Career Night

Gamma Zeta held its annual Career Night, coordinated by director of alumnae relations Victoria Roberts, on Monday, October 27, 2014.  Career Night has always been a great way for Delta Gamma collegians to meet alumnae, who provide career and life advice.A speaker from LSU Career Services gave freshman interviewing tips and an overview of what Career Services has to offer. Sophomores learned about how to properly network and obtain internships. Then everyone broke into groups determined by major to talk to alumnae in that field. Alumnae from the fields of advertising, public relations, journalism, business, marketing, political science, pre-law, history, communication disorders, education, art, kinesiology, pre-med, dietetics and nutrition, psychology, and nursing were available for members to speak with. 

Juniors and seniors listened to two talks, one about financial responsibility and another about resume building. Alumna Emily Hester, Assistant to LSU’s Vice Chancellor, spoke about budgeting before graduating college and how to evaluate job offers. Alumna Melissa Thompson, Student Development Coordinator for LSU Communication Across the Curriculum, spoke about email etiquette.

“My favorite part about Career Night is reaching out and connecting with alumnae,” said Roberts. 

Gamma Zeta would like to thank our alumnae for taking their time to give us career advice! 

Cathy Juarez     

Amanda Waguespauk

Amanda Collura Day   

Beth Foust

Kayla Purcell    

Melissa Thompson 

Erin King        

Lynde Ulmer     

Emily Hester

Brenda Redpath     

Renee McGuinness   

Whitney Sutherland

DG helps visually impaired adults with horse therapy

We are excited to share a new service opportunity we recently became involved in!

Every Wednesday for the next few weeks, Gamma Zeta members now have the opportunity to help visually impaired adults ride horses. When people think of physical activities for blind and visually impaired, horseback riding might not be the first idea that comes to mind. However, riding a horse leads to freedom and self-confidence!

At the beginning of each session, a DG is paired with a visually impaired adult to help them become accustomed to the horse, groom the horse, and lead the horse around.

"We had the opportunity to assist the visually impaired participants with touring the barn and stables, meet the horses, brush and groom their designated horse, and also simply bear witness to the joy of their experiences!" said Colleen Kimball, vice president: programming.

"It was amazing the change in the woman that I was helping because she started out extremely scared of the horses," said Amy Francioni, pictured to the left. "At the beginning she was standing far way from the horse while leaning to touch him, but gradually over time they became more aquatinted making her she feel safe. By the end of our first lesson she was standing next to the horse and holding the lead rope all by herself with out my help. I am so blessed to have been apart of opportunity and to get to see these people experience the love of a horse through their movement rather than their being able see the horses reaction."

"The visually impaired participants impacted me as they displayed an amazing level of trust with these large and often intimidating animals that they had met only minutes before!" said Colleen. "It made me wonder if we are afraid of certain things only based off of looks and stature. Their joy and smiles truly impacted me, and I cannot wait to return to volunteer ! The smell of the horse barn and the laughs of the participants will stay with me forever."

An alumna contacted vice president: Foundation Catherine Pettus about this opportunity. The Baton Rouge alumnae chapter provides the funds for the adults going to therapy.

Jac Bedrossian receives social media project grant

Congratulations to Gamma Zeta member Jac Bedrossian for receiving a social media project grant for her #WeeklyVote webcast, which will invite students to vote on topics of weekly webcasts about interesting events and people at Louisiana State University.

Jac's project is one of seven chosen by Jerry Ceppos, dean of LSU's Manship School of Mass Communication, to receive mini-grants under the school’s Social Media News Challenge grant from the Knight Foundation.

Her goal is to start a weekly webcast highlighting a student, faculty member or event on campus. This three to five minute webcast will be posted on YouTube and disseminated on social media. Jac will then engage the community by asking questions on social media and including responses in her show.

I love LSU and take so much pride in being a part of the university. I want a chance to showcase how great our school is not just to the community but also to everyone online. -Jac

In order to receive this grant, Jac submitted an application then made a presentation to Ceppos and a panel of community advisers.

Knight grant recipients will receive $4,000 for their project. The first $2,000 will be provided upon awarding the grant, and another $2,000 will be provided upon completion of the project. Jac's project completion date is April 20, 2015.

This social media grant is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts.

The Social Media News Challenge is presented by the Knight Foundation, which in 2013 awarded the Manship School $150,000 over three years for students and faculty to experiment with bringing news to communities through social media.

Delta Gamma on LSU Homecoming Court!

Out of the fourteen 2014 LSU Homecoming Court members, TWO are DG's! The LSU Homecoming Student Committee and LSU Campus Life announced the 2014 LSU Homecoming Court. These fourteen court members were selected from a second-round pool of 35 applicatants by a Judges’ Panel on Oct 8. Congratulations to Jennifer Tuohy, Senior Representative and Brenna Vial, First Year Student Representative!

