The women of Kappa Alpha Theta have been quite

busy this fall semester planning sisterhood and social

events, while continuing our excellence in scholarship and

leadership.

well as hosting our own fundraiser, Rock the CASA. In light of a sister‟s

recent diagnosis of Stage IV, non-smokers‟, lung cancer, sisters of the Iota

Chapter teamed up with the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer foundation to

sponsor a 5K, Jog for Jill in Honor of Ingrid Nunez, to raise money and

awareness for lung cancer. The event raised over $49,000 and brought

together 680 people for such a worthy cause. The event also is featured in

the upcoming Theta Magazine, so make sure you get a chance to read it!

Over a weekend full of festivities, we welcomed the parents of the

Iota Chapter to Cornell during our annual Parents‟ Weekend. Not only was

it was a great opportunity for parents to meet their daughter‟s friends, but it

allowed us to show our parents the strength behind our sisterhood.

As the semester comes to a close, the current officers are preparing

to pass the torch to the next set of leaders. A group of 24 amazing women

have been elected to lead our chapter to the next level, and I know they will

do an amazing job.

Loyally,

Hannah

Volume 2, Issue 2

December, 2011

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Kappa Alpha Theta – Iota Chapter

Ingrid’s Jog For Jil 2

Rock The Casa 2

Charity Auction 3

Alumnae Homecoming

Bruncheon 3

Theta’s Abroad 4

Spotlight on Theta 5

Announcements 6

Letter from the President

A Message from Hannah Geiser

Over the past few months we have continued to

Kappa Alpha Theta—Iota Chapter—Cornell University

Download the current

newsletter online at

http://www.kappaalph

atheta.org/chapters/io

ta/

exercise our widest influence for good by co-sponsoring

a myriad of charity dinners and philanthropy events, as

well as hosting our own fundraiser, Rock the CASA. In

light of a sister‟s recent diagnosis of Stage IV, non-

smokers‟, lung cancer, sisters of the Iota Chapter teamed

up with the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer foundation

to sponsor a 5K, Jog for Jill in Honor of Ingrid Nunez, to

raise money and awareness for lung cancer

a myriad of charity dinners and philanthropy events, as

This past spring Ingrid Nuñez „14, a sister of the Iota

Chapter, was diagnosed with Stage IV non-smokers‟ Lung

Cancer. And after hearing Jill's story, Chapter President,

Hannah Geiser, and VP Administration, Carolyn Levitan, were

inspired to organize a 5K during the Iota Chapter's Parents'

Weekend in honor of Ingrid.

On Sunday, September 25th, the sisters of Kappa

Alpha Theta's Iota Chapter joined together with nearly 700

members of the Cornell community to support the efforts of the

Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation with a 5K race.

Known as the “Jog for Jill” in honor of a student at University

of California, Berkeley, the Bonnie J. Addario Foundation

organizes these events as fundraisers for Lung ancer research.

The chapter has come together in support of our sister and

friend: "I never feel as though I'm fighting this cancer alone

because I have over 100 girls who are there for me whenever I

need someone," Ingrid said. Jog for Jill raised $47,658 and

counting. Please feel free to donate to continuing efforts at

http://jogforjillcornell.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=

484940.

Theta Runs for Jog for Jill in Honor of Ingrid Nunez

Rock the Casa 2011 On Saturday, August 27

th, the sisters of Kappa Alpha

Theta hosted members of the Cornell community for another

exciting outdoor fundraiser philanthropy event, Rock the

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). CASA is a non-

profit network supporting and promoting court appointed

volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children.

The event was held from 1 to 4pm, and both Greeks

and non-Greeks enjoyed the beautiful weather outside.

Brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon and Delta Chi helped out with

the barbecue and provided other food, drinks, and music for

the event.

Our philanthropy chair, Marion Smith, described this

year‟s CASA as successful, "This year, we welcomed people back

to school with our annual philanthropy event, Rock the CASA! The

weather was beautiful and many of our friends showed up to

support us. There was also live music (Cornell's own Debbie's

Granola, Dylan Owen, The Chordials, and Zach Alexander), as well

as a dunk tank, a raffle, and tons of delicious barbeque. Not only

were we were thrilled with how the event played out, we managed

to raise over $1300 for CASA!"

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Story Page 2

Special Article by Maggie Henry „14

Sisters celebrate the event in front the Theta House

(From Upper Left) Alli Hill ’14, Taylor Daugherty ’12, Gabby Gordon ’12

(From Lower Left) Sarah Cohen ’13, Beth Jacobs ’12, Ingrid Nunez ’14,

and Molly Glantz ’12

Photo Credits to Caroline Gross „12

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Story

Page 3

Page 3Kappa Alpha

Theta – The Iota Story

Theta’s Parents Charity Auction

The weekend of September 23rd brought parents of the

sisters of the Iota Chapter from around the country (and

beyond!) to Ithaca for Kappa Alpha Theta's Parents Weekend.

