Media Mix

News about or affecting our members and the greater fraternity/sorority community

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MEMBER NEWS

Sophia Li Educates, Creates and Advocates

With anti-Asian hate crimes on the rise, British Vogue recently published an op-ed by Sophia Li, Theta Nu–Virginia Commonwealth University, on the importance of standing against racism. Sophia ® shares her first-person account of being Asian during a global pandemic heavily blamed on China and addresses age-old systems that continue to oppress people of color. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Sophia is a journalist, fashion designer, director and climate optimist. Her latest project, a fashion collaboration with Public Habit, has caught the attention of some celebrity enthusiasts.

Gabby Beckford Goes West (and East, North and South!)

Gabby Beckford, Theta Nu–Virginia Commonwealth, was recently named "Best in Travel 2021: Emerging Voice Storyteller" by Lonely Planet, a renowned travel guide publisher. Gabby is the founder of the award-winning travel and lifestyle blog packslight.com, an all-inclusive travel resource empowering young people to seek risk, seize opportunity and see the world. She has been featured in publications such as Good Morning America, The New York Times, Travel+Leisure, Essence and Business Insider.

Maryellen Brucato Changes Medical Care

Dr. Maryellen Brucato, Zeta Pi–St. Joseph's University, was named a Top 10 Women Disruptor of 2021 by Disrupt magazine. The publication highlighted women making groundbreaking industry advancements. Founder and CEO of Brucato Foot and Ankle Surgery, Maryellen is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon in New Jersey. She has disrupted—and improved—the medical field by creating mobile treatment rooms.

Olivia Handspiker Breaks the Glass Ceiling

Olivia Handspiker, a third-year computer science student and member at Alpha Eta–Dalhousie University, has made it her mission to ensure women in technology are well represented and receive the support they need to break down barriers in the traditionally male-dominated industry, reports The Chronicle Herald. Olivia currently serves as Vice President–Member Experience at Alpha Eta.

Third Time's a Charm for Megan Johnson

Megan Johnson, Zeta Pi–Saint Joseph’s University, will soon add three-time "American Ninja Warrior" competitor to her resume, according to The Hawk Newspaper. A 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and third-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Megan was recently invited to return for the show's 13th season which is set to air on NBC later this year.

Pamela Pfeffer Receives Top University Honors

 Pamela Korte Pfeffer, Beta Eta–Southern Illinois University Carbondale, ® received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from SIU during its May commencement, the university reports. Pamela is co-founder and Vice President of Treemont Capital Inc., and former President and of SIU Foundation Board and has received numerous awards from the university.

Josie Young Helps Put the 'We' in Wetumpka

Josie Russell Young, Gamma Sigma–Troy University, helped HGTV's Ben and Erin Napier renovate Wetumpka, Alabama, on “Hometown Takeover.” Her family’s Russell Construction Co., where she focuses on marketing and project management, designed and built all of the renovations alongside Ben and Erin. “We physically performed all of the work and did all of the planning and design on the front end. I was on site every day leading that charge for the show," she told Troy Today.

Apsen Countryman Releases Indie EP

After debuting a string of singles this year, Aspen Countryman, Gamma Alpha–University of Georgia, released a full EP in April, according to the Red and Black.

USC Honors Kathleen Campos

Kathleen Burns Campos, Delta Alpha–University of Southern California, received an Alumni Service Award at the 87th Annual USC Alumni Awards, according to the university. Kathleen is the former President of the Trojan League of Los Angeles and a Senior Vice President with Morgan Stanley. She was recently recognized by Forbes as one of the Best in State Wealth Advisors for 2021.

Brittany Burke Changes Fashion

Forbes visited with Brittany Burke, Theta Nu–Virginia Commonwealth University, about the launch of her "radically inclusive" line of clothing, UNITEable, which focuses on fashionable, functional clothing for various body types and needs. After her brother lost his leg due to surgical complications, she became hyper-aware of the difficulties people—especially women—with disabilities often face when looking for clothing.

