Pink Goes Green!

Help your SISTERS and the ENVIRONMENT at the same time!!

Pi Zeta is selling re-usable bags as a philanthropy and fundraiser project. The money is going to be donated to the Delta Zeta Foundation, the Gwen Walters Grant and put towards sisterhoods and a retreat for the chapter. The bags are a great way to cut down on your plastic bag consumption. They are also much stronger than plastic or paper bags... no more broken handles and groceries rolling down the street! 

The bags are being sold for $5 each or 3 for $12! Contact Gina Kruckenberg if you would like to purchase bags gkruckenberg@cox.net.

Founder's Day Brunch

Don't forget this Sunday, October 26th is our Founder's Day Brunch with the Pi Zeta's! The brunch begins at 11am. If you need further information contact Ann Santos or Lee Ann Witt, Pi Zeta CCD. Check back next week for pictures from the event! 

Trick-Or-Treat!

Ann Santos, Mary Georgeson, Arlis Legler and Jane Prall got together recently to put together some bewitching treats for our fabulous Pi Zeta girls! Just another example of sisterhood and support expressing itself in littlebut very meaningful ways. Won't you join us next time?! :) 

Race for the Cure 2008

Sunday's Komen Race for the Cure was quite an experience. I am so proud of Team Delta Zeta. We recruited 28 team members, some of which were alums, others collegiates, and some their friends and families. This was our first effort to have a group participate and we raised $1565--thanks in large part to the efforts of Karissa Ma whose total was more than $1000. She also picked up all the packets for the team. Way to go, Karissa!! In case you didn't see the email some time ago, Karissa is a 3.5 year survivor. It was a beautiful day for a stroll or run and it was amazing to be downtown and be part of 35,000 people. Thanks so much everyone who participated or donated. We'll be even bigger and better next year!

Ann Santos

Alumnae President

Ice Cream Bar @ Adelphi!

On Wednesday, October 8th the alumnae hosted an "Ice Cream Bar" for the new baby turtles of Pi Zeta! The decorations were adorable and the ice cream de-li-cious! Make sure to join us at our next Pi Zeta joint function, Founder's Day Brunch October 26th. 

Pictured: Nicole Farr, Ann Haggerty, Gina Kruckenberg, Mary Pat Pepping Christina Gonsalves and Kara Kissell

Mr. September Revealed

At September's alumnae meeting, Susan Norman revealed that she is the Phoenix alum who lives with "Mr. September." The heavenly hunk is actually a Bernese Mountain Dog who is part of Sue's Phoenix family. "Riley" is a regular model for PetsMart and has appeared in print ads, product packaging, and as "Mr. September" on a PetsMart calendar. His agent is A 1 Animal Talent. Photo courtesy of Radler Studios and PetsMart.

Sister of the Week

"I have a fear of heights and airplanes," says Christina Gonsalves (Pi Zeta, ASU), "but I just agreed to go sky-diving, and I am freaking out!" This DZ alum is having her share of excitement this fall, as she also is vying for the Miss Arizona title, representing Paradise Valley. Christina knows the ropes, after finishing second runner-up in a previous try, on behalf of Sierra Vista.

"Miss Arizona was a great experience for me," she says. "It really taught me a lot about myself -- what I am comfortable with, what I need to improve on. I am generally a very outgoing person, but getting on stage in a bikini can be very intimidating! It really taught me to get out of my comfort zone and go for it!"

Born in Germany, Christina moved to the Valley when she was just 2 years old. She graduated from ASU in May 2007 with a degree in supply chain management from the WP Carey School of Business and currently works in accounting for the Fiesta Bowl.

While she was in school, Christina found being a Pi Zeta founder and meeting some incredible people were highlights. To balance all the sorority activities and her studies, she had to be organized and properly manage her time. "Making sure you have your priorities straight" is vital, she says.

"Belonging to a sorority offered the exposure of meeting people from various backgrounds and cultures and having to understand them," Christina says. "In life and in the workplace, you come across people you have to work with that could be very different from you, so it's important to be able to get along with as many as possible and be open minded."

Christina lists as special interests or hobbies community involvement, volunteer work, movies, shopping, traveling, hanging out with her dog, family, friends, and fitness. She will keep us posted about the upcoming Miss Arizona contest in November so we can support her en masse!

Look @ What We've Been Up To!

If you weren't able to make it to the September meeting here is what you missed! There were so many great treats to share and fabulous sisters to visit with. Our next meeting will be at our joint Founder's Day celebration with Pi Zeta October 26th. Don't miss out! 

Sister of the Week

Please enjoy our very first Sister of the Week Profile featuring... Karen Lange!

If you hold the same alum-chapter office for more than 30 years, you deserve some major recognition! Phoenix alum, Karen Lange, has been our corresponding secretary since 1975 when she began sending birthday greetings, sympathy messages, get-well cards and all other correspondence on behalf of our group. If you receive a note from the alumnae chapter, you can almost bet it came form Karen!

Initiated in 1956 at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. Karen earned a B.S. in Business with a minors in both sociology and music. Karen moved to the Valley in 1972 where along with her husband Donovan she ran an industrial supplies family business. The couple has four children: Karen, Jan, Sue and Ann. 

"I love everything about being a DZ alum- the meetings, luncheons, sisterhood." -Karen

Karen does volunteer work and handles our alum chapter's "phone tree," making sure those without computer access receive updated information about activities and news. Karen enjoys eating out with family and friends and doing crossword puzzles. She also loves Bingo and baseball. 

Join us at our events and meet this dedicated DZ alum! 

Note: You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.

Phoenix Alum Earns Achoth Award!

At the Delta Zeta National Convention in Miami, Fla. last summer Susan Norman (Zeta, University of Nebraska-Lincoln) received one of the sorority's prestigious Achoth Awards. The recognitions are given each convention to alumnae who have demonstrated, by long and faithful service on the local level, their continued loyalty to Delta Zeta.

When nominating Sue, Phoenix Alumnae President Ann Santos wrote,"In the days when we weren't sure whether the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter would continue, Sue was one of those who stepped up to lead us. In the ensuing years, she has been a dedicated DZ alum, serving in many capacities. I believe she exemplifies what a DZ should be and deserves recognition for all she has done"

In college, Sue was chapter president, rush chairwoman, House Corporation Board member and received the outstanding pledge award. Her alumnae activities began in Lincoln and continue in Phoenix where she has served as president, treasurer, Panhellenic representative, newsletter chair and delegate to National Conventions in Dallas and Scottsdale. She also volunteered at the Phoenix Open (now FBR) Golf tournament for 12 years. Since 2005, she has been Pi Zeta House Corporation President.

She has more than 30 years' experience in the interior design profession, establishing Susan Norman Interiors in 1980. The Pi Zeta Chapter has gorgeous rooms thanks to Sue's expertise and care. She enjoys working with students and is currently an instructor of interior design at the college level.

Congratulations Sue on winning an Achoth Award and thanks for all you do!