2013 Spring ANCHOR

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Alpha Sigma Tau Vol. 36 No. 1 Spring 2013

Pine Mountain Settlement School Celebrates 100 years

Successful Alumnae Share Their Stories

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A. Lucky Sister Bracelet, 7.25”, #CTS04008 SS/GP...$25 B. Mother’s Pin, # 1604 10K...$150 GP...$20 C. Split Shank Anchor Ring, #3030 10K, 10W...$201 SS...$87 D. Lucky Horseshoe Necklace, 16”, #1636 SS...$30 E. Silhouette Rose Ring, # RD141 SS...$35 (Whole sizes 5 - 9 only.)

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TO ORDER: Visit www.HJGreek.com or call 1•800•422•4348 Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hjgreek

H. Crown Pearl Single Letter Guard, #J0500 10K...$99 GP...$49 Crown Pearl Double Letter Guard , #J0600 (Not shown.)

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K – karat gold, SS – sterling silver, GF – gold-filled, GP – gold-plated Prices subject to change without notice. **Badges must be ordered directly through HQ.

In This Issue

5 From the President 6 Collegian Shines at Super Bowl 7 Foundation 10 Walking in Shelly’s Shoes 11 Live From New York...

12 NPC Annual Meeting 13 Labor of Love 14 Pine Mountain Turns 100 15 Contributing Their Share 18 Alumnae 27 Collegians

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THE ANCHOR is the official magazine of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, and is published semiannually by the Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority, 3334 Founders Road; Indianapolis, Indiana 46268 How to Receive THE ANCHOR Collegiate members receive THE ANCHOR through payment of their annual Sorority dues to their chapters. Copies are mailed to each undergraduate member’s permanent address as designated on her membership list submitted to National Headquarters. Alumnae members receive THE ANCHOR through payment of their annual alumnae dues to either National Headquarters or through their local alumnae association ($40 annually).

How to Update Your Name and Address You may call (317) 613-7575 or e-mail us at headquarters@ alphasigmatau.org. If you prefer to submit your information via US mail, please complete the form on the National Homepage and mail it to: Alpha Sigma Tau National Headquarters, 3334 Founders Road; Indianapolis, IN 46268.

How to Contact THE ANCHOR anchor@alphasigmatau.org www.alphasigmatau.org How to Send a Letter to the Editor Do you have a comment about an article in this or any other issue of THE ANCHOR? We want to hear from you! Letters to THE ANCHOR can be sent to the editor via email (anchor@alphasigmatau.org); regular mail (THE ANCHOR, 3334 Founders Road; Indianapolis, IN 46268); or fax (317) 613-7111). Please include your name, chapter, school and year of initiation.

THE ANCHOR reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the Editor and edit for space and clarity.

A Note to Parents of Collegians Your daughter’s magazine is being mailed to her home address while she is in college. We hope you enjoy reading it, too. If your daughter is no longer in college or living at home, please send us her updated address, as indicated above.

THE ANCHOR Staff Editor: Erika McManus Bukva, Delta Rho Collegiate Editor: Beverly Singel Molnar, Delta Alumnae Editor: Kirsten Newman Heck, Gamma Pi Design Editor: Rachel Carlson, Beta Eta Photo Editor: Melanie Martin, Delta Eta Special thanks go to Carole Keily, Alpha Xi, for her extensive editorial support for this issue.

On the Cover: The Psi Chapter at James Madison University in Virginia hosts its first Color Run 5k with Delta Sigma Phi. The event raised over $5,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Red Cross with the participation of JMU and Bridgewater College students and the Harrisonburg community.

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Alpha Sigma Tau

Alpha Sigma Tau is a National Sorority dedicated to promoting the ethical, cultural and social growth of our members. Founded at Michigan State Normal College (Eastern Michigan University), November 4, 1899, by Mable Chase, Ruth Dutcher, May Gephart, Harriett Marx, Eva O’Keefe, Adriance Rice, Helene M. Rice and Mayene Tracy.

National Council National President: Christina Duggan Covington, Alpha Lambda National Vice President: Tamara Stegehuis Bonifield, Beta Xi National Vice President: Jamie Jones Miller, Psi National Vice President: Allison Miller, Phi National Vice President: Tiffany Street, Delta Mu National Vice President: Kristin Walker, Alpha Lambda National Foundation President: Debi McCain Pyszka, Alpha Nu First Vice President: Julie Bell Bruington, Iota Second Vice President: Kristin Haskin, Beta Pi Secretary: Charlotte Evans Floyd, Psi Treasurer: Melinda Henry Oates, Gamma Gamma Development Director - Alumnae: Gail Shockley Fowler, Alpha Lambda Development Director - Collegiate: Cynthia A. McCrory, Alpha Alpha National Panhellenic Conference Alpha Sigma Tau Delegate: Elizabeth Knaus McOsker, Alpha Lambda First Alternate Delegate: Carol Zorger Mooney, Alpha Lambda Second Alternate Delegate: Jamie Jones Miller, Psi Third Alternate Delegate: Joanne Rupprecht Walter, Psi Alpha Sigma Tau National Home Page www.alphasigmatau.org National Headquarters 3334 Founders Road; Indianapolis, Indiana 46268 Phone: (317) 613-7575 Fax: (317) 613-7111

Connect with us! facebook.com/alphasigmatausorority @AlphaSigmaTau pinterest.com/alphasigmatau/ linkedin.com/groups/Alpha-Sigma-Tau-NationalSorority-1771705/about

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Sisters, In each issue of THE ANCHOR, we are thrilled to share the incredible stories being told about Alpha Sigma Tau. Let this issue of THE ANCHOR show you just how contagious the excitement for our Sisterhood is! In visiting with chapters, colonies, and alumnae, it is thrilling to see the genuine love of our Sisterhood across the nation growing each day!

Alumnae are the key to Alpha Sigma Tau’s success by playing a vital role in the Sorority from serving as advisors to participating in alumnae chapters to leading society by example. I hope you enjoy seeing how our diverse alumnae continue to share their time, talents and treasure to support and honor the values of Alpha Sigma Tau. These are all inspirational women!

We have accomplished so much this past fall, but the summer brings another exciting opportunity to come together – Officer Academy! Collegians and advisors will gather again at the Hilton Downtown Indianapolis June 28-30, 2013. We continue to focus on high-level leadership development programs and skill building recruitment programs to give our chapters the experiences they are seeking to take back to their campus communities. Recruitment Boot Camp will work with chapters using its intensive and highly successful recruitment education program. This year we are also including Phired Up to bring in its unique Social Excellence skill development program. We are sure to give members services that help shape their chapters in meaningful ways this coming year!

You’ll also learn of a historic meeting in January between the National Foundation Board of Directors and the National Council to discuss the future plans of both organizations. The groups spent hours discussing strategic priorities and how to fund them to meet our members’ call to action. It was an exciting time to come together and shape our joint vision for Alpha Sigma Tau. I know you will be thrilled with the direction the Sorority and Foundation are taking!

As you think on your membership in Alpha Sigma Tau, honor the women who made your experience exceptional by volunteering or donating to the Annual Fund through the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation. The unique aspect of our Sisterhood opportunities is that there are so many ways every member can make a significant impact on our members!

To volunteer, contact Allison Bressler (abressler@alphasigmatau.org).

To donate, go to http://www. alphasigmataufoundation.org/givingopportunities/donate-now/ and give to the Annual Fund to have an immediate effect on Alpha Sigma Tau members.

Thank you to each member of Alpha Sigma Tau for sharing her beauty of spirit throughout our campuses and communities,

Chris Covington National President Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

linkedin groups Introducing Alpha Sigma Tau LinkedIn Subgroups To give a more detailed and effective approach to connecting with Sisters on the social platform, LinkedIn, Alpha Sigma Tau has created career-focused Subgroups. LinkedIn Subgroups allow you to connect with Sisters in specific career fields across the country.

Find your group!

Advertising & Sales Architecture & Engineering Art, Design, Entertainment & Sports Business, Marketing, Finance & Administration Education, Training & Library Science Healthcare and Pharmacy

Legal Management Natural and Applied Science Nonprofit Social Science, Government Science & Religion spring 2013 | The Anchor

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Collegian Shines During Super Bowl

By Joanna Barrett, Epsilon Epsilon Staff Writer

Morgan Hebert has danced for the majority of her life, but the ultimate performance came on a very special Sunday, when she was a backup dancer for Beyoncé’s SuperBowl XLVII halftime show performance. Only a freshman in college at Belmont University, Morgan was one of 70 dancers asked to perform live in front of millions of people.

After auditioning through an online video submission in midDecember, Morgan got the best end-of-the-year present: a chance to dance live on February 3, 2013 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

“I remember waking up on December 30 and rolling over to check my phone,” recalled Morgan. “I saw I got an email so I opened it, and the first thing I saw was ‘Congratulations!’ I just could not believe it that I made it through to get such a huge opportunity like this.”

Morgan then began preparations for the show, which included working out at the gym six times a week and eating a healthy diet.

“I knew the type of girls I was going to be up against: tall, super skinny, super fit, ripped abs kind of girls. So I wanted to make sure I did my best to look good,” said Morgan. “I tried eating healthy, substituting healthier snacks such as raisins, dried cranberries, and almonds instead of stacking on chips or sweets.”

Dance rehearsals were eight hours long, and the dancers had to “be completely on our game, show ready, giving nothing less than 120%.”

“Our casting director said, ‘when you’re on, you have to be on,’” recalled Morgan.

The rehearsals the week before the game consisted of dress rehearsals every day with the full stage setup, lighting, and Beyoncé and her band, as well as with Destiny’s Child.

“Beyoncé never held back,” admired Morgan. “Every time they ran the show, she was full on, sang and danced full out, and performed as if the whole stadium was full of people.”

“That is why I admire and respect her much more now because she has incredible work ethic,” said Morgan. “She stayed so humble throughout all the rehearsals. She made sure she knew her steps and cues, and if she didn’t, she politely asked to do it again or for a correction.”

Beyoncé also found time to thank the back up dancers for their hard work during rehearsals and applauded for them whenever she would pass by on the way to set up for another run through.

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Excitement was building the day of the show as the dancers were lined up on the sidelines.

“The whole stadium was watching me as I walked across the field,” said Morgan. “People were taking pictures, smiling, and waving. I felt like a star and I knew this was only the beginning. I looked up at the whole arena filled with screaming fans, the flashing lights, and then I looked at the stage. I just wanted to step foot on that stage and strut my stuff.”

Taking a cue from ‘Sasha Fierce,’ as Beyonce’s alter-ego is called, Morgan stepped on stage confidently, powerful, and fierce. She danced her heart out and left everything she had on the stage.

“It was the greatest feeling in the world, but unfortunately it was over in a blink of an eye,” remembered Morgan. “Next thing I knew, we were off and running out the Dome back to our dressing rooms to avoid getting ran over by the 1,500 screaming fans [who were on the field].”

“My ΑΣΤ sisters were extremely supportive of me,” said Morgan, who received countless ‘good luck’ texts, Facebook messages, and tweets about how proud they were. “It was awesome to have such a large number of people standing right behind me through it all!”

One woman, in particular, was a source of encouragement: Morgan’s ΑΣΤ Big Sister, Ellie Tweston. “She was one of the first people I called to help me decide if I should go through with auditioning. She was very supportive and told me I should definitely do it. She’s the best!”

With this experience now under her belt, be sure to look for Morgan as she has aspirations to become an entertainer, possibly in Los Angeles.

“I would love to pursue more dance opportunities like this!” said Morgan. “Any type of commercial dance work would be an amazing job and experience having to get the chance to work in the entertainment industry.”

FOUNDATION

Wildly Successful Sisters Dear Sisters, Have you heard or read about the Four Year Member Development Program? It is so cool!

Alpha Sigma Tau, with help from the Leadership Institute, has developed and piloted a comprehensive membership development program. No more taking time from the weekly chapter meetings for discussions about whether to attend a Shakespearean play or to go to a concert of the university symphony! The Sorority, with feedback from its members, has created a comprehensive, research-based, data driven, values based, and one-of-a-kind training, that includes the views of today’s successful business women.

The curriculum for this program is based on data, trends, and research. The Four Year Member Development Program is based on a four-year college experience so there is a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year curriculum. It is rooted in developing eight core competencies particularly relevant to women leaders. Chapters may select from over 32 individual programs. And the entire program is peer-facilitated. Chapter leaders of each class-level will be trained in how to best facilitate the program to her peers.

The eight competencies were not chosen at random. The Sorority’s development team reviewed competencies from eleven different organizations and leadership development authors to synthesize themes, traits, behaviors and, most importantly, compile a wide range of leadership competencies for women to prioritize. At the end of the research, 81 total leadership competencies were integrated into a survey where participants ranked competencies from very high to very low, indicating their interest in learning more about the topic. Here are the top results from this study and the eight chosen core competencies used throughout

the Alpha Sigma Tau Four Year Member Development Program.

Alpha Sigma Tau believes great women leaders: • Are Genuine • Communicate Effectively • Possess Expertise • Strive for Personal Life Balance • Value and Maintain Relationships • Contribute to Society • Are Confident • Innovate and Manage Change The program was pilot-tested with nine chapters last year and this year; it will be rolled out to all chapters in the fall of 2014. The Foundation believes the Four Year Member Development Program is the opportunity to move Alpha Sigma Tau from an “also-competed” position to a “GreekWorld Leader” position. We believe this is best practices in leadership training and shows the world we put our money where our mouths are. We believe in our members. We value our members. We expect our members to be the leaders of today and tomorrow.