You can vote for Homecoming King and Queen by going to www.lsu.edu/voteforcourt  Monday, October 13 at 12:00 p.m. until Thursday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m.

About Jennifer Tuohy

Major: Natural Resource Ecology and Management concentrated in Conservation Biology

Minors: Political Science, Environmental Management Systems, and Leadership Development

Hometown: Mandeville, Louisiana

“Louisiana is known for its culture and diverse people that make up the bayou state.  The people are known for their southern hospitality and easy going spirit.  There is a sense of community that is shared among everyone and LSU is a great representation of that spirit.  Being in the College of Agriculture, when I think of my Louisiana State of Mind I think of natural resources.  We are a Land Grant university with this university’s genesis as an A&M school.  Like most incoming freshman, I thought the College of Agriculture was just about farming.  However, now when I am on campus I see Agriculture all around me; from the dairy store that sells the beloved ice cream, to the beautiful oak trees that are a prize possession, and even the famous Louisiana Saturday Nights in Tiger Stadium with the perfect turf grass.  As a freshman, I would have never labeled any of these as Agriculture but it is.  When I think of Louisiana I picture the swamp lands and great southern food.  That is my Louisiana State of Mind and without LSU I would have never seen these things as Agriculture.”

About Brenna Vial

Major: Mass Communication concentrated in Public Relations

Minor: Business

Hometown: Luling, Louisiana

“I have been living in Louisiana all my life so being in the “Louisiana State of Mind” is in my heart and soul. Here at LSU I have gained a much deeper appreciation for the culture and heritage of Louisiana. After meeting out-of-state students and hearing their experience with LSU and how much they love Louisiana, I was able to find a greater joy for staying instate. It’s nice to see out-of-state students enjoying our Cajun cooking and talking about how good it is. Every day is a different experience at LSU. Coming in as a freshman and experiencing the S.T.R.I.P.E.S. program has also unexpectedly shaped my view on Louisiana. Before this program, I never knew how to “Fais Do Do” and I even learned more about the rich and historic traditions we have to offer. Also coming through this program allowed me to completely branch out and meet people from all around the world. Hearing the reasons they came to LSU was fascinating and made me appreciate why I chose to come here as well. Being at LSU has definitely made me hold a deeper appreciation for my state and its residents. I realize that I would not want to be anywhere else in the world than the one and only, Louisiana State University.”

Gamma Zeta Member Highlight! - Jac Bedrossian

Jac Bedrossian, a broadcast journalism major, currently works as a report for Tiger TV Newsbeat. You can watch her at 5 pm on Wednesdays!

Jac has been interning for FOX8 for the past two years and after graduation wants to continue as a reporter and do free-lance entertainment.

Her dream is to one day work for E! Entertainment as a New Orleans correspondent.

Jac highlighted Gamma Zeta in two videos – one about World Sight Day and another about DG volunteering with LSVI students.

Watch her videos here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-ygDZrpd3A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b43KZcCfMj0

Cheesies with the Deegees

The Gamma Zeta chapter of Delta Gamma held its first "Cheesies with the Deegees" last Wednesday, September 17, 2014.

We'd like to thank EVERYONE that came to our fall Panhellenic social - we had more than

1,200

people in attendance! Shout out to Chi Omega, who had the most PHC sisters show up!

We hosted Cheesies to encourage Panhellenic sisterhood. Everyone down the row was invited! We had mac n cheese, grilled cheese, cheese cubes, queso, cheese pizza, and cheese snacks! With a line out the door, it's safe to say Cheesies was a success that will be repeated.

Gamma Zeta's Newest Members!

Gamma Zeta is THRILLED to welcome 100 new members to the 2014 member class!

