Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • SPRING 2017 • PAN PIPES 7 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z MUSIC NOTES Celebrating 75 Years in SAI A 75th Anniversary is traditionally called the Diamond Anniversary, signifying the strength, dedication, and precious nature of reaching that special milestone. In March, the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter honored one of its own for just such an achievement, celebrating a great mile- stone in her lifetime of service to Sigma Alpha Iota. On the 75 th anniversary of her initiation into SAI, Dixie Lou O'Connor Morris wrote in an e- mail to Executive Director Ruth Sieber Johnson: "On March 7, 1942, an excited 18-year-old named Dixie Lou O'Connor, was initiated into an organization that she has endeavored to serve every day since then. It has been a great journey, this seventy-five years with Sigma Alpha Iota. I believe I am the only one of the 1942 group still living. I miss the others who have gone on. I am grateful for this length of time to serve SAI and so very appreciative of my honors." In these 75 years, Dixie Lou has served our fraternity at the national, province, and chapter levels, including: National Vice President, Exten- sion (1978-1987); Pi Province President (1974- 1978); Presiding Officer for the Region II Mini- Convention in Minneapolis in 1972; as assistant to the SAI Convention Chairman for the 1974 National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri; and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 75th Anniversary of SAI in Kansas City (75th Anniversary of Tau Chapter) in 1997. She has attended every National Convention since 1965 (except for the convention in St. Louis, due to a fall). She was initiated by Tau Chapter at what is now the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory of Music and served Tau Chapter as President and Recording Secretary (Tau merged with Iota Sigma in 1959 and became Tau-Sigma Chapter.) She has served the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter as President, Vice Presi- dent Membership, Vice President Scholarship, Chaplain, Ritual Officer, Editor, Board Member at Large, Tau-Sigma Advisor, Scholarship Concert Manager, Assistant Scholarship Concert Manager, and was a Scholarship Concert Committee Mem- ber for over thirty years (1961–1996). She served as a liaison between the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter and the Tau-Sigma Patroness Chapter for many years. Dixie Lou was awarded the Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award at the 2012 convention. e award is given for outstanding leadership at the national level. Her other awards include the Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, Rose of Dedica- tion, Diamond Sword, and Ring of Excellence. In addition, she and her husband Tom (an SAI Friend of the Arts), have been great patrons of the arts in the Kansas City area. is special celebration was held at the Lu- theran Church of the Resurrection in Prairie Village, and it included a musicale and reception. Letters from National President Leslie Odom Miller and Executive Director Ruth Sieber John- son were read to all in attendance. Dixie Lou shared how important the Pan's Cottage project at the MacDowell Colony was to her, and the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter donated $75 in her honor to the Pan's Cottage Renovation Fund. And just as she received roses on the day of her initiation into SAI, she was presented with them again: 7 red roses and 5 white roses in recognition of her 75 years in SAI. — Contributed by Vicki Hedger, Kansas City Alumnae Chapter Editor Above, Dixie Lou Morris (left) receives the Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award at the 2012 National Convention from National President Elizabeth Nordling (center) and Dr. Deborah Volker, National Vice President, Ritual and Fraternity Education. At right, Donna Hogue, Chapter President, presents Dixie Lou with a 75 Year Membership Certificate.

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