Convention Rewind Keeps You Guessing

As DGs throughout North America prepare for Delta Gamma's 65th Biennial Convention (in Indianapolis later this month), let's rewind and reflect on some of our past conventions.



The official tote in Atlanta.

Last week we asked, "Where were the DGs when they were celebrating '125 years of excellence?' " They were Anchored in Atlanta from June 17-21, 1998, for Delta Gamma's 58th Biennial Convention. Cabinet member Lynn Hoffland Johsz, Gamma Chi-Cal State, Long Beach, correctly identified the mystery locale. (Look for a small prize in the mail, Lynn; let that be a hint to others.)

More than 1,000 Delta Gammas attended the 1998 gathering, making it the largest convention to date. Held at Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the opening ceremonies honored former Fraternity Presidents. Important awards were bestowed including the Order of Golden Anchor which was given to H.K. (Helen Catherine) Davis Stuart, Kappa- Nebraska. The Delta Gamma Foundation gave two faculty awards and Patricia Peterson Danielson, Theta-Indiana, was honored at a Foundation reception for her extraordinary philanthropic fundraising efforts.  

This week, we think we'll stump you. Look at the picture below. Where were these ladies convening in their cars? And what year was it?


Where were these Delta Gammas?

Check back here next week and we will tell you where this convention was located. Email us your feedback at blog@deltagamma.org or leave a comment here.

Convention Rewind in Québec

Doing the business of the Fraternity in Québec, 1956

Thanks for playing our game. We heard from some of you on Facebook with some good guesses about that previous convention location. In the end, Suzann Mitten Owen, Theta-Indiana, correctly identified Le Château Frontenac in Québec, Canada (a place I have always longed to visit).

Six hundred attended the 1956 convention even though the registration had been raised to $25. Each officer personally paid her way. This was the last time that the Delta Gamma Convention Special train made the trip to a DG convention. It ran from Chicago to Quebec with stops in Detroit, Toronto and Montreal where arrivals from New York and the South converged with the Delta Gamma Special.

The French flavor of Québec city was emphasized with menus printed in French. As is always the case at convention, there was business conducted. Some highlights included:

• A Central Office Building Fund was established for the tremendous chapter expansion that took place during this period.
• A Roberta Abernethy Honorary Fellowship of $500 was announced and, coincidently, the honoree was from Quebec.
• The office of Panhellenic Delegate was created and added as a member of Council.
• The Rose Award was presented for the first time at convention.
• Emphasis was placed on youth.



Moving On

Let's go somewhere else now, can you guess our next Convention Rewind spotlight? Here are some hints.

• Delta Gamma celebrated “125 years of excellence.” 
• The first ever Psi Women awards were given, as part of the Watchwords Individual Pursuit.
• The final banquet featured "Moonlight and Magnolias."
• Maureen Sweeney Syring, Nu-Idaho, received the Order of the Delta Gamma Rose Award.

Convention Rewind

As DGs throughout North America prepare for Delta Gamma's 65th Biennial Convention (in Indianapolis in June), let's rewind and reflect on some of our past conventions.

Convention totes have been a long-standing tradition. Attendees happily fill their bags with mementos and important paperwork throughout their stays. The tote pictured above is from a past DG convention. Can you guess where they were? Were you there? Leave a comment on our blog.

Here are some hints. It would have been considered a northerly locale. While visiting, you might have heard another language being spoken there.

Dressed for dinner - love those hats!

General Session, Convention 1956

Where were they in 1956? Were you there?

Check back here next week and we will tell you where the Delta Gammas convened in 1956. Email us your feedback at blog@deltagamma.org or leave a comment below.

Sisterhood at its Finest!

As she wraps up her term, we asked retiring Fraternity Vice President: Alumnae Mary Anne Ruman Lachenmaier, Alpha Pi-Arizona, a few delving questions.

Q: What is your all-time favorite Delta Gamma memory?

A: My all-time favorite DG memory ... oh my gosh, far too many collegiate and alumnae memories from which to choose!

