02/29/08

The Alpha Chi Omega sorority lost a legend last Friday.

We lost someone who devoted her life to our letters, to our chapter, to our cause.

We lost someone who served on our executive board repeatedly during her time in the Omicron chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at Baker University.

First serving as third vice president of our house in 1973, this woman exemplified all five of our chapter’s standards: academic interest, financial responsibility, leadership ability, character and personal development.

During her junior year, this woman was elected to the position of first vice president – she was second-in-command, she was a leader to those younger than her, and she was a role model to those searching for guidance.

We lost someone whose devotion to Alpha Chi Omega did not end with a Baker University cap and gown, whose love and loyalty to our sorority did not end with a diploma; it did not end when the door of the big white house closed behind her.

We lost someone who remained active in our sorority for 30 years, holding positions such as National Rush Visitor, Province President for Kansas and Missouri, National Rush Director, National Panhellenic Conference Delegate, National Extension Director, Trustee of the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation and President of the Alpha Chi Omega National Housing Corporation.

We lost someone who even served as the national president of Alpha Chi Omega for two terms, from 1996 to 2000 – a feat no other Omicron chapter member can say she has accomplished.

We lost someone who, while national president, vowed to help lead Alpha Chi Omega into its next 100 years of sisterhood, to be a proponent for improvement, an advocate for change.

And that’s exactly what she was.

This woman was a fearless leader, striving to change Alpha Chi Omega for the better in everything she did.

We lost someone who was responsible for the births of new chapters and for the creation of new opportunity.

We lost someone who was responsible for the disappointing end to others.

During her involvement in Alpha Chi Omega, she oversaw the inception of many new chapters, like Iota Lambda, which officially began colonization in 1990 at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

She also helped restore financial security to the University of Arizona by completely revamping its population after it fell under financial problems and risked being closed.

Both chapters are now thriving in their greek communities.

We lost someone who, during her reign as national president, ordered the removal of a charter after a member of the Colorado State University chapter vandalized a homecoming parade float.

We lost someone who visited more collegiate chapters in her lifetime than any of us ever will.

We lost someone whose commitment to Alpha Chi Omega extended far beyond all of the accomplishments and positions listed above, beyond the experiences, beyond the responsibilities.

We lost someone whose dedication and loyalty to our sorority was unparalleled.

So here’s to Jan Crandall. We all owe you.