Meet Your PHC E-Board - Katie Helming

Katie Helming
Educator
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Sorority - Alpha Sigma
Year Affiliated - Fall 2009

Positions Held in Alpha Sigma - Chaplin, House President, Assistant New Member Educator, New Member Educator, Risk Manager
Positions Held in PHC - PHC Delegate, Educator
Little Sister - Megan Morrow, Josie Sommerfeld, Melissa Liegal
Little Brother - Zach Forward

Year in School - Senior
Major - Early Childhood Education
Minor - Special Education
Hometown - McFarland, WI
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Why did you decide to go Greek?
'I was a freshman when I decided to go through formal recruitment. I went with some of my friends and instantly fell in love with the idea of being in such a tight-knit community. There were so many possibilities of friends, volunteer opportunities, job connections and experiences of a lifetime.'

What is your favorite Alpha Sigma memory?
'My favorite Alpha Sigma memory was the day I got my first two littles. It made me feel like I had such an important purpose in Alpha Sigma and it signified that I made an amazing decision to become a Greek woman.'

Three things Katie loves: Hippos, working with children, and being a Greek woman and showing her letters around campus and the community.

A quote Katie lives by: 'Love is just a word until it's proven to you.' 'I live by this quote because I feel that if you love something or someone you should take every chance you get to show it and say it!'

What are you most looking forward to this semester? 
'I am looking forward to a new and revised Greek Week! We have amazing ideas and I am excited to see how it plays out.'

Meet Your PHC E-Board - Johanna Klay

Johanna Klay
Outreach Coordinator
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Sorority - Alpha Sigma
Year Affiliated - Fall 2012
Positions Held in Alpha Sigma - Technology Chair, Public Relations
Positions Held in PHC - PHC Delegate, Outreach Coordinator
Big Sister - Veronica Havard
Little Sister - Cheyenne Gilles

Year in School - Senior
Major - Political Science
Minor - Marketing
Hometown - Woodstock, IL
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What made you want to go Greek?
'I wanted to go Greek initially because my father was in a fraternity during his college years and he found it to be a great experience. I chose Alpha Sigma because it seemed like a group of women that would foster my time management skills as well as support me personally and in bettering myself in my involvement.'

What is your favorite Alpha Sigma memory?
'Big/Little Reveal is always such an amazing time of excitement that I'd have to say my favorite memory is Reveal each semester. Everyone is so full of energy, it's basically like recruitment but more personal in the sense that it's just your sorority.'

An interesting fact about Johanna: 'I have about a million hobbies. I write, paint, craft and plan like no one's business.'

Three things Johanna loves: 'Leadership opportunities, connections to past and present Greek women, and recruiting!'

A quote Johanna lives by: 'How wonderful is it that no one need to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.' - Anne Frank

Meet Your PHC E-Board - Kelsey Welke

Kelsey Welke
PHC Public Relations
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Sorority - Delta Zeta
Year Affiliated - Fall 2009
Positions Held in Delta Zeta - Assistant Guard, Head Guard, Historian, Webmaster
Positions Held in PHC - Recruitment Counselor, Public Relations
Big Sister - Sarah Herlache
Little Sister - Leah Wasylik and Victoria Behling

Year in School - 5th Year Senior
Major - International Journalism
Minor - Public Relations
Hometown - Burlington, WI
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What made you want to join a sorority?
'When I was a freshman, I saw a lot of posters and chalking promoting sorority recruitment, and I didn't know a lot of people except those who lived on my dorm floor, so I decided to check it out. I really admired the women who put on the presentation and who gave up their letters. During philanthropy night, when I was with Delta Zeta, I saw a woman who was a year older than me who went to my high school. I looked up to her so much, and just seeing how happy and comfortable she was with her sisters inspired me to join a sorority.'

What is your favorite Delta Zeta memory?
'My favorite DZ memory is big sis reveal, when I got my big sister and my two littles. I look up to my big so much and she's been such a great mentor and friend to me for the past few years, and my littles are the light of my life. I'm so fortunate and proud that I have these women in my life.'

An interesting fact about Kelsey: 'I studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland in spring 2012, and I traveled to six countries in Europe while I was there.'

