Betty Mullins Jones

Betty Mullins Jones (Gamma-DePauw), past International President of Alpha Phi and longtime volunteer, was a talented orator who gave more than 1,000 speeches. She was also a masterful writer and a dedicated Alpha Phi. She often shared her perspective at Alpha Phi events, Greek life functions, in the Quarterly and other publications, and her words echoed in the hearts and minds of those who read and heard her words. She underscored the need for change and often shined the light in places where others may have preferred not to look. She celebrated wins as a fierce advocate and reminded us all that lifting up a sister in Alpha Phi is part of what makes our bond so wonderful.

Betty authored books, was appointed the chairman of Alpha Phi’s standards committee and also served as delegate to the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). She was also a past president of the Intrafraternity Research and Advisory Council.

Betty joined the Silent Chapter in 1991, leaving behind two daughters, Jody Jones Serey and Sara “Buffy” Jones, both of Gamma-DePauw, and her husband Dr. Alex Jones. She is remembered today and beloved for the way in which she loved us all. As her daughter Jody shared in her mother’s memory, “Nobody ever did, and nobody ever will, love Alpha Phi more than Betty Mullins Jones.”

Below is an excerpt from Betty’s centennial Convention keynote address that reflects the heart of Alpha Phi in which she speaks of the joy that our Founders had in working together to build this Fraternity and what she hopes we all realize about the value of sisterhood. After sharing anecdotes of our Original Ten taking delight in their own antics, laughing, singing and having fun, she continued:

"Are we now, one hundred years later, becoming grim and serious about this business of fraternity? In the midst of overcoming prejudice and ignorance about fraternities, in the throes of wrestling with financial problems, in facing the frequent break-down of morality in our society and trying to reconcile our ideals with modern lifestyles, are we losing sight of the reasons for our existence?

Why belong to a fraternity at all? What’s in it for you? It takes a lot of time, and you have to support it financially, and there are all kinds of rules to follow, and “national” has all those reports to be filed and you don’t really need it for housing anymore. So, why bother?

Because human beings need each other. Because we function better with companionship. Because we need to exchange ideas, to talk to each other, to share our experiences, to help each other. Because life was not created to be lived in solitude, without friends.

And because life is not intended to be grim and joyless. Out entire existence is based on finding happiness.

This should be the theme of our public relations – the happiness to be found in membership in Alpha Phi, the joy of being together, the contentment of having friends, the challenge and the accomplishment in working with others and bringing happiness to them, too." – Betty Mullins Jones