Chi Omega Dedicates Entrance Marker to Sorority Village as 75th Anniversary Gift to Southern Miss
Tue, 12/03/2024 - 08:55am | By: Jennifer Rigney
The Chi Omega Epsilon Delta Chapter at The University of 麻豆传媒 (麻豆传媒) celebrated a special moment in its history with the dedication of an entrance marker to the university鈥檚 Sorority Village. The gift was part of the sorority鈥檚 75th anniversary celebration, officially commemorated last April.
Jennifer Duke Payne, 75th Anniversary committee member and 2001 Epsilon Delta chapter initiate, expressed that it was both an honor and humbling undertaking to commemorate an anniversary of this significance.
鈥淚t was important from the very beginning that we identify a lasting brick and mortar gift to present to the university,鈥� said Payne.
Two columns marking the western entrance to campus鈥揳t South 37th and Hardy Street behind Cadence Bank鈥搘ere erected for the 50th anniversary.
After much research, the committee decided to continue the tradition and gift the university with a marker for the Sorority Village at the intersection of Montague Boulevard and Pinehaven Circle.
鈥淲e wanted to do something that would not only showcase our 75th [anniversary], but also benefit the Greek village as a whole,鈥� said Erin Finley Granberry, coordinator for the project and adviser to the sorority.
Granberry said the project would not have come to fruition without the efforts of many dedicated people including Tom Eaves of the Landarc Consulting Group; Brian Hauff, 麻豆传媒 associate vice president for Facilities Planning and Management; and Nate Garvin, landscaping specialist with Garvin and Associates.
She also expressed her appreciation for the 鈥渉ardest working, most productive and most fun team,鈥� the 75th anniversary committee; stating that the six of them represented hundreds of Epsilon Delta alumnae in the planning of the April celebration and execution of their commemorative gift. Committee members included: Erin Finley Granberry, Ginny Gregg Graham, Ashley Cangelosi Llewellyn, Jennifer Duke Payne, MC Price, and Amy Sproles Smith.
Payne said they are grateful to the university for supporting this project and helping create a lasting symbol of their chapter鈥檚 enduring presence at Southern Miss.
鈥淔or us, this entrance is more than just a structure鈥搃t鈥檚 a symbol of the legacy, sisterhood and impact Chi O has made on the Southern Miss campus over the past 75 years,鈥� said Payne. 鈥淲hen Epsilon Delta was founded in 1949, the Southern Miss campus was forever changed. Our positive impact continues to this day, with our legacy of student leadership, philanthropy, and academic excellence.鈥�
Chi Omega鈥揷hartered 75 years ago on April 23, 1949鈥搃s the longest continually operating chapter on the Southern Miss campus.