Maureen "Moe" Duffy
Alumni Spotlight
MEET MOE DUFFY
Home chapter – Beta Psi @ Kent State University
Initiation period – Spring 2015
Graduation date – May 2017
Major or study concentration – Zoology
Main Instrument – Alto Saxophone
Current profession – Zookeeper with the North America Department @ Columbus Zoo & Aquarium and Sales Lead w/ REI Co-Op
Current city – Columbus, OH
Why did you join KKPsi or what drew you KKPsi? – "I heard about Kappa Kappa Psi while I was still a junior in high school from a friend who had recently become a brother at Ohio Northern. She told me what it was about and it sounded kind of interesting to me, but I never quite thought about it again until college. When I started band camp at Kent, I met many of the brothers there and I was immediately drawn to their friendliness. Some of the first friends I made at Kent were brothers and those friends are now lifelong friends. I saw the service that the brothers did and it was similar to what I did in high school. I saw the passion that they had for their musicianship and how caring they were. I knew that this brotherhood was something that I wanted to be a part of so, I attended recruitment events and got to know even more brothers. Then, I interviewed and the rest is history now."
What positions or responsibilities did you hold in your chapter? – "During my short time with Psi, I was the Historian and Vice President of Membership. As Historian, I would record pictures and videos of the chapter during events and add them to our end of the year slide show as well as updating the Beta Psi website. I reorganized and took inventory of our archives (which if you've never had the opportunity to check out what we have in our archives, ask a current member of the chapter and I'm sure they would love to share. We have some really cool pieces in archives such as our commission signed by A. Frank Martin). I worked with alumni to keep them involved with the chapter and finally helped Beta Psi run for Governor's Cup in 2016. We became finalists, but did not take home the cup that year. During the 2016-2017 school year, I was the VPM. I loved this position so much. It was fun to plan recruitment and create our MEP. I was able to be a mom to 11 wonderful children of the Gamma Lambda class. They always kept me on my toes, but being able to give back to my chapter as the VPM was very rewarding."
Name a favorite memory from your Active membership. – "It's hard to pick just one favorite memory from Psi because I've had so many of them throughout the years. I would definitely say that anytime their was an event or degree, I was always excited to see the alumni or my hometown Bedford bros. It was always great being able to hang out with them again, especially when I got to see the brothers from my Mafia Family! I think one of my favorite memories though, was from right before my class (Shoutout to my GI Joes!) went active. We were having a sleepover and playing the classics on guitar hero and goofing off and being the weirdos that we were. One of my brothers had her alarm set as the Circle of Life which repeatedly went off that morning because none of us wanted to get up and then when we finally got up, we decided to make breakfast and almost set the stove on fire from burning the bacon. This will always be one of my favorite memories with my c-bros because we were all able to be ourselves without the stress of school or work getting in the way. It always makes me smile to think back on that memory."
How has KKPsi helped you in the "real world"? (professionally or personally, or both) – "Psi has helped me more personally than professionally. There are not many brothers or sisters in the field that I work in, but that does not mean people do not know what Psi is. I have met many people from the zoo that were in the band and had friends who were brothers. Even though they were never a brother themselves, they knew the work ethic that their friends had and would place that on me. Overall, Psi has given me the opportunity to grow as an individual. I have learned the importance of love, passion, and drive and I have taken these and put them into my own life. It has helped me follow my dream and stay true to my goals."
Name one thing you want to get out of the NCDAA. – "As a member of the NCDAA, I am most looking forward to getting to hang out with other alumni from our district. I only know a small portion of those people and I would love to expand my network even more! I am excited to learn new ways to assist with my home chapter and help other chapters that I currently live near. I know that Beta Psi is looking to start their own Alumni Association and I am ready to jump into that as well. I am also a curriculum advisor and I will be working with three chapters from the NCD this coming school year! I will be working with Purdue University, Indiana University, our newest colony Ball State University! One thing that I want to get out of being a member with the NCDAA is that sense of belonging. As many recent graduates may feel, it can be hard no longer being active with your home chapter. You lose that sense of being a part of something, but so far I have found that being a member of NCDAA has shown me plenty of ways to continuously stay involved whether that is with Psi or my own personal growth in my career. The endless amount of knowledge that each member holds and is ready to share is amazing to me. This makes me feel like I am a part of it all again."
Name any of your personal social media accounts that you would like people to connect with you. –You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram: moeduff78, or Snapchat: moejduffy. Be ready to see a lot of animal posts!
Name any other contact information that you are willing to share. – "If you ever have any questions about my experiences, getting involved, curriculum stuff, or just anything really, do not hesitate to shoot me an email at mduffy14@kent.edu."