Alpha Phi Quarterly Spring 2022

Quarterly A

ALSO INSIDE:

L P H

A

P H I

SPRING 2022

Learning, Launching, Leading: 2022 Leadership Conference Wrap-Up One of Us: Desiree Flores at United Talent Agency Foundation

g n i g r Fo a PathAhead of st raig ht is no t a se ri es G ol lih ar Li fe’s ro ad m ap St ac ia H oo ko m as g on al w n ro ads. lin es . Fo llo bu ild th eir ow li ce Fi s or Co an d Cr is ti

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 1

4/26/22 9:38 AM

Alpha Phi

Quarterly

Inside This Issue 3

From the Crest Learn how you can celebrate 150 years of Alpha Phi and the Biennial Convention fun June 22-26 in Scottsdale, Arizona

12

One of Us Profiling an Alpha Phi making an impact in her community and inspiring leaders This issue: Desiree Flores, director of employee social impact at UTA Foundation

30

Always Alpha Phi News from our alumnae members and chapters

38

Silent Chapter Honoring our sisters’ passings

39

Amongst the Ivy Accomplishments from our undergraduate members and chapters

A PUBLICATION OF ALPHA PHI INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY SINCE 1888

2020-2022 Alpha Phi Quarterly Editorial Advisory Board Ugwechi Amadi Susan Bevan Sheila George Bright Ella Candage Avery Eves Taylor Gellatly Denise Blankenship Joyce Kelsey Klimara Maci Philitas Alison Cink Rickels Lauren Schuster Susan Brink Sherratt Katherine Burkhard-Sopp Katy Summerlin L. (Allie) Winkelman Anne Wolfcale

Alpha Phi Quarterly Staff Gina Henke, Editor-in-Chief quarterly@alphaphi.org Alpha Phi Quarterly Design Tria Designs Inc. www.triadesigns.com

Editorial Policy The purpose of the Alpha Phi Quarterly and its content is to provide information and services to the membership of the Alpha Phi Fraternity, in keeping with the Fraternity’s status as a 501 (c) (7) tax-exempt private membership organization. The magazine is devoted to highlighting its members and matters of fraternal and collegiate interest. The views expressed in the articles published in the Quarterly are those of the authors and their contributors, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Alpha Phi Fraternity, its officers or staff.

Submissions All persons interested in submitting materials for publication in the Alpha Phi Quarterly are encouraged to send them to the editor at the Executive Office. The editor reserves the right to accept, deny or edit any materials submitted.

Unless otherwise requested, all photos sent to the magazine will become the property of Alpha Phi International and will not be returned.

Articles may be sent by email to quarterly@alphaphi.org or by mail to: Alpha Phi Quarterly 1930 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201.

Submission Deadlines Winter 2023: Oct 5, 2022 Spring 2023: Dec. 5, 2022 Summer 2023: April 5, 2023

Questions

Please direct any submission questions or inquiries regarding advertising or reprint permission to the editor at quarterly@alphaphi.org.

Publisher

Alpha Phi Quarterly (USPS Pub # 14680) is published quarterly by Alpha Phi, 1930 Sherman Ave., Evanston IL 60201-3214. Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL and at additional mailing offices.

Postmaster

Please send address changes to: Alpha Phi Quarterly 1930 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201-3214 or quarterly@alphaphi.org.

Alpha Phi Quarterly SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 2

4/26/22 9:38 AM

VO L . 13 4 N O. 2 SPRING 2022

Features

Forging a Path Ahead

16

Sometimes there is a road we can follow as we pursue our passions. But what happens when you must create your own path so you can travel down it? How do you navigate the transitions and the challenges? Stacia Hookom Gollihar, one of the first women ever named to the US Snowboarding team, and Christi Coors Ficeli, owner of Goosecross Cellars, share their stories and what it is like the forge the path ahead.

Learning, Launching, Leading: 2022 Leadership Conference Wrap-Up

8

In February, Alpha Phi returned to inperson Leadership Conferences in each of our north, south, east and west quadrants.

Collegiate officers and alumnae volunteers enjoyed the opportunity to gather, learn and lead together. This year’s Leadership Conferences were made extra special by the variety of programming and celebrations included.

One of Us Desiree Flores, director of employee social impact at United Talent Agency (UTA) Foundation shares how Alpha Phi leaders offered encouragement as she networked her way to her dream job.