A few quotes that Kelsey lives by: 
'Every passing face on the street represents a story every bit as compelling and complicated as yours.' - David Cain
'When I die, Dublin will be written in my heart.' - James Joyce

Three things Kelsey loves: Traveling, writing and photography

What are you most looking forward to this semester?
'I'm looking forward to continuing the Greek Man/Woman of the Month initiative that the PR Chair on IFC and I created, I'm excited for this blog to grow, and I'm excited to work with the lovely ladies on PHC!'

Meet Your PHC E-Board - Michi Gustafson

Michi Gustafson
PHC Academics
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Sorority - Alpha Sigma

Year Affiliated - Fall 2011

Positions Held in Alpha Sigma - Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary

Positions Held in PHC - PHC Head Delegate, Academics

Big Sister - Taylor Chobanian

Little Sisters - Megan Young and Kelly McKeon

Year in School - Senior

Major - Political Science with a legal studied emphasis

Hometown - Forestville, WI
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Why did you decide to go Greek?
'I decided to go Greek because I met Taylor and she convinced me to check out recruitment my freshman year.'

What is your favorite Alpha Sigma memory?
'My favorite memory isn't a set memory but just the awesome time I have when I hang out with my sisters even if we are just chatting around the dinner table or hanging out in someone's room. It's always nice to be able to sit and talk with people who don't judge and are genuinely a good time to be around.'

An interesting fact about Michi: 'I am half-Japanese!'

A quote that Michi lives by: 'Be a girl with a mind, a woman with attitude and a lady with class.'

What are you most looking forward to this semester? 'I am looking forward to all the fun events planned through Alpha Sigma and PHC, and I am also looking forward to working with the ladies on PHC.'

Meet Your PHC E-Board - Sarah Schwind

Sarah Schwind

PHC Treasurer

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Sorority - Delta Zeta

Year Affiliated - Fall 2012

Positions Held in Delta Zeta - Risk Management, House Manager, Formal Chair

Positions Held in PHC - Head Delegate, Treasurer

Big Sister - Brittany Ludes

Little Sisters - Amanda Terrinoni and Cassie Vitale

Year in School - Junior

Major - Elementary Education
Minor - Political Science

Hometown - McHenry, IL

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What made you want to go Greek?

'I never in a million years would have thought I would have gone Greek, but after transferring from UW-Green Bay, I knew I wanted to get involved, and my sister-in-law suggested I go Greek.'

What is your favorite Delta Zeta memory?

'One of my favorite memories would have to be recruitment 2013. I wasn't looking forward to disaffiliation, but looking back I'm so glad I was. I met some of the most amazing women and looked outside of my own little turtle shell to realize that not only do I have 125 amazing sisters but I have so many more within the other sororities.'

An interesting fact about Sarah: 'I like to think I live a pretty boring life but I guess being 1 of 7 kids, life is never really that boring.'

Three things Sarah loves: 'My dog, she's blind and has only one eye but she is the most precious thing in the world. I love sports, especially Chicago sports, and to clarify, I'm a Sox fan. Lastly, I love the ocean. There is no other place where I feel more at home.'

A few quotes Sarah lives by:

'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.' - African Proverb

'When you stop doing things for fun you might as well be dead.' - Ernest Hemingway

'A smooth sea never made for a skillful sailor.'

'The very things that held you down are gonna carry you up.' - Dumbo the Elephant

Greek Man of November - Chris Maniece

We are very excited to announce that the Greek Man of November is senior Chris Maniece!

Chris affiliated with his chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, in the Spring of 2011. His major is psychology with a minor in forensic science investigation and an emphasis in criminal justice. His hometown is Milwaukee, WI.

He is also a global ambassador, an executive board member on NPHC, and in Order of Omega Honor Society. He was awarded the Reuben Klumb Outstanding Male Senior award, was a resident assistant, and a peer mentor.

What attracted you to join a fraternity?
'What attracted me to join my fraternity was the leadership, scholarship, and motivation of the members that were on campus. I felt that each member was highly engaging with the Whitewater community, and they all seem to live by the fraternal mission statement, 'Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our communities.' And lastly I felt that these outstanding leaders were transcending and goal-oriented individuals as well.

