A champion for preserving and maintaining our ritual; a role model to thousands in the Greek community; and the personification of Theta's values, including vision, tenacity, and determination, Amy Hayner Kates's impact on Kappa Alpha Theta will be felt for generations to come. It was with deep sadness that we announced Amy's death in July from heart disease.

Initiated by the Alpha Phi Chapter at Tulane, Amy served two terms as Fraternity president, three terms as Fraternity vice president, nearly nine years on Theta's delegation to the National Panhellenic Conference, and four years as Theta Foundation trustee and Fraternity Housing Corporation board member. Her Theta career began with service as an educational leadership consultant, college chapter advisor, college chapter facility corporation board member, and college district president.

Amy graces the cover of the Summer 2017 issue of the Theta magazine, and you can learn more about her dedication and service to Theta inside.

Liz Rinck, Gamma/Butler, is the director of communications at Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity.

If you or your chapter is looking for Bid Day T-shirts, gifts, or just something for yourself, check out Theta's list of licensed vendors any merchandise at FindGreek. As both a website and app, you can search this Pinterest-style site for specific items, vendors, or even items that are on sale.

With more than 600 licensed vendors to from which to choose, FindGreek offers a large range of products in all price ranges. Using these vendors can benefit both your chapter and Theta. By using a licensed vendor, you can assure that you receive quality products and great customer service. In addition, a percentage of the royalties from these vendors comes back to Theta and is used to support our college and alumnae chapters.

Do you have a favorite Theta shirt or piece of jewelry? We hope you enjoy searching and shopping for all of the latest Theta gear!

Kristi Tucker is an assistant director of alumnae engagement at Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity.

Liz Rinck, Gamma/Butler, is the director of communications at Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity and editor of the Theta Magazine.

Is it Memorial Day weekend again already?

To me, it feels like it was just a few months ago. Like it was just yesterday that we went from being a family of three to a family of two. Or like it was just recently that we went from celebrating Memorial Day with BBQs and sleeping in to taking time out to not only consider our fallen loved one but all those who have served and sacrificed in this way.

And there are so many...

Surprisingly, though there are so many who still wish others a "Happy Memorial Day" or are quick to laud the celebration of an additional day off (for most folks, because lots of people still have to work), as if that is the most important thing to be considered. And until August 2005, our family was the same way.

I hope you don't understand what it's like because if you do, it means you have experienced the death of a spouse or child in service to our country. It's heart-wrenching. The loss itself is devastating, but it is not really yours alone. You have to share the loss of your loved one with so many others, many who were brave and served alongside, some who were there when he or she was injured or killed, and those who are also learning to live life differently with a gaping hole in their hearts.

I'm so grateful to God for this newer (more healed) perspective that has taken quite some time and respect to come to. Memorial Day is no longer a day when I want to hide away crying, asking questions that will never be answered. It is also no longer a day when I get angry seeing people's posts about all of the fun that they're having. Truly. Every day that you have to be with friends and family should be treasured.

I say, have all the fun. Eat all the BBQ. Laugh with your friends. Take that extra-long nap. Squeeze in as much living as you can while practicing these three things this Memorial Day weekend.

1. Take time out from the festivities to observe the purpose of the day. This doesn't even have to be on Memorial Day itself, but sometime over the weekend, set aside some time to actively remember those who served in our armed forces and paid the "ultimate price" for your blessing of liberty. The Memorial Day Foundation does a great job of explaining the things you can do but also why you would do them. Since our move from Wisconsin where my husband is buried, we have been eager to find ways in our new community here in north Texas to connect with others to actively observe Memorial Day. Thankfully, we've connected with people who know of our loss and last year invited us to participate in the Carry the Load event ending in Dallas. Yes, I'll have a small pack of tissues on me as we walk and yes, there'll be tears, but I believe it will be good because we'll be doing it together.


2. Refrain from wishing people a happy Memorial Day. It's not a "happy" day. As painful as it sometimes is to be reminded of a death in the armed services, we're grateful for be a day when people set aside moments to reflect together on their willingness to serve and sacrifice in military service. And though many of the memorial activities are somber and serious, we hope people take the time out to remember them ... with us. Let us tell the stories—which may make you laugh. Let us tell you the memories—which may make you cry. Call us, text us, invite us to spend time with you doing nothing. Please don't make us feel like pariahs or like we're too fragile to open up and share our hearts with you. We want to. Don't be afraid of our sadness on this day. Please don't be fearful of our pain. It's not a happy time, but there can still be good parts to the day.


3. Save thanking veterans for Veterans Day. I'll admit, I don't even know what to say to the Marines who served with our guy when Veterans Day comes around. I've read and heard about how weird it is when people thank them for their service. But even more awkward is when someone thanks living veterans for their service on a day set aside for those who died while doing what they also did ... but survived. Instead, consider the pearls of wisdom in this article and take some time this Memorial Day to plan how you might be able to be supportive of veterans and their needs throughout the entire year.

Whatever you decide to do, take some time to reflect on Memorial Day, the experiences of those who are still learning to live without their loved ones every day, and the people who answered "yes" to the call with all they had to give.

Regina Collins Simon, Psi/Wisconsin, is a longtime Theta volunteer; currently she serves Zeta Upsilon/UT Dallas as the operations advisor.

Throughout 2017, Kappa Alpha Theta is celebrating the Year of Scholarship.

We're recognizing the commitment to academic excellence that began with our founders and continues today, as well as honoring Thetas who are dedicated to learning, growing, and being a part of something larger than themselves.

The Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) strives to enhance opportunities for intellectual growth by providing our college members with study environments that foster creativity and critical thinking. We understand the importance of comfortable—yet stylish—study spaces!

• Comfortable study space that includes plush chairs and plenty of lighting.


• Connected with up-to-date technology. Our lighting includes fixtures that turn on just by tapping the exterior portion of the light along with two plugs to provide convenient electricity.


• Furniture that invites collaboration. Tables are easily adjustable to set at different heights and chairs move throughout the room easily.

Students in today's world are constantly connected and collaborating because both individual and group study is crucial to scholastic success. From convenient ways to charge laptops, phones, and tablets to plenty of lighting for studying late into the night, the FHC is prepared to meet our college students' needs.

Teresa Smith, Phi/Pacific, is the executive director of the Fraternity Housing Corporation.

From the smiling face of New Orleans restaurateur Ti Martin on our cover to updates on our newest college chapters to news of our 2016 outstanding professors, the current issue of the Theta magazine celebrates vision and dedication.

It also announces 2017 as the Year of Celebrating Scholarship. In addition to pushing boundaries when they created Kappa Alpha Theta, our founders pushed boundaries in their personal and professional lives. As we near our sesquicentennial in 2020, we are dedicating a year to each founder and commemorating a Theta core value that she represents.

Alice Allen Brant, for example, became a high school principal and espoused an innovative educational philosophy. It is in her honor that 2017 will celebrate Theta's commitment to academic excellence as well as all our sisters who exemplify learning, growing, and being a part of something larger than themselves.

We hope you are enjoying all the stories in the Winter 2017 issue. If you don't receive all four quarterly issues or if print simply isn't your thing, you can access the past 10 years of the Theta magazine online.

Liz Rinck, Gamma/Butler, is the director of communications at Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity and editor of the Theta Magazine.