Collegiate Memory: I LOVED the spring time “Greek Week” when DG was paired with Pi Kappa Alpha to compete against other sorority/fraternity pairings to win races and games. And boy, was I competitive. Thanks to that pairing, I met my college sweetheart and future husband!
Alumnae Memory: So many, but serving as the co-chairman of the 2000 “Fiesta in Phoenix” Delta Gamma Convention here in Arizona was an amazing and life-changing experience for me; communicating with and recruiting more than 100 alumnae volunteers for the success of this Convention is a special memory I will be ever proud of. 

Q: Which Delta Gamma convention was your favorite and why?
A: Three in particular (sorry, I cannot choose just one):  
My 1st: 1982 as a very young alumnae president delegate for the newly formed Saddleback Valley alumnae chapter.
My 2nd: 2000 as the co-chairman, as mentioned above.
My 3rd: 2008  being elected to Council for my first term as the Fraternity Vice President of Alumnae - Oh my gosh.
My 4th: Hmm, TBD!
As you can obviously see, the “bigger picture” of Delta Gamma experiences and adventures revolves around our biennial Conventions, bringing so many incredible sisters “together”... collegians and alumnae. Conventions are amazing.

Q: If you have one piece of advice for a new member of Delta Gamma, what would that be?
A: Delta Gamma goes beyond your collegiate years. It is a lifetime membership and although you may not yet realize it, you have a “home” within alumnae groups across the country and Canada, and even areas abroad. It is for life and it is “sisterhood at its finest.”

Q: What did you learn from being on Council?
A: While relying on past professional and Delta Gamma successes and experiences, I learned how important it is to work collaboratively within the Board as we addressed the business of the Fraternity. 
I relied on advice from a few of my Delta Gamma mentors who suggested that I:

• Know my job responsibilities and expectations and “serve well.”
• Set measurable goals and “go for your goals.”
• Do not be afraid to ask questions, dig deeper to find the answers and understand.
• Are you having fun? Make sure you have fun!
• Also, I had known since before I started my terms as Vice President: Alumnae just how important it is to build an incredible “team'” to advance the goals and mission we hope to achieve. I am forever grateful for the ability to identify and appoint outstanding members to a team that I can count on to work harder and smarter to “make a difference” in Delta Gamma.

Q: What is your hope for the future of Delta Gamma?
A: That every member (18 or 81) realizes the importance of Delta Gamma in her life; that we continue to focus on and promote the mission our three founders set forth so that members appreciate and live by our high ideals of friendship, promoting education and cultural interests, creating social responsibility and developing character. Sisterhood at its finest!

Q and A with a DG Celebrity

Periodically, DG Anchors will ask some of our esteemed members these ponderous questions. Today's responses come from Delta Gamma's NPC Delegate Barbara Bartlett Probst, Gamma Upsilon-Wichita State (pictured in the blue).

Q: What is your all-time favorite Dee Gee memory? A: It has to be the night I preferenced Delta Gamma at Wichita State, Gamma Upsilon chapter. I've remembered it well for over 50 years now, with the red carpet that led to the beautiful ice anchor upon which I placed my lei, and would pick it up the next day if I returned. And I especially remember the song, "For All We Know we Shall Never Meet Again"...that had me in tears, because I knew I wanted to meet the Delta Gammas the next morning and was both excited and scared that we would "never meet again." What a great decision I made that day to pledge Delta Gamma and I thank them to this day for choosing me. It has been life-altering for me in so many good ways! Little did I know then that I would travel to over 100 campuses, meet hundreds of sisters who would become "my sisters" and grow and learn to be a leader...just a few of the many things I contribute to Delta Gamma. 

Q: Which Delta Gamma convention has been your favorite and why? A: Convention 2000, Fiesta in Phoenix, my 15th convention.  Why? Because, for one thing I was honored to be asked to Chair the Convention, and it truly was one of the most fun and rewarding jobs I have had in Delta Gamma.... but mainly because it brought many new DG faces together-women who had not been involved for a while and had never known each other before they got this call to serve. I, myself, was very new to the Phoenix Area and didn’t know any of these women. Today, many are still dear friends. The entire committee was dedicated, energetic and extremely enthusiastic about putting on the BEST Convention ever. We learned how to work together, appreciate one another and laugh a lot...and the result was a TERRIFIC Convention enjoyed by all.

