As part of our philanthropic mission, Alpha Chi Omega’s Healthy Relationships Week serves as a reminder to foster the development of healthy relationships and, by so doing, prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. The week’s programming was open to all who wish to create real change in their community – both members and nonmembers!
HEALTHY CONNECTIONS
This year, Alpha Chi Omega explored how healthy connections create a sense of belonging, support, and understanding, which help to strengthen relationships around us. We urged participants to consider how they can contribute to building strong, positive relationships and friendships in their life, and to check out the opportunities to celebrate healthy love this February!
The chapter participated in a Healthy Relationships Week social media and marketing campaign to raise awareness and provide resources and tools as well as many chapter, campus, and community activities.
VP Philanthropy, Claire partnered with FSU Faculty Member Carol Campbell Edwards to have her join the chapter as a guest speaker to kick off Healthy Relationships Week. Carol is a two-time graduate of FSU’s BSW and MSW programs, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Director of the BSW College of Social Work program at FSU, The Professional Development Director and current Associate Teaching Professor.
Edwards gave an hour presentation to kick off Healthy Relationships Week. The presentation was focused on healthy relationships holistically. She discussed what they consist of, tips for maintaining healthy relationships in one’s personal life, warning signs of domestic violence, etc. She also shared advice she had to offer from her years of clinical social work experience, and provided time for Q&A.
The chapter is so thankful for campus partners who amplify our experiences!
For the 11th year, Wish of a Lifetime from AARP will deliver cards and roses to hundreds of thousands of older adults on Feb. 14 through its Cupid Crew network of volunteers. The annual tradition aims to help tackle the nation’s loneliness epidemic, which threatens the health and well-being of millions of people in the U.S. Alpha Chi Omega joined the “cupid crew” for a third & fourth time this academic year to prepare and execute this event in Tallahassee. You can read about the first two times sisters participated here – joining members of Sigma Phi Epsilon to prepare cards.
Then on February 13th sisters meet at the chapter facility to bundle nearly 2400+ roses into groupings for delivery the following day.. Fun fact: Cupid Crew volunteers throughout the country have delivered 750,000 cards and roses to older adults at risk of feeling isolated, including many living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
This valentine was no different – Sisters – spent the afternoon with the brothers of Theta Chi delivering cards and flowers to elderly in nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the Tallahassee area.
Fun fact, sisters Keirsten, Samantha, Bella, Mallory, and Lily ran into Beta Eta Alumnae Hellen Martin Conger who was initiated in 1951 while delivering cards/flowers so of course they had to snap a photo!
Healthy Relationships Week is celebrated in the month of February during the week of Valentines Day. As part of our philanthropic mission, Alpha Chi Omega’s Healthy Relationships Week serves as a reminder to foster the development of healthy relationships and, by so doing, prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. The week’s programming is open to all who wish to create real change in their community – both members and nonmembers! One of the chapters events this year was tabling during Market Wednesday at Florida State. The chapter utilized the opportunity to engage with students, faculty and staff to explore how healthy connections create a sense of belonging, support and understanding, which help to strengthen relationships around us.
Consider how you can contribute to building strong, positive relationships and friendships in your life and check out the following opportunities to celebrate healthy love this February!
Alpha Chi Omega joined the “cupid crew” for a second time this academic year. Sisters – Mira, Brinlee, Gaby, Emily, McKenna & Lexi spent the afternoon with the brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon crafting cards for the elderly living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
For the 11th year, Wish of a Lifetime from AARP will deliver cards and roses to hundreds of thousands of older adults on Feb. 14 through its Cupid Crew network of volunteers. The annual tradition aims to help tackle the nation’s loneliness epidemic, which threatens the health and well-being of millions of people in the U.S.Cupid Crew volunteers throughout the country have delivered 750,000 cards and roses to older adults at risk of feeling isolated, including many living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Alpha Chi Omega members Presley and Claire had the opportunity through the College of Social Work to attend a comprehensive four-hour LEAD Day training alongside fellow social work students from across Florida. Here the duo were able to hear from NASW Board Members and guest speakers.
The duo were then able to attend LEAD Day at the Florida Capital, representing FSU’s College of Social Work alongside over 600 dedicated students from across the state. They were able to sit in on the House of Representative committee meetings.
When Claire was asked about the experience she shared “This experience was truly enriching as we actively collaborated with NASW Florida to advocate for impactful policy changes. Observing the proceedings of the K-12 committee meeting alongside my peers was both insightful and inspiring. I’m immensely proud to contribute to the legacy of FSU’s College of Social Work. Go Noles!”
Ellie – Beta Eta, Florida State with Alpha Chi’s from the University of Alabama and Ole Niss!
From February 3-5th student leaders from across the country gathered to learn how to advocate for freedom of association on their campuses. They heard from fraternity and sorority industry experts, legal and advocacy experts, and campus professionals, and learned skills they can take home to protect their sorority or fraternity experience.
Current Beta Eta Collegian, Ellie had this to say about his experience, “I had a great weekend meeting both students and professionals who are passionate about our first amendment rights on college campuses. After this weekend, I feel as though I have a better understanding of the first amendment and how it affects our every day lives as college students. I am more passionate about protecting the rights of myself and others, in and out of Greek life. Connecting with others and getting to see the work and research that went into this institution inspired me greatly, and I want to be a voice in my chapter and on campus to better the lives of students at Florida State University.”
This October our sisters volunteered at the Refuge House 24th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, a tradition that the chapter has come to look forward to! Sisters arrived at the course before 7am to assist with set up, before transitioning to working golfer check-in, selling of mulligans, and then owning the hospitality hole an golf team photos!
