[TSteven]

Here are the two articles from the June 2005 The Kentucky Sig.

Momma Lee is the current housemother

Momma Lee honored by Sigma Chi

Housemother Lee Amic may get headaches from the stresses of managing a fraternity house from time to time, but her dedication to Sigma Chi has not gone unnoticed.

In April Momma Lee was awarded the 2004-05 Edna A. Boss Houseparent Award. The award is given annually by Sigma Chi International Headquarters to honor one outstanding Sigma Chi houseparent, resident advisor, or aide. She was nominated by members of the chapter and Lambda Lambda House Corporation.

Lambda Lambda’s housemother since the 1999-2000 school year, Momma Lee lived in the Woodland Avenue house during its final days and has lived in the Pennsylvania Avenue house since 2001. She has been a constant presence in the chapter and has been there during growing pains and success.

“I’m very honored to have been nominated by the boys and it means a great deal to me to have been chosen,” Lee said of the award. “I hope I can continue to do a deserving job.”

In addition to being named this year’s recipient, Lee will be recognized at Sigma Chi’s 150th Anniversary celebration in Cincinnati on June 22nd. She and the chapter will receive certificates and an award plaque that will be displayed in the chapter house. She will also be recognized on an award plaque displayed at General Headquarters in Evanston, Ill.

And this on Mom Schmidt. A wonderful lady and true friend if there ever was one.

Lora Schmidt passes away at 94
Baby Cook offers some fond memories of Mom Schmidt

When Baby walked into the Sigma Chi house looking for a job, “Mom Schmidt’s smile blew me away,” she said.

Elinor “Baby” Cook was Sigma Chi’s house cook for all but one year of Lora Schmidt’s 27 years as Lambda Lambda’s house mother. Hired the year after Mom Schmidt in 1966, she remembers well Mom Schmidt’s dedication to the chapter and the fondness everyone had for her all those years.

“She was a friend of everyone, she never stopped giving.”

For many alumni, the memory of Mom Schmidt sticks out very prominently as they look back on their college years. Mom Schmidt made the inhouse experience so special that Sigma Chis who lived there missed it when they came back for alumni events. Mom Schmidt was involved in just about all aspects of the chapter that she could be, even considering parents. “Parents weekend was very special to Mom Schmidt and she did everything she could to make it special for Sigma Chis as well as their parents,” Baby said.

Baby remembered the dedication the active members showed to her, as well. “Wherever Sigma Chis would go, Mom Schmidt was taken along, even to formals.” She also went to intramural events quite often. In any area she could get involved or assist, she was there, and many years of pledge classes grew to appreciate her.

According to Baby, the UK deans in those days loved Mom Schmidt as well. And if times called for it, Mom Schmidt was ready to defend the chapter in any way she could. “Mom Schmidt would ‘go to bat’ for Sigma Chi in the Dean of Greek Affairs’ once every time she needed to. She probably even saved Sigma Chi from getting kicked off of campus once or twice.” For all her involvement and dedication, though, brothers knew when it wasn’t good to bother Mom Schmidt—during a game of Bridge. “Mom Schmidt played Bridge with the other house moms—they loved Lora--and Sigma Chis knew not to interrupt her in the middle of a Bridge game,” said Baby.

Mom Schmidt retired in 1992 at the age of 80 after 27 full years serving as Lambda Lambda’s house mother. After working so closely with Mom Schmidt, Baby says it was the “togetherness” of the chapter that made all those years worth it. “She was a loving mother, a loving granny, and a loving, loving house mother who put the children above herself. Mom Schmidt did not pick favorites, she loved everyone.”