Q: If you have one piece of advice for a new member of Delta Gamma, what would that be? A: To remember that Delta Gamma is a lifetime experience, and to enjoy every minute to its fullest. In order to do that, you have the obligation to give back to your fraternity by being involved, by paying your dues, by wearing your Anchor badge with pride and by living the Oath of Friendship! Nothing is more sacred than our Oath of Friendship, and it represents the way we should all live our lives, loving and supporting our sisters no matter what. Delta Gamma is forever... and you will be absolutely amazed at all the incredible new friendships you will make along the way. It’s a win/win situation no matter how you look at it.

    

Q: What have you learned from being part of the leadership of Delta Gamma? A: That it is an honor and privilege to serve the fraternity at any level, but especially if one is lucky enough to work at the Council level. All eight of us who currently serve on the council must realize that the future of our fraternity is in our hands and we must make good sound decisions, be competent enough to share a vision of what we want for Delta Gamma's future and we must lead with honesty, integrity and lots of enthusiasm.

Q: What is your hope for the future of Delta Gamma? A:  As Delta Gamma's NPC Delegate, I work closely with the other 25 groups, and we all work together advocating for not only our individual groups but for all groups. I expect Delta Gamma to take the lead in advocating for our women, to ensure that DG is there for my three granddaughters and for all those other wonderful young legacies to come. Being a member of Delta Gamma is a “gift” and each of us needs to appreciate, nurture and support our fraternity so that we will still be strong and viable 140 years from now.

Q: What is it like to have a celebrity son? A: Well, it has worked magic once in a while in Delta Gamma.  When I have collegians look at me like I am "too old" to possibly understand what they are saying or where they are coming from, I pull out the stops and mention that I do have three children- and they might be familiar with one of them. At the mention of Jeff's name that suddenly makes me a "mom" and then I'm okay. I always love their reaction.

Actually, I have three fabulous sons, two daughters-in-law, a terrific husband of 53 years and four adorable grandchildren... all of whom are the lights of my life, but one son is "well known" and; of course, we are all very proud of Jeff. Likewise, he is very proud of me. If you were to see Jeff on the street and say, "Hey, Jeff, I know your Mom, " he would immediately say, "You must be a DG!"  He has been incredibly supportive of my Delta Gamma career and has always known how very important Delta Gamma has been to me. I love that my family is all so supportive.

Oh, and yes, one other little thing...I've had the opportunity to attend the Emmy Awards three times - not to mention many other venues and trips to "exotic" Survivor Islands, which are so fun, thanks to Jeff. I guess you could say I'm enjoying the extra perks that come with being his Mom. (The 300th episode of Survivor was filmed in Samoa. Probst is pictured here on the set with her sons and husband.)

Q: Is there anything else you would like to say to our blog readers?  A: I can truly say with all honesty, that with the exception of the love of my fabulous family, Delta Gamma has been nearest and dearest to my heart since I pledged in 1957. That is nearly 55 years of love I have had for my fraternity and represents my involvement for nearly every one of those years. Delta Gamma has given me way more than I can ever give back. I am one very lucky lady!

Hanging with Bill Rancic



Rancic and Lehman

Chapter director: Lectureship Sloane Lehman, Beta Iota-Purdue, hired Bill Rancic to be the keynote speaker at the chapter's seventh Delta Gamma Lectureship in Values & Ethics on October 2, 2011. Bill Rancic, the first "Apprentice" chosen by Donald Trump, is a positive role model for young people, espousing the importance of honesty, fairness and hard work. Chapter members are thrilled as scenes from the Purdue visit will be a part of an upcoming tv show.

Lehman says, "He gave a wonderful and inspiring talk to more than 700 people in Elliott Music Hall at Purdue. Everyone came away invigorated and motivated to do their best and never give up."

Bill is married to Giuliana, an anchor on E! Entertainment News and reality show co-star. Recently, the couple has been in the spotlight due to Giuliana's struggles with breast cancer. They have been willing to share their experience to help others and will continue to do so on their upcoming television shows. Their series, "Giuliana & Bill," now in its fifth season, is a positive and unscripted reality series -  a romantic love-story and comedy.

Rancic at the Beta Iota chapter house.

