Caitlyn Thompson
“For me, Tri Kappa is wonderful because I’m far from a lot of family,” Illinois native Caitlyn Thompson says. “I wanted a sense of community and sisterhood, like I had with my sorority in college.”
Born six weeks early in Peoria, Ill., Caitlyn grew up in Galesburg, graduating from both high school and college there. Caitlyn’s years at Knox College were busy: she joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority; met her future husband, Jack Gallalee, at a party; and finished her coursework with a bachelor-of-arts in political science and a minor in African/African American Diaspora Studies.
Her minor makes her a perfect fit as co-chair of Tri Kappa’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Caitlyn’s college sorority is what attracted her to the Alpha chapter in 2015.
“I knew Nancy Gettinger, Linda McClary and Moriah Sowders from serving on the local Pi Phi AAC (Alumnae Advisory Council),” Caitlyn says.
Being close with these women helped make her feel at home in the Alpha chapter right away.
Caitlyn and her husband arrived in Bloomington in 2010 so he could work on an associate’s degree at the Jacobs School of Music. Caitlyn attended graduate school, finishing her master’s degree in social work from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in 2018.
She started working as an administrative assistant for Indiana University in 2013. Caitlyn has worked her way up to a lecturer position, teaching K201 — a computer course — in the Kelley School of Business.
Other than her two sororities, Caitlyn also serves as a co-advisor for Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda at Kelley.
Caitlyn says there are many things she loves about the Btown chapter: there are women of all ages and professions in the membership; and the members work hard fundraising so they can benefit Monroe County.
“I like that we have a fund at the Monroe County Community Foundation,” Caitlyn says. “As that grows, we will keep giving back to the community. We Tri Kappas are all lucky to have what we have so we can give back.”
Along that line of thinking, Caitlyn says her favorite Tri Kappa activity is Blingo.
“It’s really cool that we are able to do this neat event,” Caitlyn says. “We have women who feel comfortable being front and center, women in the background, all of us using our skills to put something together to benefit Bloomington.
“I really love Bloomington, and Tri Kappa is a way to meet people and give back!”
More About Caitlyn:
Takes virtual piano lessons
Has several tattoos
Is learning to kayak
Eloped and then faked a “real” wedding
Loves the Backstreet Boys