hours worth of work. Each time a chapter completed 24 hours worth of work, they were awarded with a "day" on the master calendar. Seventeen of the 23 chapters at CWRU reached or surpassed their goal. The Sigma Psi chapter completed 30.5 days, which was 199% of their goal!! Congratulations actives!!
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Scholarship Important at Sigma Psi
-By Ana Radovic '03
This spring semester, Sigma Psi finished the school year off strong. The sorority always called on sisters to do their part and contribute as much as they could, but of course academics came first and were never neglected. Many sisters took a more serious position on studying and took care to respect other sisters who were studying for tests and finals or working on projects in the lobby, in the rooms, Starbucks, or wherever. This respect allowed sisters to be capable of achieving the best they could, knowing they had much support behind them.
Various events during the semester encouraged sisters to take constructive breaks from studying and also to be more involved with faculty members. On March 27, a few girls from the Muslim Student's Association came to speak to the sorority about "Women in Islam." With a precursor of food from Alladin's and a little bellydancing by Veena and Neena (a cherished workout video), Sigma Psi sisters were ready to learn truths about Muslim women. After being given a quiz about many false beliefs about Muslim traditions, many sisters learned new and interesting facts which could help them better understand issues which are affecting our world today.
On April 15, Sigma Psi hosted a faculty dinner with the brothers of Sigma Alpha Mu. A tasty meal prepared by the Sammy brothers welcomed faculty members from various departments. Sisters enjoyed speaking to their professors in a non-academic setting. They were able to share why they enjoyed being a sister of Sigma Psi and what they were involved with when they weren't studying. Some professors also took the opportunity to share stories from their college days. Overall, the dinner was a very successful and enjoyable event.
As the year ended, and finals approached, Sigma Psi sisters focused more on their studies. Of course, their hard work paid off, evident in the total GPA of 3.341, 3rd highest for all the sororities. Our new pledges, Stephanie Haas, Sayaka Fujioka, and Elizabeth Grammatikov, got the highest GPA of all the sororities for the third time in a row! Congratulations to all the sisters, especially our graduating seniors, Joanna Baughmann, Laura Ulatowski, Rachel Rosenblum, Wendy Adkins, Mary Pattison, and Megan Kimbrell, and good luck actives in the new scholastic year!
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Alumnae/Active Buddy Program
-By Marie Vanaman '99
Starting Fall 2002, an alumnae active buddy program will be initiated. This program will match actives with mentors from the vast number of alumnae of Sigma Psi. This will be an opportunity for guidance with active's career choices or with sorority offices. Currently, information is being gathered about the active chapter members. This information can be found under the buddy link of the website. Alumnae are requested to volunteer to match up with one or more actives who share a common field of study or who will be holding offices that the alumnae once held.
Ready to become a buddy?? Please send me a note or an e-mail letting me know which active(s) you would like to match up with, based on common career interests or offices held within the sorority. And don't be shy about volunteering for more than one! :-) Also, if someone has already partnered with an active, you too can match up with her also. There is no limit to the number of buddies. With 500+ alumnae and <50 actives, the potential is huge.
Once I receive your e-mail or note, I will send you contact information for the active(s) and you should then initiate the program with a phone call, e-mail, letter, or maybe coffee break. Please do not let distance from Cleveland discourage you! This works well for both those that live near and far! Happy Buddy-ing!!
Thanks for everyone's interest in helping make this program succeed. Both the actives and I are excited to get this going!
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Births
Anita Hoffman Fox '86 and her husband Luis Gutierrez would like to announce the birth of their son, Alejandro (Alex) Gregorio Angel Gutierrez. He was born on September 3, 2001.
Metka Shropnik Daly '90 and her husband Jack had a son, Joseph Edward on April 22 at 12:37 am. He was 10 lbs 13 oz and 22.5 inches long. He shocked everyone with his size. Metka's doctor was expecting an 8.5-9 oz baby. After 22 hours of labor, including 3 hours of pushing, his heart rate accelerated and it was decided that he just wasn't coming out, so Metka had a c-section.