In answer to this innovative and lifechanging program, the Foundation has started the Annual Fund, to help defray the cost of the Four Year Member Development Program for the Sorority. The Annual Fund was rolled out with much fanfare at the Alpha Sigma Tau Convention in 2012. We have a core of faithful zealots, including national officers and Foundation directors, who have contributed or pledged $1,000 each. And that was great to help with the development and first year pilot. But now we need an influx of money to help АΣΤ support this spectacular program. We need lifelong members who believe in the “permanence and loveliness of our ideals.” Are you one of those sisters?

Connect with us! facebook.com/AlphaSigmaTauFoundation

@ASTFoundation

The Annual Fund is not an endowed fund. No, each dollar given goes directly into the fund and is available to the Sorority to help pay for the Four Year Member Development Program and other similar member programs. Since the Annual Fund is not endowed, it must be replenished every year. That is why regular giving is needed.

We need members who will give the same amount each month all year long.

We need members who will use their electronic banking to set up a monthly gift to the Foundation. We need sisters who are committed to the future of Alpha Sigma Tau, and we need them now. So, here is what we want to accomplish: • Use your online banking account • Set up a monthly check for $100 (more or less, as you are able, but be generous enough that you notice the contribution) • Have it sent to 3334 Founders Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Your bank pays the postage; what a deal.

• Your contribution grows, the Foundation grows, Alpha Sigma Tau grows. It’s a win-win-win.

We look forward to sharing updates on the Four Year Member Development Program, other innovative educational programs, and our continuing partnership with the Sorority. On behalf of the Foundation Board, I would like to thank you in advance for your time, consideration, and support of the “enterprise” of Alpha Sigma Tau. Fraternally, Deborah McCain Pyszka President, Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation Board of Directors

At its recent meeting, the Foundation approved initial funding in the amount of $192,000 for the Four Year Member Development Program.

The Foundation utilizes its Annual Fund as a major source of funding these educational programs. The Annual Fund is not an endowed fund; rather the entire principal of the fund will be available to the Sorority through educational grants.

If you’d like to donate, visit www.alphasigmataufoundation.org/giving-opportunities/donate-now/ spring 2013 | The Anchor

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FOUNDATION

Financial Report – Fiscal Year June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012 The information provided in this report is from our Fiscal Year-End Financial Statement for the year June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012. It includes information on our overall assets, asset distribution and expenses.

The Foundation, at year-end, had $2,057,444 in total net assets.

Net Assets

As seen in the chart to the left, these assets fall into three categories: Unrestricted Funds that can be used by the Foundation for educational programs and administrative purposes.

Temporarily Restricted Funds that are temporarily restricted for specific programs (history publication) or scholarships that are not yet endowed to full capacity.

Permanently Restricted Funds that are permanently restricted, scholarships, education fund, and endowment, with the capital of the fund held in investments through Stephens, Inc. (brokerage company).

The interest from these investments provide funding for the Foundation scholarships (that are fully endowed).

Unrestricted For the year-end, total expenses were $117,922, with the majority of expenses for Scholarships and Grants at 24% and Online Program (Prevention of High Risk Drinking, Hazing, and Sexual Assault) at 13%. Administrative expenses include supplies, insurance, bank charges, printing and postage, as well as membership and subscriptions.

Expenses

Temporarily Restricted

Permanently Restricted

The Foundation will continue to provide financial updates in its newsletter and on its website.

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FOUNDATION

National Council and Foundation Meet in Baltimore

By Jamie Jones Miller, Psi, National Vice President The Alpha Sigma Tau National Council, Executive Director and members of the National Foundation Board of Directors met January 24-27, 2013 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. This joint meeting was designed to engage members of both boards in discussion about the Alpha Sigma Tau Strategic Plan and to refine the focus and direction for Alpha Sigma Tau over the next two years. The joint meeting was another fantastic opportunity for National Council and National Foundation board members to cultivate personal relationships, further advancing the partnership between the two organizations and the overall enterprise of Alpha Sigma Tau. National Council and National Foundation board members participated in several exercises designed to assess, update, and prioritize the components of the Alpha Sigma Tau Strategic Plan. The updated Strategic Areas of Focus for Alpha Sigma Tau for 2012-2014 are: • Membership Development • Growth and Retention • Member Engagement (previously Alumnae Member Engagement) • Brand Loyalty (previously Communications) • Fiscal Management (previously Maximizing Financial Resources) • Infrastructure These areas of focus will drive the work of the Council and the Headquarters staff as we look to meet the needs of our members and provide them with the best possible services and programs.

National Council and National Foundation board members discussed opportunities for the two organizations to work together to enhance

the Foundation’s fundraising efforts to meet the needs of Alpha Sigma Tau and our members. The National Foundation is pleased to announce that it will be relocating its office to Indianapolis, Indiana

by June 1, 2013! The Sorority is looking forward to assisting the Foundation with this transition.

The highlight of the weekend was a reception and dinner with members of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter. It was great to see old friends, put names to faces, and make new friends! We celebrated a birthday, learned how Alpha Sigma Tau connections truly are both inter-generational and global, and enjoyed hearing about the work of Baltimore alumnae in their community.

The National Foundation will meet March 7-10, 2013 and will be joined by Tammy Bonifield, National Vice President, and Jim Paponetti, Executive Director. The National Council will meet August 15-18, 2013.

Goodbye and Hello…

We are excited to announce that we sold the Birmingham, AL Headquarters Building in July 2012! The building was purchased by the Birmingham Chapter of AMBUCS. Greater Birmingham Friends Chapter of AMBUCS™ (www.birminghamambucs.org/ index.html) is a non-profit organization that in the name of Christ, reaches out to children and others with disabilities, to create mobility and independence through AmTryke® therapeutic tricycles and wheelchair ramps. To date, the Greater Birmingham Friends Chapter of AMBUCS™ has donated over 300 AmTrykes® and built 60 wheelchair ramps to help meet community needs.

Many of you remember visits to Headquarters and Foundation Board and National Council meetings held there. During the 2000 National Convention, collegiate and alumnae attendees toured the Headquarters building and the beautiful archived displays. ΑΣΤ also hosted a reception for our NPC friends at Headquarters during the 2000 Convention.

The Birmingham building served as ΑΣΤ National Headquarters from 1995 to 2009. The Sorority moved to its new home in Indianapolis at that time. With the renovation at the building in Indianapolis, those beautiful archives once housed in Birmingham

Birmingham, AL are now on display throughout the building. The 2012 Convention attendees were able to tour ΑΣΤ’s new home and see the archives on display.

While we are sad to say goodbye to our Birmingham home; we are delighted to announce the Foundation will be moving… to join the Sorority in Indianapolis!! We are in the process of interviewing banks, CPAs and attorneys in Indianapolis and plan to be “home” by June 1. Please watch for more details on our move and other upcoming activities. spring 2013 | The Anchor

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Walking in Shelly’s Shoes

By Lauren Welch, Delta Psi Staff Writer Shelly Marie Redmond, an ΑΣΤ Alumnae and past National Vice President, was profiled on the website I Want Her JobTM. Shelly is the editor-in-chief and founder of College Lifestyles and a successful entrepreneur.

What are some of the rules you live by?

■■ Treat your workers/interns like family.

■■ Stick to your mission statement. Never back away from it. Ever.

■■ In business, ask yourself, “Is this a part of my company’s brand?” in everything you do.

■■ Delegation is key.

■■ We make mistakes. Fess up. Learn from them.

■■ Throwing folks under the bus is unattractive.

■■ Saying “no” is OK. ■■ Dress for the job you want.

“We cannot be everything to everyone. This means saying no to things that do not have a personal, spiritual, career benefit for you and not being afraid to ask for help.”

What qualities does it take for someone to be successful in your line of work?

Wow. I know folks are surprised to know I didn’t graduate in journalism! But I would have to say the following.

1 Passion

Many folks start a blog or want to be a writer. You have to have passion for the subject you’re writing for. Passion does not equal “I’m very funny, so I can write” or “I just love Carrie Bradshaw.”

You have to have some type of passion or you’ll hit writers block quickly.

2 Organization Whether you’re Type A and have a fabulous planner or have post-its all over your computer, this is a career of deadlines. You have to hit them. If not, well, you lost your story.

3 Outgoing Nature You need to talk about your work with friends, family and colleagues. No longer can we write and folks will magically find it. You have to get the word out.

4 Great Grammar Some will disagree with me, but I firmly believe you have to follow AP Style in articles. Readers will notice and let you know if you make an error.

5 Ability to Follow a Brand/Mission The College Lifestyles brand is the classy co-ed. Our motto is “classy, confident and chic.” Our reader is the “upstart career woman.” All of our articles can relate. It would be very strange if I posted articles on topics not related to our brand or National Geographic style articles. You have to follow a brand/mission in writing.

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Shelly Marie Redmond

What advice do you have for women who aspire to walk in your shoes?

Wow! First, it would be an honor to think folks want to follow in my shoes. I would then say, “See the above answer.” My next answers are quite boring, but important nonetheless:

1 Develop a business and marketing plan.

2 Attend local small business events.

3 Save as much money as possible using free or low-

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cost business services: Vistaprint for business cards, free blog platforms before upgrading your website, Quickbooks for accounting, etc.

Research your readers (or the people you want to be your readers) like crazy.

Be yourself. Folks can read a phony very quickly.

Ask your family and friends for support.

Understand that rejection is a part of process.

Reprinted with permission from http://iwantherjob.com/shelly-marie-redmond/

Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!

By Joanna Barrett, Epsilon Epsilon Staff Writer

Amber Rose, Delta Eta

Amber Rose, then a junior at Belmont University, was very excited when she moved from Nashville to New York City to begin an internship at Saturday Night Live in August 2012. Living in Brooklyn Heights and commuting daily to Manhattan was a dream come true for Amber, who claims she obtained the internship through persistence.

“I networked my way in and continued to call until they listened to me,” said Amber, who eventually interned in the Writers Research Department and assisted in other departments, such as the Post Production Department, Wardrobe Department, and Script Department.

Though she signed a confidentiality agreement and is limited to what she can share, some of Amber’s responsibilities were to assist the cast members and writers in whatever they needed. This ranged from grabbing lunch and coffee for the staff to researching information for writers so they can write sketches.

“I had so many memorable experiences,” said Amber. “I think the best one for me was my interactions with the cast members. I loved listening to Bobby Moynihan and Kate McKinnon tell jokes. Bill Hader was a big trickster; I fell victim to a few of his pranks.”

While she was interning, there were “a slew of amazing hosts.” Some included Seth MacFarlane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Christina Applegate, just to name a few.

Musical guests included Fun., Mumford & Sons, and Passion Pit. Amber was admittedly “star-struck” when she saw Joseph Gordon-Levitt for the first time. “I was getting off the elevator and I looked up to find him standing in my way. I blushed, said ‘excuse me’ and darted straight out of there. That was really the only moment that I felt super star-struck. That sort of behavior is frowned upon in this industry and is considered unprofessional. It’s something I

eventually grew out of. As jaded as it sounds, I became immune to getting star-struck when I saw so many high profile celebrities all the time.”

“The most challenging part of the internship for me was leaving my comfort zone,” Amber continued. “Living in Nashville, I had a lot of experience with and knowledge of the music industry. But I didn’t have any experience in the television industry, especially in the production of a live TV show. It took a while for me to understand the process of production.” Amber now says she learned so much and really feels like she has a comprehensive understanding of the television industry.

A self-proclaimed night owl, Amber enjoyed going out late. “I was lucky enough to go to a live taping of the Backstreet Boys playing Good Morning America. One of my favorite things I did was attend the Made in America Budweiser Festival in Philadelphia where I was able to see Jay-Z, Skrillex, Passion Pit, and various others perform.” While in New York, she was asked to be an extra in the VH1 show ‘Love & Hip-Hop’. The episode aired in February.

Amber will graduate in December 2013, and though her career plans are up in the air, she sees herself living either in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, or London. “While I enjoyed my time in the television industry, I feel more drawn to the music industry. I plan to utilize the connections I made at SNL to help me further my career. I could definitely see myself applying for the NBC Page Program for after graduation.”

Amber is grateful to Alpha Sigma Tau. “AΣT gave me the confidence to pursue this internship,” Amber said. “I knew that I had the loving support of my Delta Eta sisters. They also taught me how to be both professional and fun.” spring 2013 | The Anchor

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2012 Annual Meeting Report

by Connie Sandler, Alpha Epsilon Phi Editor, COLUMNS Delegates, Inter/national presidents, executive directors and editors of the 26 member organizations of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) met October 26-27 for the 2012 annual meeting at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. It was a time to review NPC’s past year accomplishments and plan for the future as “the voice for sorority advancement.”

A “Family Reunion” Friday afternoon provided attendees an opportunity to meet informally prior to the opening of the two-day working conference. The NPC Foundation and NPC’s board of directors and editors held the first of several meetings scheduled for their individual groups over the weekend. The opening general session kicked off after dinner Friday night with a welcome by NPC Chairman Jane Sutton, Alpha Xi Delta.

Immediate past NPC Chairman, Eve Riley, Delta Delta Delta, provided a moving inspiration, followed by the official roll call which included a PowerPoint presentation with photos of every delegation’s members. The 2012 legislation, which included a dues increase for NPC member groups and Unanimous Agreement VII, were presented.

Committees began meeting early Saturday morning.

Alumnae Panhellenics, College Panhellenics and other NPC committees, the NPC Foundation, executive directors, Inter/ national presidents and editors continued their group meetings throughout the day.

Allen W. Groves, dean of students at the University of Virginia, gave a thought-provoking speech at dinner Saturday evening. In his role as the Dean of Students, Mr. Groves oversees several areas critical to the student experience including Fraternity and Sorority Life. He also serves as chairman of the board of directors of the North-American Interfraternity Conference.

