Steadfast & Strong: Nancy Bennett Bauman

It would be nearly impossible to calculate how many women Nancy Bennett Bauman’s steadfast and strong dedication to Zeta Tau Alpha has touched. But as a former elementary school teacher, Nancy might enjoy giving her students this math problem:

Multiply 34 years times the 100 members in Iota Pi Chapter (University of Dayton), where she served as an advisor.

Multiply four Conventions times the six collegiate women she supervised each biennium as Chairman of the Pages in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Add six ZTA Foundation scholarship recipients at the reactivation of her own chapter, Alpha Zeta Chapter (The Ohio State University).

Add an additional scholarship recipient funded by her own 80th birthday party in 2019.

That sum is 3,431 and doesn’t include the thousands of alumnae members she inspired while serving as District President from 1987 to 1993 or the chapters she assisted as National Parents Club Chairman from 1995 to 2001.

Truth be told, the number is nearly as impossible to calculate as it is to accurately portray Nancy’s unwavering commitment to Zeta Tau Alpha.

“Working with collegians is just so special. It’s the love of my life,” Nancy said. “I feel as though I was put here to work with young people and be a mentor. I hear from Iota Pi members at Christmas time and follow them on Facebook, although I still see them as they were when I was their advisor.”

While her initiation chapter was closed for 25 years, Nancy continued to assist other collegiate chapters. “As District President, I told alumnae that volunteering is the real purpose and role of being an alumna,” she said. “It may be your chapter or it may be others. I feel blessed to be able to help with chapters other than my own.”

Deep down inside, however, Nancy is an Ohio State Buckeye, and for those 25 years, she prayed she would live long enough to see the 31st link in our Chain of Chapters reactivated. When that prayer was answered in April 2016, she reached out to Alpha Zeta alumnae across the country in hopes of funding a ZTA Foundation Recognition Scholarship for the 2016-2017 academic year. Her efforts led to not just one, but six scholarships for the newest Zetas.

Nearly 50 alumnae, including Nancy’s college roommate, attended the Reactivation Service and celebratory luncheon, where Nancy was asked to speak. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done because I was so overjoyed,” she said.

Three years later, Nancy chose to take her loyalty a step further. She hosted her own 80th birthday party in March 2019. The invitation included a card that said, “No gifts, please, but consider making a donation to the ZTA Foundation to fund a scholarship.” Her party guests complied, and the result was the Nancy Bennett Bauman 80th Birthday Recognition Scholarship, awarded to an Ohio State Zeta for the 2019-2020 academic year.

A recipient of the Certificate of Merit in 1978, the Honor Ring in 1990 and the Order of the Shield award/White Violet pin in 2009, Nancy’s steadfast commitment adds up to untold blessings for Zeta Tau Alpha.