Calista Anne (neé Moser) Koch Initiated into the Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega in 1994. While at FSU she received a B.S. in Music Therapy, primary instrument – harp
At FSU, she participated in all types of ensembles; symphony, wind ensemble, opera (pit orchestra), and chamber groups. She would also often would perform with her fellow Alpha Chi Omega sisters who sang for house events. As a music therapist, she volunteered at Westminster Oaks, where she had the chance to play guitar and piano, and lead memory impaired residents in weekly activities. Many civic groups would actively seek her music to entertain them at their meetings, and she was often showcased at the Garnet and Gold Club events.
During her time at FSU she was an active member of Alpha Chi Omega (VP. Fraternity Relations (2 years), where she enjoyed performing harp at Pref ceremonies, participating in the Alpha Chi Chorus that was assembled to participate in one of the fraternity’s philanthropy, and helping the new members learn the ritual music. Often, sisters could be found playing piano in the living room, and she has many fond memories of such. When asked about her time in Alpha Chi, she shared one of her greatest honors during those years was serving on the national song book committee for Alpha Chi Omega. In this role, she transposed, edited, compiled, and even submitted pieces for our national songbook (1992 edition).
When Calista left FSU, she knew she would remain active in the world of music, no matter which city she settled; as a harpist, she has performed with many symphony orchestras, for many church productions, and have accompanied a large variety of chamber ensembles. She has had the honor of performing at two Alpha Chi Omega National Conventions and during Covid, one of the Florida chapters of Alpha Chi Omega invited her to perform an on-line concert during MacDowell month.
While at FSU Callista was extremely busy with the ensembles she was expected to perform with, but still made time to find joy in playing with as many friends as she could; at that time, several sisters were talented singers and performers, so she had a ready made group of musically minded friends. She made many lasting friendships with her sisters and stays in touch with more than she would have assumed. She shared she is grateful that she prioritized that element of my college days.
When asked if she had advise to current Alpha Chi Omegas, she shared: “focus on your studies, yes, but realize that these ladies are the ones that will attend your wedding, congratulate you on the birth of your children, and cry with you when your parents pass. They are the ones that will pick up with you, like it was only yesterday, when you bump into each other, after years of only social media and telephone communications. These relationships you are forming are the model you hope you pass on to your own daughters. The little disagreements will fade, the lukewarm feelings you have for some sisters will deepen into a mutual respect, and the ones that you know are your chosen closest confidants will remain intimate throughout the years to come – no matter the distance and the paths you choose. Protect that. “
Today, Calista is a professional, free-lance harpist in Middle Georgia, but performs in many states around (including being in Tallahassee at least every other year). She is the harp professor at Mercer University, in Macon, where she has a full studio and just revitalized a harp that was donated to her program. She currently runs three harp ensembles, one of which will perform on the national stage this March. Mostly as a soloist, she performs throughout the southeast, and she has a robust music studio out of her home, that boasts 40 students. She is often am asked to present at conventions and workshops about being a successful freelance musician and teacher. Aside from her career, she homeschools her children: her son who is 10 and in the 5th grade, and her daughter who is a senior and will be a music major next year. Though she will attend a school that does not have an Alpha Chi Omega chapter, she hopes she finds a home with some likeminded ladies from another sorority that will be her family away from home. (who knows maybe her daughter will chose to be an alumane initiate in years to come.)
MACDOWELL MONTH is celebrated by Alpha Chi Omega’s in the month of February
Named for the MacDowell artists’ residency program in New Hampshire (Alpha Chi Omega’s first philanthropic project), this month also honors our Founders’ heritage as musicians. During MacDowell Month, our members are encouraged to be patrons of the arts and attend exhibitions, concerts, and other events. This month in addition to planned events to celebrate the arts, we will be working to highlight collegiate and alumnae sisters involved with the arts!
First up, we would like to celebrate and recognize, BH Sister Nancy Smith Fichter, She is a 1949 initiate. She received a Bachelor of Arts, Florida State University and a Master of Arts in English, Florida State University. She went on to receive a Doctor of Philosophy in Dance and Related Arts, Texas Woman’s University. She also attended Connecticut College School of Dance and Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. When interviewed by the Tallahassee Democrat in 2018, Nancy shared, “Even though she enrolled at Florida State on her way to earning a Bachelor’s in English that over the years would become a Master’s, her heart has surrendered to dance. “Giving in” some years later, Fichter would eventually earn her Ph.D. in Dance and Related Arts. But it wasn’t just a cerebral infatuation.
“During my college days, every summer I traveled to New York or Connecticut where Graham held classes,” she says. “Martha Graham, though she looked so formidable on stage, was actually a very tiny woman. But her presence, even in class, was immense. She spoke softly, expected everything, and if you didn’t produce it, her look could be devastating.””
When on campus, you may have come across the Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre just off Landis Green it is located in the Montgomery Hall, 130 College Loop. Nancy Smith Fichter retired from FSU School of Dance (College of Fine Arts) in 1997 after a 45-year life in dance. The Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre is named in her honor. Nancy shared in the ’18 Democrat article, “I was asked to create a true Department of Dance that would be part of the School of Music, whose Chair encouraged her to make the new Department, “the best dance program in the country.” Her academic credentials were stellar and her history as a disciple of Martha Graham made Fichter the perfect choice.For 33 years she was chairperson of the Department of Dance. Dr. Fichter has created over 90 works for FSU and other companies. She is a founder and past president of the Council of Dance Administrators, among many national honors.
She was awarded the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor. We are so proud to call Nancy our sister and celebrate her this month!
FSU Alpha Chi Omega 