While he acknowledged the distinct advantages of joining a Greek organization, Groves believes fraternities and sororities have not done a good job of making that argument. “You should be able to tell a University president why we (an individual group) belong at a school,” he said. He also opened up a discussion about sexual 12

The Anchor | spring 2013

abuse and Title IX and its potential effect on sorority/fraternity recruitment.

At the final general session that evening, NPC Foundation President Janet Dodson provided the Foundation’s annual recap.

NPC Chairman Jane Sutton wrapped up the meeting with a State of the Conference address. She spoke about the four words she had used to challenge conference attendees at the 2011 NPC Conference – “Our Potential. Your Move” – and the progress the conference has made advocating for the sorority experience. She outlined numerous NPC innovations and advancements over the past year including: • Creating an advocacy tracker to monitors NPC activity • Increased NPC presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest • The new NPC brand refresher • Establishment of a Fraternity/Sorority Advisory Committee representing small and large, public and private institutions, and from different regions of the country • The appointment of a Board Development Committee to help the board focus on expectations • Transition of the Alumnae Panhellenics Committee volunteers to College Panhellenic Area Advisors and the hiring of a Panhellenic Support coordinator Jane also addressed the future of the organization per the Long Range Plan whose goals include: • Organizational Effectiveness • Data Driven Decision Making • Advancement of the Sorority Movement • Advocacy and Support • Financially Sustainable to Meet the Needs of the Conference The meeting was adjourned following special presentations to the Conference and the announcement of the next NPC Conference – October 10-13 in Los Angeles.

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The Bay Haven Inn

Labor of Love is a Dream Come True for Tammy Holloway

By Erika McManus Bukva, Delta Rho ANCHOR Editor When Tammy Green Holloway (Alpha Lambda) was an undergraduate at Radford University, she relished executing chapter events and bringing people together. Now she puts those skills - learned in ΑΣΤ - to work as an innkeeper in scenic Cape Charles, Virginia.

After years in hectic Northern Virginia as an event planner for the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, Tammy met her husband Jim on eHarmony in 2004. Jim, an Air Force career man, and Tammy, a master gardener and hospitality expert, shared a dream to operate a bed and breakfast. After Jim’s mother passed away, the Holloways decided not to wait any longer – and put their plan into action.

Jim and Tammy bought the Wilson House in 2011, a historic Colonial Revival home. It was built in 1906 in Cape Charles, located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia (best known for Chincoteague Island and its wild ponies). The area is primarily accessible via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Tammy and her mother Sarah, who is also a gardener, led the charge in cleaning up the mansion’s overgrown yard and gardens. It took six months of hard work by the

Holloways to bring the landscape to Tammy’s standards of excellence. Inside, guest rooms are named for original occupants of the house. Tammy has found a surprising new talent in interior decorating and has enjoyed furnishing the home with items that appeal to her taste and to the style of the early 20th century. The Bay Haven Inn of Cape Charles opened last year.

Tammy, who was National President Chris Covington’s New Member Educator, has been able to bring together many of her passions in this “labor of love”: her husband, of course, who works for the Coast Guard as a civilian; meeting new people and helping them connect with others; philanthropy, in this small community where she volunteers teaching gardening to children; and sorority, where not long after arriving in Cape Charles, she discovered that Alpha Lambda sister Beth Davis lived four doors down from the Bay Haven Inn. She says that this move to a somewhat remote area, where there are an astonishing four ΑΣΤ alumnae, has shown her that Alpha Sigma Tau is “always with you, and always nearby”.

To learn more about the Bay Haven Inn, visit www. bayhaveninnbnb.com or look for them on Facebook. spring 2013 | The Anchor

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Pine Mountain Settlement School Turns 100!

by Joanna Barrett, Epsilon Epsilon Staff Writer

Founded in 1913, Pine Mountain Settlement School is celebrating its centennial this year! Located in the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky, Pine Mountain was created as a boarding school for elementary and middle school mountain children and as a settlement serving the community through economic, health and cultural initiatives.

Envisioning a dream, a local Kentucky man, William Creech Sr., was dissatisfied by the lack of educational possibilities, and the frequencies of social problems and disease. He donated land for the school, and asked two women to run the school. With the help of an architect, they drew plans for the campus facilities.

In the 1930s, Pine Mountain progressed into a boarding school for high school students in addition to the lower grades.

The teachers emphasized academics, vocational, and artistic fields. In 1949, Pine Mountain also began a joint partnership with the county school system to operate a community elementary school, which operated until the early 1970s, when Pine Mountain began to focus its work on environmental education.

Today, Pine Mountain provides instruction in environmental education, Appalachian culture, and crafts to students and adults.

The campus is located on 625 acres on the north side of Pine Mountain.

Alpha Sigma Tau, under the presidency of Carrie Washburne Staehle, has supported the Pine Mountain Settlement School since 1945. Many early ΑΣΤ alumnae were school teachers, and ΑΣΤ was a member of the Association of Educational Sororities, so this was the perfect fit for a service project. The National Council

initially voted to send money to Pine Mountain from the National Social Service Annual Fund. This helped to organize projects to assist the school.

The sisterhood continues to support the school through financial contributions, as well as donations of school supplies and materials for the campus. Contributions are made through the National Foundation by collegiate and alumnae chapters and individuals. Additionally, Alpha Sigma Tau collegiate and alumnae members can donate their time and abilities by working at Pine Mountain and helping to advance the mission of the school. Renovations to buildings have been completed thanks to the help of ΑΣΤ donations, including Big Log (1992), and a room in the West Wind dormitory (1985).

Pine Mountain Settlement School is planning a variety of events to celebrate the centennial, including a local discussion on the important role this school has played in the community in March, and an organ and piano concert and dinner in April.

In August, Pine Mountain will have its centennial birthday celebration. This event will include special events, guest speakers, music, and (of course) cake. Community Fair Day will be held in September, and will exhibit vegetables, flowers, crafts, and other local fare. Pine Mountain will be publishing a cookbook of local fare as well. 2012 Nativity Play DVDs are also available for sale as part of the centennial celebrations.

To become involved in any of the centennial events, visit http://www.pinemountainsettlementschool.com.

NOWTRENDING Kate Wehby @katewehby

safe travels to my @ASTGammaXi sisters heading to our nat’l philanthropy, Pine Mountain Settlement School, for a week of service!#taulove 9:11 AM - Mar 4, 2013

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Contributing Their Share We caught up with nine Alpha Sigma Taus who have served or are still serving on their university alumni associations. Many of these women have also volunteered for Alpha Sigma Tau as chapter advisors, district presidents, and alumnae chapter officers.

By Carole Bicking Keily, Alpha Xi Staff Writer

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Alpha Xi Amy Dupree Brooks & Joanie Cole Berney Amy DuPree Brooks recently completed a six-year term on the Mansfield University Alumni Association, serving for two of those years as Vice-President and two as President. “I enjoyed my years at Mansfield, and have remained connected through my continued participation with our chapter and the athletic department,” said Amy. “As a volunteer, I had the opportunity to meet and interact with other alumni and help attract potential students (and new sorority members) who were looking for that perfect place to continue their education and prepare for a successful life. “[As a Board member], I just wanted to give back to the University that had given so much to me. In return I had the opportunity to meet alumni and supporters of MU, to develop friendships with men and women, graduates of many different decades, from all walks of life who have chosen a variety of paths in life, all who share the same affinity for their college days and credit their

success with their beginnings. I also had the opportunity to interact with the Council of Trustees, MU Foundation and work with two Presidents. During a housing expansion on campus, the Alumni House was to be torn down. Through effective communication I worked hard to meet the needs of alumni volunteers who used the house as their ‘home away from home’ when traveling to campus.

Through those efforts I was able to work with Interim President Dr. Allan Golden to secure another site close to campus to serve as the new Alumni House.”

Amy followed two other ΑΣΤs onto the Mansfield Alumni Association board – Barbara King (who served as President in 2008-2009) and Dr. Carol Watson – and now another ΑΣΤ, Joanie Cole Berney, recently joined the board. Joan said, “I am proud of where I went to school and want others to know about Mansfield University.” It is Amy’s hope that Joan will serve as president of the alumni association soon as well.

(Top) Amy & (Bottom) Joanie

University of Massachusetts at Lowell, Beta Tau Tiffany Saragian

Tiffany is a member of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell’s Greek Alumni Council. “We began in 2011 by a group of Greek alumni from various organizations,” said Tiffany.

“UMass only began recognizing Greek life again a few years ago, so it is all in the beginning stages. Before the group formed, I served on a committee to help recruit and plan a Greek Alumni Reunion in 2010. As a council, we meet once a month. I currently am a delegate (there are two delegates per Greek organization) and

attend almost every meeting. We are planning another Greek Alumni event for the spring.

“I want to see Greek life thrive on campus with the help of the alumni; I also want to show that ΑΣΤ has a purpose in life after college. I am also the President of ΑΣΤ’s Lowell Alumnae Chapter. ΑΣΤ is for life and I take great pride in the work I do for my sisters. I see the connection with UMass as a way to help my visions and goals become stronger for the ΑΣΤ alumnae.” spring 2013 | The Anchor

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Southeastern Louisiana University, Phi Rita Anne Bertolino

Rita has held the offices of Secretary, PresidentElect, President, Immediate Past President, and is currently the Past-President of the Southeastern University Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Rita said, “I was very fortunate to attend Southeastern on a scholarship as an undergraduate and received a graduate assistantship (tuition exempted) in their Graduate School. I have made life-long friends at the university. It was through Greek life and campus involvement that I received an education outside the classroom. The degrees I earned afforded me the opportunity to be a teacher and later an elementary school principal. I am blessed to have been elected to the positions on the Board.

It is just a small way that I can give back to Southeastern. My university has given me more than I can ever give back. I truly bleed green and gold!”

A highlight during Rita’s term as president was meeting Robin Roberts from Good Morning America. Southeastern hosted “Robin Roberts Day” in Hammond when her Basketball jersey was retired. Rita said, “I served as the Mistress of Ceremonies at a private banquet in her honor. I also had the privilege of meeting Robin’s beautiful family.

“Although this is my last year to serve on the Board of Directors, I will continue to be an active alumnus at Southeastern. I am very proud of my university.”

Central Michigan University, Beta Ashleigh Laabs

Ashleigh Laabs is the Vice President of the Central Michigan University Young Alumni Board. The Young Alumni Board is for alumni under 35 years of age; after which they join the CMU Alumni Board.

“I LOVE my alma mater,” said Ashleigh. “CMU gave me so much during my years as a student that I found this as an opportunity to stay involved with the university and give back to the CMU community. When I was a student at CMU, I was a member of the academic senate and greatly enjoyed learning about the programs that were offered at CMU. Programming is clearly a priority item for a university and tends to undergo constant evaluation from the many departments and groups on campus. I also attended monthly CMU alumni happy hour/ networking events in the metro Detroit area and met a few members of the Alumni Board who encouraged me to apply for the young alumni board. I found this an opportunity to engage more CMU alumni in the metro Detroit area. I wanted to help work on projects that focus on this area and really engage alumni on a new level.

“This is my second term on the young alumni board.

After the first year, I was elected Vice President. There were not many women on the board in leadership roles. I have had the opportunity to interact with the President and the Past President as well as the alumni relations staff at CMU; we are currently working on a strategic plan for the alumni boards and the association relations team. It is exciting to know that I am helping to influence a plan that will impact the future of CMU’s communications with alumni.”

Ashleigh said that many members of the Young Alumni Board were Greek during their student years at CMU. Some are still active as advisors to their chapters; Ashleigh previously served as the Chapter Consultant to ΑΣΤ’s Beta Chapter.

James Madison University, Psi Jamie Jones Miller

Jamie has been a member of the James Madison University Alumni Association Board of Directors since 2005 and is currently serving as President through 2014.

Jamie worked with the Psi Chapter on their advisory board after graduating. She said, “I loved seeing how the campus was evolving without losing the character that I loved when I was a student.

Volunteering with the Alumni Association allows me to work with others who have the same dedication to JMU and gives me the opportunity to help ensure that the great Madison Experience I had as a student and now as an alumna is perpetuated for future students and alumni.

“The Alumni Association Board is seeking to raise the level of engagement by our alumni. JMU has a 97% student satisfaction rate and 98% of our alumni feel very connected or connected to JMU, however, only 7% of our alumni gave to JMU last year. The Alumni Association Board is currently developing our next strategic plan, which will focus on how we can leverage the time, experience and resources of our alumni through various engagement opportunities.”

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Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Delta Elaine Tselepis Sheetz

Elaine wanted to study piano in college, and chose IUP because it had the best reputation in Pennsylvania for music education.

As a member of the IUP Alumni Association Board of Directors, Elaine returns to IUP at least three or four times a year. “My position on the board of directors of the Alumni Association allows me the chance to be involved in what is happening on campus and around the country,” she said. “I am so impressed with the new and improved Cogswell Hall and with those gorgeous Steinway pianos—we are an all-Steinway school now.

The music students have it way better than we did.”

The main purpose of the IUP Alumni Association Board of Directors is to develop opportunities and programs to keep alumni involved with IUP after they graduate—networking, reunions, etc. “We’re involved in Homecoming, and, every March, we host the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony. We also provide input to the other decision-making bodies at the university,” said Elaine.

“I stay involved with networking opportunities sponsored by the alumni association in the Washington, DC region.

On occasion, we have hosted events at one of our restaurants [Elaine and her partner own five restaurants in the DC area]. There are quite a lot of alumni who move to the DC area after graduation. It is always gratifying to meet new grads and to help them with networking, or to just let them know an alumna cares and is there for them.

