A day of shopping during one of the Alpha Chi reunions. Photo: Jeanene Hulsey

College is one of the most formative times of a person’s life, full of experiences that will stick for a lifetime. For Jeanene Jenkins Hulsey ’67 (jeanenejh@att.net), Alpha Chi Omega was that influential experience. Her time in the house left her with memories, skills and friends that she values to this day. Here’s a glimpse into Hulsey’s experiences and how Alpha Chi has impacted her life. 

Hulsey decided to join Alpha Chi because she saw the quality of the members right away. “I was impressed by the welcoming attitude of members and women that I respected. We were the most friendly, down-to-earth sorority on campus. I was proud to be an Alpha Chi because of the women that I associated with. My sorority sisters were all a combination of smart, pretty and fun!” 

Hulsey struggles to choose the best memory of her stay in the house. Still, one of her favorites is the time she spent living life with her sorority sisters. “I remember the late nights when we were all sitting around listening to Johnny Mathis and trading stories about our experiences in college, whatever was going on - boys, classes, and campus activities. And I treasure the confidence my sisters placed in me when they voted to let me represent them in activities on campus.” 

“The thing that sets it apart for me is not what happened while I was there, but the relationships that I still have with my sorority sisters today. We still get together often, and those memories are more prominent in my mind. My sisters make me appreciate the experiences that I had while I was in college. We are still close friends because we experienced those college years together!”  

Alpha Chis in approximately 1965 with Hulsey pictured at the top. The light uniforms were an organization called Angel Flight, a support organization of Air Force ROTC and drill team, and the dark uniforms were Army Blades, serving the same purpose. All are Alpha Chis. Photo: Jeanene Hulsey

Hulsey credits Alpha Chi with giving her valuable life skills that carried her through an extensive career in marketing (and a brief stint in hospitality). “I always think about the social skills that I learned. I use that every day, whether it’s hosting a dinner party or just relating to clients, and I always remember where that came from. It gave me confidence in pursuing a career or being involved in the community. I feel I entered OSU as a shy, awkward girl and emerged as a confident young woman ready to take on the business world.” 

After leaving Alpha Chi, Hulsey moved from her marketing undergraduate degree to a management training program at Neiman Marcus in Dallas. From there she spent five years working as a flight attendant with Pan Am before beginning an extensive role in sales and marketing for IBM. Through all of it, she has stayed in contact with her Alpha Chi sisters. For many years she has been celebrating birthdays together with two Alpha Chi sisters every January. “Our birthdays are January 15, 17 and 19 so we have a good time telling each other that we haven't changed at all.” 

Art has long been a part of Hulsey’s life. Her mother was a high school art teacher, giving her a lot of exposure to the arts - especially visual arts. When OSU opened the art-focused Doel Reed Center in Taos, New Mexico, mere miles from Hulsey’s Santa Fe home, she knew that it was the perfect opportunity for her after retirement. Working with the Doel Reed Center led her to be involved on the founding board of the Postal Plaza Art Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma and the Arts Advisory Council of Oklahoma State University. Most recently she made headlines for donating a sculpture to the university in 2018. 

When Hulsey visits OSU, she loves to visit the Alpha Chi house and keep up with the current sisters.  

Without Alpha Chi Omega, I wouldn’t have the wonderful college memories that I do.