Senior Spotlight: SAMMI GAINES

Name: Sammi Gaines

Hometown: Ellsworth, IL
Major: Legal Studies and Political Science with an International Relations minor

Plans After Graduation: work for a few years then study environmental law at a law school in Portland

Favorite ZTA Memory: Big Appreciation day this year was amazing! It was the first year it has been done and I loved it! I came home to find streamers leading all the way up my apartment complex into my bedroom. My bed and desk were mummified in streamers and I had to unwrap it all. Once I unwrapped it there was a de-stressing present from littles full of chocolate, face masks, and nail polish as well as a note. The note said that they hid 26 pictures around my apartment. I stayed up  until early in the morning to find all the photos. They had hid them in my freezer, in my laundry and in every text book I owned. One the back of each of the photos was a reason or a story about why they appreciated me. I was so touched, even though I don't like surprises, this was a good one. Oh, and the TLC who was staying in my apartment, was in on the whole thing!

Senior Spotlight: STEPH BRANT

Name: Stephanie Brant

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Major: Nursing

Plans after Graduation: Move to Indy and be a nurse!

Favorite Part of ZTA: Being able to connect and talk with sisters about anything!

Senior Spotlight: ANNIE VINCELETT

Name: Annie Vincelett

Hometown: San Diego, California 

Major: Marketing w/ Minor in Sports Management

Plans After Graduation: Move back home :) and work for State Farm Insurance 

A Favorite ZTA Memory: Formal 2011!!

How ZTA has Impacted Your Life: Zeta means so much to me and all the relationships and bonds I have made are something I will never forget! Zeta has helped me grow as a person and be able to open up and learn that its ok to be my crazy self!!

Senior Spotlight: SHELBY GEORGE

Name: Shelby Lee George
Hometown: Marion, IN
Major: Marketing and Management
Plans after graduation: Attend Law School

Favorite Part of ZTA: I love being able to represent something that is bigger than myself. I love the foundation to which we base ourselves on. The genuine love for all and the strength of our sisterhood has made me grow as a person and become a stronger more considerate woman. My most fond memories are spending time with my sisters being able to grow and learn from them.

How ZTA has Impacted My Life: Being a Zeta Tau Alpha has developed me into a much stronger, reliable, confident, and more insightful leader. Being a part of this organization has taught me so much about myself and the world around me. My sisters have proven to me that I am never alone, being there through my ups and downs and never losing faith. Because of this beautiful organization I am ready to take on the world!

Senior Spotlight: DEANNA HOOPER

Name: Deanna Hooper

Hometown: Carrollton, Texas

Major: Sociology, with a specialization in pre-professional social work

Plans after Graduation: Find a job in a very large and diverse city

Favorite ZTA Memory: My favorite memory in Zeta is actually a tie between two memories: getting my littles, Kelsey and Chelsey, my sophomore year and adopting my third, Lindsey, my junior year. My Zeta family is one of the most important things to me, and I'm glad I've got to experience my college years with my triplets always on my side.

April Service Project: RENT-A-PUPPY

Volunteering at a local Humane Society

UE's Zeta Tau Alpha chapter is holding a Rent-A-Puppy fundraiser!  All proceeds will benefit local Humane Societies.  We welcome alumnae sisters and friends to attend!  Come support ZTA and give some cute puppies some much needed love and attention!  Information regarding pet adoption will also be available. 

Zetas helping at a local Humane Society

What: Rent-A-Puppy
When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 10am-3pm
Where: University of Evansville, Grassy Knoll (East of Ridgway University Center)
Cost: $5 for 10 minutes, or other donations

Senior Spotlight: REBECCA OATES

Name: Rebecca Oates
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Major: Communications, Public Relations, Advertising
Plans After Graduation: Plan to find a job... fingers crossed
A Favorite Part of ZTA: "I love my greek family. They are the ones I always turn to when I need help. They are always there for me."

Senior Spotlight: SUSAN SMITH

Name: Susan Margaret Smith

Hometown: Brownsburg, IN

Major: Civil Engineering

Plans After Graduation: Find a job :-)

A ZTA Memory: My favorite moment in ZTA was seeing all of my hard work pay off on Bid Day 2011. Running recruitment was hard work, but seeing all of our amazing girls made it all worth it :-)

March Recap

Pledge Class 2011 Retreat

The University of Evansville kicked off the month of March with a much needed, relaxing Spring Break! After our return, the Zeta Alpha chapter held initiation and officially welcomed our three newest sisters to our Sisterhood! Our Provence President, Stefanie Davis, also visited and assisted us in a Harry Potter themed recruitment workshop! She joined the 2011 pledge class on their retreat at Audubon State Park. They strengthened their bonds and got to know each other better with team building activities and a ropes course! We also had a visit from our TLC. Several sisters volunteered to take her to lunches and dinners where she gave them tips on how to improve the ZTA experience. Our chapter also had a Big Sister Appreciation Day to show our Bigs how grateful we are to have them! We also had a sisterhood “brinner” where we took turns making each other breakfast foods for dinner. It was a lot of fun and very delicious.

UE’s Greek Awards were also awarded this month. ZA won awards for Leadership, Social, Community Service and Philanthropy, and Lifelong Sisterhood! Deanna Hooper was also recognized for being an Outstanding New Member Educator!

Our chapter also traveled to IUPUI this month for Indiana Zeta Day! We all had a blast meeting ZTA’s from across the state. We even took home the Spirit of Indiana Award and Quota Achievement Award! ZA member, Brett Enneking was also recognized with the Senior Academic Achievement Award!

Indiana Zeta Day

Zeta Alpha also supported several philanthropies this month including Lambda Chi Alpha’s Teeter Totter-a-Thon benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Chi Omega’s Mini Golf Classic benefitting the Albion Fellow Bacon Center, Relay for Life, UE Gives Back, and others. Josie Brown and Kate Higgins represented ZTA in UE’s Music Therapy Association “Spotlight” singing competition and won first place!

Relay for Life!

We also finished up our Intramural Floor Hockey season and began Ultimate Frisbee!