12 SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 1

Alpha Phi Quarterly

1

4/26/22 9:38 AM

Q

A Message from the International President

International Executive Board Jacqueline Schools, President Stacey Thulin Daniel Kathleen (Kate) Boyle Halfon Ruth Gallagher Nelson Lisa Cabaniss Olson Jandy J. Thompson Linda (Allie) Winkelman Ex-officio: Laura Malley-Schmitt, Council of Delegates Ex-officio: Linda Long Boland, Chief Panhellenic Officer Ex-officio: Renee Smith Zimmerman Zainer, Executive Director Ex-officio: Mary Beth C. Tully, Foundation Chair Foundation Directors Mary Beth C. Tully, Chair Rebecca Andrew Zanatta, Vice Chair Claire Costin, Treasurer Coree Smith, Secretary Gretchen Alarcon Janelle Del Carlo Jenny Concepcion Hansen Susan McNeice Shana Smith Ex-officio: Amy Peebles, Executive Director Ex-officio: Jacqueline Schools, International President Executive Office Executive Director: Renee Smith Zimmerman Zainer 1930 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 475-0663 fraternity@alphaphi.org www.alphaphi.org Foundation Office Executive Director: Amy Peebles 1930 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 475-4532 info@alphaphifoundation.org www.alphaphifoundation.org

Dear Sisters, The willingness to take the road less traveled and shaping our own path — that’s Alpha Phi! Throughout our history, Alpha Phis have overcome obstacles, derived innovative solutions and been willing to embrace an unknown future with a resiliency that is a touchstone of our sisterhood. Alpha Phis are, and have always been, strong, committed and forward-thinking because we lift up and support one another as we travel the road together.

Nearly 150 years ago, our Founders were among the earliest women students to successfully form their own fraternity in the face of a maledominated collegiate landscape. The prospect was daunting, but arm-in-arm our members boldly took a stand and created a sisterhood that has stood the test of time. Their dedication and direction sustained us through a history that has spanned two World Wars, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, anti-Greek life periods and other times of war and strife.

During these periods, Alpha Phis shared in the anxiety and fear gripping the world while forging ahead, finding ways to take positive action and lend a helping hand one to another. Despite challenges, our sisterhood did not end; it persevered and found new ways to blossom. Alpha Phis stood up for one another and committed to our beloved Alpha Phi by remembering sisterhood, in practice, is more of a verb than a noun. Standing together, Alpha Phis lent a helping hand to their communities and always prioritized the growth and development of our Fraternity.

In 2020, we saw this same commitment as the global pandemic began shutting down in-person operations and we all wondered how life at home in quarantine would look. Each of us recognized exactly how our fellow Alpha Phis throughout history felt, because we’ve felt it and lived it, too.

Fifty or 100 or 150 years from now, when Alpha Phis reflect on our shared history, it will be our story of leading during a global pandemic that they celebrate, just as we celebrate our sisters’ actions in trying times over the past 150 years.

When we think about the hallmark of sisterhood, what we really mean is the connection rooted in supporting one another, cheering each other on, experiencing the world through each other’s eyes and walking in their shoes. Through it all, our togetherness has never been just about being hand-to-hand, because we are always connected heart-to-heart.

Each day, I am thankful for each of you — your collective resilience and support is what continues to ensure Alpha Phi remains strong, relevant and here to support women today and tomorrow. I know how hard the past two years have been — I’ve walked this journey with you every step of the way. It is due to the hard work and commitment of collegiate and alumnae members that Alpha Phi remains vital, sacred and valued.

Our connection is the same one our Founders shared. Life’s peaks and valleys, and especially the interesting side roads and paths we travel together, bond us forever — not to a time or place, but to each other and to Alpha Phi.

National Panhellenic Conference Council of Delegates: Laura Malley-Schmitt Chief Panhellenic Officer: Linda Long Boland Alternate Delegate: Laura Lynn Davidson Ellett

2

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 2

AOE,

Jacqueline Schools (Eta Lambda-George Mason) International President

Alpha Phi Quarterly SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:39 AM

From the Crest f Brave & Bold Dialogues f StrongU f Behind Happy Faces f Sexual Violence Prevention Webinars f Sexual Violence Prevention E-Course f Understanding Self and Others f Conversations that Mattie

AT A GLANCE

f Leadership Institute f Leadership Launchpad f Build the Skill f Keynote Speaker Series f Preparing for Academic Success Series (PASS) f Congressional Hill Visits f Elevate Your Career f Learn Alpha Phi

Developed by the University of Arizona to empower participants to develop their personal leadership style using the principles of emotionally intelligent leadership, this program is open to all members.

