2012-2013 Sophomore Rep: Melanie Sharbine

Name: Melanie Sharbine
Classification: Sophomore
Major: Marketing Management
Gammily: Brown family!
Favorite color of the rainbow: Yellow
Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: The flight attendants
Favorite Gamma Memory: My favorite Gamma memory was the outdoor movie
night. We ate popcorn while sitting on blankets in Debbie's backyard
and watched Up, it was a blast!
Random Fact: I am incredibly obsessed with Audrey Hepburn.

2012-2013 Sophomore Rep.: Courtney Saffell

Name: Courtney Saffell

Classification: sophomore 

Major: nursing 

Gammily: Weber, the best family there is

Favorite Color of the Rainbow: pink!

Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: Minnie Mouse

Favorite Gamma Memory: finding out who my family was on induction night

Random Fact: I was blind for a week and a half of my life because I burned my corneas after swimming all day

Stefany Slack Bowers:1999 Chaplain, 2001 Vice President

     Greetings to all my sweet Gamma sisters old and new!  My name is Stefany (Slack) Bowers.  I was in Gamma Rho from the fall of 1998 - the spring of 2002.  I was chaplain during my sophomore year and vice president my junior year.  I grew up in Edmond and entered Oklahoma Christian with many of my hometown friends.  This was a blessing, but little did I know the friends I would make in college!  Specifically, I am SO THANKFUL for the wonderful girls of Gamma Rho.  They gave me confidence to be a leader, enriched my spiritual life, entertained me and we supported each other through thick and thin.

     I have only fond memories of my time in club.  (Well, I do remember tiring of the MANY hours of spring sing practice!)  I have to say my favorite part of club was the intramural activities.  Not only was it fun to compete, it was also a guaranteed good time socially!  Although I tired of practicing, Spring Sing week stands out in my mind as a high point of each year.  I remember getting that acceptance letter (I still have my pledge week packet!), induction, scavenger hunts, banquets, road trips, meetings, sitting together in chapel...the list could go on and on.

     I now live in Texas and am approaching my 10th wedding anniversary.  My husband asked if I would be talking about him in my blog post.  I told him he was NOT the center of my Gamma fun, but he quickly pointed out that he was my first Rho Beau.  So, I guess I even owe the love of my life to Gamma (but I didn't figure out that he was the ONE until 2 1/2 years after he was my Rho Beau)! :)  I also have a FANTASTIC son who is 4 1/2.  

Anytime I get back up to Edmond to see family, I have a warm fuzzy feeling driving around the OC campus.  God blessed me beyond measure with my years there.  I know that is not true for everyone, and I am truly thankful for that!  I also know that I can call or get together with any of my Gamma sisters and it will be as if we never left!  Thank you to Brennan for connecting us through the alumni blog and facebook.  It has been fabulous to see the old pictures and hear the old stories!  I will leave you with some pictures from my time in Gamma and two of my sweet family.  College was wonderful, but my life now is pretty great too!  Love to all!

Meet 2012-2013 Rush Director: Sadie Rosenthal

Name: Sadie Rosenthal

Classification: Junior

Major: Communications major, Spanish minor

Family: Voss

Color: Blue and Green

Spring sing: Miss Piggy and PiPi

Memory: There are so many! Last year I loved working at the food bank and working with my sisters to learn the Thriller Dance for homecoming, also dressing up in awesome halloween costumes for homecoming! This year I loved working with Biz on rush! The Up outdoor movie night was so fun! 

Random Fact: Friends is my favorite TV show and I have season every episode probably more than 4 times!

I can’t believe ru

- Sdie Rosenthal

Meet 2012-2013 Rush Director: Elizabeth Elliott

                                                                             Elizabeth with her mother Kathy Martin Elliott (Alum)

Name: Elizabeth Elliott
Classification: Junior

Major: Early Childhood Education and Spanish

Gamma family:  BARNES (the best)
Favorite color of the rainbow: Red
Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: Waldos!!!!
Favorite Gamma memory: My favorite Gamma memory is playing every C league sport last year! We were awful, but always had fun and looked good of course :)
Random fact: I had around 6 of my birthday parties at OC spring sing. I was OBSESSED with it, and have most of the past spring sing lyrics memorized... for all of the clubs.

      Rush being over is such a bittersweet feeling!!! It might have been the craziest, busiest, most exciting part of college so far! I enjoyed every minute of it, although I might have been a little sleep deprived. I am so sad to be done with all the events, and being with Gamma literally 24/7, although I am the happiest that I now have some free time! Rush was definitely worth it though!!!

      I think that everything went so smoothly! Our theme and events worked out better than we could have ever hoped! Sadie and myself did not do all this all ourselves though; our sponsors and sisters were such a blessing! I want to thank everyone for helping us, and taking us to Sonic when we thought we were losing our minds! We really couldn’t have done any of it without you guys!

