The Gamma Theta chapter of Chi Omega will celebrate its 50th anniversary at Eastern Kentucky University next year. To mark the occasion, the sorority will gift two intricate stained-glass windows to the University.
Chi Omega Alumni Relations Advisor Stacey Kelly presented EKU President Dr. Michael T. Benson with renderings of the windows in December, which the president shared on social media. The windows will be created by
Lexington, Kentucky, stained-glass artist John “zig” Zeigler.
The smaller of the two windows, depicting Daniel Boone, will be installed in the John Grant Crabbe Library, between the Grand Reading Room and the Noel Studio. It represents the sorority’s past 50 years on campus.
The larger window will serve as the glass wall of a conference room in the Powell Building, which is currently being updated as part of EKU’s campus-wide revitalization project. Depicting the Ravine, one of The Campus Beautiful’s most scenic areas, the artwork represents the sorority’s next 50 years at EKU, said Chi Omega Chapter Adviser Allison Helsinger.
“This is something that has been in the works since our 25th anniversary. We have been setting aside some funds for this project throughout the years,” she said. “We wanted this project to be significant because 50 years is a long time and a great milestone to reach.”
To finish raising the needed funds, Chi Omega partnered with EKU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations in December 2017. In the course of a year, the sorority’s 1,000 EKU alumni donated nearly $25,000 to fund the creation of the windows. The entire project will cost around $40,000, Helsinger said.
“EKU is most appreciative of the contributions that Chi Omega has made to support the creation of two beautiful stained-glass windows, which will be enjoyed by future generations of EKU students,” said Melinda Murphy, EKU’s Director of Gift and Estate Planning.
President Benson thanked Chi Omega, a sorority widely known for their philanthropic efforts, for their generosity on his Twitter page, @EKUPrez.