Our founders

In October of 1963, charter member Jane Adams of Highland, IN with the help of Glenda Benjamin of Hammond and Kay Yugo of Gary, petitioned for a Sigma Alpha Iota chapter to represent the Lake County area of Indiana.  At the time there was an estimated 50 SAI alumnae in the Calumet region so Jane invited any members interested in affiliating in the Alumnae Chapter to join in the first general meeting in May of 1964. 

The charter members included:             

SAI Lake County Alumnae Association held their first public Musicale on January 25, 1965 at 9 PM. 

The program included:

LCAC Landmarks

On April 27, 1965 SAI National Headquarters president, Mrs. Jeannette W. Kirk, honored the petition for an alumnae chapter to be established in the Lake County.

On November 6, 1965, the Lake County Alumnae Chapter became the 102^nd alumnae chapter installed in the United States.

In the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Issue (1943-67) of The Music Journal, Inc., Dorothy Grieg (charter member and member of the National Association of Organ Teachers) and her husband Jack C. Grieg, published an article titled “The Emergence of Electronic Organ.”

On May 12, 1967, the chapter awarded its first scholarship in the amount of $50.00 to Sandra Strobel of Valparaiso University in Vaparaiso, IN.  Scholarships are still awarded to outstanding musicians in the college chapters.

On May 5, 1968, SAI LCAC held their first Musicale as an established chapter.

In 1968,after a lecture delivered by Mr. Vernon Brown, director of Music Therapy, several members visited Boatty Memorial Hospital to learn how they could contribute to the musical activities there. Soon after a new tradition of community service began.  Each year our chapter organizes trips to nursing homes and hospitals to entertain the residents and patients and to spread a little musical cheer.  The audience loves it!

April 26, 1970, one of favorite traditional acts, the Barbershop Quartet, performed for the first time in the Spring Musicale! The “Barbettes” included -Judith Hughes, Jean Kolacek, Barbara Miller, and Shelby Miller.

SAI LCAC was recognized several times with a certificate for the greatest number of points for Community Service in the name of Sigma Alpha Iota.

November 2005, SAI LCAC celebrates 40 years!

May 2006, Maestro Kirk Muspratt initiated as Distinguished Member. A world reknowned Conductor, Maestro Muspratt uses love for music his capacity to educate to allow everyone the opportunity to experience music appreciation. Maestro Muspratt celebrated the closing of the 2006 year with LCAC by giving an inspirational speech regarding the development and promotion of music opportunities for children in schools and public concerts.

LCAC History:

Past Presidents:

• Jane Adam (1964-65)
• Glenda Kolar (1964-67)
• Margery Hindmarch(1967-69)
• Ruth Ann Teague (1969-71)
• Barbara Miller (1971-73)
• Karyll Faris (1973-75)
• Carol Ondra (1975-77)
• Glenda Kolar (1977-79)
• Belinda Potoma (1979-81)
• Lois Thurner (1981-83)
• Ruth Ann Teague (1983-85)
• Nancy Stivers (1985-87)
• Molly Swanson (1987-89)
• Peggy Glennie (1989-91)
• Joanne Polite (1991-93)
• Belinda Potoma (1993-95)
• Peggy Glennie (1995-97)
• Joanne Ross (1997-2001)
• Beth Flynn (2001-2004)
• Mary Lee Riley (2004-2006)

Fifty Year Members:

• Margery Hindmarch
• Jean Kolacek
• Barbara Miller
• Isabel Mills (deceased)
• Dorothy Potucek
• Nancy Stivers
• Mary Lee Riley

Lake County Alumnae Chapter Charter Members:

• Jane Adams
• Glenda Benjamin
• Inez Dahlin
• Dorothy Grieg (Patroness)
• Margery Hindmarch
• Judith Hughes
• Jean Kolacek
• Barbara Miller
• Shelby Miller
• Isabel Mills
• Norma Peters
• Dorothy Potucek
• Virginia I. Trendel
• Janet Van Mynen

Chapter Awards:

• 1991 Beta Province Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award
• 1991 National Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award
• 1993 Beta Province Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award
• 1993 Beta Province Alumnae Chapter Service Award
• 1997 Beta Province Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award
• 2004 Beta Province Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award
• 2004 Beta Province Alumnae Chapter Service Award
• 2004 SAI Annelle Chandler McAdams Service Project Award

Individual Awards:

Chapter Service Awards:

Sword of Honor:

Ruby Sword of Honor:

Rose of Honor:

Rose of Dedication:

Copyright 2007 Sigma Alpha Iota Lake County Alumnae Chapter