      I just want to say again that I LOVE our new sisters. They are all amazing, and the perfect example of what Gamma stands for! Gamma is so blessed to have them! I hope that everyone enjoyed rush as much as Sadie and I did!

- Elizabeth!!!

Charlotte Maxcey: 1983 Chaplain, 1984 Gammie Guardian

     When I think of my time at Oklahoma Christian, Gamma Rho is present in every memory.  Whether rushing my freshman year and answering, hi this is Gammie Charlotte!  Mini banquets( Men at Work was my personal favorite). Homecoming parades, Visiting children at the children's hospital, Gamma float trip, early and late Spring Sing practices, and awesome meetings!
    Gamma made me a more confident, generous and even organized woman.  Even after all these years, I can see a Gamma sister years fade and it's like we are those young women of Mighty Gamma Rho!  So to my sisters from 1981-85, thanks for all the laughs, encouragement, and love.  Remember "We are from Gamma Rho!  We are the best you know!  We're always on the go shining our bright rainbow!"

Meet Our 2011-2013 Spring Sing Director: Mandy Nevius

Name: Mandy Nevius (woo-hoo, that last name looks good!)

Classification: Senior

Major: English Writing with minors in Bible and International Studies

Gamma Family: Brown! (Oh, and I love our two new sisters, Melanie and Mackenna!)

Favorite color of the rainbow: Purple

Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: This is an impossible decision. Top 3: Pippi, Piggy, and Lucy (I hope everyone is excited for this year's theme: Jesse from Toy Story - woo-hoo!)

Favorite Gamma Memory: I'm so indecisive: Spring Sing practices and performances, Gamma Tea, Pancake Breakfast/ Induction, Progressive Dinner, praying/ singing together at meeting, Banquet, C-League Volleyball and B-ball . . .

Random Fact: This summer I married my best friend and high school sweetheart, Drew Nevius! Oh, and on a bit more random and much longer note, my first name is really Mantha (which unfortunately too many people have misread as Martha). I used to hate my name (except for when I was really little and would brag about having four names: Mandy Mantha Marie Hooper. Yeah, I was the coolest little kid in preschool. Some parents didn't even give their kid a middle name . . .) Anyway, I just thought it would have been better if Mom and Dad had named me Samantha, so people wouldn't say my name like a question and so I could have a cute nickname like Sami. But I should mention, especially if my mother happens to read this, that Mantha has finally grown on me.

Meet Our 2012-2013 Homecoming/Apareal Director: Connor Weaver

Name: Connor Lauren Weaver

Classification: Junior

Major: General Business

Gammily: MILLER!

Favorite color of the rainbow: Green

Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: I Love Lucy

Favorite Gamma Memory: Winning "Athlete of the Week" for softball B-team, and Spring Sing my sophomore year.

Random Fact: I have a slight obsession with Lord of the Rings, want to move to Iceland, and will eat blackberries anytime, anywhere. 

Meet Our 2012-2013 Historian: Brittany Cusic

Name: Brittany Cusic
Classification: Senior

Major: Graphic Design

Gamma family: Voss

Favorite color of the rainbow: Blue
Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: The Whos of Whoville
Favorite Gamma memory: I always love when we dress up and get together at Masquerade or Gamma Tea.
Random fact: I like to play video games in my spare time.

Abbey Jackson: 2007 President

Gamma Rho is so special to me!  Whenever I think about my college years, Gamma Rho weaves itself into so many of those memories.  Rush and induction...well, that was, uh....fun.  Ha!  Loved doing Spring Sing with my sisters (I still proudly do the can-can whenever I hear the Moulin Rogue song).  I remember all of our banquets...especially the cruise ship...and the impromptu dancing that broke out.  I remember getting a care package in Japan from all of the new Gammies....I am pretty sure I cried that day.  Playing center for our championship football team or getting a technical foul in C-league basketball stand out.  I remember serving alongside my sisters, building floats for Homecoming, writing notes to girls who were having bad weeks.  Heck, I frequently dressed up as Rainbow Brite to show my Gamma pride.  One of my most vivid memories of Gamma, however, was whenever I found out my parents were getting a divorce my senior year.  I can't even begin to express how supportive those Gamma girls were.  Flowers, cards, books, hugs, prayers.  They surrounded me in one of my lowest times.  