“I had a wonderful four years of education at IUP that still shapes my life today—my career, my values, my future. Its effect just can’t be quantified. So, I stay involved to give back some of what was given to me. My positive experiences at IUP didn’t stop after the four years I spent there. I constantly meet people who are alumni. I still see the roommates I had at Sutton Hall. We’ve been friends for forty-three years.”

West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Gamma Mu Stacey Daniel Fragile

Stacey is the Chapter Liaison on the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association (TGBAA). Like many of the women profiled for this article, Stacey, too, wanted to give back. “Tech has gone through many changes and rough periods since I graduated in December 1996, and I felt that if I became involved in the Alumni Association, I could help make a difference. The TGBAA was re-started in 2010, and in my position I hope to grow our membership numbers and to establish alumni association chapters throughout the country.

“I enjoy interacting with alumni from many different generations and classes,” said Stacey. “I feel that we all have something to offer each other and many things we can learn from each other. I also feel that alumni can be beneficial to current students by setting an example of how your connection with your college/university should not end with graduation.”

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Gamma Delta

Athena Mota

Athena has been busy since she started her first of two three-year terms on the Alumni Association Board in 2007. She was immediately elected to the Executive Committee, serving as Clerk for her first term on the board. She served on the association’s Communications, Fundraising and Outreach Committee; the Nominating Committee; and currently serves as Chair of the Student/Alumni Engagement Committee.

“UMass Dartmouth played an important role in paving the path for my journey in life. I appreciate every professor, every mentor, every peer, every sister, every friend, every student activity and every organization that was a part of my college career and gave me the opportunity to learn and grow into the woman I am today,” said Athena. “Being a part of the Alumni Association Board of Directors has been a privilege.

To be able to give back to the University that has given so much to me, and to do my part in creating opportunities for scholarship and advancement for our students, is ever so meaningful to me.

“Through my tenure on the board, I have been a part of an association that has grown and changed in its structure and culture. It has become more diverse and reflective of the students and alumni we represent, and has shifted to focus on the cultivation of alumni by engaging students. As Chair of the Student/Alumni Engagement Committee, I have been able to coordinate activities and seek out opportunities to interact with the students, introduce them to the Alumni Association, and foster a desire to become an active alumna/alumnus through early engagement.”

Athena’s work on the alumni association board dovetails well with her professional position as Director of Advocacy and Communications at the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts, where the mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. spring 2013 | The Anchor

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ALUMNAE BALTIMORE We were thrilled to celebrate Founder’s Day with the ladies of the Epsilon Nu chapter at McDaniel College. Many thanks for the hospitality!

Our group has experienced a burst of new energy over the past few months, and we have welcomed several new members. In December, we gathered at the home of Tina Tiley for our annual Cookie Exchange. January found us sharing soup, salad and bread as Joell Sperry, hosted Souper Sunday in her home. When the National Council and National Foundation met here in Baltimore for their January meeting, seven of our members were delighted to join them for dinner, drinks and conversation. What a fantastic opportunity to interact with our leadership; thank you again for the invitation! In February, we celebrated our second anniversary as a chapter with dinner out in Little Italy at Ciao Bella restaurant – the site of our installation in 2011!

In March we will be meeting for a light lunch at the home of Nazie Spurrier and collecting diapers for My Sisters Place, a shelter for women and children in Baltimore city. In April, we will be traveling to the Beta Mu chapter to assist them with a workshop focused on networking and mock interviews. In May, we will be participating in the Fiesta 5K Run for ALS Research

BALTIMORE to benefit the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins. If you’re in the area, please feel free to join us, or support our team at www.fiesta5k.org.

To get in touch with us: www.astbaltimore.org; baltimorealumnae@gmail.com

BOSTON

BOSTON Congratulations to Cindy Thibault on her October marriage to Chris Macmillan! Cindy also participated in the Free to Breathe Lung Cancer run/walk in May 2012 and ran the Diva half marathon in Myrtle Beach, SC on August 20, 2012.

Congratulations to Joanna Barrett who volunteered for the first annual Yoga Reaches Out Kids’ Yogathon, which raised 18

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$8,000 for Horizons for Homeless Children. The event was very successful, and she’s looking forward to helping next year! Kudos to Sailynn Doyle who was invited and accepted to participate in the brand new program called “Southcoast CEO” where 12 CEOs from the community meet monthly to learn new ways to manage their businesses. Finally, congratulations to Athena Mota who has been appointed Chapter Adviser for the Gamma Delta Chapter at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Happy news!

In August, we gathered to paint pottery at The Clayroom in Brookline. It was the first opportunity to get together with our Convention delegate, Joanna Barrett, and to hear about her experiences. Sharing information from the alumnae sessions she attended was the highlight of our last few meetings. and we sent Holiday greetings to active military personnel through the Wounded Warrior Project.

As our Boston Alumnae Panhellenic organizes in the Spring, we plan to focus our philanthropy efforts and join them.

We sell tote bags silk-screened with the statement, “alpha sigma tau: forging friendships forever”; these can be ordered by contacting Yolanda Bauer at yolanda.bauer@verizon.net If you plan to visit or are living in the Boston area, we invite you to join us!

After a glorious Buffalo summer, our alumnae enjoyed comparing notes at the annual pot luck brunch meeting in September. Jean McNamara hosted the event at her summer home in Canada. Members enjoyed a variety of delectable dishes while sharing Convention news and finalizing plans for the year.

Holly Ndeze was surprised with a baby shower at the October dessert meeting. Gifts included a wonderful array of clothing, books and other necessities. (Holly has since delivered a beautiful baby boy.) Pam Szafarczyk was hostess assisted

by Nicole Ball and Kathleen Callahan. During the meeting, Halloween treat bags were also assembled for area collegians.

Alumnae representatives enjoyed delivering them to Sigma and Epsilon Mu at subsequent collegiate meetings.

Later in October, Cathi Gervase was honored to attend a brunch held by Epsilon Mu at the Grapevine Restaurant. It was fun getting to know some of the members from the University at Buffalo a little better. That afternoon, both alumnae and collegians attended the annual Greater Buffalo Alumnae Panhellenic Tea which was held this year at Niagara University.

The Castellani Art Center with its beautiful display of Irish lace was a perfect setting. This was another opportunity to visit with our collegiate members from Epsilon Mu and Sigma; as well as other area NPC chapters.

Templeton Landing Restaurant at the Erie Basin Marina in downtown Buffalo was the location of our Founders Day luncheon. More than thirty members of the Buffalo Alumnae and Sigma chapters were in attendance. After a delicious meal,

committee members Nicole Ball, Cassandra Pershyn and Michelle Kenyon provided entertainment in the form of an ΑΣΤ trivia game. This was a great icebreaker and worthwhile review for everyone. Members also provided canned goods for the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Food Pantry and sweaters for FISH (Friends in Service to Him), which were distributed by Philanthropy chair, Holly Ndeze.

December is always a busy month for the Buffalo Alumnae.

This year’s pirate gift exchange and dessert meeting was held at the Bellevue Hotel. Hostess Rachel Lis was able to secure the lovely dining room of this historic landmark for our gathering.

She was assisted by Cassie Pershyn, Marilynn Todd and a couple of delightful elves (Olivia and Skylar Ball). Our 2nd Annual Warm and Cozy Collection yielded hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for the families of patients at Women and Children’s Hospital.

In mid-December, the annual punch party took place in the home of Cathi Gervase. Co-hostess was Marilynn Todd.

Members and their guests were treated to a wonderful array of hors d’ouvre’s and desserts provided by attendees.

The following day, a number of sisters and guests attended the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s Holiday Pops Concert, another tradition. This year’s featured performer was Ronan Tynan. Dinner followed at the Grapevine Restaurant. Another memorable day thanks to the dedication of Dolores Schmidt.

2013 is off to a great start. As spring approaches, we anxiously anticipate all of the wonderful ‘sisterhood’ moments that are yet to come.

ALUMNAE

BUFFALO

DETROIT NE SUBURBS In August we had a summer luncheon at Ruby Tuesday in Farmington Hills – it was great to see some sisters we haven’t seen in a while! In September we hosted a supply drive for Operation Kid Equip. We provided school supplies, books, hygiene items and other aid for students living in poverty across metro Detroit. In October, we had a horseback riding outing at Maybury Stables in Northvillle. The one hour trail ride covered 3 miles. In November, we attended National Founders Day hosted by the Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter at Creekside Grill in Ann Arbor. In December we played Whirlyball in Novi and also had our annual Christmas Party and ornament exchange. In January we painted winter sunsets at Painting with a Twist in Ferndale. For February we have a night out with husbands and significant others planned at Dino’s Lounge in Ferndale, complete with karaoke afterward!

For more information on our chapter, please contact Lauren Bendes Warren at labendes@mtu.edu.

DETROIT NE SUBURBS

spring 2013 | The Anchor

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ALUMNAE

ERIE The Erie, PA alumnae, has been having big fun! On September 8th, we volunteered at the John Kanzius Cancer Benefit event “Rock the Wave”. Although the weather didn’t cooperate, it was a successful event. On September 30th, we celebrated the second anniversary of our chapter’s installation with a fantastic Sunday brunch at the Pufferbelly Restaurant. We enjoyed another Claytopia fundraiser on October 25th.

The beautiful Victorian mansion, Anastasia Tea Room, was the setting for our Founders Day celebration on Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed the delicious treats and installed a new alumna member, Cara Campbell Black. Christmastime found us caroling at a senior living center, Brevillier Village. We were joined by two llamas, courtesy of Juliann Zawadzki’s mother, and they were the hit of the evening. Our Pine Mountain philanthropy this year was Christmas stockings for the party at the Settlement School. We filled ten stockings with toys, candy, mittens, coloring books, crayons, and dental care items.

In February, the advisers from our chapter met with Educational Consultant Lauren Irby during her visit to Erie.

Later that month, we again held a Claytopia fundraiser and painted ceramic anchor boxes, which make great gifts! A March outing at Peak ‘n’ Peek, for skiing, snowboarding and tubing rounded out our winter events. We plan to participate in our third annual Habitat for Humanity build in May and June.

Summer activities include a fundraising walk on Presque Isle and our annual picnic. We’re hoping that many of the spring graduates will join us in our activities in the upcoming year.

ERIE

LOWELL As we rolled into September, the Lowell Alumnae Chapter began finalizing plans for the calendar and discussing how to support Beta Tau, our local chapter, with their new members and participation on campus. Beta Tau has really flourished since the University of Massachusetts recognized Greek Life.

We held our first meeting on campus in one of the meeting rooms to better conduct business and plan our events. It was lovely to be welcomed back on campus and gave the alumnae a better sense of connection with the University. In October, many of the alumnae attended the 2nd annual Greek Reunion.

This year’s event brought a new group to the campus, and the University along with the Greek Alumni Council are hoping for an even bigger turn out next year. There was dinner, dancing and speeches by actively involved alumni from a few of the fraternities on campus. In November, the Lowell Alumnae Chapter hosted a social with Beta Tau consisting of alumnae inductions followed by a game night and a candelight ceremony to honor Founders Day. Alumnae and Collegiate members shared the reasons they love and treasure being a part of Alpha Sigma Tau with the entire group. During December, we attended the collegiate holiday dinner, and Pen-pals exchanged gifts at this event. Throughout the fall semester, alumnae were paired up with a collegiate pen pal and were encouraged to write, 20

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email, and share a gift with one another in hopes to bring two chapters together. There was a good turnout of alumnae and everyone had a wonderful time at the dinner. In January, the chapter held another meeting to finalize the spring events. We hope to continue strengthening the bond between our group and the Beta Tau chapter.

LOWELL

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

ALUMNAE

As the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter prepares to celebrate 65 years, it is fun to reflect on the last several months. We are approaching the one year anniversary of our Lunch Bunch initiative. It has been a joy to reconnect with sisters we don’t see regularly.. We are looking forward to meeting even more ΑΣΤ Sisters in the coming months!

This past November’s Founders Day was an extra special celebration this year as we initiated Brenda Walker into the Sisterhood as an Alumna Affiliate.

Brenda is the mother of Kristin Walker, National Vice President, a member of our alumnae chapter and our editor.

Thank you to the Psi and Alpha Lambda Chapters for allowing us to borrow some special supplies to assist us in making the event happen! We also thank Jamie Jones Miller, National Vice President for her assistance in picking up the supplies and returning them to the chapter.

Exceptional Sisterhood at its finest! In addition we had several husbands join us as guests. While we were engaged in the ritual side of Founders Day they enjoyed their time in a room set aside just for them watching a bit of football! We hope that they will join us again next year!

NORTHERN VIRGINIA In December, the group gathered at the home of Cathy Schreiner. We heard from a guest speaker, Laura Murphy, author of the recently-published book My Little Messenger, followed by new member inductions and social time. In January, 22 members gathered for the Northern Virginia Alumnae Panhellenic Association play, The Full Monty at the Little Theatre of Alexandria. Before the play, members gathered for dinner at Luna Trattoria. The evening was great for

sister bonding as well as contributing to scholarships.

As spring approaches, the chapter is looking forward to celebrating 65 years in the Northern Virginia area.

The celebration will take place on April 28th at 12pm at the Paradise Spring Winery in Clifton, VA. If you are interested in attending, connect with the chapter on Facebook or email us at astnorthernvirginia@gmail.com! Sisters are always welcome!

PHILADELPHIA The Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter is still going strong! Our first meeting was in November for Founders Day at a local restaurant. Sisters both young and old attended the event. It was wonderful meeting new sisters and rekindling old friendships.