That Saturday, the 24th, VP Public Relations, Lindsay

Rosenblum, and Chapter President, Hannah Geiser, hosted a

fantastic dinner and silent auction at the Statler Hotel on campus

for sisters and their families. Families volunteered to donate

items to the silent auction, ranging from fun baskets with Theta

gear for our incoming “littles” to Purity Ice Cream gift

certificates to a weekend at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

The auction raised $3,915 for Kappa Alpha Theta's nationally

endorsed charity, CASA. According to current VP

Administration (and chapter President-elect) Carolyn Levitan,

the Iota Chapter has donated over $10,000 to CASA in the last 6 months, through other fall charity events like Rock the

CASA. A big thank you to Lindsay, Hannah and all the sisters and families who helped to continue our tradition of

service!

Theta’s Parents Charity Auction Theta’s Parents Charity Auction

Theta’s First Alumnae Homecoming Brunch!

Theta hosted the very first alumnae pre

homecoming brunch on Saturday, September 17th

,

as a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with both

the alumnae and the current chapter members. The

brunch was held at the Theta chapter house on 519

Stewart Avenue. Around 20-25 Theta alumnae

participated in this reunion event, as Alex Hildreth

‟11, described, “We are all so grateful for the

experience.”

As a first time event, Theta‟s Homecoming

Brunch was indeed a success and will be held again

in 2012. So please keep an eye out for your

invitation email in the mail in 2012!

Elizabeth Henry ’13 and her dad Tim Henry

Special Article by Maggie Henry „14

Theta Class of 2011 are enjoying the brunch at the Theta House

Food For Thought

“There are no rules about what you can and can‟t do anymore. I love a biker

jacket worn over a gown. It‟s about experimentation and a sense of creativity.

Women are more empowered than they‟ve ever been.”

-Tory Burch, A Renowned Fashion Designer & Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae

Iota’s Spotlight

Kristen Powers ‘14

Sophomore

Major: Economics and German Studies

Hometown: Rochester, NY

Positions in Theta: Vice President of

Administration 2012-2013

Activities: Junior Associate: Society for

Women in Business, Brother of a professional

business fraternity: Delta Sigma Pi

Future goals: Post graduation, I hope to live

and in New York City and work in finance.

In the long term, I'd like to open up a bakery

with my two older sisters.

Lexy Cook ‘12

Senior

Major: Biology & Society

Minor in Nutrition & Health

Hometown: Healdsburg, CA

Positions in Theta: Risk Manager &

Philanthropy Committee Chair 2010-2011

Activities: Cornell Elderly Partnership

(volunteer at nursing homes), Collegiate FFA

(help junior high/high school students in

leadership and career development), Cornell

Varsity Wrestling team manager, employee of

Advantage Sport & Fitness, Cornell

Ambassador, Founding Member of Greek

Inter Varsity, Assistant Sports Information

Director for Cornell Athletics, Cayuga

Medical Center volunteer

Future Goals: I hope to go to graduate school

for training in clinical health care. I would

like to become an advanced practice neonatal

nurse practitioner,.

Carolyn Levitan ‘13

Junior

Major: Psychology and Government

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

Positions in Theta: President 2012-2013, Vice

President Administration 2011-2012, Vice

President Finance (interim) 2011-2012

Activities: Psychology 1101 Teaching

Assistant, Psychology 3470 Teaching Assistant,

Member of Order of Omega Greek Honor

Society, Slope Day Programming Board

Future Goals: I am hoping to pursue a career in

either marketing or legal consulting. I would

also like to attend law or graduate school in the

near future.

Gabby Gordon ‘12

Senior

Major: Hotel Administration

Minor in Real Estate

Hometown: Lincolnshire, IL

Positions in Theta: Intramurals Chairman

2010-2011

Activities: Cornell Information and Visitor

Relations, Tour Guide Teaching Assistant,

School of Hotel Administration Ye Hosts

Honorary Society, VP Internal Affairs Club Managers Association of America, VP

Internal Affairs

Future Goals: I hope to open my own

business someday--preferably a hotel or

something in the services industry. My

passion for hospitality and my commitment to

service push me to reach for excellence in this

industry. My long, long, long term goal is to

open my own inn on a lake where I can just

relax and enjoy the simple things in life.

If you would l ike more information about these Spotlight candidates,

Contact Debby Gu @ hg238@cornell .edu

Page 4 Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Story

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Story

Page 4

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Story

Page 4

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Story

Page 5

Thetas Abroad

Talie Schwager ‘13 – L ondon, UK

October 10, 2011.

