Psi Iota Xi

October

2022

Newsletter

A Message from National President

Maureen "Mo" Dix

Encourage Is to inspire with courage and hope or to help bring about.

We need to make sure to encourage each sister. We’re not sure what is going on in one another’s life. Be sure to lift each other up. It doesn’t need to be anything major. A smile, a few words to make them feel special. They may look forward to spending a little time out with sisters. That may be the only time they get out without kids.

 Each day is a gift from God. Please don’t waste it. The gifts of sun, earth, sea and sky. These are things money can’t buy. The beauty of the trees. God will paint a beautiful, colorful picture each day. Go for a walk, sit on the porch if you dare. You might be surprised at what you’ll find. Stop and smell the roses. We’re about to embark on fall which we hope will bring mild temperatures and beautiful colors. These simple things are more precious than gold. Share our time, talents, and treasures we posses because they make us who we are. If we don’t share them, we are wasting the gifts God gave us so use them well.

Pax Vobiscum,

Maureen "Mo" Dix

National President

Zeta Gamma, Fort Branch, IN

Zeta Gamma is planning their Saturday Night Fever Party. Get your Fever outfit now. They are trying to outfit your National President in something COOL. We'll just have to see what they find. Be on the lookout.  

The Halloween stores are a good place to look. They might be having a sale soon. Check them out.

We don't want you to break the bank but it sure is fun doing something different. You can go as wild or cool as you dare.

DEADLINES

November 1st

• National Fees due to National Treasure
• Literature/Literacy Proposals Due
• Project Proposals due to Project Chair
• National Bylaw changes due to VP
• Deadline for DO applications due to VP
• Deadline for Nominations for National Office from Chapters due to VP

Each year a part of your dues goes to the National Project Fund. These funds are used for projects that are national in scope as opposed to your chapter’s projects, which are generally more localized. They reflect our established fields of interest: art, literature, music, and speech & hearing.

Is there a project that your chapter supports that you feel would make a difference on the National level? It has been many years since we have had a new project in Music and even longer since we have had a new Art project. It could be a Music or Art Therapy Program through a children’s hospital or a scholarship for continuing education program in any of our established fields. We currently support many great projects, but where else can Psi Iota Xi enrich the lives of others. 

November 1, 2022 is the deadline for all current and new Project Proposals, to the National Project Chair. Please review the NEW guidelines before submitting project proposals.

Psi Iota Xi National Project Guidelines

(Updated items are Bold print)

1. All National Projects are or have been initiated by a chapter.
2. Chapters must financially support the projects they are proposing.
3. Chapters may submit more than one project proposal.
4. Representatives of existing projects may apply on an annual basis for consideration, but chapter support is still needed.
5. Chapters of National Project Screening committee members may not submit any new projects or previous supported projects unless removing themselves from the committee.
6. Chapters must complete the enclosed proposal form and submit it to the National Project Chair in accordance with the National Bylaws.
7. Only completed forms will be considered by the committee.
8. All Projects submitted, existing and new, must serve a minimum of 50 people.                                                                                                                                                                      
9. Priority consideration will be given to projects that serve all (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois) Psi Iota Xi states.
10. Psi Iota Xi fields of interest are – art, literature, music, and speech & hearing. 
11. Chapters may request a list of names and addresses of all Project Screening Committee representatives from the National Project Chair.
12. If Project Reps are not attending convention and video presentation is not provided, sponsoring chapter will need to be available to present the project and answer questions.
13. Funds for projects approved at the 2023 National Convention are not available until after January 1, 2024. National Project fees are due November 1, 2023, and time must be allowed for all checks to be collected and cleared.

The Project Screening Committee and I look forward to reviewing all proposed projects.

Loyally,

Sandie Carlson

National Project Chair

Theta Kappa, Edon, Ohio

We have all probably heard of Elsie Sweeney. We talk about the Endowment Fund of Miss Elsie I Sweeney of the Epsilon Chapter, Columbus, Indiana, where she was a charter member, every year in the fall. That endowment allows children the opportunity to hear live orchestra performances at no cost. But do any of us really know what an important benefactor she was to the arts?

Miss Elsie Sweeney was the daughter of the Reverend Z. T. Sweeney and Linnie Irwin Sweeney. She was born in 1888 in Columbus, Indiana and lived her entire life there, devoting her considerable talents to furthering the cultural life of her community, her state, and her nation. She received a degree in music and a Phi Beta Kappa key at Smith College, where she began the study of piano and continued with Josef Lhevinne of Berlin and Ernest Hutcheson of New York City. Thereafter she was a performing musician throughout her life, practicing daily no matter how busy her schedule.