In December a group drove to Allentown to visit our dear sister Carolyn and celebrate another sister’s birthday. The day was full of lively conversation in the beautifully decorated dining hall of Carolyn’s home. We were lucky to have Carolyn’s friend Jack and a young man of 10 join our group to celebrate the holidays.

Our February meeting was full of wonderful surprises especially since the planners of the event got lost finding the restaurant! No worries – the rest of group enjoyed each other’s company until everyone found their way. This meeting took place in a wonderful Cajun restaurant in Old City Philadelphia.

A fantastic time was had by all!

The year proves to be busy as our local chapter will host the 2013 Panhellenic Luncheon. The luncheon is an annual event that raises money for graduate scholarships awarded to three Panhellenic sisters. The luncheon is attended by approximately 150 Philadelphian sorority sisters representing most of the National Panhellenic organizations. This is an exciting event for our group to host and we are currently busy getting organized for this worthwhile afternoon.

Last year ended sadly as we lost one of our long time members, Betty Uhlig. Betty was the consummate hostess and welcomed every woman who attended an ΑΣΤ event. She will be much missed. We have been lucky to have an active group of younger women who continue to keep our chapter vibrant!

The Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter really has progressed to a multigenerational group that loves socializing together! Visit us on Facebook or in person if you are in the Philadelphia area.

NOWTRENDING Andrea Marcolini @angbaby394

Friends change. Lovers leave. Sisters are eternal. đ&#x;’šđ&#x;’›âš“ love you all#AST #taulove 9:40 PM - Feb 26, 2013

spring 2013 | The Anchor

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ALUMNAE

PHOENIX VALLEY OF THE SUN Eight members of Phoenix Valley of the Sun Association met for lunch in September at the Paradise Bakery and Cafe in Tempe Marketplace. It was a lovely day to be on the patio.

We welcomed new member and newlywed Zara Graham Thomas and were happy to see Dawn Turpin Tibbs back again.

Nicole Davis Turnquist shared some beautiful photos from her September wedding and honeymoon.

On November 10 we met for Founders Day at Cynthia McCrory’s home and welcomed new sister Courtney Masters Grimm, who was just married two weeks previously! Members donated 30 pounds of peanut butter to local food banks in an effort to help replace what was lost due to the recall.

Our Founders Day ceremony included a reading, candle lighting, and song. We also observed the 50th ΑΣΤ anniversary of Karen Keller Anderson, who was initiated into Alpha Alpha Chapter on Nov. 4, 1962. She was presented with lovely yellow roses, a framed certificate, and a card signed by the other sisters. In addition, a gift was presented to National Foundation in her honor by Ginny Creager.

Four of our eleven members have been serving as advisors to the Epsilon Alpha Chapter at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and four continue membership in the Salt River Alumnae Panhellenic Association.

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA Sisters of the Southeastern Louisiana Alumnae Chapter have been busy participating in many fabulous events in 2013!

On January 26, members attended the 10th Annual Ladies Champagne Bingo fundraising event to raise money for Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics. The event featured champagne, orange juice, mimosas and a light lunch, silent and live auctions and eight games of bingo. Congratulations to Shae McLin for winning an iPad and Rita Anne Bertolino for winning a cruise for two!

Our current philanthropy project is collecting new or gently used books for children in grades K-12 in St. Helena Parish.

The Scholarship Committee holds raffles at each meeting

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for a parade of prizes and is planning a fundraiser for the Southeastern Louisiana Alumnae Chapter Scholarship Fund for Phi Chapter. We will be having a grilled cheese fundraiser at the annual Rock N’ Roar event on March 23. Since Spring 2012, our scholarship committee has raised $6500.

Southeastern Louisiana Alumnae Chapter is also proud to announce Genie Powers was chosen as one of twelve state employees to receive the Charles E. Dunbar Career Service Award. This prestigious award recognizes the highest honor of classified employees for their service to citizens of Louisiana.

New officers will be elected in April and installed at our annual Officer Installation Banquet in June.

TIDEWATER

The St. Louis Alumnae Chapter has been practicing Power Lunches for several years now. The good food and good friends make the business meetings fun and productive. A location that we return to again and again is Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. Famous for its Lamb Shanks, Gyro, and Baklava, it also has a stunning display of ceiling art depicting Biblical scenes.

Created in Greece and brought to St. Louis, they were installed by these Greek Artisans. After lunch, we toured the church and grounds.

On a beautiful October morning, we visited our local philanthropy, Ride On St. Louis. It is an equestrian therapy ranch for mentally and physically handicapped youngsters located on the Mississippi River in Kimmswick, Mo. Due to the very dry summer weather that we experienced in the Midwest, hay for horse feeding is in short supply and selling at a much higher price than previously. Our donations have helped with the feed expense increase and specialized vitamins that the older horses require. We are pleased and proud to help such a worthwhile program. Lunch at The Dough Depot was a treat as always. Many of us bought the delicious fudge, cookies, and pretzel bread. We also enjoyed browsing the craft stores and antique shops in this quaint river town.

We finished 2012 by viewing altar pieces and cathedral paintings by Federico Barocci: Renaissance Master. It surprised us to recognize his works. Later, we had lunch at Joey B’s Restaurant on The Hill, the Italian part of St. Louis. After dessert of cannoli, we exchanged Christmas gifts, and celebrated Arline Clark’s birthday.

The Tidewater Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau kicked off fall 2012 with our September meeting at the home of our President, Robbie Cool. We were stunned when we counted 22 in attendance! We’re pretty sure that’s a record. It was very exciting to be reunited after last seeing each other in June, and meeting three sisters from the Alpha Lambda chapter at Radford University. We began our 2012-2013 season with hostess sign-ups, program ideas and more. We also learned of a very generous donation to the chapter by sister Mary Lee Lough.

Our annual yard sale was October 10th, also at the home of Robbie Cool, where we made a total of $366. The “Christmas in October” meeting was held on October 18th at the home of Elaine Eason. Almost 20 shoeboxes were filled with gifts for the Operation Christmas Child initiative, run by the international organization Samaritan’s Purse. This was orchestrated by Laura Beth Stricker, who later reported that our boxes were sent overseas and received by many happy children.

Laura Beth also hosted our Founders Day celebration for the second year running on November 15th. A lively dinner was orchestrated beautifully by an amazing team of sisters, armed with tables, chairs, decorations, food, and drink. Our ceremony and celebration for our 113th year re-affirmed our commitment to the alumnae chapter and the ideals of Alpha Sigma Tau. We were saddened that this was the last meeting for Becky Hobbs before her move to Alabama to be with boyfriend Eric. We also held an induction ceremony for Melissa Day. Our annual Christmas party was held at the home of Gail Miller on December 4th. We had an assortment of finger foods, desserts, and drinks. We took in part of a NFL game before holding our Christmas gift exchange, which is always a fun and entertaining event. This year we also decided to have the attire as Tacky Christmas Sweaters. Catie Abbott and her friend won prizes for their sweaters and accompanying Christmas lights!

Our next meeting was January 17th at the Tidewater office of the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Virginia Beach, which was made possible through Rebekkah Bury. Despite the ugly cold and rainy weather, a good number of sisters were able to come out and hear the stories of the office and the mission to help find a cure for breast cancer. We held a candle-light ceremony for Becky Hobbs, who became engaged to Eric over the holidays!

The February 21st meeting was at the home of Paulette Crawford. Our speaker was Kathy Williamson, a dear friend of Laura Beth Stricker. Kathy gave a very inspirational program about her trips to South Africa in the summer of 2011 and her recent trip to Rwanda in January 2013. The sisters gave generous donations and were enthralled by many of the hand-made crafts that Kathy brought to share.

We continue to support our local and national charities: Habitat for Humanity, Pine Mountain, and the Citizens Committee to Protect the Elderly (CCPE). This winter we have been collecting food donations for the “Beach Bags” program that helps Virginia Beach high-school students with food on weekends. We are also supporting the Victory Home men’s shelter in Portsmouth with toiletry donations.

STARS & STRIPES The Stars and Stripes Alumnae is a group of sisters founded in the principle of “Always Someone There.” Just recently we had a several sisters meet at military installations Ft. Drum and West Point, and then converse “virtually” to help a soon-to-be military spouse with her first military move.

We will once again be rocking our green and gold colors as we continue our tradition of the Shamrock Express (home baked goods sent to our deployed sisters and family members). Email us (address below) for details on the project and how your group can get involved!

We will continue to be the person who is “Always Someone There” for our many deployed/soon to be deployed sisters and their family members. We would love for you, as a chapter or individual, to assist us in supporting them too. You do not need to be a member of our group to do this (although we would love for you to join us!). For more information please contact President Vanessa Florence at vflorence@alphasigmatau.org or seek us out on Facebook: Alpha Sigma Tau Stars & Stripes.

spring 2013 | The Anchor

ALUMNAE

ST. LOUIS

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ALUMNAE

YPSILANTI-ANN ARBOR Under the excellent leadership of our President Debbie Ray, we are having an awesome year. We started our year with our annual first meeting smorgasbord at Becky’s home and set the agenda for the upcoming events. Everyone brought a dish to pass and as usual, we had a sumptuous meal. Sometimes I think we should open an ΑΣΤ restaurant as we always have delicious food.

It was our pleasure to host our annual Founders Day gathering, and Martha DeCamp did a beautiful job organizing the luncheon. We had chapters attend from as far away as Chicago, as well as all the local chapters. We had a white elephant sale, a quilt raffle and a purse raffle as fundraisers for our programs. Everyone was very generous and we raised a lot of money for scholarships and philanthropy.

We celebrated the holiday season at Dawn’s home with more food and a gift exchange. Many of the collegians joined us after initiating their graduating seniors into the alumnae chapter.

Kelly out did herself planning a painting party at Vinter’s Canton Winery for our Fun Night. Everyone learned how to paint a picture on canvas and how to mix colors to produce certain effects with the paint. Sisters brought a dish to pass and sampled different wines as they painted. We have a few budding “Van Goghs” in the group.

YPSILANTI-ANN ARBOR Amanda, who is a collegiate chapter advisor, hosted our January meeting. She surprised everyone with a Lasagna dinner, featuring both vegan and non vegan options, and it was delicious. She has encouraged the collegiate women to join us on a regular basis and we love having them at our monthly meetings.

One of our favorite philanthropies is a joint project with the collegiate chapter. We make pillow case dresses for little girls in Africa and they turn out beautifully; it helps that we have some talented crafters in the group.

We are excited to have had so many young alumnae join us this year!

Remembering One Grand Lady, One Grand Alpha Sigma Tau!

By Mary Bolton, Sigma

Eleanor Hird Mason died March 6, 2013 at the age of 102, remaining dedicated to ΑΣΤ to the end. She wore her ΑΣΤ pin on her dress. One special neighbor had been caring for her since her husband Julian died in 1991. Eleanor spent her last three years, happily, in a Senior Residence, where she was adored by the staff. She had a rare and contagious sense of humor.

In her later stage of life, her Sorority, Garden Club, neighbors, and friends were her “family” and she was loved and looked after by them. Buffalo Alumnae Chapter arranged several meetings at her residence to spend time with her.

She was thrilled when any ΑΣΤ visited, especially when Jim Paponetti and others from ΑΣΤ Headquarters visited her when in Buffalo.

Eleanor joined Sigma Chapter at Buffalo State Teachers College on June 23, 1932. After graduation, while teaching in Corning, Eleanor enjoyed trips home and luncheons with her sorority sisters. Later, she taught history in Buffalo. Eleanor was 24

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always an active member of the Buffalo Alumnae Chapter. In addition to serving two terms as president, she attended ΑΣΤ National Convention at National Bridge, Virginia and was Alpha Sigma Tau’s delegate to the Greater Buffalo Alumnae Panhellenic Association and served a term as President.

Eleanor had many interests outside sorority. She was honored as a member of the Kenmore Garden Club at age 95 and remained active in her church. Her last living space reflected her interest in learning and travel. A large map of the United States was prominent in her room, noting places she had visited.

Eleanor was a great storyteller and social butterfly.

Eleanor celebrated her 100th birthday in October 2010.

The Buffalo Alumnae, along with Sigma and Epsilon Mu Chapters, planned a surprise party at the senior residence, and over twenty-five Taus gathered to celebrate. Eleanor was especially thrilled to have the collegiate members in attendance and addressed many of her remarks to them. All were entertained by stories of her early years in ΑΣΤ and it was clear how much the sisterhood meant to her.

Eleanor will always be with ΑΣΤ in spirit. She will be missed.

spring 2013 | The Anchor

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COLLEGIANS ALPHA Eastern Michigan University, MI During the Fall 2012 semester, the Alpha Chapter initiated nine members. We have been fundraising for our Habitat for Humanity build and we’ve raised over $350 with a Grilled Cheese Fundraiser for our Greek community. We’ve also been fundraising for our trip to Pine Mountain this summer. Our Fall New Member class raised over $400 with their handmade bow fundraiser, with proceeds going towards their paddle, Pine Mountain, and our house gift. We also had some sisters go on Alternative Spring Break this semester, helping build houses in Louisiana, advocate for civil rights in Alabama, and contribute to HIV/AIDS harm reduction and awareness in Georgia.

As of right now, we are getting ready for our GSAP, our Greeks Standards and Assessment Program. We were a Chapter of Excellence last year with high scores in all the categories; we are hoping to reach that goal again this time around! We are really excited to see what the next year brings us!

Beta Central Michigan University, MI The Beta Chapter raised nearly $2,000 this semester for Pine Mountain by having a Grilled Cheese Fundraiser. We are also planning a trip to Pine Mountain this summer. At our University’s annual Greek Awards night, our chapter won best publicity and one of our sisters won an award for her philanthropy service.