But Gamma is so much more than just a club that creates a lot of memories.  It truly is a sisterhood--it's family.  I love and appreciate the verse Paul writes in Romans 12 about "rejoicing with those who rejoice, and mourning with those who mourn." What a beautiful description of what we are to be for each other.  Gamma fits that description.  I don't think I ever fully realized the power in the words we sung at our weekly meetings..."Blest be the ties that bind..."  until now.  I am so thankful that God put such godly girls to surround/encourage/rejoice with/mourn with/and love me during such a pivotal time in my life.  Still to this day, that Gamma bond runs deep in my friendships.  However, it is the bond of Christ that makes it so special.  Current Gamma Members, may Jesus be the at the center of Gamma Rho and in all your friendships.  It really is the tie that binds.

Meet Our 2012-2013 Social Service Director: Julianne Stinson

Name: Julianne Stinson
Classification: Junior

Major: Elementary Education 

Gamma family: Tate-Kidd 
Favorite color of the rainbow: Blue (I really love teal and navy...but I guess those are not technically in the rainbow).
Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: Ms. Piggy
Favorite Gamma memory: Playing volleyball and going to the food bank.
Random fact: My favorite place to be is Tanzania, Africa. I have been three times now, and I fall in love with it more and more every time.

Uplifting Thought: Kayla Cook

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

Psalm 63:3

How many times do we say that we love life but don't also recognize. that this life we have is given from God? Sometimes we give all the glory to a good date, an A on a test or a night out with friends but don't recognize The Source of this awesomeness we've been given. I will make a challenge to myself and you to glorify God every time something good happens to you this week...because God's love is better than life.

Much love and peace, Kayla

Meet Our 2012-2013 ADs: Bre Marcotte & Megan Bray

Name: Bre Marcotte
Classification: Junior
Major: Accounting
Gamma family: THE MORGANS
Favorite color of the rainbow: Blue
Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: Ms. Piggy
Favorite Gamma memory: Playing C league basketball, making a music video with the Morgans, the Quillins and the Barnes, and of course Spring Sing
Random fact: I went to Tanzania, Africa this summer and loved it! It's my favorite place to be EVER. And I've been skydiving. Which is crazy, but fun. And not as scary as you would think.




Name: Megan Bray
Classification: junior
Major: sports management
Gamma family: winkler
Favorite color of the rainbow: red, because it's close to pink:)
Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: last years, it's the only one I've seen ;)
Favorite Gamma memory: The whole process of rush sophomore year. I loved getting to know all the girls.
Random fact: I've changed my major 4 times. I will be in college the remainder of my life.

P.S. To announce the game tonight Bre attached the following picture of me to the Gamma email. I know how embarrassing. So I found a little freshmen year photo of our two athletic directors....

Meet Our 2012-2013 Treasurer: Breanna Smith

Name: Breanna Smith
Classification: Senior

Major: Accounting and Finance Major
Gamma family: The Jobe Family
Favorite color of the rainbow: Purple :)
Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: Lucy
Favorite Gamma memory: Being on the undefeated A volleyball team for 2 years!
Random fact: I can say the ABCs backwards very fast.

Bre (left) with sister-in-law and alum Kelsey

Meet Our 2012-2013 Secretary: Jordan Lee

Name: Jordan Lee
Classification: Junior

Major: Nursing
Gamma family: THE Morgan family
Favorite color of the rainbow: Purple
Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: Pippi!
Favorite Gamma memory: Cleaning up the flamingo poop at the OKC zoo as a Gamma service project. It was gross, but definitely fun/ funny.
Random fact: One of my favorite places to be is around a flagpole, under the stars, in the middle of nowhere in Oklahoma at Camp Lu-Jo. I have gone to camp all my life, it is the place where my faith really took flight. It is also the place where I met countless Gamma/OC students and alumni, and formed relationships with some of the most important people in my life. 

A Word From Rush: Gamma Rho "Where Dreams Come True"

     Gamma Rho  "Where Dreams Come True"

It’s rush season! I can’t believe it’s here already! Elizabeth and I have been planning so many things and now we are actually going to see it all unfold. 

The theme for rush this year is Disney! So if you aren’t in the rush mood yet, pull up Pandora and turn it to the Disney channel! That channel is a winner!
     On Monday, we kicked off rush month with Club Night! All of our lovely sisters were looking fly in our first day of school shirts and our wonderful President, Hannah, gave a great speech to let the future rushees know what Gamma is about. We had an overwhelming number of 92 girls sign up at our table! It was great to meet some of our potential rush class and hear how interested they are in Gamma Rho.
     Yesterday night was our annual Masquerade rush event! And let me just tell you; it was pretty stinking amazing this year! We are having it at Mo Anderson’s house (our sister, Andee Wayne’s grandma). We ate some great food that was catered for us and played some fun get to know you games. Also, this year at every rush event we are giving all the rushees “autograph books”. It is something cute that will insure we meet all different girls and that they meet us as well! 

