Tri Sigma Foundation

This award is presented annually to one alumna in recognition of steadfast loyalty and love through 25 years or more of service as an alumna. This service may be exclusively on the local level or as a national volunteer or both.

Janet (Jan) Stroker Horner, Beta Xi, Greater St. Louis
Initially presented at the 1962 convention, the Steadfast Alumna citation honors an alumna whose exemplary loyalty and commitment to the sorority, for so many years, merits special recognition. Her nominator writes, “Ever the gracious hostess, Jan has, for several years, opened her home to the alumnae chapter to hold meetings and ritual functions. Welcoming every member as a member of her own family, Jan makes every woman in attendance feel at home. Jan’s Council ring is always on her right hand. It reminds her of the vow she took some 50 years ago in a small college town in southeast Missouri and the many dedicated sisters who make Tri Sigma what it is: a true band of sisters who seek to empower other women to live lives of community service, philanthropy, and sisterhood.”

This award is presented annually to one alumna in recognition of her outstanding contribution in her profession or her community’s welfare and progress.

Maryellen Drasler Baxter, Beta Kappa, Phoenix
The award is named for Emily Machemer Gates, Zeta and Omega, Alumnae Representative to the 1938 National Council. Emily is recognized as one who demonstrated unselfish devotion to Tri Sigma and many community projects. The award is presented for outstanding service to society as well as to the Sorority. Her nominator says, “Maryellen Baxter is a model Tri Sigma. She sets a high standard and consistently exceeds it herself. She is a sister that everyone in the chapter trusts completely. She has the courage to always do the right thing and communicate with other sisters with tact and diplomacy. Her reputation is beyond reproach and the role model she provides to others is exemplary. Maryellen treats others with the respect and consideration we all would like to be treated with and demonstrates compassion and kindness that would be hard to beat. She is genuine in her caring for others and that is evident to all who know her.”

This award is presented annually to one outstanding alumnae chapter. Categories evaluated are payment of Annual National Alumnae Fees, local publicity, support of the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation, local social service, service to collegiate chapters, participation in Alumnae Panhellenic, and representation at Convention, reunions, and meetings.

Chicago North Shore
The Chicago North Shore Alumnae Chapter is one of the best at keeping its members involved while their love for Tri Sigma increases through the years. This chapter hosts a variety of service and philanthropy events which are well attended. They actively provide mentoring to one another through networking and discussing career paths. The chapter works very hard to foster the relationship between collegiate and alumnae members by inviting collegiate members to attend events with them. The four items that impressed the Awards Committee and Executive Council to choose the chapter to receive this outstanding honor include, the variety of chapter events that allow for sisters of all ages to be welcomed and involved, the connections established among our collegiate sisters, the involvement in philanthropic activities, and the outreach and service with a variety of local and national organization.

Michelle Hektor, Beta Delta and Denver

Greater Los Angeles

Denver

Phoenix

Phoenix

Greater St. Louis

The Mabel Lee Walton Leadership Award is presented annually to one outstanding collegian who has exhibited multi-faceted leadership in her chapter, on her campus and in her community.

Zaria Tahiarae Smith, Zeta Eta
Mabel Lee Walton, Gamma and Omega, third National President, was a gifted leader whose interest in and encouragement of collegiate members and alumnae was exceptional. The award serves as a lasting memory honoring her lifelong dedication to Tri Sigma as it recognizes collegiate members who display outstanding leadership. Zaria states, ““I live the values of Tri Sigma every day by fulfilling my duties to myself, my chapter and the other organizations I am a part of. Living my life with integrity by doing the right thing even when no one is watching. By achieving a great grade point average and living new experiences I seek to gain wisdom every day. With wisdom comes knowledge and understanding. Every day I learn and experience something new, and the best thing to do with wisdom is to share it. I believe in supporting those who support me and my sisterhood has been a great support system in my life.”

The Margaret Freeman Everett award is given annually to a collegian recognized as a senior by the university she attends who has demonstrated outstanding contributions and service to Tri Sigma.

Kathryn Alexandria Branham, Gamma Psi
The Margaret Freeman Everett Outstanding Senior award is in honor of Margaret (Dixie) Freeman Dixon Everett, Sigma and Omega, fifth National President whose idealistic, capable, congenial leadership remains an excellent example for leaders of today. Kathryn says, “I have strived to serve as a positive role model for younger members of the sorority by leading by example. I firmly believe that the only way to help younger members learn our values is to live by them every day. From conducting myself appropriately in public to showing up to events with enthusiasm, it is important to foster a passion for Tri Sigma in our newest members from the start. Passion is contagious, and if you lead by example, they will become strong women of character as well.”

This award is presented annually to one outstanding collegiate chapter that exemplifies high performance in all areas of Chapter Accreditation. The chapter must be at a Pillar 4 level of achievement and must demonstrate commitment to continued excellence and improvement in all areas of Accreditation.

Alpha Iota
The Alpha Iota Chapter believes that in order to truly understand our mission and our values of wisdom, power, faith, hope and love, we must live them daily. They strongly believe in serving their campus as it provides a home and community for our members. They reward members for contributions to the chapter as well as for getting involved in campus organizations. This encouragement of members to improve upon themselves through small incentives has resulted in significant chapter accomplishments such as being recognized by Northeastern State University for awards such as Excellence in Scholarship and Excellence in Campus Involvement. The chapter educates members on the accreditation process and the importance of it being a chapter effort, helping members understand you are all working towards one common goal for the betterment of the entire chapter. Advanced planning, weekly check-ins, delegation, and follow-up have allowed the chapter to meet their accreditation goals. The chapter recognizes the value in community service and their commitment is evident through 4300 service hours in school and community-based service programs. The women of Alpha Iota are quick to step up when they see a need and have shown this through their phenomenal capabilities to fundraise approximately $2400 for Dance Marathon, $3000 in support of alumnae, and $1000 for other local causes in 2018. The attention to detail in educating the chapter on our accreditation standards and Tri Sigma values, their community and campus partnerships, and their willingness to go beyond is why Alpha Iota was selected as our 2018 Chapter of the Year.

Mallory McConathy, Alpha Zeta

Sabel Meadows, Psi

Klaudia (Holly) Sirk, Theta Zeta

Mara Tazartus, Epsilon Chi

Jessi Weber, Beta Pi

Rebecca Cash, Alpha Psi

Olivia Davis, Zeta Psi

Katrina Goldsmith, Beta Pi

Sabel Meadows, Psi

Kelsey Sack, Alpha Pi

Brenda Christie, Alpha Iota

Susan Flowers, Theta Zeta

Lauren Green, Alpha Mu

Dr. Kristina Kraas Schuler, Nu

Outstanding Advisor – Erin Waltemate, Beta Alpha

Nu, University of Central Missouri

Alpha Iota, Northeastern State University

Alpha Iota, Northeastern State University

Beta Tau, University of Detroit Mercy

Nu, University of Central Missouri

Alpha Mu, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Alpha Iota, Northeastern State University

Alpha Iota, Northeastern State University

Katherine Brady, Emporia State University

Alpha Pi, Clarion University

Nu, University of Central Missouri

Alpha Chi, Murray State University

Alpha Iota, Northeastern State University

Alpha Mu, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Alpha Pi, Clarion University

Beta Delta, Shephard University

Beta Pi, University of Wisconsin – Stout

Delta Pi, Winthrop University
Gamma Beta, East Carolina University

Zeta Alpha, Bryant University