Bill brought along his camera crew last October and they were with members of Beta Iota chapter for five hours, at the chapter house and at Elliott Hall where Bill's lecture was held. The Purdue visit will be a part of Guiliana & Bill's season five, episode two, "The Booby Trap," airing on Style Network. Tune in to watch or record the Purdue Delta Gammas with Bill Rancic (episodes air repeatedly): 
http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/index.jsp

Beta Iota collegians with Bill Rancic.

Leaving a legacy in this world…

“Doing good” is a value that is reinforced as a member of Delta Gamma. Helping others was the passion of DG alumna Suzy McGrane, Epsilon Chi-South Carolina, whose huge heart but all-too-short life is still making an impact in her home state of South Carolina.

According to Epsilon Chi sister Stephanie Stein Fulmer, Suzy was a kind and fun-loving gal. “She loved Delta Gamma and just gave her whole heart to whatever project we were involved in as a group, whether it was Anchor Splash, Derby Days or Greek Week. (She) was always upbeat and positive, never a complainer.”

“Whenever you were with Suzy, it was fun,” added Anne-Marie Campbell Jones, Epsilon Chi-South Carolina. “Suzy was (our chapter’s) Anchor Splash chair and ‘unofficial’ social director. She had the natural ability to make people feel at ease.”

Her great smile and sense of humor are what Jacki Van Besien Allston remembers best about her Delta Gamma sister. “I remember having a lot of laughs with her, like the time we scouted the USC Greek directory for formal dates. (She) was always up for a challenge.”

Unfortunately, Suzy faced an incredible challenge in her early twenties when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While Suzy was undergoing treatment near family in Arizona, her friends in South Carolina got together to try to assist her with the enormous financial burden of medical costs. A fundraising event titled “Save Our Suzy” (SOS) was held in Columbia and through it, Suzy’s friends were able to contribute a significant amount of money to assist with bills.

Suzy completed her treatments and, while in remission, returned to Columbia with one goal in mind: to help other breast cancer patients. She introduced her SOS friends to new breast cancer patients and the group continued fundraising, realizing from Suzy that patients had more than medical needs during treatment. Suzy, herself, worked directly with breast cancer patients at a local cancer center, sharing her love, laughter and support.

“Suzy didn’t have the luxury of ignorance. She knew what she was dealing with every day because of what she saw others face, yet she had the courage of heart to literally hold patients’ hands as they died,” said John Buxton, Suzy's friend and current SOS board member. “You meet very few amazing people in your life but Suzy was just that – amazing!”

The number of people Suzy made an impact on continued to multiply as she worked as a photographer in the Columbia area. Members of a local band, Hootie and the Blowfish, were among the subjects of her photography and the friends in her heart. After the group’s influence and popularity grew, they were kind enough to donate original band memorabilia to an SOS fundraiser to help Suzy.

During Suzy’s second diagnosis, SOS was again able to assist her financially during treatment. Upon her tragic passing in October 2005, the SOS organization changed its name to “Share Our Suzy” in an effort to share Suzy’s passion for helping others. Today, the charitable organization continues to work to help breast cancer patients across the entire state of South Carolina.

SOS’s goal is to assist breast cancer patients with the financial stresses of treatment so they can focus solely on recovery. The organization raises funds to help with everyday needs like wigs, prosthetics, child care, utility bills and more. Their hope is to help cover critical areas of living with cancer that insurance does not.

Annual fundraisers now include the Black & White black tie event held each January in Charleston, a “Get in the Pink” 5K and 10K run each Mother’s Day weekend in Columbia, a Suzy McGrane Memorial Concert held each Memorial Day weekend in Charleston and a “Bridging the Gap” wine-tasting event each fall in Columbia. The group also solicits donations on its website.

“SOS has provided more than $250,000 in assistance to breast cancer patients in South Carolina since Suzy’s passing (in October 2005),” stated Margaret Nevill, a friend of Suzy’s and current SOS board member. “We are honored to continue her dream of helping others like herself.”

For more information on Suzy McGrane’s legacy SOS organization, please visit their website at www.shareoursuzy.org. Thank you to Stephanie Jackson Martin, Epsilon Chi-South Carolina, for sharing Suzy's story with us.