Remembering Vallera Clough Ross

With great sadness, we share that former National Panhellenic Conference Delegate Vallera Clough Ross passed away Sunday, Aug. 22, in Olathe, Kansas. Val, as she was lovingly known by her sisters, was 91.

Mrs. Ross was initiated at Sigma Chapter (Baker University) on Feb. 19, 1948. She served as Province President XII-A (Missouri and Kansas) from 1966 to 1972. From 1970 to 1972, she also held the role of Alternate Panhellenic Delegate I, before being appointed to serve as National Panhellenic Conference Delegate for the 1974 to 1976 and 1976 to 1978 biennia. In 1978, the position became an elected member of National Council, and Mrs. Ross was ZTA’s first elected NPC Delegate.

At Convention 1980, ZTA established the Vallera Clough Ross Panhellenic Award for a collegiate chapter in honor of Mrs. Ross’ six years as NPC Delegate.

After retiring from National Council, she again served as Alternate Panhellenic Delegate I until 1987. She was also a member at large and Investment Chair of the ZTA Foundation from 1980 to 1982. In 1996, Mrs. Ross joined the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee, serving until 2008. She chaired the National Council Nominating Committee in 1974 and 1994.

Mrs. Ross received the Certificate of Merit in 1974, the Honor Ring of Zeta Tau Alpha at Convention 1970, and the Order of Shield, representing 50 years of membership, at Missouri-Kansas Zeta Day in 1998.

In 1998, in honor of her 50 years of membership and the Fraternity’s Centennial, Mrs. Ross established the Vallera Clough Ross Endowed Scholarship for a member of Sigma Chapter. Those wishing to honor her memory may make to donations to the ZTA Foundation to continue that endowment.

Mrs. Ross was preceded in death by her husband, John. Friends of her family will hold a graveside service at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 25 to inter her ashes next to her parents at Floral Hills Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.