Miss Sweeney first visited Indiana University on Foundation Day, January 20, 1911, at the invitation of the national president of Phi Beta Kappa, Professor Edwin A. Grosvenor of Amherst College, when he came to install the Indiana University chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

Later, from the mid-40s on, she became closely associated with the IU School of Music: she entertained musicians and members of the staff, attended concerts, occasionally performed (she gave a recital in Recital Hall only a few years before her death), funded a scholarship to attract an outstanding student, and continually encouraged Music School students, whom she called “her children.” When Indiana University began to plan for a musical arts center, she not only contributed generously herself but prompted members of her family and the Irwin-Sweeney-Miller Foundation to participate, making the initial sizable gift which sparked the whole program. An Elsie I. Sweeney Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by individuals and organizations, particularly Psi Iota Xi, to attract talented young performing musicians to the Music School each year.

Twice Elsie Sweeney brought the Music School to the attention of the highest officer of the State, when she commissioned Walter Kaufmann to compose an opera, “A Hoosier Tale,” in celebration of the State’s Sesquicentennial anniversary, and when she called the governor to insist that he approve IU’s request for permission to build the Musical Arts Center.

Honored in various ways—by being named to state and national boards of music organizations and by being elected to the Indiana Academy, for instance—she was recognized on the centennial anniversary of the admission of women to the University by the award of an honorary Doctor of Music degree at the Founders Day ceremony in 1967. She helped to make a difference at Indiana University.

On April 13^th, 1970, Governor Edgar D Whitcomb officially proclaimed the day “Elsie I Sweeney Day”, in appreciation of her philanthropic and cultural work with Psi Iota Xi Sorority.



Elsie died in 1972.

Last month I discussed the paintings given out during the inaugural year of this project. This month I’m going to highlight the paintings that were given out during the remaining years of the 1940’s.

1942

A painting titled “Winter Sunshine” by Harry R. Townsend was given to Alpha Theta, Charleston, IN.

Gordon Benjamin Mess painted “Gloucester Fishing Boat” and it was given to Beta Chi, Goshen, IN.

“Still Life” painted by Edwin Fulwider was given to Phi, Huntington, IN.

1943

A painting titled “Deserted” by James W. Taylor was given to Alpha Delta, Decatur, IN.

Dorothy L. Eisenback painted “Street Scene” and it was given to Alpha Omicron, Vincennes, IN.

“At the Window” painted by Clara G. Newman was given to Beta Eta, Centerville, IN.

1944

A painting titled “The Edge of Town” by Clifton Wheeler was given to Beta Gamma, Peru, IN.

Roy R. Trobaugh painted “Indian Craft” and it was given to Delta, Indianapolis, IN.

“Winter” was painted by Laurence Trissel and was given to Sigma, Greensburg, IN.

1945

A painting titled “White Sands of Alamagordo, N.M.” by Floyd D. Hopper was given to Alpha, Muncie, IN.

Henrik Mayer painted “Clamdiggers” and it was given to Alpha Nu, Markle, IN.

“Blossoms” painted by Dale Bessire was given to Beta Mu, Brownstown, IN.

1946

A painting titled “Grandma’s” by Margaret Adams was given to Alpha Omega, North Vernon, IN.

Joel W. Reichard painted “Toshi” and it was given to Beta Epsilon, Mentone, IN.

“Rhythm in Bronze” painted by Martha Ellyson was given to Gamma Alpha, Portland, IN.

1947

A painting titled “Michigan Winter” by Wilna B. Barrickman was given to Beta Lambda, Bedford IN.

Stella C. Coler painted “Across the Fields” and it was given to Beta Psi, Delphi, IN.

“Conservatory” painted by Catherine Mattison was given to Upsilon, Greenfield, IN.

1948

A painting titled “Babes in the Woods” by Evelynne Mess was given to Beta Phi, Shelbyville, IN.

Cola Ginney painted “Morning Glories” and it was given to Gamma Epsilon, Covington, IN.

“Bridge Across the Wabash” painted by D. Omer Seamon was given to Gamma Zeta Ossian, IN.

1949

A painting titled “Snow Flurries Tonight” by James W. Taylor was given to Alpha Iota, Richmond, IN.

William F Kaesar painted “She, Too, Helps” and it was given to Beta Kappa, Bloomfield, IN.

“The Railways Gloucester” was painted by Harry A. Davis was given to Beta Xi, Crown Point, IN.

Whew! That’s a lot of information. Thanks to Sandie Carlson for getting this information compiled last year. Was your Chapter listed as one of the recipients?

Please continue to search for your Chapter’s painting. My search for our Chapter’s is taking me to the school’s old bus garage. Fingers crossed that I find the painting that our chapter received.

Until next month!