His favorite memory:
'My favorite memory from being Greek was helping out during Make a Difference Day and working together with other fellow Greeks. I felt that all the Greeks were so eager to do community service and change the lives of others.'

Advice Chris give students:
'Never give up on your dreams or goals, and always reach above and beyond and one day you will become extremely successful as well.'

What do his fellow peers and advisors have to say about him?
'Chris is a great example of Greek life.  He is proud of his chapter and of being a member of the Greek community, but doesn’t limit his interactions with others to just those in the Greek community.  Chris is academically successful, and balances his academic and involvement lives well.'

'Chris Maniece epitomizes the combination of academic excellence and community service that members of Greek organizations aspire to embody.  He is an outstanding scholar, regularly serves the campus and community, and has a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of others.'

'Chris is an exemplary student leader.  He serves in a multitude of leadership roles on campus while effectively balancing his academics: so much so that he’s graduating a semester early.  Currently he is a Peer Mentor and because of his wide-range of experiences, I turn to him as an example of a positive leader.  He maintains respect for all, displays maturity, and does his job well, all while remaining humble and keeping a good GPA.  Any organization is lucky to have Chris as part of their team!'

Greek Woman of November - Brianna Welbourn

We are very excited to announce that the Greek Woman of November is Brianna Welbourn!

Brianna Welbourn is a senior and affiliated with Delta Zeta Sorority in Fall of 2010. She is a communication disorders major and special education minor. Her hometown is Lake Zurich, Ill.

Brianna is also a campus assistant, a member of Order of Omega, and a member of National Student Speech Hearing Language Association. She's volunteered with America Reads, Fairhaven Nursing, and for the Painted Turtle Camp. She was also voted Dream Girl in her chapter, an award that is given to a sister who exemplifies outstanding qualities and for being an amazing asset to the chapter.

What attracted you to join a sorority?
'I was attracted to Greek life because of my father who was in a fraternity in college. He wanted me to go through recruitment and see what it was like. It turns out that I absolutely fell in love with Greek life while going through recruitment and realized that I was going to make friendships that would last me a lifetime. 

After joining Delta Zeta, I realized that Greek life is more than making friends. It is about making connections on campus and in the community. Through Greek life, I have had the opportunity to volunteer throughout the Whitewater community as well as around the country. The opportunities are endless, from leadership to community service opportunities - you never stop meeting people and building connections. Becoming a part of the Greek community was the best decision I have ever made and has truly shapes me into the person I want to be after I graduate.'

Her favorite memory:
'My favorite memory about being Greek would have to be the opportunity to be president of my chapter. The past year has been an incredible journey and has allowed me to interact with many other Greek members on the campus. Being able to interact and meet other Greek members has opened my eyes to the vast array of chapters in the nation and the incredible individuals who make up the Greek community. Not only have I had the chance to interact with local Greek members, I have also had the opportunity to interact with other Delta Zetas across the country through Delta Zeta conferences. 

In February, I had an amazing opportunity to fly out to Dallas, Texas, to be a part of Delta Zeta's President's Academy. It was a great learning experience and allowed me to interact with other women leaders who could easily relate to my situation. These past few years, I have had the opportunity to make numerous memories but becoming president has definitely taught me the most memorable lessons.'

Her piece of advice for students:
'One piece of advice I would like to share with students is to get involved on campus and the community. Not only do you get to meet others who share similar interests, but you get to make connections in the community that can help you after graduation. 

There are over 180 student organizations on this campus and each one lends an opportunity to become a leader within that organization and to make connections with students and advisors. In my opinion, you can never be too involved because with more organizations comes better time management and more opportunities to make connections.'

Here's what the sister who nominated Brianna had to say about her:
'Brianna is the current President of Delta Zeta and as her term comes to a close, she should be recognized for the work she has done for the Chapter and the Greek community as a whole. Brianna is dedicated to her Chapter and always strives to do what is best for her sisters even if it is a hard decision to make. 

She is a role model to those younger and older than her and strives to be the best President she can be. She also has good relations with other Greek organizations and strives to promote Greek unity and support. Finally, Brianna strives to be the best Delta Zeta and Greek that she can be on a daily basis and makes time and effort for here sisters.'