     Elizabeth and I are very excited to get rush going finally! It will definitely be hectic and may be challenging at times, but as long as we stay focused and continue to have support it will still be great! Many people are worried about the rule changes regarding induction. We are not. We are Gamma Rho and we know how to be joyful and have a good time building each other up no matter what! Thanks so much for being such a supporting alumni and thank you for all your prayers regarding rush. I am just so ready to have a new group of Godly women join our sisterhood!
-Sadie Rosenthal

Here is our rush schedule for the month of September: 

September 4 – masquerade
September 13 – Gamma/Kappa capture the flag
September 14 – Gamma/Chi “Woody’s Round Up”
September 18 – Open Meeting
September 21 – Outdoor Movie Night (watching Up!)
September 22 – Speed Dating
September 28 – Induction
September 29 – Service Project
October 2 – Gamma Tea                                                

    

Meet Our 2012-2013 Vice President: Wendy Billingsley

Name: Wendy Billingsley
Classification: Senior
Major: Elementary Education
Gamma family: Brown
Favorite color of the rainbow: Yellow
Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: Ms. Piggy
Favorite Gamma memory: Playing B league flag football is probably one of the most entertaining things I have done with Gamma.
Random fact: This summer I had the opportunity to go to Ghana, Africa with the Memorial Road college group. It was one of the best experiences of my life! I highly recommend it.

A Word from our Lovely President: Hannah Heithold

You, as past and present Gamma members, know best that the members of Gamma Rho are known for being the leaders on campus, always striving to be the best while keeping a Christian attitude in our daily lives and continuing to encourage and uplift each other when we may not succeed. Part of my job as being president is to make sure we stay focused on these things and on our Purpose as written in our constitution. In my opinion, I have one of the easiest jobs because when I see the members of Gamma Rho, I already see them fulfilling these goals and striving to be good Christian examples to all those on campus and in the community. We are also so proud of our important leaders on campus, including, but not limited to, our SGA President, Mary Watson, and Vice President, Natalie Howard, and also the Executive Homecoming Director Kylee (Thomas) Kelly. We have also set goals for ourselves as a club: to defend our 1^st place Homecoming title, place in Spring Sing as we have for the past 5 years now, and receive the All-Sports title for the 3^rd year in a row.

Each and everyone of our Alumni has played a huge role in shaping the sisterhood of Gamma Rho into the club we are today, and I hope that you will continue to support us in our various activities we do throughout the year. That support can be as simple as visiting us during homecoming or screaming your little hearts out for us on the Spring Sing stage. Whatever it is, we would love to see and hear from you all. We also hope that you would let us know if you ever need us to do anything for you, whether that is a simple prayer or even a service project for something you’re involved in. We are always willing to help out a sister!

I’m very excited and honored to be Gamma’s President this year. And I couldn’t be happier with the group of girls chosen to lead Gamma in their various offices. I have enjoyed working with them so far and I look forward to all the wonderful things they have planned for this year. I hope you can stay in touch with us and with everything we’re doing through this year. Please let us know if you ever need anything from us!

God Bless,

Hannah Heithold

Gamma Rho President 2012-2013

Meet Our 2012-2013 President: Hannah Heithold

Name: Hannah Heithold

Classification: Senior

Major: Interior Design

Gamma Family: Jobe

Favorite color of the rainbow: Blue, specifically Teal, but that’s not technically a color of the rainbow. :)

Favorite Gamma Spring Sing: Pippi

Favorite Gamma memory: Being a part of the undefeated in A-league volleyball team for the past two years!

Random Fact: I’ve been married for a little over a year and a half now to my best friend, Luke Heithold.

Our beautiful President Hannah and her husband Luke

Hello Lovelies

Hello Lovelies!
I am Brennan Mitchell and I am so excited to be Gamma's Alumni Relations officer this year!  I am glad to be posting on the brand new Gamma blog, this will be a great source of Gamma information from apparel to sports updates. Our officers will take turns writing blog posts, so you can get to know our beautiful officers and their plans for their office. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build relationships with our wonderful alumni. Seriously you Gals ROCK. You ladies have been where we stand and have so much knowledge to share. It is my goal this year to make our sisterhood strong and connected throughout the years. In saying that I want to hear from you ladies. My email is Brennan.mitchell@eagles.oc.edu . If you have an idea that you want to see put in action, if you would be willing do a Devo at our regular tuesday meetings, or willing to host an event at your home please contact me. Pretty please. Seriously, if next time I checked my email I had 20 emails from Alum it would make me ever so happy. Lastly, if you know of any Gamma Alum that are celebrating a special time or event whether that be an engagement, new baby, or big anniversary please email me and Gamma will try to give them a shout out. Cheers to a fantastic year and beautiful Alumni! Cannot wait to hear from you!
LYLAGS,
Brennan Mitchell