Lynn Phillips-Gains Earns Industry Honors

Lynn Phillips-Gaines, Theta Theta–Mississippi State University, was named a Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors for the sixth time.

Jessica Fletcher Co-Authors New Book

Jessica Fletcher, Lambda Alpha–Rutgers, released her first book, The Memory Catcher: An Interactive Journal That Uncovers Forgotten Memories From Your Past. Co-authored with her friend Veronica Slater, the journal guides readers to unlock the lost memories and important lessons learned for self-reflection and multigenerational sharing. It is available at ® Amazon.com and other retail booksellers.

Science Guy Bill Nye Talks about his Alpha Gam Mom

Renowned scientist and TV personality Bill Nye recently ® revealed his secret to determining Ice Cube was “The Masked Dancer”—his mother, according to Variety.com. Jacqueline Jenkins-Nye, Theta–Goucher College, was one of a handful of women recruited to crack Japanese and German military codes during WWII. She entered Chapter Grand in 2000 at the age of 79. Bill Nye spoke more about her in a ® 2015 video.

CAMPUS NEWS

WKU Alpha Gams Help Double Fundraising Goal

Western Kentucky University’s annual Midnight on the Hill raised $80,608 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The Theta Iota Chapter placed first in team fundraising for the third year in a row.

UWG Alpha Gams Take a Dig at Hunger Insecurity

The Community Garden Club at the University of West Georgia helps raise awareness regarding sustainability efforts, thanks in part to the Gamma Tau Chapter. Working with the garden gives the chapter hands-on experience growing food.

Zeta Theta Steps Up as Hunger Insecurity Climbs

A Pennsylvania food bank has been working overtime to help the community through the pandemic. With more people facing financial difficulties and relying on food banks, demand has increased, while volunteer availability has dropped. The Zeta Theta Chapter at Lafayette College has been the primary source of student volunteers for the pantry during the pandemic, according to The Lafayette.

Washington State Sweeps AFLV Awards

The Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council at Washington State University recently earned the top two awards from the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values. The Panhellenic Council, which includes Alpha Gam's Delta Beta chapter, received the coveted Sutherland Award.

Sexual Assault Training to Increase at Indiana

Sexual Assault Training to Increase at Indiana A record-breaking 217 people attended March's Student Government meeting at Indiana University where delegates unanimously passed legislation requiring increased sexual assault prevention programming for fraternities and sororities, including Alpha Gam's Beta Delta chapter.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Membership Linked to Confidence and Positive Mental Health

In a piece for Real Clear Education, Nathan Harden argues why freedom of association within fraternity/ sorority membership is crucial to the mission of universities. Additionally, goodtherapy.org published a piece on the ® emotional benefits of membership for first-year students.

Fiji Alumni Pay Mortgage for Former 'House Mom'

A group of Phi Gamma Delta members ® recently surprised their former “house mom” by paying off her mortgage for her 74th birthday, according to The Advocate. Though it has been more than 30 years since Jessie Hamilton worked for the Fiji chapter at Louisiana State University, the impact she made remains. After learning she was still working two jobs to pay off her home, alumni raised $51,765. Jesse has been able to retire and looks forward to taking a much-needed vacation.

New Sorority Founded for Online Students

Women attending accredited online university programs now have a way to network through a new sorority, Sigma Chi Psi, according to the Florida Courier. The group hopes to fill a gap in the social experience of many women who pursue their education online through both local and virtual meet-ups and community service events.

University Enrollment in US Continues to Decline

Forbes highlighted 11 clear and lasting changes to higher education due to the pandemic. They include continued options for remote learning, more accountability regarding diversity, equity and inclusion metrics, cost and a push toward non-degree education and non-traditional degrees. Inside Higher Ed recently reported more than 600,000 fewer students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities this spring compared to last year.