Sunday, January 24, 2010

Founder's Day 2010

The Knoxville Area Alumnae Chapter hosted the annual Founder's Day Celebration on Sunday, January 24, at Cherokee Country Club. Sisters enjoyed an assortment of sandwiches, desserts and delicious chocolate covered strawberries.

Jennifer Holder delivered the keynote message ans was later honored with the Outstanding Citizenship Award. Members of the 2010 Leader's Council discussed Omicron's many achievements from the past year and introduced its' newest members.

Our founders were honored with a candlelighting ceremony and a basket was passed around to collect donations for the AOII Foundation's Ruby Fund. Awards were handed out to Whitney Glenn Cozart recipients, as well as Kandyce Harber who was honored as the 2009-2010 Outstanding Alumna.

For more information about getting involved in the Knoxville Area Alumnae Chapter, Alumnae Advisory Council or ways to donate to the "House for Omicron" capital campaign, please email knoxalumaoii@gmail.com.

2009-2010 Outstanding Citizenship Award -- Jennifer Holder

Jennifer proudly serves her alma mater as a past member of the Board of Governors of the UT Alumni Association and currently serves as immediate past chair of the UT Alumni Association’s Women’s Council, as a Knoxville campus Chancellor’s Associate, and as a UT Alumni Association Knoxville board member. She also serves as board member and secretary of the Central Business Improvement District of Knoxville, as a member of the City of Knoxville Public Assembly Facilities Board, and on the nonprofit boards of 91.9, Inc. (Friends of WUOT), Beck Cultural Exchange Center, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association.

But her service to our community doesn’t stop there. She’s also involved in or a member of the Knoxville Museum of Art, Junior League of Knoxville, Nucleus Knoxville and holds various memberships supporting local non-profits, including Knox Heritage, YWCA, YMCA and the Knoxville Area Urban League.

Her past citizenship involvement is just as profound, and includes: Character Counts, Blount Mansion, Friends of Literacy, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, Knoxville Health Improvement Council, Knoxville Opera Board, March of Dimes, Leadership Knoxville, United Way of Greater Knoxville, University of Tennessee Alumni Association, Volunteers of America, Project Grad, and Maryville College Annual Giving Campaign--not to mention her service to AOII, which includes: BBQ chair, Alumnae Chapter President, and Financial Advisor for AAC. WHEW!

2009-2010 Outstanding Alumna Award -- Kandyce Harber (not pictured because she was unable to attend due to recent surgery)

Kandyce is well-beyond deserving of this prestigious award. Some of the most memorable examples of her service are to the collegiate chapter. She always was (and still is) a primary connection to the alumnae chapter for the collegiates. She attends several chapter meetings, social events, philanthropy events and LC meetings throughout the year. Not to mention all of her extra trips to campus for one reason or another. She has gone above and beyond her duties as one of the advisers on the Alumnae Advisory Committee. With 150 plus girls in the chapter, you can imagine how many unexpected situations arise, but she has helped discover and implement countless solutions, financially and emotionally. She is known by collegiate members as understanding and patient but a definite go-getter.

Her importance to the alumnae chapter is just as obvious. Whenever a question is presented, she always has an answer. She is the first that many call for help and advice. She has written personal thank you notes to all alumnae who have contributed to the building campaign since it started. She has represented Omicron and Knoxville Alumnae in a positive way on the Scholarship Committee of the AOII Foundation for three years. She has served as treasurer of the Knoxville Alumnae, which entails handling the finances for barbecue, Founders Day, scholarship fund, and all alum events just to name a few. Sometimes all the behind the scenes work she does is taken for granted because she’s been doing them for so well for so long!

We are truly lucky to have her as a member of the Knoxville Area Alumnae Chapter. Her service is exemplary to which all alumnae should strive to achieve. And that is why she is worthy of the title of 2009-2010 Outstanding Alumna.

2009-2010 Whitney Glenn Cozart Scholarship Recipients


“We wanted a society that should continue our companionship through life and extend the like joys to others, usefully, unselfishly, and without pettiness.” Stella George Stern Perry 1936

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Wrapping Up 2009

The Knoville Alumnae Chapter has certainly been as busy as ever! We helped Omicron with Recruitment and Bid Day, helped coordinate another successful BBQ, hosted a Mexican Fiesta for the New Members at the beautiful home of Sheree Johnson, participated in the Komen Race for the Cure, walked with Omicron at the annual Light the Night walk, ran in the Buddy’s Race Against Cancer, brought Halloween candy and cookie cakes to Omicron’s chapter meetings, and participated in the Jingle Bell Run. And jus last month, the alums spiced up its annual holiday party by decorating chocolate houses (instead of gingerbread houses) thanks to some creative thinking by Ann Reego, who also hosted the party (see photos below).


The 50th annual international AOII convention in Tampa, FL last summer also proved to be a success, not only for Omicron Chapter, but for our Knoxville Area Alumnae Chapter as well. The alumnae chapter was given the Standards of Excellence Ruby Award for Distinguished Alumnae Chapters and a Membership Retention Citation. Two Omicrons alums were honored with individual awards as well.

Mary Jane Sharp was awarded the Helen St. Clair Mullan Award. This award honors one alumna member who has continually served AOII over the years, while displaying a loyal, faithful and devoted commitment to the Fraternity. The award remains the Fraternity’s most prominent and highly-recognized award for individual alumnae. And Mary Jane’s own daughter, Malinda Sharp, was honored with the Rose Award.

Here's to a fantastic 2010!