Sigma Kappa Kudos

Carol B. Fleming, Delta Tau, University of Central Arkansas, was recently recognized at the annual American Speech Language Hearing Association Foundation Breakfast as the state clinical achievement award recipient for the state of Arkansas. Carol developed a computer resource for the public school speech language pathologist to aid Medicaid billing, which received a copyright from the copyright office in Washington, D.C.

Carol is a speech-language pathologist in the Little Rock public school systems. Before transferring to the school system, Carol was a master clinician in the area of Dementia/Alzheimer’s for Beverly Enterprises (the largest nursing home provider at the time). Carol is also president of the Council of State Speech and Hearing Association Presidents (CSAP) – a professional organization which provides leadership training for all state speech language hearing association presidents.

Jennifer LaLonde Spielvogel, Theta Epsilon, University of California, Riverside, recently graduated from Walden University with a 4.0 GPA earning an Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership. While at Walden, she was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education. Jennifer is continuing her education at Walden, working toward a Doctor of Education degree. Also, she is working at a small non-public school teaching an inclusion class with students in grades 1-9.

Andrea Erion, Delta Sigma, Western Illinois University is a 28-year-old woman facing breast cancer. Andrea was in a television commercial that has detailed some of her journey.
"I wanted to pass it along to other Sigma Kappa's because so many of them supported me along my journey. I got cards with words of wisdom from Sigma Kappa's that I had never met, those I have long been out of touch with and of course my close sisters. It reminded me all these years later, that this sisterhood is remarkably strong. I also think it is vital for women of all ages to know the importance of Self Breast Exams and that cancer can come at any age. I think this video shows that."

Please feel free to view the video by clicking here.

Kat Whitaker, Theta Upsilon, ran and completed the Chicago Marathon raising more than $1,500 for the Marathon for the Cure. She ran in honor of Lori Gest and in celebration of the Sigma Kappa house cook, Shelley. She finished the marathon in 5:55:33.

Laura (Dragoo) Mickler, Gamma Eta, Ball State University, was awarded one of the “Graduate of the Last Decade” awards at Ball State University over homecoming weekend. The award is given to graduates who have had significant professional success after graduation and have given back to the university.

Holly (Wysaske) Jones, Alpha Gamma, Washington State University, was offered job with Kelly/Brady Advertising in Spokane, WA as a Specialty Projects Producer.

Rachel (Heaney) Phelps, Gamma Pi, Kentucky Wesleyan University, is a volunteer with the "KY Gamma Alumni and Volunteer Corporation of Sigma Phi Epsilon."  This organization is the alumni board that oversees the KY Gamma chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp) at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY.  Rachel serves in the roles of VP of Communications, Recruitment Advisor, and Balanced Man Scholarship Advisor.  At the past SigEp Carlson Leadership Academy this semester Rachel was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for our region.  She was the only female volunteer to receive this award this year and may be the only female to ever receive it.  The chapter and the alumni corporation are very proud of her and wanted to make you aware of her significant achievement.

Delta Upsilon alumna Virgina Darr received the Missouri State University Lifetime Achievement Award. Click here to read aboutthe award and her involvement in Pi Kappa Sigma (now SK) and the lifelong friends she made. Submitted by Dana Hillyer, Delta Upsilon, Missouri State University.

Marleen Bengel Varner has been re-elected Vice President for Public Relations and Publicity of the National Continuing Care Residents Association. Since July 2009, she has edited the organization's bimonthly newsletter "LifeLine" available at naccra.com. She currently chairs the Deerfied Relations Committee of the Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community's (Asheville NC) Residents Council Deerfield Relations Committee.

Congratulations to Erica Frye for graduating from The University of Tennessee in May. Erica graduated with a degree in public relations and will be working for Senator Bob Corker in Washington, D.C. While a collegiate member, Erica served as president, panhellenic delegate, philanthropy chair and junior panhellenic delegate. Outside of Sigma Kappa, Erica participated in Student Alumni Associates, Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society and Public Relations Student Society of America. The special touch of Sigma Kappa spirit on Erica's mortar board was created by Alpha Delta advisor Holly Beth Odom.

Kudos to Erin Frye for being a valuable resource to the Charlotte NC Alumnae Chapter. Erin's Sigma Kappa volunteerism currently includes serving on an Advisory Board, advising several collegiate offices, and  serving as the alumnae chapter's Vice President of Programming and the Alumnae/Collegiate Liaison.  She has done some great things with the AC chapter bringing it back to life and is continuously planning for great improvements. Erin's involvement in both the collegiate and alumnae chapters is a real example of what Sigma Kappa membership is all about.  Her commitment and dedication to the organization is immeasurable, and serves as a great example to us all.

Sigma Kappa's Debbie Baker Markham, Beta Chi, University of California/Santa Barbara competed and won on ABC's obstacle course game show Wipeout! Read about her experience on her blog here.

Pictured with husband, Ethan Spielvogel, recently graduated from National University with a Master of Arts in Teaching with a Specialization in Special Education.  She is contuining her education at Walden University working towards a Educational Doctorate and Educational Specialist in Teacher Leadership.  Additionally, she is teaching a mild-moderate Special Day Class in Long Beach, CA.

Was selected to be one of Purdue University's Top 40 Under 40. There were over 350 nominations! Read more about her on page 21 of the Purdue Alumni Magazine.

Has been appointed as Executive Director of the Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA).  Her term of service will start at the end of June. NGLA's current Executive Director, Tim Wilkinson says "I am super excited and think she will do an outstanding job of leading NGLA to new levels."

Graduated with honors in June, 2010, from the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business with a Master of Science in Marketing with a concentration in Integrated Marketing Communications. In May 2010, she was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society that recognizes the upper 20 percent of the graduating master's class at the world’s top business schools. She was also inducted into Mu Kappa Tau, the international honor society for marketing professionals in May 2009. Brooks currently holds the position of Communications Manager for the Daniels College of Business, where she is responsible for all college print and electronic publications, website content, and social media planning and implementation.

Catherine will be walking the Arizona 3-Day for the Cure later this year. She will be walking 60 miles in three days to raise money for breast cancer research. She is required to raise a minimum of $2,300 - but of course, would like to give more. She is opening this up to her Sigma Kappa sisters out there who have been touched by breast cancer in one way or another. If you have a story to tell or would like for Cat to walk in your honor, please contact her through her blog. She will be blogging about her 3-day experience at Cats3DayAdventure.com.

Was recognized by Ball State University's Office of Student Life as the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Greek Alumni Award. Kelly was recognized for her outstanding contribution to Greek Life at Ball State University. Kelly's volunteer roles have included advisory board member and corporation board member for the Gamma Eta chapter, trustee for the Sigma Kappa Foundation, and was instrumental in helping the Panhellenic community at Ball State in her extensive work with the Sorority Village Housing project.

Is the recipient of KPMG's National Chairman's Award for Excellence in Volunteerism. The Chairman's Award for Excellence in Volunteerism is awarded to role models who truly go above and beyond the company's normal high standards and exemplify excellence, selflessness, volunteerism, and community service throughout the year.

Was named the 2010 CW Star of WWHO-TV. Porembski was picked out of hundreds of applicants to be the face and voice of the local affiliate CW station in Columbus. She will fullfill her new role for one calendar year. Read more from the full article.

Was given an "Inspiring Woman Award" at Conseco Field House in Indianapolis during halftime of the Indiana Fever-Connecticut Suns basketball contest recently. The award was givent for Weatherman's numerous contributions to girls' and women's sports.

At age 37, Lenfert is managing about $687 million for eight states - as touted by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She oversees 69 FAA employees across the Southeast. According to her Sigma Kappa sister submitting her article, Lenfert is an incredible woman who up-holds the high standards and ideals of our sisterhood and feels she is an inspiration to her sisters.

Oakes has just been accepted into a 10 month Masters program in Israel through NYU Poly. She will be spending ten months living in Tel Aviv studying towards a Master of Science in Management.

Danielle Tucker and Hadas Gold, Zeta, The George Washington University and Jenna Berkowitz, Theta Lambda, Massachusetts Institute of Technology for their participation in Greeks Build Israel, a 10-day service mission and Greeks Rush Israel, a 10-day immersive experience in partnership with Taglit-Birthright Israel. The women represented Sigma Kappa Sorority very well.

Sheri DeMaris, Alpha Sigma, Westminster College, has a new cookbook coming out! Macro Magic: Taking the Mystery Out of Macrobiotic Cooking will be released November 1, 2009. DeMaris has practiced and studied macrobiotic cooking and philosophy for 26 years. She has studied and taught cooking throughout the US and abroad.

For her participation in Israel Amplified, an advocacy training conference for Greek students. Students participate in three days of seminars, workshops and mentoring from experts in the field of Israel advocacy.

Campbell has accepted the position of Director of Executive Appointments for Governor Perdue. Campbell has served as the executive appointments liaison for Governor Perdue since May 2007 and previously served as deputy scheduler. She also served in the Governor’s Fellowship program. Raised in Richmond, Virginia, Campbell attended Auburn University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science.

has been appointed as the chief executive officer of the new Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians. The new council will serve more than 20,000 girls and 7,000 volunteers from Southwest Virginia to Northwest Georgia. An excited Kammann was quoted saying, "...Girls bring a unique perspective to the concept and purpose of leadership and have a strong desire to make the world a better place."

was recently selected to intern at the US Department of State in the Economics Section of the American Embassy in Paris, France. She will begin this summer and intern for a period of 10 weeks. Erin is currently pursuing an International MBA at the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN.

has been recognized as a Pillar of the Profession by the NASPA Foundation Board of Directors. She is described as, "a dedicated professional, valued colleague, and friend to all students." Her research has lead to a myriad pf publications, presentations, and professional engagements on the importance of college student development and experiences.

has published a delightful children's book. Becky is a member of Friends of Winchester, a non-profit organization that focuses on educating children about plants as well as planting trees at local schools. To read a synopsis about this plant friendly read, click here.

was recognized by Ruston's Kiwanis Club for her "extraordinary" intervention in a near fatal automobile accident. Meredith quickly reacted when she saw a car behind her go off the road and crash into a fence. Thankfully she instinctually reacted to applying preasure on a severe wound the driver had suffered until the EMTs arrived. Meredith humbly accepted the recognition, but also wished to thank the other individuals who reacted to the incident.

has been selected for inclusion of the 2009 editions of "Who's Who in America" and "Who's Who of American Women." She is currently serving as Vice President of the Continuing Care Residents Association, President of the Ecce Quam Bonum Club, where she is the only woman to serve as President in its 137 year history at the University of the South, and is involved in caring for creation initiatives in both Methodist and Episcopal churches.

both Connie and Sharilyn were selected for 2008 Louisiana Tech University Alumni Awards. Connie was honored as Alumnus of the Year and Sharilyn was honored with the College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award.