Vibrant.

That is how fellow Kappa Delta sister Helena Kooi describes Kappa Delta President Natalie Rooney. Rooney joined 16 other Kappa Delta sisters nationwide in receiving the Corre Anding Stegall Collegiate Leadership Award on Feb. 22.

The award was established in 1989 and named after then-National President Corre Anding Stegall, according to the Kappa Delta news release.

Leadership and community service have always appealed to Rooney, as well as helped her select Kappa Delta as a freshman in August 2009.

“When I went through recruitment, a couple things caught my eye about KD,” Rooney said. “I loved that our philanthropy works with the Girl Scouts because I used to be a Girl Scout when I was little. I also loved the genuine women that I met each day of recruitment when I visited KD. Each woman I talked to was interested in learning more about me, and we had great conversations. I knew it was the perfect fit for me.”

Throughout her past three years at MU, Rooney strove to get involved within her sorority, the campus and the community. The Kappa Delta National Headquarters took notice, selecting her for the award.

“I’m a member of Tour Team, the Alumni Association Board, Project Sol and the Judicial Peer Advisory Council, so I like to keep myself busy,” Rooney said in an email. “But another important reason I earned the award is that I balance all these activities with service. I am a head coach for a program called Girls on the Run that works with third to fifth grade girls by teaching them how to have self-confidence and positive body image while also helping them train to run a 5K.”

Through her dedicated service in both Kappa Delta and the community, Rooney has earned the respect and appreciation of her peers, Kooi said.

“Natalie works harder than anyone I know,” Kooi said. “She won this award because of her dedicated service to Kappa Delta, but also because of her high academic achievement and service to the Mizzou community. She is an exceptional friend and sister.”

Kooi served as Vice President of Kappa Delta Public Relations alongside Rooney from November 2010 to November 2011. They also worked together on Tour Team starting in February 2010.

“Natalie is successful because of her strong character,” Kooi said. “She has high standards for herself and others, and her commitment to her values is inspiring to everyone who knows her. She is extremely busy, but will always make time for a friend in need. Natalie has 10 times more responsibilities than most people, but you will never hear her complain about anything. She is passionate about the work she does and will work tirelessly towards her goals and the goals of the organizations she is a part of.”

Double majoring in magazine journalism and English, Rooney’s education is put to the test on a daily basis as chapter president, she said.

“Communication is key with my position, and it’s something I’m always working on,” Rooney said. “It’s also extremely hard to have to act as the discipliner amongst my peers. Sometimes I have to make decisions that are not popular amongst my sisters, but all decisions I make are always for the betterment of our chapter.”

Her countless hours of hard work and service have paid off she said, for Rooney is now one of the elite recipients of the Corre Anding Stegall Collegiate Leadership Award.

“Despite all these challenges, I wouldn’t trade my experience as president for anything, I am so lucky that I get to lead this amazing chapter,” Rooney said.