Iota Emporia State University, KS The Iota chapter at Emporia State University is having a fabulous spring semester. Early in February we held a dinner auction fundraiser,and a second fundraiser at the local Orange Leaf. This semester the sisters of the Iota Chapter were invited to an etiquette dinner in the home of alumna Sharon Soetaert. Collegiate and alumnae members alike enjoyed the dinner that evening. As in previous years, the Iota Chapter participated in Polar Plunge. Four sisters braved the icy water.

Iota sent four members to represent the chapter at Emporia State University’s annual diversity program, Mosaic. They returned with valuable information on differing communication styles and tolerance to share with the chapter. This semester, we have been meeting for weekly bowling nights and biweekly Saturday movie nights for both recruitment and sisterhood events.

Omicron Concord University, WV The Omicron Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau at Concord University has been growing in more ways than one lately. Of course we have

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OMICRON been picking up new, wonderful members, but we have also been improving our chapter with things like recruitment workshops held by our Recruitment Chair; using online fundraisers in addition to inperson ones; and making a goal of participating in five philanthropy events every semester, including at least one Habitat for Humanity event. We’ve also been holding a small sisterhood event every week, in addition to the larger ones that we already have. We are also going to have an Alumnae Welcome Day after Greek Week so we can become closer to our alumnae. Every day, we grow better as a chapter and stronger as a sisterhood.

Phi Southeastern Louisiana University, LA The Phi Chapter is proud to start the spring 2013 semester with a cumulative 3.225 GPA. Our goal is to reach even higher, and with all of our hard-working and studious members, we know we can make it. We are involved in many different events this semester. Our alumnae chapter philanthropy is a K–12 book drive for St. Helena Parish. Studies have found that the more books in a home, the more likely the children in that home will graduate high school. To help out, our members have donated at least three books each. Project Prom is an event in Tangipahoa Parish that helps deserving girls dress for their junior or senior program by providing a prom dress, shoes, and accessories for free. The goal is to show God’s love by making each and every girl feel special and cherished. Last year, the Phi Chapter donated both dresses and time to help these girls find the perfect dress. We are excited to participate again this semester. We are also looking forward to Habitat for Humanity. We usually participate in New Orleans or Baton Rouge, but this semester, we have decided to branch out to Mandeville. Everyone is looking forward to some great events that we have planned for this semester, including a selfdefense class. In March we will go to Global Wildlife for a wagon tour to see different animals that live on 900 acres of land. And we had such a great time at Camp Istrouma last year that we decided to go again. With trust falls, walks, rock climbing, and team-building exercises, who wouldn’t have fun there?

ALPHA LAMBDA

CHI

Chi Shepherd University, WV How would you begin to describe November 4th?

Some would say it’s nothing more than a normal day but for an Alpha Sigma Tau, it’s a day once a year that puts the past, present, and future into perspective. Set forth by the Founders before us, this glorious day reminds us of the true values and responsibilities we uphold as an ΑΣΤ. Every year Founders Day comes around to unite and remind us all of the promises we have made to ourselves, our chapters, and this organization. This Founders Day we shared our love and pride for Alpha Sigma Tau with the Psi Chapter of James Madison University in Virginia. There was nothing less than an abundance of smiles, laughter, and joy and although they may have outnumbered us by quite a bit, it felt as if we became one unique, inseparable whole. The true meaning of sisterhood was immensely felt, leaving each of us with a feeling that was indescribable. We shared more than just our letters that day; these memories are for a lifetime. We look forward to the next reunion with JMU and the celebration of Founders Day each year.

“Same letters, new friends,” is more than just a saying to us now; it has become a way of life.

Psi James Madison University, VA The Psi Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau at James Madison University has had a busy year! We welcomed 56 new members this fall and an additional seven this spring. We also brought guest speaker David Stollman to JMU to speak to the Greek community. In November, we had our Philanthropy month, where we raised over $5,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation through many proceeds nights and our first ever Color Run 5K. Spring semester has been just as busy as the fall semester. In addition to our seven new members, we held our annual Mr. Fraternity pageant to a sold out theatre in February. In April, we will have two full teams of girls participating in JMU’s Relay for Life, which is more than any other Greek organization on campus. We are currently preparing for JMU’s annual Greek Sing competition and Greek Week. We’re excited to see where the rest of the semester takes us!

Zeta Tau Longwood University, VA The sisters of the Zeta Tau chapter have been working very hard at recruitment. After successfully reaching total for the first time in many years this past fall, we are proud to announce that we accepted 22 new members into our sisterhood, raising our total number of members to 57! We can’t wait to see the wonderful things they will do for our organization.

We raised nearly $190 for our philanthropies through the penny wars the chapter holds every semester. We continue to participate in Adopt-a-Highway multiple times a semester and we are looking forward to our Rock-a-Thon, during which we will be collecting change and any other donations to raise money for our local philanthropy, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Congratulations to our former chapter president Maggie Thomas for receiving the “Outstanding CPC Chapter President” award and Nicole Kvasnicka for being named one of the “Best of the Best” on campus at the Greek awards last semester.

The chapter was also awarded “Most Improved Chapter” and we would not have been given this honor without the hard work of many wonderful sisters, advisors, and alumnae.

We are continuing to make a greater impact on our campus and in the surrounding community each semester and we can’t wait to see what comes next for us!

Alpha Epsilon Western Illinois University, IL Our Chapter will be having alum weekend the weekend of March 2224 and family weekend April 19-21. We have also been working on a fundraiser for the spring semester. spring 2013 | The Anchor

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COLLEGIANS

Alpha Lambda Radford University, VA The past year has been such an amazing one for the Alpha Lambda chapter. When we began the Fall semester in September, our chapter, after losing fifteen seniors, was made up of thirty-five active sisters. Now, in the middle of March, Alpha Lambda stands at SEVENTY-SEVEN active and new members! This spring we welcomed seventeen members (Epsilon Zeta class) through formal recruitment in early February, and the Epsilon Eta class, eleven members, through Continuous Recruitment in early March. We are so incredibly proud of our recruitment efforts this year, and we can’t wait to continue those efforts in the fall of 2013!

This January was our chapter’s 60th anniversary at Radford University, and on March 3rd we hosted a celebration to commemorate the event. What we hoped to be a gathering of maybe fifty alumnae turned into an amazing reconnection of over 130 alumnae and their families, with guest speakers from each of our six decades at Radford, including our fabulous National President and Alpha Lambda alumna, Christina Covington. Also in attendance were Radford President Penelope Kyle, RU Greek Life coordinator Robert Marias, and other notable Radford staff.

We began the day with a tea party to celebrate our history and reconnect with one another while reflecting on our time with Alpha Sigma Tau and how the sorority has changed over the years. In the evening we gathered at the Norwood Room on Main Street for a revival of the Sweetheart Ball for a night of fun and frivolity. It was certainly a day to remember for years to come!

Aside from our Recruitment successes and awesome Alumnae connections, we also have undertaken many philanthropic endeavors. On the weekend of March 23rd many sisters took the drive down to Harlan, Kentucky, to help out our National Philanthropy at Pine Mountain Settlement School! This was such a treat since it was the first time in many years that our chapter had visited the school. On April 12th we will be participating in the City of Radford’s Relay for Life event. As of March we have raised over $1,500 for the cure with more on the way! And on April 20th we will be conducting our biannual Swing-a-Thon for Pine Mountain Settlement School. The last few semesters have seen fundraising upwards of $500, so we hope to continue the trend this semester.

This has been an exceedingly successful year for Alpha Lambda, and it could not have been possible without the help our wonderful executive board, who have worked tirelessly at their positions for the last year and a half due to nominations/elections changes, and our passionate alumnae, who have come to our aid multiple times over the last year. We couldn’t thank you all enough for all you have done for us! We hope the involvement and success continues for years to come!

Alpha Mu University of Arkansas at Monticello, AR This fall and spring has been busy for the Alpha Mu chapter! We have nine new members. We participated in Race for the Cure this past October. In the fall we gave chances to win three gift baskets.

This fundraiser benefited Race for the Cure and the Susan G.

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ALPHA MU ALPHA PI

Komen Foundation. We raised money for Habitat for Humanity by doing a “Locked Up Fundraiser”. The “jail cell” was painted PVC pipe set up in the lobby of one of our campus buildings. Pennies kept our “inmates” in jail and silver change “bailed” them out. We locked up our school’s chancellor, Greek advisor, professors, and classmates. The participation of our campus’s staff and students was awesome. All of our members are very active on campus. We have sisters in student government, student activities board, band, choir, and other service organizations. We are also hosting our Yellow Rose Banquet at the end of March.

Alpha Pi Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, PA On March 13, 2013, our chapter held a spaghetti dinner where all of the proceeds would go to Habitat for Humanity. There was a great turnout in the amount of people who came to help support our philanthropy. Thanks to our school’s publicity organizations, there were many Greeks in attendance as well as people not in Greek organizations. In total, we raised $415 and we are all so excited to give it to Habitat for Humanity!

Alpha Tau Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, PA

COLLEGIANS

This semester, the Alpha Tau Chapter is happy to announce we are taking a member class of four. We are excited for them to begin this amazing journey with us! We’re also getting ready for this year’s Greek Week. The theme is “Superheroes,” and we are proudly running with the brothers of Phi Mu Alpha. We’re hoping to give the competition a run for their money! Our Educational Consultant came to visit our chapter for a week in February. She was a great help to us; we learned a lot and became close to one of our sisters from a different chapter. We have many dates planned in our calendars, and this semester looks like a great one for Alpha Tau!

Beta Eta Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, IL The ladies of the Beta Eta Chapter at SIUE have had many opportunities this year to work with organizations that are close to our hearts. This past October, we held our 4th annual Pink Hair for Hope event—a campus-wide event that raises funds and awareness for breast cancer by putting pink extensions in people’s hair. This event has a special importance for member Brogan Epkins, whose mother passed away from breast cancer when she was 15. “The fact that ΑΣΤ holds this event was one of the main reasons I joined the sorority. The results of Pink Hair for Hope are overwhelming,” she said. The chapter raised $3,200 for the American Cancer Society through Pink Hair for Hope this fall. Another $487 was raised at our first-ever “Bumps for Humps” fundraiser—a volleyball tournament that was held in conjunction with Pink Hair for Hope. That event was also a success with nine teams participating from within the SIUE Greek community and campus.

This spring, the ladies of the Beta Eta Chapter had the opportunity to participate in an organization that is equally important to another one of its members. Michelle (“Mama”) Wallace was a selfless and caring woman who was like a second mom to member Katie Brasel. The Michelle Wallace Hope Foundation lives on in memory of Mama Wallace. The foundation hands out baskets filled with comforting items to cancer patients that are going through chemotherapy and radiation. The ladies of

BETA THETA Beta Eta have collected items for the baskets, put baskets together, and donated over $350 to the foundation. “It means a ton to have the support of my sisters because I know how much it means to the Wallace family. Having my sisters make a stranger’s day fantastic just puts a smile on my face,” says Katie.

The ladies of Beta Eta look forward to further supporting their sisters and making these and other events even more successful next year!

Beta Theta St. Mary’s University, TX Over the past year, the Beta Theta chapter has become more involved with philanthropy events. We have been regularly volunteering at a local Ronald McDonald House. We have cleaned the house, played with the children, and most recently, baked all types of goodies for the children and their families. We all love working with the children and especially love having the children work with us on all of our activities. This semester, we also held our first ever “Go Green Week” which was a week of events dedicated to raising environmental awareness and all of the money we raised was donated to Pine Mountain Settlement School, which was the first fundraiser of its kind.

This Sister is a Life Saver The below article about Alpha Sigma Tau sister Jennifer Young Cobin, Delta Upsilon, is reprinted with permission from Northside ISD, www.nisd.net/news/articles/3078, October 24, 2012:

Jennifer Cobin, a Communities In Schools intern at Westwood Terrace Elementary School, helped rescue two children who fell into a creek on their way to school September 14, 2012.

Cobin and another CIS staff member were on their way to staff development when they saw two sisters who attend MLK Academy in San Antonio ISD attempting to get through a highwater crossing after missing their school bus.

As Cobin and her colleague approached to help the girls, the youngest fell into the water,

followed by her older sister who jumped in to try and save her. Without regard to their own safety, Cobin and her colleague jumped into the creek, and after some tense moments they were able to rescue both little girls. Except for a few scratches, all four emerged from the ordeal without injury.

For her selfless act and for displaying the Northside Pillars of Character taught in our schools, Cobin was awarded with the prestigious Northside Citizenship Award. spring 2013 | The Anchor

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COLLEGIANS

Beta Mu Salisbury University, MD

Beta Xi Michigan Technological University, MI

Beta Mu Chapter had a rewarding and prosperous fall semester.

In September, we took part in the three-mile walk to defeat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), as well as the P. J. Aldridge Foundation three-mile walk/run for the fight against lung cancer in November. We also hope to participate in the walk/run for multiple sclerosis in April for the second year in a row. In addition to our efforts to raise money for diseases, we strive to make a difference for the environment by “going green.” During each chapter meeting, we collect spare change to raise money to help bring clean water to children in need. We have collected enough money to provide sanitary water to more than 1,000 children! This semester, we plan to have a weeklong event of “Go Green” activities to spread awareness and get the campus involved. We look forward to recruitment in February and welcoming our new members to the ΑΣΤ sisterhood.

