“To be a part of creating a unique chapter of Rho Lambda—this represents the best of what I could give back to FSU.”
“The Interior Design program at FSU is highly respected and highly demanding. My passion for delving deeper into the subject drives me to excel,” says senior Anne Littlejohn.
Each semester Anne has made the Dean’s List and will graduate cum laude despite her “constant struggle with a learning disability in reading and processing.” She explains, “I had to work really hard to be where I am. Even with a learning disability, achievement is possible. It’s important to set your goals high and to believe in yourself!”
In spring 2007, the College of Visual Arts, Theatre and Dance honored Anne with the DJMT O’Brien Scholarship. “Winning this award was very humbling, primarily because of the amount of talent that exists within the College.”
To aide her in developing character and leadership abilities, Anne has found Greek Life to be the most rewarding. “My time in Pi Beta Phi Sorority ignited in me a passion for service and taught me how to be a positive role model.” Believing her sisters should be well informed about safety, Anne, as vice president of communications, set up a self defense class taught by the FSU Police Department’s Rape Aggression Defense Team. “I have had some trying times when I wish I had been equipped with this type of information. The 80 women at the event were very empowered by the experience, and the Panhellenic Association is now changing its Risk Management seminar to be a women-only event that focuses on self defense and women’s issues.”
As the vice president of programming for the Panhellenic Association, she restructured Pride Week so that it met the organization’s core tenants: Sisterhood (a chick flick was screened on Union Green, where sisters snuggled together on blankets under the stars); Service (each house held an activity to raise funds for the FSUnited campaign); Scholarship (all Dean’s and President’s Lists members were honored at an Academic Reception); and Leadership (Leslie Goldman, author of The Locker Room Diaries, gave an eye-opening presentation on health and safety).”
Challenged by Greek Life staff to charter a national honorary leadership society that would honor women who have exhibited the highest qualities of leadership and service, Anne selected an Executive Council. Working through the summer, she and these leaders from across campus created a mission statement, constitution, and by-laws. In the fall, the first class was initiated into the newly formed Rho Lambda, Theta chapter. Anne says, “To be a part of creating a unique chapter of Rho Lambda—this represents the best of what I could give back to FSU.”
“My leadership roles on campus have always been focused on one goal: to be a vehicle of positive change and progressive learning,” she says. “As I plan my future beyond FSU”—she is considering graduate study in Environmental Design and Architecture—”I am confident I will be successful due solely to the empowering experiences I had in Panhellenic.”