Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Summer 2026 7 Chapter Spotlight PATIENCE PAINE BROCK Sigma Alpha, 1962 (64 years) Illinois Wesleyan University Major: Cello and Voice, with a degree in Sacred Music Who inspired you to join SAI? My fellow music majors. Campus had both Delta Omicron and SAI chapters, and I was super- impressed with SAI's activities and especially the Song Cycle. Special collegiate memories: Lots of singing together and providing musicales for the music school to attend. I especially loved the Song Cycle. I also loved eating together as a chapter. Special alumnae memories: I went straight into Oak Park my senior year, since I graduated in January. I had also just gotten married, and I met Bernice Tylman through my husband's dental work. She invited me to her alumnae chapter meeting. Marilyn Kinzer would play for me and for my students as well as for my husband's men's chorus and quartet. I fondly remember the vocal trio of Lillian Brooke, Ruth Brenneman, and Peggy Hajek. DONNA BUDIL Omega, 1968 (58 years) Chicago Conservatory Major: Music Education with Piano minor Primary instrument: Voice Fraternity Awards: Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, Rose of Dedication, Rose of Constancy, Wreath of Achievement, Diamond Sword of Honor, National Alumnae Leadership Award Who inspired you to join SAI? My voice teacher and mentor, Dolores Bliss, who was an SAI from University of Illinois and LaGrange Alumnae Chapter. She remained a mentor to me, especially at the beginning of my teaching career. Special collegiate memories: Initiation; bake sale fundraisers; participating in variety shows; Christmas gatherings with Oak Park Alumnae; and participating in ritual at the National Convention in Chicago. Special alumnae memories: Singing the "Rose Song" for Rachel Barton Pine at her initiation as a National Honorary Member; hosting my first SAI meeting at my home; working on the Chicago Marriott Convention Committee; performing as soloist for the Dallas Convention Memorial Service; receiving the Diamond Sword of Honor; and most of all, creating lifelong SAI friendships. NICKI (WINE) COMO Sigma Alpha, 1974 (52 years) Illinois Wesleyan University Major: Music Education with Piano minor Primary instrument: Piano Fraternity Awards: Sword of Honor Who inspired you to join SAI? My high school music teacher and his wife, my piano teacher. She helped me get an SAI Music Camp Scholarship at Illinois Wesleyan (scholarships work!). My camp counselor, Nancy Summers, ended up becoming my pledge mom (now VPM) when I decided to attend school there. Special collegiate memories: Our chapter dressed in long dresses and would sing the Song Cycle at special events at the house, and I had the privilege of accompanying them. Special alumnae memories: Ethel Bullard and Grace Carlson, former National Officers, were in the Oak Park Alumnae Chapter and inspired me to join their chapter. e chapter has always been so friendly and active. DOREEN STERBA DEZUR Delta Tau, 1975 (51 years) Augustana College Major: Piano performance Primary instrument: Piano Who inspired you to join SAI? My mother, who was a Delta Omicron. She stressed the importance of being in her music fraternity, but my college didn't have a DO chapter. So she encouraged me to join SAI. Special collegiate memories: The MITs (called pledges then) came to each active sister's room early to get them for break fast. The ones who came to get me were surprised to f ind me awake and dressed at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday, work ing on a music histor y paper, and listening to Wagner's The Flying Dutchman. Special alumnae memories: Helping to host and run the Elsie Sterrenberg String Scholarship Competitions each year for the LaGrange Alumnae Chapter (now inactive). So happy to see that Oak Park has continued this important tradition today. JOYCE (MCFARLAND) DLUGOPOLSKI Sigma Alpha, 1955 (71 years) Illinois Wesleyan University Major: Music Education Primary instrument: Violin Fraternity Awards: Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, Rose of Dedication, Rose of Constancy, Ring of Excellence, and Wreath of Achievement

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