Megan Kate was born to Kimberly Dareing Aubin '91 on April 26 at 1:39 weighing 8 lbs 13 oz. She was 21 inches long and has blue eyes and brown hair. She was a scheduled c-section. Kimberly adds, "Now our family is complete!"
Melanie Bickum Carlson '92 gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Jasannah Lynn, in August 2001.
Erin McKelvey '92 and her husband Larry would like to announce that their first child is due this summer (July 2002).
Julie Hickman Strama '94 gave birth to her second child, Frank "Butchie" Strama in August 2001.
Kathy Klemann '94 had a son, Rhys, in November 2001.
Jill Imbriano Day '98 and her husband Iain had their first child, Sarah Helen on June 15, 2002. She was 8 lbs 11 oz and 20 inches long.
Stephanie Schilling Cesa '99 and her husband Joe are expecting their first child in December. "Yes, a Christmas baby!" adds Stephanie.
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Engagements
Erina Alvares '01 is engaged to Rich Todd. He proposed on their one and a half year anniversary while they were on a cruise to Key West and Cozumel. The couple plans on getting married in August 2003.
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Alumnae News
‘50s...
Kay Print Janney '59 wished that she could have attended the 105th weekend because she so enjoyed the 100th celebration, however her husband's health keeps her at home and "guessing" at what will come next. She adds that the Yahoo! Group is great- it's fun to be in touch, even "long distance". Kay also writes that while she became "prof. emeritus" from UCONN's School of Fine Arts several years ago, she's back in the classroom, but teaching a variety of courses (one each semester) in Communications and loving being in the classroom again.
‘70s...
Laurice Koury-Goldberg '71 married Jan Goldberg in August of 1997. In December of 2000, she opened a new law office in Pepper Pike. In addition, her skin care business is flourishing- www.lauriceskincare.com
‘90s...
Melanie Bickum Carlson '92 finished her residency in Family Practice at Fairview Hospital in June 2001. She is now working with Ohio Medical Group in Olmstead Falls. She gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Jasannah Lynn, in August 2001. Melanie's husband, Jesse (known to fellow Sigs as Jessifer) is a partner in an industrial design company, Smartshape Design, in Cleveland. Melanie also sends news of other Sigs- Julie Hickman Strama '94 has a 2 year old daughter, Emily. She gave birth to her second child, Frank "Butchie" Strama in August 2001. Julie is working for Packard in Warren, OH. Also, Kathy Klemann '94 had a son, Rhys, in November 2001. She is in her second year of OB/Gyn residency in Allentown, PA.
Laura Monette Opincar '92 finished her Pharmacy Practice Residency in July, 2001 and immediately took a position in Global Medical Information at Eli Lilly and Company, the people who brought you insulin, penicillin, and Prozac. She supports their oncology products and is loving it!! She moved to a new home in February, so she has all kinds of room for anyone who might come to visit.
Sandra Swinler '94 works for Progressive Insurance in Software Development. She recently entered single life again. Sandy adds that she is excited to be a part of the alumnae organization and is looking forward to getting more involved.
Stephanie Schilling Cesa '99 and her husband Joe bought their first house in Rhode Island and are expecting their first child in December. "Yes, a Christmas baby!" adds Stephanie.
‘00s...
Paula Tranbarger '00 just started travel nursing. She is currently in Los Angeles and hopes to be there for a little bit at least. She's at Cedars-Sinai right now, but is still looking for a hospital in the area to go to next. She adds that if anyone wants to come out and visit, she has plenty of room to put people up! She is also currently single, with a two year relationship ending a few months ago. For those that knew Paul (aka Wooie), he's doing well and living back in Long Island. She also writes, "I hope to hear from people on where everyone's at now!"
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Deaths
According to the Summer '02 CWRU Magazine, Sig alums Marion Kissack Hockaday '36 and Betty Martin Thurston '41 passed away.
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