It is my first week at the University of Oxford. Gloomy weather - as

expected. Workload that could last a lifetime - as expected. I am

enthusiastic about the year ahead of me but I still have some

reservations, missing the comfortable lifestyle I had at Cornell.

Fresher's week was over by this time and I had met some great,

interesting people. I guess I would call them my friends, or as much as

my friends as they could be up until this point. I walk into Vaults and

Garden, the cafe in which I had been drinking my daily triple shot

skinny no-foam cappuccinos. I make some small talk with the owner,

who knows me by now, and proceed to my creaky wooden table in the

corner against the stonewall. Small talk was all I'd been doin' since I

got here and as lovely as it is to meet new people, having the same

conversations about where I am from and what subjects I am reading

this term was becoming quite trite. And lonely.

I unpack my unnecessarily full backpack, put on my noise-cancellation

headphones and hit the books. Naturally, I stick out like a sore thumb

with my corny red computer case and my "Cornell" and "Theta"

stickers smacked onto it. As I try to find any excuse not to work, I look

around and can't help but notice a woman glancing over at me. Right

before she leaves, she comes over to my isolated table. "Excuse me, in

what school are you a Theta?” she asks softly. I immediately perk up.

For the first time in about two weeks, I felt a cultural connection with

somebody who was not just another American visiting student or a

British student who traveled to New York City once. It turns out that

Cyndee is a Theta alumna from our very own Alpha chapter at DePauw

University. This minor interaction lifted my spirits that day. As cliché

as it may be (and it is), it is pretty reassuring to know that even across

the pond, in the most unlikely circumstances, you'll find someone you

can connect with. I'm happy that in my case, I found a Theta.

- Kristen Steves ‘13 – R ome , I t al y

Living independently in a foreign place is both

challenging and rewarding. I have been challenged by the

many language and cultural barriers; in fact, many times I

feel life a child again, wide-eyed and curious. I have to

approach each day with an acceptance for change and

yearning to embrace new life lessons. My experience has

been extremely rewarding. I have been rewarded with

many incredible relationships and travel experiences that

are irreplaceable. Ironically, there are four Theta sisters

from other Universities in my program- one being my

roommate. Even while thousands of miles from Cornell, I

can still be surrounded by Theta Love. Visiting France,

Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, and many other

Italian regions, has provided me with a new appreciation

for diverse cultures and customs; these travels have also

instilled in me a renewed fondness and value for my home

in America. My abroad experience can be summed up by

the common Italian phrase L' Arte Arrangiarsi, which

means "The art of getting by." This motto has become a

new way of life, one that involves less planning and more

doing; less impatience and more peace; less need for luxury

and more appreciation for the simple things in life.

Studying abroad

in Rome, Italy this

semester has renewed

in me a passion for

learning and

experiencing new

things on a entirely

different level. Prior

to my arrival in this

bustling, historic

metropolis, I had

always been a tourist

in foreign places-

only staying long

enough in one place

to see a few sites and

eat few local meals

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Story

Page 6

Page

3Kappa

Alpha

Theta –

The Iota

Story

Announcements

To Our Alumnae On behalf of every member of Iota, I would like to offer our deepest gratitude to our alumnae. We

truly appreciate getting to know each and every one of you through your emails, letters, and various

events such as the Alumnae Homecoming brunch and the Reunion Weekend held in June. This year,

I would like to introduce our incoming Alumnae and Foundations Liaison, Maggie Henry. Maggie is

truly a talented and a passionate sister who will continue to strengthen the alumnae‟s relations of the

Iota chapter. You may reach Maggie at mch228@cornell.edu in the future.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Debby Gu, Alumnae & Foundation Liaison at

hg238@cornell.edu, Diane Miller ‟88, Advisory Board Chairman at djm15@cornell.edu, and

Christine Weiss ‟03, Membership Advisory Advisor at cnw3@cornell.edu.

Do you know a women attending Cornell and potentially participating in Panhellenic recruitment? If

you would like to recommend her as a potential new member, you may complete an on-line Letter of

Reference form at www.kappaalphatheta.org, or you can print the form or send a letter to

Kappa Alpha Theta

c/o Andrea Pimienta, Reference Chairman

519 Stewart Ave.

Ithaca, NY 14850

As always, we sincerely appreciate your support of the Iota chapter and value your membership and

contribution. If you would like to become more involved with the Iota chapter, we urge you to send

us your pictures, memories, advice, favorite Theta traditions, and any general feedback or questions.

Please visit our newly revamped website courtesy of our incoming Technology Chair, Rebekah

Alexander „13, at https://www.kappaalphatheta.org/chapters/iota/page/home.

And remember, you are always welcome at the Iota chapter of

Kappa Alpha Theta!

Debby Gu

Alumnae & Foundation Liaison

hg238@cornell.edu