3 0 0,0 0 0 T H I N I T I AT E D M E M B E R
Celebrating Our 300,000th Initiated Member
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ast year was a very special year for Pi Beta Phi. Our 150th anniversary gave us the unique chance to reflect on our past and look to the future. It's not every day we have the opportunity to celebrate 150 years of sisterhood! In November, the Fraternity reached another significant milestone: we celebrated 300,000 members ever initiated. Do you think our founders ever imagined Pi Beta Phi would grow from 12 women wearing golden arrows to more than 300,000 women, spanning five generations? We are thrilled to announce our 300,000th initiated member is JULIA PAOLI, a member of the Illinois Zeta Chapter at the University of Illinois. Julia, originally from Naperville, Illinois, is finishing her freshman year. She is majoring in business, but has a growing interest in biology. In addition to her Pi Phi activities, she serves on the Resident Board for her residence hall, planning events and celebrations. Julia knew Pi Phi was the place for her because the women of Illinois Zeta are genuine and down to earth. She was also drawn to Pi Phi because of the Fraternity's philanthropy, Read > Lead > Achieve, and our commitment to making a difference in the lives of children across the world through reading. Lastly, Julia has two Pi Phi women in her family. Her older sister is Illinois Zeta SARAH PAOLI and her aunt is Illinois Zeta GAIL PAOLI GREENE. According to The Beloit College Mindset List, Julia and her peers are the last college class to be born in the 1900s. The Class of 2021 is made up of half men and half women, with 17 percent of students being the first generation in their family to attend college. These men and women often think of themselves as consumers while attending college, with tuition rates continuing to climb and many graduating with some kind of student debt. They are the first generation for whom a “phone� has been primarily a video game, direction finder, electronic telegraph and research library. In honor of her initiation, the Fraternity presented Julia with wine carnations and a special heritage badge donated by Illinois Zeta JANE HAYES RADER, a member of the Southern Illinois Alumnae Club. Jane has served the University of Illinois in many roles and is active in the Illinois Alumni Association. We are excited to welcome Julia to the sisterhood of the wine and silver blue, and we look forward to where her passions take her in the future!
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Top: In November, Illinois Zeta JULIA PAOLI became Pi Phi's 300,000th ever initiated member. The Fraternity presented her with wine carnations and a special heritage badge. Bottom: From left, Illinois Zeta JULIA PAOLI with her older sister, Illinois Zeta SARAH PAOLI. The women's aunt, GAIL PAOLI GREENE, is also an Illinois Zeta.