The Beta Xi chapter has been busy this semester with our involvement in Winter Carnival and recruitment. For three and half weeks between January and February, the active members were hard at work on their snow statue. After putting in about 1,400 hours of hard work, we were ecstatic when we were awarded first place for our statue of Hercules and the Hydra. The chapter also had a fantΑΣΤic visit with our Educational Consultant Ashley Smith who helped us in recruitment (and on our statue). The chapter is now the only sorority on campus at total! Other noteworthy accomplishments include improving our chapter GPA by .22 and having five members travel to Louisiana over Spring Break for a Habitat for Humanity build. We continue to strive to be active, selfreliant, and trustworthy women!

Beta Nu Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, PA Big things have been happening here at the Beta Nu chapter at Bloomsburg University! We had a very successful Recruitment which resulted in seventeen great new additions to our 68th new member class. This is the highest recruitment number of all Greek Life at the University.

We are currently selling awareness bracelets for Pediatric Cancer and we have high hopes in raising much needed funds for this cause. This will also be our second semester participating in AGAPE, a non-profit local organization that donates school supplies to third world countries. We have also recently participated in “Kids Fun,” interacting with the kids of the community, and volunteered at The Humdinger race, which benefitted the Montour Area Recreation Commission. We are very excited for what the rest of the spring semester has in store for us!

Gamma Gamma University of West Alabama, AL The Gamma Gamma Chapter in Livingston, Alabama has done several fun activities lately. Our biggest event, Rock-a-thon, took place on February 14th. We raised money by inviting people to come hear a live band, The Wyldwood Ramblers and participate in a cake walk. By placing money in a school staff member’s pocket, students voted for the person they wanted to see kiss a pig. The teacher with the most money in his or her packet had to kiss a baby pig at Rock-a-thon. We also sold treats and drinks at the event and sold raffle tickets for two fifty dollar gas cards. Everyone worked hard on this event and it turned out to be a great success!

We have also raised money by asking the people in the community to get their children’s pictures taken with five adorable rabbits for Easter. Currently, we are selling Emi-jay hair bands and making a great profit from that! This semester, we have also teamed up with the other Panhellenic sororities on our campus to help with recovery efforts in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where extensive damage was done by the April 27, 2011 tornadoes. We helped out at our local elementary school for Read Across America Day by reading

BETA NU

NOWTRENDING

Brianne Ludlow @Brianne_Ludlow

not once have I questioned whether I chose the right sorority or not, I knew from the very start <3 #alphasigmatau @ast_fdu 5:29 PM - Feb 22, 2013

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Gamma Lambda Kutztown University, PA

GAMMA ZETA books to students in the school. We have also recently enjoyed a fun formal in Birmingham, Alabama. Later in the semester, we work with Habitat for Humanity and Relay for Life. We will also be hosting a yard sale and working at Talladega Super Speedway in Talladega, Alabama in May. Finally, we have recently initiated five new members into the chapter. We are so excited to find out what else this semester has in store for us and are looking forward to more fun events in the future.

Gamma Zeta Frostburg State University, MD Greetings from the Gamma Zeta Chapter! We have been very busy over the past year and have grown tremendously as a chapter.

In fall 2012, five women joined our sisterhood, which put us at 50! We had an on-campus event this semester where we raised more than $400 for the troops overseas. We also had five sisters go to Arlington National Cemetery over the Christmas season to participate in Wreaths Across America. Four of our sisters traveled to New Orleans for a week over winter break to volunteer on a service trip through the school. They each completed more than 20 hours of volunteer work building houses for Habitat for Humanity and working at an animal shelter. This coming semester, we are preparing for many awesome events, such as Deep Creek Dunk, which raises money for Special Olympics. As you can tell, we have been a very busy chapter for the past year and are excited to be back together for the spring semester!

Gamma Theta Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, PA Few things in life are as important as sisters, and the ladies of the Gamma Theta chapter have taken this to heart. Since January, the women have taken a renewed interest in strengthening their sisterhood bonds. The sisters have been implementing new ideas and activities to not only reinvigorate their ties, but to remind each other why they became sisters in the first place. Gamma Theta has started “moraleing” sisters: each week, every sister is assigned to another sister to rally and support her for the week through text messages, small gifts, and hugs. The sisters have also started having one-on-one days where sisters take time to meet with each other on a more personal level; although all of the sisters have busy schedules, they’ve unanimously agreed that it’s important to set time aside during the week for each other. “These activities have allowed us to spend a lot more ‘fun’ time together, which has really

The Gamma Lambda chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau recently welcomed five new women to our beloved family. This brings our chapter to a count of 61 active sisters. This semester, we will be hosting our annual event of Mr. Kutztown, and will have donations sent to the philanthropies Pine Mountain Settlement School and Habitat for Humanity. Any additional donations will go to Jean Shapcott, a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha, to help with her medical expenses as she battles liver cancer. We are looking forward to a wonderful semester with the new wonderful women, and we hope everyone else is having a great year!

COLLEGIANS

helped us come together as a group of sisters,” says Julianne Carter.

The ladies hope to continue their plans to foster sisterhood growth and look forward to becoming a stronger chapter in the process.

Gamma Mu WVU Institute of Technology, WV The Gamma Mu Chapter at WVU Institute of Technology has been busy, busy, busy! This past fall, we helped ΑΣΤ alumna Lori Shaffer with the Conquer Chiari Walk Across America in Charleston, WV. We helped with registration, made lunches, and handed out purple beads for people to wear in support of those with Chiari malformation. We attended a Habitat for Humanity build in Charleston where we put up drywall in a house. For our Wild West Homecoming, we placed second with our float and third with our spirit board. We cheered our men’s and women’s basketball team onto their first victory of the season! We celebrated Founders Day with our annual potluck and had a great time honoring our founding sisters with family and friends. Also that weekend, we initiated three lovely ladies into the bonds of sisterhood. For Christmas, we organized a Toys for Tots drive; we collected over $300 in toys for children in the surrounding area. By the end of this spring, we will have conducted a fundraiser for Pine Mountain Settlement School and held a Yellow Rose Formal. We have accomplished a lot and are looking forward to all the great things we have planned for the future!

Gamma Pi Lycoming College, PA Gamma Pi recently initiated eight new sisters from the Alpha Upsilon new member class. The chapter is participating in Lycoming College’s Relay for Life, held this year on March 23-24.

The theme for our chapter this year is an “ΑΣΤ-Party”- watch Facebook to see what Gamma Pi sisters are relaying for this year!

Sisters are heavily involved in planning the Relay for Life, and have organized various events to contribute to its success, including the Survivor Dinner and Mr. and Mrs. Relay. Other upcoming events include Greek Week and the Greek Day of Service. The sisters of Gamma Pi have recently taken the initiative to establish a Sisterhood Fund for active sisters and alumnae who express financial need. The active sisters and alumnae are also mourning the loss of Susan Hoegel Jorgensen, Beta Class who passed away in March. They are remembering Susan as a ray of sunshine always there to offer a hug and helping hand. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten. spring 2013 | The Anchor

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COLLEGIANS

DELTA ETA

Gamma Rho Seton Hall University, NJ

Delta Alpha Gannon University, PA

The Gamma Rho chapter has been busy this year! We brought this past fall semester to a close by participating in Hunger & Homelessness Week, during which we won second place for the most canned food donations and first place for miscellaneous donations, such as blankets and clothing. Monica Alvarado was also awarded the Excellence in Servant Leadership Award. We also collected items to donate to the many families in New Jersey who were affected by Superstorm Sandy. So far, the spring semester has been a success for the Gamma Rho chapter. We started off with a prosperous recruitment, during which we utilized RFM for the first time. This helped us in gaining 22 new members. We would like to congratulate and welcome the new members of our largest new member class ever! We now have a total of 57 sisters in our chapter. We also participated in PirateThon, Seton Hall’s first annual 18-hour dance marathon, to raise money for the children of The Valerie Fund. We came in fourth place overall for funds raised and were the top Greek organization, raising $1,055! We look forward to continuing our success with upcoming philanthropic events including our Rock-a-Thon which raises money for Pine Mountain Settlement School. This year, for the first time, we will be holding a concert with local bands performing as part of the event.

We also look forward to co-sponsoring with the Student Nurses’ Association’s Health Fair/Hula Hoops for the Heart, the annual Greek Week events and many other activities.

Hello sisters! The Delta Alpha Chapter would love to express our joy in welcoming our largest new member class yet: thirteen exceptional young women. This proves most exciting for us in the year marking Delta Alpha’s 20th year of devoted sisterhood. To celebrate, we are having a Rose Gala in April. We hope that all is well with our fellow sisters across the country. If you ever want to visit, we would be thrilled to have you!

NOWTRENDING Ashley Cuciti @AshleyCuciti

Delta Beta Fairmont State College, WV Alpha Sigma Tau means many things to many sisters and chapters.

This semester, the Delta Beta Chapter is focusing on the importance of teamwork, both in the formal setting of meetings and in all other aspects of life. Our chapter is a small one, but numbers do not define what we are capable of. Although each of our members represents the motto of Alpha Sigma Tau with flying colors, our goal is to strengthen our teamwork. This is important to us not only for recruitment, but also in community service, schoolwork, and social aspects. We wish to improve our team cooperation to gain as many new members as possible that represent our sorority well, to take back the Greek Week Champion title, to win the annual TBI Benefit Bowl (a flag football game involving all the sororities where the winners choose a charity to which to donate the winnings), to support one another academically when we are struggling, and to never feel alone. We know that we can complete these goals once we put our heads and our hearts together.

Taking the moment to give a shout out to all my beautiful sisters in АΣΤ! #grateful#loveyouall #sisters #anchored#alphasigmatau 6:40 PM - Mar 7, 2013

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The Anchor | spring 2013

Delta Eta Belmont University, TN

Delta Theta Moravian College, PA The Delta Theta chapter at Moravian College has had such an amazing, fun, and productive 2012-2013 school year! In the fall, we welcomed six new members, followed by nine new members in the latest class this spring. Throughout the year, we have also been involved with the Lehigh Valley Women’s 5K against breast cancer, Kirkland Village senior living community, Pine Mountain Settlement School, Turning Point women’s shelter, Moco for Coco organization for pediatric cancer, the American Heart Association, and other worthy causes, by giving our time, making donations, and raising awareness. This spring, we are taking part in Moravian’s Greek Week, in which all Greek organizations on campus participate in a variety of events, games, and contests. Also coming up is our second annual Mr. Moravian competition, where the men on campus compete in a variety of pageant-like events. All of the money raised from this event will go toward Habitat for Humanity.

We wish all of our fellow sisters a safe, happy, and enjoyable rest of the semester!

Delta Nu Beloit College, WI The year has almost come to a close already, but the Delta Nu Chapter has definitely had an active one. We are extremely excited to welcome 10 new members to our sisterhood this spring. They are the newest members in a chapter that has been growing rapidly in recent years. Throughout this semester we have been focusing on learning more about the ideals of Alpha Sigma Tau, what they mean to us as individuals and as a group, and how we can apply them to our daily lives. We will be finishing up the semester with group philanthropy activities (including a food drive) and bidding farewell to a very large and beloved senior class.

Delta Pi Oglethorpe University, GA

COLLEGIANS

Delta Eta started off the spring semester with full force diving immediately into ΑΣΤ week. We did a heavy amount of fundraising for our local philanthropy, Susan G. Komen, such as a bake sale, as well as a fundraiser at McDougal’s Chicken. We ended our week with our annual Crush Party as well as volunteering for the Annual Big Pink Volleyball Tournament that Belmont puts on.

We had a couple of fun socials and philanthropy events with the fraternities on campus: ice skating with Alpha Tau Omega and creating valentines for a senior center with Phi Delta Theta.

In April we will be participating in Greek Week, which we are all super excited about! We’ll also participate in more philanthropy events such as Habitat for Humanity and the St. Jude Country Music Marathon, for which we are currently one of the top fundraising teams. We are ready to finish off this spring semester, as we like to say, as Alpha “Strong” Taus.

Delta Rho Chowan University, NC The sisters of the Delta Rho Chapter at Chowan University are having a fantastic spring 2013 semester! We participated in the Breast Cancer Forum with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority during their rush week.

Sisters from both sororities presented valuable information to the student body about breast cancer awareness.

The Delta Rho Chapter also had a very informative and beneficial visit with Educational Consultant Justina Solties. She expressed the importance of strengthening our sisterhood bonds and helped the chapter recognize existing skills. As a chapter we have begun to implement those strategies and have seen numerous positive results –thank you Justina! Delta Rho was pleased to have six sisters selected for the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award for the 2012-2013 academic year!

Delta Rho is now in the final planning for one of our biggest events, the Hertford-Gates Relay for Life. Our theme for Relay for Life this year is: TAUsing Cancer Overboard! In late March we are anticipating our alumnae gathering in Chesapeake, Virginia. We are gathering with local alumnae chapters in Virginia and North Carolina and other initiated members for a TAUtastic time of laughter and smiles around one table with great food! Delta Rho will celebrate 13 years of sisterhood on the campus of Chowan University on April 8, 2013.

Follow the Delta Rho Chapter on Twitter @AST_DeltaRho.

Delta Sigma University of the Sciences, PA This year has been an exciting one for us. The Greek community at USciences inaugurated a new tradition this semester: to assemble and present bid night in one auditorium, rather than each organization giving bids out separately. It was exciting for us planning our time on stage to show the audience what ΑΣΤ is all about! We hosted our sixth annual Women’s Week on campus, in which we raised money donated to Women’s Cancer Network. Both walks we participated in, Light the Night and Relay for Life, were successful. This April, twenty-three sisters who have contributed significantly to the chapter are joining the alumnae organization; we will miss them dearly!

The Delta Pi chapter of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority is excited to welcome our five new members to the spring Phi class! We are so lucky to have them join our sisterhood. spring 2013 | The Anchor

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COLLEGIANS

Delta Tau Oakland University, MI The 2012 - 2013 year has been one of significant accomplishment for the Delta Tau chapter at Oakland University. This year our total growth has been fantΑΣΤic, totaling 21 new sisters! We have also participated in numerous philanthropy events.