Loyally,

Mona Knight

National Conductress

Iota Theta, Armstrong, IL

It is an honor to highlight my chapter, Alpha, Muncie this month as we celebrated our 125th anniversary.  It is where it all began.

On September 18th we held an anniversary celebration at the Delaware Country Club.  Attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour before the meal was served.  Members from Alpha, National Council and PNPs attended.  President Susan Haynes welcomed the group and lead the Opening Verse and Grace Before Meat. 

After dinner pictures were taken.  Members of Alpha provided a skit of the original chapter members.  It included complete history about each member.  Then the group gave a recap of history of Alpha chapter over the decades. 

Door prizes were given away and the centerpieces of beautiful Ball jars with cut flowers (including the white carnation, the original sorority flower) were won by someone at each table. 

Susan thanked everyone for coming and lead the group in the Closing verse.  A favor of a small Ball jar with chocolate and the 125th charm was given to everyone attending. 

Here's to 125 more years to the people, purpose and passion of Psi Iota Xi sorority.  

Valerie Helms-Mejia

East Central District Officer

Alpha, Muncie, IN

On September 10^th Eta Omicron, Kalamazoo, MI, celebrated a truly inspiring sister, Kaye Van Til in her 60^th year of being a Psi Ote. Kaye was genuinely surprised by those who had driven several hours to celebrate her. Not only is Kaye a charter member of Eta Omicron, but she also worked with Western Michigan University to bring the Van Riper lecture series as a National Project and creator of the PCR.

There was a great turnout of alumni, fellow sisters, and family, which shared their memories from their years as an active member. It was a wonderful opportunity to listen to the PNP’s, that served with Kaye on National Council, describe all that she had done. Newer members had the opportunity to hear what was important to those who came before and how that work benefited their community. In addition to current and alumni members in attendance, National Council members present included National Project Chair Sandie Carlson, Northeast District Officer Jessica Lucas, PNP’s Marcia Mohre, Sue Simpson, Susie Lewis, and Connie McDaniel.

Brenda Orwig read messages from those who could not attend the celebration. There was one that truly describes Kaye. Sandy Thompson wrote,

“Wow! 60 years is quite impressive. Think of all the people you have helped through the sorority you brought to Michigan. Think of all the women you have joined together and the friendships they have developed while doing wonderful things for our community. You have always been so devoted and respected not only in our chapter but also on the national level. 

Personally, the PCR program you developed has made my job easier along with many other treasurers in the sorority. You have always been our "go to person". Thank you for 60 years of showing care and concern for so many people in need.”

Pictured below:  Mary Rusk, Kaye Van Til, Arloa Wirbel (alumni),Chris Shults (alumni), Barb Weber

Kaye, thank you for your devotion to your community, your chapter, and Psi Iota Xi.

Loyally

Sandie Carlson

National Project Chair

Theta Kappa, Edon, Ohio

Indiana State Association

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Anchored in Sisterhood

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Lafayette, Indiana

Many chapters are starting to sell their delicious cheeseballs.

Zeta Theta, Niles MI getting ready for their 50th Psi Iota Xi Arts & Crafts show at the Apple Festival Fair Grounds.

Theta Delta, Breman, IN chapter is proud to support the Bremen Public Schools Music Department. They presented a $1,500 donation for the Emerald Alliance Marching Band. Psi Iota Xi co-presidents Janet Davis and Holly Heller are pictured with band directors Jonathan Duranleau and Matthew Sutton.

Theta Iota, Monticello, IN are making cookie boxes for their city & county offices. We hope to continue this until we’ve reached all of them. 

Alpha Xi, Logansport, IN chapter is thrilled to announce that their first children's picture book that will be published for the holiday season ... with all proceeds benefiting the chapter's philanthropic projects. The book will be available on Amazon in both e-book and paperback as well as at a book signing, featuring local author D. D. Scott (date and time to be announced soon)! Here's the beautiful cover.

Pictures of Alpha Rho, Garrett, IN HeadStart Literacy baskets!

Beta Beta, Sullivan, IN chapter in the bingo tent at the Sullivan Cornfest 2022

Convention 2023 will be hosted by Zeta Gamma, Fort Branch, in Evansville, IN, June 23-25, 2023

Double Tree Hotel is located in downtown Evansville. The below link will take you to  make reservations. 

www.my-event.hilton.com/evveddt-psi-d78f33db-8b20-4f65-a387-2affc35cebe9/

Convention 2023 will be hosted by Theta Theta, Fort Wayne, in Fort Wayne IN

Convention 2025 will be hosted by Upsilon, Greenfield IN

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If you have any questions about this newsletter, the National Website or have an address/

phone/email update please contact your National Editor Terri Resler. terriresler@psiiotaxi.org.

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317.471.3512

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