Shannon Acosta - Columbus GA

Alayna Adolph - New Orleans LA

Taylor Anderson - Shreveport LA

Anastasia Aucoin - Ville Platte LA

Ashley Babin - Metairie LA

Jenna Badeaux - Slidell LA

Molly Baggett - Lake Charles LA

Callie Barrilleaux - Prairieville LA

Camille Beck - Baton Rouge LA

Kat Beliveau - Laconia NH

Morgan Bell - Baton Rouge LA

Elise Benezech - Covington LA

Erin Bonfanti - Alexandria LA

Megan Bridges - Katy TX

Morgan Buras - Belle Chasse LA

Caitie Burkes - Slidell LA

Lisa Burris - Baton Rouge LA

Stephanie Chustz - Baton Rouge LA

Holly Corvers - River Ridge LA

Lizzie Cousins - Metairie LA

Elise Curole - Chalmette LA

Gabi Danna - Metairie LA

Giavanna DeVille - Kenner LA

Sunny Didier - Denham Springs LA

Hannah Dugas - Lafayette LA

Carrie Duhon - Lafayette LA

Amanda Duke - Baton Rouge LA

Delaney Dupree - Sugar Land TX

Vivian Durr - Centennial CO

Mary Catherine Emory - Mandeville LA

Elise Fourchy - Mandeville LA

Madison Foust - Baton Rouge LA

Katie Gagliano - Covington LA

Emma Giustiniano - Mandeville LA

Haley Grieshaber - Metairie LA

Kendall Harper - Baton Rouge LA

Rachael Hickman - Metairie LA

Delancey Houston - Destin FL

Jordan Jarreau - Independence LA

Elizabeth Jee - New Orleans LA

Amy Johnson - Rosepine LA

Lilly Johnson - Baton Rouge LA

Krista Jones - Hudson OH

Samantha Kennedy - Luling LA

Hannah Lampo - Metairie LA

Maddie LeBlanc - Baton Rouge LA

Margot Ledet - Kenner LA

Maddie LeDoux - Houston TX

Carlie Lehrmann - Chalmette LA

Dom Levy - Houston TX

Gabrielle Lewis - Baton Rouge LA

Sara Licht - Covington LA

Hannah Lichtl - New Orleans LA

Rebecca Little - Austin TX

Mallory Lorio - Kenner LA

Courtney Lott - New Orleans LA

Erica Madison - LaFayette GA

Margaret Mangelli - Baton Rouge LA

Megan Martter - Las Vegas NV

Mattie McKenna - Sarasota FL

Delaney McNorton - Bradenton FL

Amanda Moore - Baton Rouge LA

Katie O'Quin - Mandeville LA

Jordan Owens - Kenner LA

Jordyn Paananen - Belle Chasse LA

Carly Pelletier - Scott LA

Claire Plauche - Lafayette LA

Cassidy Powell - Slidell LA

Sydney Powell - Mandeville LA

Paige Raley - Houston TX

Malory Ratcliff - Baton Rouge LA

Meg Robinson - Lacombe LA

Kayla Rosenstrauch - The Woodlands TX

Rachel Rovira - Covington LA

Kendall Schaal - Mandeville LA

Madison Schuetz - Baton Rouge LA

Megan Shockey - Mandeville LA

Colleen Slade - Metairie LA

Kylie Smith - Long Beach CA

Kayleigh Spilger - Katy TX

Amanda Stark - Slidell LA

Lida Marie Steinkamp - Brooksville FL

Drew Stoltz - Mandeville LA

Maya Stutes - Lafayette LA

CourtneyTassin - Gonzales LA

Lauren Taylor - The Woodlands TX

Shawn Taylor - Houston TX

Ali Teixidor - Metairie LA

Marissa Torres - Slidell LA

Tori Travis - Covington LA

Caroline Varnado - The Woodlands TX

Ashlyn Verrette - Denham Springs LA

Brenna Vial - Luling LA

Valerie Vidal - Mandeville LA

Stephanie Waguespack - Destrehan LA

Sydney Walker - Lafayette LA

Lauren Westphal - Broussard LA

Cecilia Wilkerson - Clidelle LA

Katherine Wilson - Metairie LA

Kensie Yeates - Shreveport LA

Congrats ladies and welcome to the best sisterhood!

Alumna Highlight: Cathy Juarez!

Recent alumna Cathy Juarez has worked at Visit Baton Rouge since October. Previously a Commununications Intern, Cathy is now the Destination Content Manager in the Communications Department! She manages the Visit Baton Rouge website, blog, billboards and assists the Communications Coordinator with social media.

The mission of Visit Baton Rouge is "to increase visitation to and awareness of the Baton Rouge Area thereby enhancing economic impact."

"Currently, we've had an extremely busy few weeks, as we are a partner for Bayou Country Superfest and worked with the Mayor's office and State Office of Tourism to bring the 2014 Miss USA Competition to Baton Rouge (the pageant has been hosted in Vegas for the past 7 years)," said Cathy. 'Being the host city pageant is huge, as the telecast will be aired in over 70 countries, and showcase Baton Rouge on a huge international scale."

She was worked in different parts of the Louisiana tourism industry since her internship last summer at the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"I love Louisiana, and I love that I can wake up every morning and do my part in increasing visitors to Baton Rouge and our wonderful state as a whole!"

"My time as a collegian in Delta Gamma provided me with so many resources to grow as a young woman. Upon joining, so many opportunities for involvement in the Greek community became available to me, which I took full advantage of. Because of that involvement, I gained so many skills that now help me in the real world, such as professionalism, responsibility, leadership and more. Through Delta Gamma and Greek Life, I have met so many wonderful mentors who have guided me into becoming the young professional I am today, and as I learn more in my professional career and alum life, I hope to one day provide that same mentorship back to other collegians as well."

