November Scholar of the Month: Gabrielle Choikhit

Congratulations to Gabrielle Choikhit of Delta Delta Delta! She has been chosen as the Panhellenic Scholar of the Month for November. 

Gabrielle has been very active in Delta Delta Delta since her freshman year of college. She previously served as the music chair for Delta Delta Delta at the University of Denver and is so excited to now be a member of the Tri-Delta here at KU. In addition to being a member of Delta Delta Delta, she is actively involved in some student organizations on campus. Last semester she had the opportunity to be a Sinai Scholar at Chabbad, where she participated in group discussions on Jewish ethics and values. She especially love being involved in the community and has enjoyed volunteering with Natural Ties this semester. She has also been on the Honor Roll every semester of college.

Gamma Phi Beta Founder's Day: November 11, 1874

Happy Birthday to the women of Gamma Phi Beta! The sorority was founded on this day in 1874 at Syracuse University in New York.

The term "sorority"from the latin meaning "sisterhood" was coined in 1882 in reference to Gamma Phi Beta. Prior to this, other Greek organizations for women were refered to as "women's fraternites" or "fraternities for women."

Gamma Phi Beta was founded by these four women: (information taken from the website of Gamma Phi Beta Headquarters at www.gammaphibeta.org)

Four Founders

The Scholar Helen Mary Dodge Ferguson was a talented musician and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her chief interest was the mission work sponsored by her church. Helen died in 1937, leaving a substantial bequest to Syracuse University for scholarships for members of Gamma Phi Beta. Her love of learning has endeared her as the scholar of the four.

The Artist Frances "Fannie" Elizabeth Haven Moss entered Northwestern University, where her father was president, as one of the first female students. After he was named chancellor of Syracuse University, she transferred to Syracuse. Frances later moved with her husband to Illinois where she was instrumental in establishing Omicron Chapter (Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). She was also the only Founder to have a daughter join Gamma Phi Beta. An accomplished artist, many of Frances' original watercolor paintings are on display at International Headquarters.

The Friend Eunice Adeline "Addie" Curtis graduated from Syracuse with a bachelor's degree in music. She was the soprano soloist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Syracuse for 33 years and had a son, Edward, with her husband, Frank Curtis. Addie was described by others as kind and generous to a fault, always cheerful, always sympathetic, the most charitable person who ever lived and deeply loved. In a word: friend.

The World Traveler Mary "Minnie" Alice Bingham Willoughby graduated from Syracuse with a degree in fine arts. She was a world traveler, having accompanied her parents to numerous sites in Europe. Minnie and Helen were the only Founders able to continue their close association after their college years, as both lived in Utica, New York. Minnie is described as having "a delight in all things that led to a cultural life," and a "pride in all conduct that led to the beauty of knowledge."

Panhellenic Association Elects New Officers

The University of Kansas Panhellenic Association elected eight new officers for the 2012 Executive Board. Elections were held Monday evening at the Burge Union. Up to five members from all thirteen Panhellenic chapters attended and collectively voted on their chapters’ behalf to select the new Executive Board. Each candidate was selected based on their resume, application questions, and a short speech.

The Panhellenic Association is the governing body of the thirteen NPC-affiliated chapters at the University of Kansas. It serves as a forum for the discussion of current issues facing college students and specifically members of the sorority community. Panhellenic also sets and enforces rules governing membership recruitment, social activities, publicity, and member responsibilities. The eight Executive Officers are responsible for the overall operation of the organization. In addition to the Executive Officers, each chapter has a delegate that serves as the voice for their members. The Council meets at least twice each month.

The 2012 officers are: President: Kathryn Hoven, Gamma Phi Beta; Vice President: Shanah Gaskill, Kappa Alpha Theta; Director for Public Relations: Lizzie Marx, Pi Beta Phi; Director for Risk Management: Christie Holland, Alpha Gamma Delta; Director for Recruitment: Whitlee Douthitt, Delta Delta Delta; Director for Interfraternal Relations: Allison Chael, Delta Gamma; Director for Educational Programs and Scholarship: Kelly Murphy, Alpha Delta Pi; Director for Community Service and Philanthropy: Christie Van Allen, Kappa Kappa Gamma.

For more information on the organization and its officers, please visit www.kupanhellenic.org

Community Service and Philanthropy 11/1

One of the four pillars of Greek life is Service. Give back to the Lawrence community and support your fellow Greeks by joining in on one of the Community Service or Philanthropic events below! 

1.      Service Opportunities:

 

a.      Kennedy Elementary School-Parent Teacher Conferences: November 9^th (shifts from 3:30pm-7:00pm) & 10^th (shifts from 8:20am-6:20pm). Help elementary students with crafts and other fun activities while their parents meet the teachers. Contact: Christie Van Allen at phacommservice@ku.edu

 

b.      Alternative Spring Breaks: March 17^th-25^th apply by Friday, November 11^th. Volunteer with fellow KU students for different organizations all over the US! Apply online at www.kualternativebreaks.com

 

c.       The Office of Multicultural Affairs presents The Tunnel of Oppresion: November 15^th (shifts from 5:30pm-8:30pm), 16^th (shifts from 10:00am-5:30pm), & 17^th (shifts from 10:00am-5:30pm). You can be a tour guide, actor/actress, set-up/tear down. Contact: Barbara Hillman (b363h874@ku.edu) or Brad Turnbull (bturnbull@ku.edu)

 

d.      CLO’s Midnight Farms near Baldwin City: Volunteer at your convenience to work with individuals with disabilities, help walk horses, etc. Contact: Stephanie Wilson at (785)865-5520 or visit their website at http://www.midnight-farm.org/volunteer2.html

 

2.      Philanthropic Events:

 

a.      Alpha Delta Pi: Support the Armed Forces with donations (food, entertainment, hygiene products, and clothing). November 1^st-December 5^th. Contact: mdryton@ku.edu(more info.)

b.      Sigma Delta Tau and Tau Kappa Epsilon present Have Your Cake and ∑∆T it TOO!: November 15^th & 16^th (Wescoe Beach from 10:00am-2:00pm) and November 16^th (Jayhawk Café from 10:00pm-12:30am). $1 cupcakes and pinwheels. All the proceeds from the event go to Prevent Child Abuse in America.