Member of the Week: Meet Maddi Cox!

            Hey y’all! My name is Madeleine Cox but everyone calls me Maddi.  I am a junior at the University of Southern Mississippi and a member of the pledge class of 2012. I decided to pledge Chi Omega as a freshman for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I wanted to be surrounded by a group of girls that I knew would share my morals, and secondly, because I knew that it would make me a better person. There has never been a day that I have regretted this life-changing decision.

            Currently, I serve as Chi Omega’s recruitment chair. This position requires me to prepare the chapter to recruit new members.  In doing so, I have come to know and appreciate Chi Omega and it’s heritage much more deeply than before.  I have also been encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and grow in ways that I never dreamed possible.  This leadership position has definitely been a positive experience for me and has prepared me to handle life after college.

            On campus, I am also involved in areas outside of Greek life.  One of my favorite extracurricular activities on campus is participating as a USM Eagle Ambassador where I help in recruiting for the Southern Miss football team. This involves conducting campus tours, answering questions for prospective players and their parents, promoting USM and the football program, and working closely with the Office of Admissions for USM.  I am also a member of several academic honor societies and enjoy attending sporting events on campus with my friends.  Off campus, I enjoy trips to Conni Cones (so much so that they are about to name a new flavor after me) and spur of the moment trips to New Orleans with my friends.  I also work part-time at a local jewelry store. To potential new members, my biggest advice would be to get involved! Get involved in Greek Life, get involved on campus and get involved in the community.  In so doing, your life will be positively impacted as well as those around you.

            My favorite memory so far at USM is probably living in Wilber Hall my freshman year (yes, seriously). I know what you are all thinking…gross… but honestly, it was the best thing ever coming into college. Those community restrooms that everyone dreads are the perfect place to meet new people. You’d be surprised at the conversations that took place while brushing my teeth.  And, for those of you who are fortunate enough to live in Wilber, watch out for Pam.  She roams the halls at night. Scaaaary!

            If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be dedicated. I take a tremendous amount of pride in everything that I do.  It might take me a little longer to get something done, but when I am finished, I can rest assured knowing a put forth my best effort. As this year’s Recruitment Chair, I am dedicated to making our recruiting process one of the best!

            My favorite hobby would be just hanging out with friends and doing something totally random…like going to NOLA at midnight with a group of girls to get beignets. I cherish every chance I can with my sweet friends, because one day, we will actually have to grow up, get a big girl job, be a wife and tend to children, and those midnight trips to NOLA will be just a sweet memory.

            Weird Talents.  Well, where do I begin? Ha ha. My weirdest talent would be that I actually like to clean house.  I mean, I really like it. I would rather clean house than watch TV. As far as my idea of happiness, I would have to say it is dinner around the table with my family.  There is nothing better than an evening of creamed corn, black eyed peas, okra (my Nana’s is my favorite), sweet potatoes, cornbread and crazy Cox family conversation.  And, believe me when I say the conversation is crazy! But I really love this time with my family and don’t want it to end.

            Recruitment is all about finding your home away from home.  Your family away from family.  Your sisters away from sisters. I found my home in Chi Omega and know that you can find yours too. And, as always, Greek life TTT. 


Xoxo,  
Madeleine Cox & the Epsilon Delta Chapter of Chi Omega

Member of the Week: Meet Jamie Jackson!

           

Hey everyone! My name is Jamie Jackson, and I will be a senior in the fall. I seriously can’t believe it’s already my last year! It’s crazy how time flies.  During the fall of 2011, I went through recruitment as a freshman, and I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t just a little nervous about it.  There I was, at a completely new school, where only about ten people from my graduating high school class had decided to go.  Although I was nervous, I knew one thing was for sure, I was ready to find a home away from home!  After a week of meeting some of the friendliest, most outgoing people, hearing about numerous philanthropic causes, watching the talent of so many girls displayed in high-energy skits, and making connections with people I had met just a few days before, I ran home to Chi Omega!

            During my freshmen year, I served as one of Chi Omega’s cheerleading captains, where we created a cheer competition routine with stunts and tumbling to be performed at Tri Delta Triple Play, one of the many philanthropy events on campus! As a former high school cheerleader and a current Southern Miss cheerleader at the time, this positon was right up my alley! It was so much fun being able to create a routine and relive the old high school cheerleading days with all my sisters! I absolutely loved it!  During the end of my sophomore year, I served as Vice-President of Chi Omega.  Because being Vice-President requires you to make sure everyone is succeeding in their classes and making good grades, it allowed me to give back to the chapter in way that I was truly passionate about.  Working hard and doing well in school is something I’ve cared about all through grade school and high school, so being able to help people reach their academic goals was something I really enjoyed.  It was definitely one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had while being a member of Chi Omega.

            At the end of my junior year, I was excited to be chosen to serve as the President of our chapter! While I was a little nervous at first, and wondering how I would balance school and the duties of presidency, it has seriously been an experience I would not trade for anything.  Just three years ago, I would have never thought that my naturally shy self would be capable of being in this position and leading our chapter, but through Chi Omega I have gained more confidence in myself which has helped me during my time as President! 

            Crazily enough Chi Omega is not the only thing that has kept me busy throughout my time at Southern Miss.  I was also a member of the co-ed cheerleading squad, and I am currently in the Honors College, Eagle Connection, Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-professional honor society, and Southern Style!  Being a part of these organizations has allowed me to grow closer to people who are not only in Chi Omega, but other Greek organizations as well, and that I am truly thankful for.  Whenever the going gets tough with school, I can always count on these organizations and the friendships I’ve made through them, to take my mind off of school and turn my day around! 

            When I think about one word that describes me, it’s actually more of a phrase…  Type-A.  I love being organized and staying on top of everything that I have to get done.  I hate to admit it, but I have an unhealthy obsession with my Erin Condren planner, and I don’t think I would be able to survive a week…okay maybe not even a day without that thing.  To-do lists tend to run my life, until my friends pull me back to reality and tell me that it really will all be okay!  Thank goodness for them!  Getting ready for social events in the house and Olive Garden dates after a long week are two things that make me happy.  I really enjoy spending time with my family, trying new things, reading Glamour magazine (typical I know), and running.  Oh, and I have a new found love for airports.  I can’t explain it really.  I think it’s because if you’re at the airport, that means your most likely traveling somewhere, and the excitement of going to a new place, no matter how far away, will get me every time.  Rant over. 

Goodness gracious.  All of this reflecting has gotten me emotional! All I can say is that being a part of Greek Life and being involved in college have made the last couple of years ones I’ll never forget, and definitely ones I would experience over if given the chance.  Here’s to a great last year at my home away from home!

Xoxo,

Jamie Jackson & the Epsilon Delta Chapter of Chi Omega