Founder's Day

Epsilon Zeta Epsilon Alumnae Chapter celebrated Founders' Day by honoring five sisters with their 50- and 60- year pins.  Our guest speaker was Sydney McClain, our first President when we organized in 1964.  Her program highlighted the Founders and the celebration following 125 years of Alpha Chi Omega.

Epsilon Zeta Epsilon also celebrated by honoring five members with their 50 and 60 year pins.  Pictured from left to right: Ruth Ann Mosby Claubaugh (60 year member of Gamma Epsilon), Claudia Looney Davis (50 year member of Gamma Epsilon), Joan Varner Collins Gay (50 year member of Alpha Upsilon), Kathryn McWhorter Martinson (50 year member of Alpha Upsilon), Judy Milliken Lewis (50 year member of Alpha Upsilon), Sydney Robinson McClain.  The pins were presented by Sydney McClain who was President of Alpha Upsilon when Kathryn, Joan, and Judy pledged.  Sydney was also President and one of the founders of the Huntsville Alumnae Club.

University of Alabama Alpha Chi's Participate in local Trick or Treat

Reprinted from The Crimson White

Oct 26 2010, 10:06 am

Storm doesn’t dampen Greek trick-or-treat

by Brittney Knox

Kids got to trick-ortreat on Sorority Row Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. They were given candy at each sorority house. / CW | Katie Bennett

Clouds filled the sky Tuesday night, but it did not stop hundreds of little feet from running down sorority row to participate in sorority row’s annual trick-or-treat event. Colonial Drive was graced with the presence of many memorable childhood characters, including Batman, Superman and even Barney.

Megan Hayes, a member of the Alabama Panhellenic Council’s executive board and director of the event said that last year there was a turnout of about 800 people. She said she was glad the weather didn’t stop people from coming out. Hayes, who was dressed as a cowgirl to join in the spirit of the event, said she feels the event on sorority row is safe for families to come and have a good time.

“We have the streets blocked off, and UAPD is monitoring the event,” she said. “The candy is packaged, and we know that the parents want this to be a safe event for their kids, so we strive to provide that type of environment.”

Several adults also dressed up for the event, including a husband and wife who dressed as the Nintendo characters Mario and Luigi. “It is our first time to come and I am glad my daughter is having so much fun,” said Jennifer Minor, a parent who brought her daughter to the event. Minor said she came with a friend and they brought their daughters who were dressed as the Little Mermaid and Strawberry Shortcake. She said the children love the fun and all the candy, but it is also great to know that they are in a safe environment.

As families walked down Sorority Row, they saw several houses that not only had candy but face painting and games for the attendees. “All of the houses wanted to do something fun in addition to candy, and our activity that we thought of was face painting,” said Caroline Ascik, a junior Panhellenic delegate for Alpha Chi Omega. She said planning for the event with her sorority wasn’t difficult. “Every girl brought candy and participated in brainstorming ideas for games or activities for the kids,” she said.

The event lasted for about 30 minutes before participants were alarmed by the tornado siren signaling the watch had escalated to a warning. Kat Gillan, assistant director of greek affairs, said they had been in contact with the risk management department and monitoring the weather throughout the evening. “We were informed by the risk management department and went around to all the houses to relay the message to shut down everything,” she said.

Latesha Watford, who brings her children to the event every year, said the entire family looks forward to it. “It is a very safe event, and the kids like it a lot,” she said. “It also is a way to do it all in one place instead of going to neighborhoods.”

Article reposted from The Crimson White

Oct 7 2010, 10:06 am

Fraternities raise heels, awareness

by Melissa Brown

Email: mbrown@crimson.ua.edu

 

Winston Cowart, a freshman majoring in marine biology, and thomas Hays, a freshman majoring in business, rest on the ground of Sorority Row after the Walk a Milk in Her Shoes fundraiser to stop domestic violence. / CW | Drew Hoover

The sidewalks of sorority row were crowded Thursday afternoon as community members, school staff and sorority sisters gathered to watch fraternity brothers run, walk and stumble along in high heels for Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, a philanthropy event sponsored by Alpha Chi Omega that was organized to raise awareness of domestic violence.

“We really wanted to raise money for the cause and awareness of domestic violence to benefit Turning Point, a local shelter for women and children,” said Mary Leigh Hatchett, Alpha Chi philanthropy chair and organizer of the event. “I think domestic violence is really a ‘behind closed doors’ issue and we just want to raise awareness.”

Hatchett said more than 17 fraternities signed up and the event raised around $2,100 in entry fees, though it has potential to raise more with donations from sorority members.

Members of Alpha Chi were encouraged to make signs and offer support from the sidelines as fraternity brothers participated in the race. The signs featured facts and statistics about domestic violence, such as ‘78% of women have experienced some form of sexual aggression’ and ‘Women aged 19-29 reported more violence by intimates than any other group.’

“We’re really excited [about the event] because it’s a great way to bring awareness about something that so many people experience,” said Leah Leonard, a freshman pre-dental student who stood on the sidelines with a sign.

Fraternity participants gathered outside the Alpha Chi house shortly before 4 p.m., holding or wearing everything from modest black pumps to four-inch plastic stilettos.  Brothers jammed their sock-clad feet into pumps and heels as some resorted to duck-taping the shoes on. Students gathered, excitedly snapping pictures before the walk began as a DJ played on the corner.

“I’m ready to rock heels like a champ,” Parker McGee, a freshman member of Delta Sigma Phi, said before the event began. Brothers from Alpha Kappa Lambda arrived dressed to impress in sharp blazers, shirts, ties and colorful women’s running shorts. A group of students from Lamda Sigma Phi also coordinated their outfits, painting up in purple and white.

“I ordered size 16 shoes – ruby red – from Amazon specifically for the event,” said Travis Hatt, a junior majoring in management and information sciences and a member of Lamda Sigma Phi. Gorman Houston, a Phi Gamma Delta freshman who arrived at the event in a white tulle evening gown, echoed the others’ enthusiasm.  “We went the whole nine yards,” he said. “It’s definitely a great event to help support and raise awareness for the cause.”

Acting director of Turning Point, Belinda Jones, came to the event and spoke before the start of the race, reminding the crowd of the impact domestic violence has on society.  “Any time we can get the word out about domestic violence is a great opportunity,” Jones said.

Turning Point, a shelter in Tuscaloosa, can always use new volunteers and even offers volunteer training for those interested, she said.  “It’s an amazing cause, because it’s something that needs to be brought up and people need to be aware of,” said Samantha Romo, a freshman majoring in psychology.