Written by Maddie Duhon

Jennifer Tuohy serves as UIFI Intern

Jen Tuohy, vp: member education from Mandeville, Louisiana, spent one week in Bloomington, Indiana working as a Undergraduate Interfraternity Institue intern. UIFI is a leadership institute for fraternity and sorority members. UIFI allows participants to explore, define, and and enhance their leadership skills, personal integrity, fraternity and sorority commitment, and grow to expect values based action from themselves and those they lead.

Of the 160 applicants, only 20 intern positions were available. Congratulations on landing a spot, Jen!

Jen attended UIFI last summer. She applied to be an intern because she loved her experience and wanted to help others understand what it truly means to be Greek.

“I wanted to give back to something that gave me so much,” she said. "Being Greek is more than just wearing your letters. It's understanding the values and commitment those letters stand for. It's living out your ritual everyday and continuing the mission your founders set for you."

 Interns were responsible for all behind-the-scenes duties, from running errands to making posters, they contributed to sessions running smoothly. Tasks completed helped ensure the participants had everything they needed to grow as Greek members. Interns work for one session during the summer.

“This experience taught me that that a group of motivated people can make a positive change in the Greek community,” said Jen. “Having gone through the UIFI experience twice, this experience gives me such pride to be Greek and inspires me to always do good! Last summer as a participant, I began to understand what it means to be a selfless leader. I came back from UIFI wanting to create a change in our chapter that would start a trend in our Greek community. Now having served as an intern, I am even more confident in the Greek life experience. Being an intern showed me nothing great comes without a lot of work.”

Attending UIFI the previous summer as a participant allowed Jen to bring back an understanding of ritual, allowing her to portray that to new members as director of new members. Understanding Delta Gamma's values allowed her to teach them to a new member class.

“Gamma Zeta made me into the woman I am today. Having gone through recruitment as a sophomore, I know what my life looks like without Delta Gamma. This chapter has inspired and motivated me to become more than I ever thought I could be."

Written by Maddie Duhon

Morgan Simpson selected as CHAARG LSU Ambassador

Senior Delta Gamma Morgan Simpson recently was selected as the LSU Ambassador for CHAARG, an all women's organization that will begin this fall semester!

CHAARG stands for Changing Health, Attitudes + Actions to Recreate Girls. The organization aims to ignite a passion in college-aged women for health and fitness. The organization holds fitness and team building events once a week to establish a strong community of girls all striving for a common goal -- being the best you, you can be!

As the LSU CHAARG Ambassador, Morgan will be leading members to accomplish a common goal: to be the most positive and healthy person each individual can be.

“I am so excited because I will not be doing this alone,” said Morgan. There will be an Executive Team composed of Morgan and six other women, each with a specific position. Roles are: Membership, Media, 2 Event Coordinators, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Morgan is also responsible for leading the Executive team in weekly meetings, heading weekly chapter events, promoting team building in her small group, communicating with the chapter, answering any questions or concerns, and exemplifying CHAARG’s mission by acting as a role-model.

Each week LSU CHAARG will hold a chapter-wide event where participants will partner with a local fitness studio to try out a new fitness activity, whether it is salsa dancing, Pure Barre, kickboxing - the list is endless.

“This organization is not a workout group. We are a community of like-minded women striving for common goals,” said Morgan.

Along with weekly meetings, each Executive Member will lead a small-group to foster friendship and establish support systems. CHAARG members will also be able to attend the National CHAARG retreat in the fall and have access to FitPlans and campaigns through National CHAARG.

Morgan has been a dedicated member of Delta Gamma, serving on Homecoming Committee for two years, was a Banta Babe her sophomore year, contributed to Skit Round during Recruitment, and served as director of social events. She has also been a Most Outstanding New Member award recipient.

As director of social events, she “tried to be an unconventional as possible!”

“I feel that through my extreme involvement, DG has given me the opportunity to let my passions and strengths shine,” said Morgan. “I also feel that DG has strengthened my confidence to pursue my dreams. My involvement taught me a lot and helped heighten my communication and people skills. As director of social events, I was in constant communication with numerous venues, insurance companies, fraternities, and communicating to the chapter. I think that all of that experience has definitely prepared me for what will come with the LSU CHAARG Chapter!”

This past semester Morgan started a health and fitness blog to document her fitness journey and hopefully to inspire others to do the same. She also has been doing guest blogging for the Skinnygirl Daily company as a health/fitness contributor.

You can view her blog at: unapologeticfitnessfoodie.blogspot.com

Questions/Inquiries: lsuchaarg@gmail.com

Written by Maddie Duhon