These include Make A Difference Day, where we gardened at Haven House, as well as a Habitat DELTA PHI for Humanity build. We had our first formal this semester, which was a great success. Later in May we will be participating in Focus Hope – packing boxes of food – for the third year, with the Detroit alumnae chapter.

Epsilon Beta We are so excited about all of our growth so far and cannot wait for formal recruitment 2013!

The University of

Delta Psi Johnson & Wales University - Colorado, CO The Delta Psi Chapter has been hard at work these past few months on sisterhood development, philanthropy, and having a great deal of fun as a chapter! In late February, we had a philanthropic event where we made dog treats for the local animal shelters in the Denver area. In early March we made Easter baskets for the children at Brent’s Place, which provides housing to those living with cancer. Our Special Events chair and her committee were hard at work in early January and February to carry out our annual Date Auction event, where we raised over $2,000 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Brent’s Place. It was such a fun event, and we are so happy to donate to such a worthy cause! Our Courtesy chair has also been hard at work implementing new fun programs for our chapter. We now have a love jar where we write our favorite things about a specific sister for her to read throughout the week, and a hero book to be given to a specific sister each week about why she is our role model. The Delta Psi Chapter is also preparing for recruitment and we look forward to initiating our New Members on May 5th, 2013!

Delta Phi New York University, NY This semester we had an amazing spring recruitment. We had so much fun incorporating the America theme by all wearing red, white, and blue. One of our main goals is to promote sisterhood within our organization. For the past few weeks, we have been creating events to help us bond as sisters, and to help us bond with all of our fantastic new members! We are also actively working hard to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Our new member class thought of a great idea. In honor of Pi Day, on March 14 we had our very first homemade Pi Day Bake Sale. All proceeds went to Habitat for Humanity. We raised over $140. We are going to continue to work together to raise even more money!

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The Anchor | spring 2013

Texas - Pan American, TX

The ladies of the Epsilon Beta Chapter have started the year off with a bang! We immediately went into spring recruitment, “Go Wild For ΑΣΤ”, and it was a huge success. We were fortunate enough to buy new letters this semester, and they are a huge hit. This semester we gained seven new members. They are an amazing addition to the sisterhood at Pan-Am, and we are so happy to have them.

Aside from recruitment, we have participated in numerous events. We volunteered for Border Fest, a four-day festival celebrating the Hispanic heritage. We have also been very invested in Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Alcohol Awareness (in collaboration with Delta Zeta), and Mr. ΑΣΤ, and we recently adopted a highway.

Overall this has been a great semester, and we are looking forward to more in the fall for formal recruitment with our Panhellenic sisters from Delta Zeta!

Epsilon Gamma Armstrong Atlantic State University, GA The Epsilon Gamma Chapter has been up to big things this year and we’re only setting our sights higher! This past semester we were very excited to induct our Mu class. We also put on a number of events including our annual Heel-a-Thon to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital – the boys at Armstrong Atlantic State University have never danced better than they did raising money for sick children in our highest heels! This semester we hosted a very successful alcohol awareness event entitled “Fun Without the Hangover,” which the school loved so much that they asked us to make it an annual occurrence. Additionally, we participated in two consecutive Treasure Savannah projects, where students cleaned up areas including Skidaway Island, historic downtown Savannah, Hunter Army Airfield, and our local YMCA. We’re definitely making our mark on the Armstrong student body and the Savannah community, and we look forward to continuing to contribute while simultaneously improving ourselves!

EPSILON GAMMA

COLLEGIANS

Epsilon Zeta University of Virginia’s College at Wise, VA The sisters at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise had a jungle themed recruitment and are more than excited to add three new members to the Epsilon Zeta Chapter. This semester, our main focus has shifted toward Sorority Growth & Development activities, to strengthen the sisterhood we have and to give back to our philanthropies. We have had many MG&D events, which include picture scavenger hunts, yarn tossing, photo shoots, and painting the crest. During a philanthropy party the sisters and new members put together school supply boxes to send to our National Philanthropy, Pine Mountain Settlement School. We also made dozens of cupcakes, filled with love, for Valentine’s Day to go to our local philanthropy, The Southwest Cancer Center. We are currently in the process of setting up Bingo and a nail-painting day with our other local philanthropy, the Mountain View Nursing Home.

Epsilon Theta Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ This semester we hosted a very special philanthropy event. In February, we decided to host a Valentine’s Day “Senior Prom” for Teaneck Nursing Home. The room was completely decorated with hearts and banners while oldies music played in the background.

The sisters, in prom attire, spent time with the residents and got to know many of them on a personal level. By the end of the day, cake was served, a prom king and prom queen was crowned and many residents asked us to please return again. It is our hope to continue this tradition and make it an annual event!

Epsilon Kappa Trine University, IN This April, the Epsilon Kappa Chapter will be holding our second annual Strikes for Riley’s event, which is a bowling tournament to raise funds for our local philanthropy, Riley’s Children’s Hospital.

Photos can be submitted via email to anchor@alphasigmatau.org.

Please send the original file as a TIFF, EPS or JPEG attachment.

EPSILON NU Last year we raised over $700 and this year our goal is to reach at least $1,000.

As a fairly young chapter we do not yet have very many alumnae. However, with our growing alumnae population, we have begun to create a more structured alumnae weekend. Specifically, we have developed the Yellow Rose Banquet to honor those who are going above and beyond in different areas. We are honoring these people by giving them our newly created Golden Anchor Awards, a set of awards that will honor sisters for things like most involved alumna, hardest working recruiter, and more.

As you can see our chapter is creating the foundation for a lot of great programs and events, which we hope will stand throughout the years!

Epsilon Nu McDaniel College, MD This semester is sure to be another eventful one for our chapter. We are looking forward to the one-year anniversary of our installment on February 11. It is so exciting to see all that we have accomplished in only one short year, knowing that all of our hard work has paid off tremendously. Formal recruitment is right around the corner, and we are preparing to welcome more new members into our sisterhood. During rounds for recruitment, we will wear our favorite letters one night to express who we are as a sisterhood, and a “Monopoly” theme is also planned. A big event for us this semester is hosting the “Mr. McDaniel” pageant-like event. Several males will compete for the “Mr. McDaniel” crown. This is one of our biggest fundraisers for the spring semester, and it has become a tradition for us to host. Another event we are planning is a day for our parents.

We want to have a special day where we can spend time with our parents and give them the chance to see what our chapter stands for, both on and off campus. spring 2013 | The Anchor

35

COLLEGIANS

Chapter Installations Epsilon Omicron

University of Southern Indiana

By Cayte Merryman, Psi Educational Consultant

South Bend, Indiana Initiation was held at the university on Saturday, January 13, 2013. Fifty-six women were initiated.

Installation Team: National President Chris Covington, National Vice Presidents Tiffany Street and Kristin Walker, Educational Consultant Cayte Merryman Alumnae: Several alumnae from the Beta Eta Chapter The Installation Banquet was held later that evening on campus. An Italian buffet was served and parents, friends, Panhellenic and IFC representatives, and university officials were in attendance – about 200 people in all.

Epsilon Xi

Gustavus Adolphus College

By Jennifer Mullins, Gamma Xi Educational Consultant

St. Peter, Minnesota Initiation was held at the St. Peter Community Center in downtown St. Peter on Saturday, November 10th, 2012. Fortyfour women were initiated.

Installation Team: National President Chris Covington, National Vice President Tiffany Street, Director of Membership Growth Gretchen Stahl, Associate Director of Chapter Services Allison Bressler, Educational Consultant Jennifer Mullins, Assistant Chapter Adviser Erin Bertocchi, Chapter Consultant Monique Slaughter.

The Installation Banquet was held on Sunday, November 11th, 2012. A buffet brunch was served, with parents, family, and friends in attendance. Gifts were presented to the new chapter from the National Council and National Foundation.

Officer Academy Information Officer Academy will be held in downtown Indianapolis on June 28-30. The Sorority will be hosting two simultaneous programs over the weekend. Phired Up will be hosting a “Social Excellence” experience during Officer Academy. Officer Academy will also feature educational chapter management breakout sessions. Additionally, the Sorority is partnering with Recruitment Boot Camp to offer an intensive training program for chapter Recruitment Directors.

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The Anchor | spring 2013

COLLEGIANS

#BadgeDay13 NOWTRENDING Melanie Rose @rosesmel91

Bout to brave the snow in heels for #badgeday13 #AST#anchoredforlife 8:50 AM - Mar 4, 2013

Sally A Belknap @SalannB1

Alpha Sigma Tau @alphasigmatau

HDQ Staff celebrating Int’l #BadgeDay13 & representing 5 different sororities! #panhelleniclove http://instagr.am/p/ Wcr4M0krD5/ 12:03 PM - Mar 4, 2013

@alphasigmatau Ritual started with our Founders and is passed to us. That and our values connect and bind us. #NationalRitualWeek 2:39 PM - Mar 3, 2013

Tori Dixon @torildixon

Couldn’t be prouder to wear my badge today or to be a sister of Alpha Sigma Tau. I’m so blessed to be anchored for life! #ast 10:45 AM - Mar 4, 2013

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Taus from the Delta Phi Chapter at New York University celebrate International Badge Day with Matt Lauer and Al Roker at the Today Show.

Pictured: Lauren Pinheiro, Mary Curry and Ruth Sobalvarro

#AST #Alphasigmatau #Taulove #Anchoredforlifetaus #taus

spring 2013 | The Anchor

37

ANCHORING THOUGHTS

No More Baby Talk Reprinted with permission from www.alphagammadelta.org/alphagams/blog/nomorebabytalk

We spend days, weeks, even months preparing for a handful of long parties filled with bright decorations, enthusiastic chants, values-based conversation, a meaningful preference round and a bid day to trump all others before it.

We spend time telling the potential new members what Alpha Gamma Delta means to us, how it has made us better women and the ways in which we are looking forward to welcoming them home. We share our Purpose with them, invite them to listen to our songs and open our hearts to tell them how we know they would make amazing members of our organization.

Then bid night hits. And from them on, we knowingly refer to these women, these new members, these now sisters we’ve worked so hard to recruit - as babies.

It just doesn’t match up.

Think about what comes to your mind when you hear the word “baby” - an infant who can’t walk or feed herself; a life so young she is unable to make her own choices and instead needs us to make her every decision; a child so small and unaware, she has no responsibilities and can have no expectations put on her behavior. The term “baby,” even when used in a connotation of love, joy and family, doesn’t accurately communicate the commitment that comes with membership in our, or any, organization. How can a baby contribute to our sisterhood in the ways we expect her to? How can a baby make smart, healthy choices in her life? How can a baby manage school, work and Alpha Gamma Delta among all her priorities and activities?

How can we bring these new members in as a babies, give those babies “mommies” to take care of them, and then wonder why some of them don’t come to meetings, aren’t active in committees and become disengaged members?

We cannot set expectations of our members that we do not first articulate to them. When we teach our new members to be babies, we have not taught them what it means to be fully engaged, committed, dedicated women of Alpha Gamma Delta.

That’s the meaning behind our sister-daughter, sistermother language - not that there would be babies and mommies, but that there would be sisters who care for one another, challenge one another and build one another up. Sister-mothers are expected to be role models, providing guidance and support for their sister-daughters, not babying them.

The [term] “babies”…[has] been used to welcome new members into our sisterhood before, perhaps for years. And

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The Anchor | spring 2013

even when said with all the love and admiration in the world, it still sends the wrong message—a message to them and to the world that we think they are inadequate of making their own choices or offering anything substantial to the chapter. It just doesn’t match up with the experience a women’s fraternity truly provides these new members, with what we said our Purpose is, with what our sisterhood will be for them and who we expect them to be for the sisterhood.

There’s been a recent movement taking our organizations by storm, encouraging women to eliminate their use of the term “baby” when describing 20-somethings and instead replace it with its more suited counterpart, “woman.” This change in vocabulary is powerful. It’s powerful and it’s transformative, and it’s a movement Alpha Gamma Delta wants to be a part of.

Alpha Gamma Delta is not an organization made up of girls.

We are not an organization made up of babies that then grow up, just to be girls. We are women; proud, purposeful women.

We are women who strive to make healthy and responsible life choices, who hold ourselves and our sisters accountable. We are women who understand the commitment, expectations and responsibilities that come with wearing our letters and are honored to represent those letters and all they symbolize.

We believe in this generation, in our generation, in a generation of women who are strong, ambitious, talented, bold, vocal and passionate. It’s an honor to be a part of this women’s Fraternity, of the fraternal movement in general, because of the power it has to transform women into the full, abundant individuals they were created to be. Just as founder Ethel Brown Distin once said, “My faith is in this generation. Through storm and sunshine, war and peace to come, I know Alpha Gamma Delta’s ideals are safe in your keeping.”

We believe in this generation and the women with which the ideals of Alpha Gamma Delta have been entrusted. We must claim that honor, that responsibility, and work to truly shape ourselves and our sisters into who they are - women of Alpha Gamma Delta. And we must start by calling them that.

So welcome your new members as the incredible, capable, powerful, purposeful women that they are. Help them share their brilliance and passion with Alpha Gamma Delta, and allow her to do the same for them. Because THIS shall be our purpose, that those who know us “may esteem Alpha Gamma Delta for her attainments, revere her for her purposes and love her for her womanhood.”

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In the next issueâ&#x20AC;Ś Meet Rachel Hale, our American Idol sister an Alpha Sigma Tau from the Delta Eta Chapter at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee!