A AUNIVERSITY AT ALBANY State University of New York

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PAIDAlbany, NY

Permit No. 205

2014-2015 CHI SIGMA THETA ALUMNAE OFFICERS

President Ro Vairo Rosen '68

Treasurer Carol Darby Siver '65

Secretary Diane Gray Christianson '69

Historian Debra Weitz Kahn '70

Scholarship Chair Ann Holcomb Fairbank '67

Class Notes Mary Kay Sawyer '67

Webmaster Kathleen Brown Hay '67

Newsletter Editor Stef DeSimone Bollam '67

Newsletter Coordinator Donna Baffino O’Higgins '66

NEWS & PHOTOS FROM CHI SIGMA THETA

See centennial photos on page 2. For additional photos type http://on.fb.me/1EUdAfl in the browser address bar of your computer.

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Hi Sisters,

Hope your 2015 is going well. Chi Sig had an amazing 2014 thanks to so many of you. Of course we had our landmark 100th anniversary weekend last June. There are pictures of most events on page 2. It meant so much to share good times with sisters, whether you were back for your fiftieth or your thirtieth, or like Agnes Young Else and Mary Nolan, back for your 68th! What a great group of people. We must thank our capital region Chi Sig Committee members, who keep us going from year to year, for their very special efforts to create our great reunion. Also, Loida Vera Cruz and the talented staff of the Alumni Affairs office who provided exceptional time, ideas and support with everything from campus signage to coffee pots to anything you can think of. In fact because she is so special herself, we have made Loida an honorary Chi Sig!

2014 and 2015 have been transition years for us. With the generous support of many sisters we have ensured a future place for Chi Sig at the University by reaching the required goal of $25,000 for an endowed scholarship through the University at Albany Foundation. This is such a wonderful accomplishment. Excerpts from our thank you note from President Jones are also in this newsletter. We did not give our local scholarship in spring 2014 since we had no applicants, but we are thrilled to report that the first Chi Sig Scholarship through the Foundation was awarded in September. There are photos and information about the winner, Sara Lucisano, on page 3. She is terrific and would have made a great sister.

In 2015, we are seeking applicants for the last, local Chi Sig scholarship (applications available through our website). In addition, the U Albany Foundation will make a Chi Sig Scholarship award in the fall of 2015. Remember that we will continue to want to build our foundation scholarship through our contributions so please continue to contribute. A form to do that is on page 3. We pledge that we will work to keep this energy and momentum going with your help.

Please make plans to attend our coffee hour, tentatively scheduled for October 10, 2015, during Homecoming Weekend. (Verify the date with the UAlbany Alumni Office.)

Yours in XEO,

Ro Vairo Rosen '68

Stephanie DeSimone Bollam, Susan Van Horn Shipherd, Mary Kay Sawyer, Donna Baffino O'Higgins, Diane Heilbrunn Reiner,Sheila Lister Bamberger, Loida Vera Cruz, Debbi Weitz Kahn, Sally Smith Cook, Ann Holcomb Fairbank, Diane Gray Christianson

chi sigma theta alumnae news

2015 Newsletter

Greetings from the President:

Coffee Hour at the Alumni House, October 11, 2014, during Homecoming Weekend

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Mary Iwanonkiw Evansburg, '69, and others paid close attention on the guided tour of the world-class Nanotech Center, the first event of the gala weekend.

Sisters and guests viewed XEO composites and memorabilia at the Welcome Reception in the Standish Room of the University's Science Library.

Friday evening gathering at the Washington Tavern. Sue Ohringer '68, Patti Switzer Kronick '68, Irene Dorfman Burinescu '68, Bruce Mendini, Jackie

Kipper Mendini '67, Andrea Bologna Dombrowski '67

Close to 100 sisters gathered for a festive and nostalgic luncheon on Saturday at Jack's Oyster House.

With thirteen members present at the luncheon, the class of '67 claimed the attendance record.

Saturday evening informal party at the Alumni House. Dick Fairbank '66, Ted Christianson '69, Diane Gray Christianson '70, Carol Castorina Reid '66, Bob Reid '66

Sisters brought back some of the old dance moves at Saturday's informal party, and a good time was had by all!

XEO CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION JUNE 6-8, 2014

At the farewell brunch on Sunday, Loida was made an honorary XEO sister. Sally Smith Cook '65, Ro Vairo Rosen '68, Diane Heilbrunn '68,

Diane Gray Christianson '70, Stephanie DeSimone Bollam '67, Loida Vera Cruz,Ann Holcomb Fairbank '67, Debbi Weitz Kahn '70, Mary Kay Sawyer '67

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UALBANY FOUNDATION CHI SIGMA THETA SCHOLARSHIP DONATION

Name_______________________________________________________________________________Class Year__________

Mailing Address________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone____________________________Email________________________________________________________________

Please make out your check to The University at Albany Foundation withCHI SIGMA THETA written on memo line.

Please send the checks to: The University at Albany Foundation

UAB Room 226 1400 Washington Ave.

Albany, NY 12222

ONLINE GIVING SITE: www.albany.edu/giving

If your employer has a Matching Gift Program please enclose the appropriate form. Gifts are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

OUR FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE UALBANY FOUNDATION CHI SIGMA THETA SCHOLARSHIP

With the establishment of our UAlbany Foundation Chi Sigma Theta Scholarship, we sisters can be proud that our scholarship will now continue through our alma mater and will continue to recognize and award outstanding young leaders, which was always the goal of our local scholarship.

Appreciative remarks from UAlbany President Robert J. Jones' thank you note include: "My thanks to the sisters of Chi Sigma Theta for your generous gift toward the establishment of The Chi Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship at the University at Albany." He further states that "A University at Albany education changes individual lives and entire communities for the better. I am pleased to have your partnership and support in our mission of excellence, innovation and scholarship. Thank you again for your investment in UAlbany."

The 2014 XEO Scholarship recipient is Sara Elizabeth Lucisano. Like most of us who graduated from SUNY Albany, Sara is also a NYS resident and is from East Syracuse. She is a Human Biology major with the goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. An important part of her campus involvement is her volunteer work as an EMT for the Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance squad as well as her role as the founder and President of the Food Recovery Network on campus. After graduation in 2015, Sara will work a year to gain more healthcare experience and then apply to Physician Assistant programs.

CONGRATULATIONS to Sara, a true Chi Sig and an accomplished and delightful young woman whom some of us had the pleasure of meeting at the University awards ceremony, during Homecoming Weekend in October 2014.

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Stephanie DeSimone Bollam, Sara Lucisano,Ann Holcomb Fairbank, Kay Hotaling, Ro Vairo Rosen

Sara with UAlbany President Robert J. Jones.

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A big and heartfelt THANKS to each of you. You make our scholarship a reality! The following sisters contributed to either the local Chi Sig Scholarship or the UAlbany Foundation Chi Sig Scholarship, between November 2013 and November 2014. Our hearts go out to you for your generosity! And a special CONGRATULATIONS to the class of '67 for their impressive participation! In the fall of 2015, and annually thereafter, the Foundation will award the Chi Sig Scholarship to a UAlbany student, in keeping with the criteria established by the Chi Sig Scholarship Committee: an upperclass or graduate student, preferably female, in good academic standing, who has shown commitment to the University and to the larger community.

CALLINGALLXEOSISTERS…•Pleasehelpusincreasescholarshipdonorparticipationfromourpresent17%to100%!

•EverydollardonatedwillassistourscholarshiprecipientinpayingforherUAlbanyeducation.

•Usetheformonpage3tomakeyourtax-deductibledonationtotheUAlbanyFoundation.

Be sure to specify that your donation is for the Chi Sigma Theta

Scholarship, whether you're donating by check, credit card, or

during a fund-raising phone call from UAlbany. THANK YOU!

approximate number of XEO alums

525

number of scholarship donors

88

CHISIGMATHETASCHOLARSHIPDONORPARTICIPATION2013-2014

NOTE: We apologize for any errors or omissions. Please send corrections to Mary Kay Sawyer at 488 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208 or marykaysawyer@earthlink.net

1946: Agnes Young ElzeMary M. Nolan

1948: Eleanor Holbig Alland

1949: Jean Spencer BourgeoisJean Pulver Hague

1951: Julia Hewitt

1953: Beverly Pranitis Railey

1954: Dolores DonnellyShirley Edsall

1956: Elizabeth Kutas GaupmanTheresa Barber Page

1957: Sheila Lister BambergerMarilyn Desanta DeLorenzoMarcia Lawrence GauquieBernice O'Connor OrmsbeeBeth Beehler Stefano

1958: Burnetta Bromfield BardMarilyn Leach CauseyEileen Lalley PurcellPatricia Corcoran Ryan

1959: Arline Leaning Whitlock

1960: Doris Hische BrossyNancy Ryan GnanTeresa Kerwin LehrJoan Cali Pecore

1961: Joan Ferrari HermanRochelle Hoch

1962: Rochelle Kellerman Pollero

1963: Mary Lynaugh BellevilleElizabeth Sloger ClearyPat Rosinski GregoryJoan Aucuri SantilliMary Jo O'Keefe ShellardFrieda Rapp SteinjannAbigail Duprey WanzerJan Quay Willey

1964: Marietta R. RaneriSusan Van Horn Shipherd

1965: Kathy Betro CarrollSally Smith CookSharon Nendze CostelloAnn Christiano LapinskiCarol Darby SiverElaine Valentino TaglerSusan Falkenbach WelchMary Margaret Welker Young

1966: Carol Hrvol FloresAnne Luden LatschDonna Baffino O'HigginsFrances Servidio RaucciCarol Castorina ReidMaria Tucci Testa

1967: Ruth Silverman BaldMichelle Miller BloomStephanie DeSimone BollamMarcella A. D'AngeloAndrea Bologna DombrowskiAnn Holcomb Fairbank

Dianne C. GregoryKathy Brown HayCanon Kay C. HotalingKaren Hoz MatteoJackie Kipper MendiniLois Many SangalliMary Kay Sawyer

1968: Judy Mills BunnellIrene Dorfman BurinescuPatricia Switzer KronickSue OhringerDiane Heilbrunn ReinerRosemarie Vairo Rosen

1969: Valerie Giuliano CairoMary Iwanonkiw EvansburgMary PrehnDebbie Walton Wyman

1970: Diane Gray ChristiansonDiane Battaglino EvansDebra Weitz Kahn

1971: Catherine BertiniMaryjo Ruggiero FranklinRanda K. GlobermanSandra LoPresto

1972: Patricia M. ArenoGeorgianna Ryan

1973: Lynne Sweetland BradleyLaura Piening

1979: Elizabeth Sanning

1980: Barbara Beale Loveland

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1946: Agnes Young Elze has 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way! She sings in the Thursday Musical Club, a women's chorus , and is a member of Monday Musical Club. Agnes enjoys travel, opera, and reading. Her husband, Edward, died in 2006.

1948: Eleanor Holbig Alland resides at Avila (10 years) after 51 years in Altamont. She has sons in Cohoes and California and a daughter in Maryland. Eleanor is the 1948 class councilor.

1951: Mary Fenzel Lopian congratulates XEO on its 100 years. She reports a very full and active life with ongoing involvement in community groups such as the Amherst Symphony Women's Committee, and many others. And how about the weekly lap swims with son Peter!

1957: Beth Beehler Stefano doesn't think she'll migrate any farther west than current location in Las Vegas. She has returned to Albany to see XEOs from '57: Sheila Lister Bamberger, Marilyn Desanta DeLorenzo and others. (Sorry, ladies. The names were cut off at the end of the sheet.)

1958: Marilyn Leach Causey and Marilyn Desanta DeLorenzo ('57) traveled to Barcelona, Prague, and Vienna in May, including a connection with Marilyn's daughter in Barcelona. And to top it off, they traveled down the Rhine.

1960: Nancy Ryan Gnan notes having shared a Christmas family cruise to celebrate her 75th. With regrets, she could not attend the Centennial but reports a grandson at Auburn U. and another one applying to colleges. Daughter Katie has 2 very busy kiddos (8 and 10).

1962: Shelley Kellerman Pollero was elected President of the Anne Arundel Genealogical Society (Maryland) for a second term.

1963: Mary Alice Lynaugh Belleville reports her '63 mini reunion in October in Saratoga Springs with: Mary Jo O'Keeffe Shellard, Arlene Paciunas Maranville, Pat Rosinski Gregory, and husbands too.

1966: Maria Tucci Testa is enjoying oil painting and her 7 grandchildren. Plans were for a 2014 June trip to England with grandchild, Grady – as a rite of passage.

1967: Ruth Silverman Bald became a grandma in December 2013. Adrien's recipe was: ¼ cup each of: American, German, French, and Vietnamese genes.

Karen Hoz Matteo passed away in September 2014. She responded following the Centennial weekend expressing her appreciation, citing the “memorable time” she enjoyed so much. In reflecting on only those 4 years of our U Albany lives, Karen stated how important and formative they were and the vital part played by bonds with our Chi Sig sisters.

1969: Mary Iwanonkiw Evansburg and husband Eric both retired in 2003 after long careers in education and hospital administration, respectively. Now it's traveling and enjoying life as grandparents (2013) spoiling grandson, Owen.

Valerie Giuliano Cairo and husband Chick have 4 grandchildren.

1970: Diane Battaglino Evans retired from HS math teaching in 2004 and resides in Guilderland with hubby, Fran. Their son, Sean (32), works as a journalist in NYC.

Dr. Phyllis Glassman retired (2013) as Superintendent of the Ossining School District in Westchester. She's currently enjoying being the Coordinator of Professional Development at Pace University. In between, she indulged in healthy doses of culture at NYC museums, galleries, theaters, opera, ballet, walking tours – to compensate for years of deprivation. And, she added: “Thank you all for such a wonderful 100th year celebration of XEO.”

CLASS NEWS

Cont’d on pg. 6

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Why We Mention BZ in one of our Chi Sigma Theta Songsby Sally Smith Cook '65

Thanks to Geoff Williams the mystery of where we shared a duplex residence with Beta Zeta has been solved: In the song titled, "XEO," the line "WE'VE GOT THE BRAINS OF A BETA ZETA" was always shouted because at one time BZ lived in one side of the sorority house, and CHI SIG lived in the other half. That was in 1948. Chi Sig's address was 678 Madison Avenue and BZ's was 670 Madison Avenue. I wonder if the house is still standing? ELEANOR ALLAND, class of '48, provided Geoff with this long-awaited information.

WE'RE AS ATHLETIC AS A PHI DELTA;WE'VE GOT THE PUNS OF A CUTE KD;WE CAN DANCE LIKE A GAMMA KAPPA;WE'RE AS CUTE AS WE CAN BE.

WE'VE GOT THE BRAINS OF A BETA ZETA;WE'VE GOT THE SMILE OF A SWEET PSI GAM;WE'RE JUST AN IDEAL COMBINATION;FOR IT'S XEO, IT'S XEO, WE THINK YOU ARE GRAND!

Chi Sigs as Pages in the New York State Senateby Cathy Bertini '71

In the early seventies some XEO sisters had jobs as pages in the NYS Senate. Barbara Stuart was followed by Zoe Souza, Robin Dukeiech, Laura Peining and others. NYS Senate leader Earl Brydges decided that it was "time" for a girl to be a page. I was asked by the Republican Party to recommend a girl "beyond reproach" who would handle herself perfectly and be a role model for everyone else thereafter (or maybe we wouldn't have more girls). As a result I recommended Barbara Stuart. She was featured on the front page of the New York Daily News or the New York Post as well as being on a quiz show. For at least five years, the women pages in the NYS Senate were Chi Sigma Theta sisters.

Debra Weitz Kahn is “retired” but very busy volunteering in a literacy program and subbing in a pre-school, plus having fun! Older daughter, Alyssa (and Derek) have 4 year old twins: Cody and Cassidy. Younger daughter, Abby, married Jared Gadbaw in June 2014. He is an executive chef at Marea in NYC. Hubby Phil (Kahn) – STB '69 – works as an IT healthcare consultant.

Charlotte Vizzi Weirich retired from Charles County Maryland Public Schools in June 2014. She plans to work part-time and enjoy her family full-time!

1971: Catherine Bertini is a 10 year faculty member at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Also, she is a senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and on the Board of Directors for Tupperware Brands. In 2011, Catherine married Tom Knobel of Homer, NY. They are a family of three, with Tom's 8th grade daughter. (While living in Rome, Cathy was robbed of her jewelry, including her gold charm bracelet on which she had her sorority pin and George Van Riper's Potter Club pin. She is interested in buying both of them if anyone would like to sell them.)

Sandra LoPresto retired after 25 years at the NYS Senate as Director of Senate Research Service and later work at the NYS Workers' Comp Board. She currently splits time between Ft. Meyers, FL and Stuyvesant, NY – near the Hudson and a great place to put that kayak.

1972: Georgianna Ryan retired in 2009 from Glens Falls HS, and is now an adjunct math professor at SUNY Adirondack. She has 3 children: Bill (27), Brittany (26) and Ryan (20).

1977: Cheryl Schneider's company, The Mac Works, is developing a Suicide Awareness and Prevention app for Android. It will focus on what to say and do and will be available in Albany County. Similar apps have been released in Dutchess and Ulster counties.

1980: Barbara Beale Loveland lives in Syracuse with husband David. She has been an accountant at KPMG for 33 years. Son Michael graduated from U Albany and works in NYC.

Cont’d from pg. 5

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PLEASE HELP US TO CONTINUE WITH OUR ANNUAL NEWSLETTER

Use this form to verify or update your information for our records and to send us your news.

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________(Last) (First) (Maiden) Class Year

________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Phone E-mail address (INDICATE IF NEW)

(CHANGE OF ADDRESS ONLY)______________________________________________________________________Street

_________________________________________________________________________________________________City State Zip

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CLASS NEWS: __________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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LAST CALL FOR CHI SIGMA THETA ALUMNAE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS

Send us a check to help with newsletter costs (suggestion: $15.00), made payable to Chi Sigma Theta Alumnae Association,

and mail both this form and your check to our treasurer

Carol Darby Siver14 Cynthia Lane

Nassau, NY 12123

Our local Chi Sigma Theta Scholarship, generously supported by many of our sisters and

awarded by our Alumnae Association since 1992, will be given for the LAST time in the spring

of 2015. This scholarship offers up to $1,500 to sisters or direct or step descendants of an

initiated member of Chi Sig who are either undergraduates or graduates in a degree or

certificate program. Applications may be downloaded at haymountain.com and should be sent

to Ann Holcomb Fairbank, 21 Joshua Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or by email to

afairban@nycap.rr.com.

The deadline is April 1, 2015