Participants will gain in-demand skills that employers value in prospective employees and a LinkedIn badge to boost awareness for these skills. All have the chance to expand their knowledge on emotionally intelligent leadership and learn ways to leverage empathy to create change.

f The Buzz f Alcohol Safety f Hazing Prevention 101 f ScreenU f Live Courageously Academy f Step Up! In-Person Program f Step Up for One Another: Bystander Intervention

f Day of Service

Made possible thanks to the generosity of Alpha Phi Foundation donors.

Attendees will build on their existing leadership capabilities and experiences and complete 10-15 hours of coursework and their e-portfolio at their own pace over several weeks.

f League of Coaches

Learn more about Alpha Phi's leadership programs at alphaphi.org/programs SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 3

Alpha Phi Quarterly

3

4/26/22 9:36 AM

From the Crest

Recharge, Renew, Refocus.

The snow is gone, the sunshine is out, vacations have started and, perhaps, a little bit of time to unwind. The health, safety and wellbeing of our members is a top priority, and we encourage ever yone to make time to renew, refocus and recharge.

It is always a good time to prioritize health, preparation and self-care so that you feel refreshed to take on your next goal. But what can you do to make this season one where you recharge, renew and refocus? Here are some ideas for alumnae and collegians alike.

Reflect on this past ye ar the success , e and challen s ges Reflection

is a great way to evaluate less ons learned and plan for the next phase.

FO R CO LL EG

IA N S:

Participate in a leadership experience Enga

Serve your community

ge in leader sh ip developmen t through yo ur univer sity or other ex tern al partners. Co nsider intern ships, Undergradua te Interfrate rnit y Institute (UIF I), Leader Shap and other in e stitutional re treats.

How can you use some of your time to fulfill needs in your community?

Get activeaesy to

Attend Convention

d it is Life is busy an in the hustle es di bo r e neglec t ou it all. Make tim of le st bu d an g in ov m body to keep your and healthy.

Celebrate 150 years of Alpha Phi with a weekend aw ay with some of your fav orite Alpha Phis!

t u re a N e r re t h e Explo d explo an tdoor s you.

G e t o u ure aro un d na t

4

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 4

Unplug

Put the phone down and step away from all screens.

Recharge by cutting the cord to your electronics (even if only temporarily).

Alpha Phi Quarterly SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:36 AM

Fraternity Updates

FO R CO LL EG

IA N S:

h Connect wit an alumnae member or grab

Learn something new

learn Pick up a new hobby, a new ild bu or e ag gu a new lan old too ver skill set . We are ne to learn!

e to chat Take some tim r alumnae. ou ith w ee coff n willing to They are of te e e perspectiv mentor, shar . nd ie fr w ne a and make

Cook up a fe

ast

W hether you cook along to one of our virtua l Alpha Phi Ea ts cooking dem os or you fin d your own recipe, seize the chan ce to get cookin g.

FO R ALUM NA E:

Connect with a collegian Grab coffee or a quick walk with a collegiate memb er to offer mentorship and friendship.

Phone a Friend ... or meet in person, whichever you prefer but make time to connect with the Alpha Phis you kn ow and those new to yo ur communit y.

Go for a drive

Sing your heart out with the windows down, sunroof open and escape for a moment.

Use your e vacation tim w days

op for a fe Shut the lapt is e phone, now th off rn and tu by ge ar e to rech the perfec t tim perspective. ur yo ng gi chan SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 5

Plan a getaway with your chapter sisters

It doesn ’t matter wh ere, but the important thing is to make time to spend with ea ch other.

Chill out and catch up on your favorite streaming favorites

Unwind and find a sh inspires you.

ow that

Set new goals and create an action plan

Set new goals for the coming year and start developing an action plan so you are ready as you head into the next year.

The Alpha Phi Health, Wellness & Accountability Team is available to counsel on additional ways we can all renew and recharge this season.

For more information, be sure to reach out to the team at accountability@alphaphi.org Alpha Phi Quarterly

5

4/26/22 9:36 AM

Celebrate Get Ready to

73RD BIENNIAL CONVENTION JUNE 22-26, 2022

JW MARRIOTT CAMELBACK INN RESORT & SPA | SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

Join us in Scottsdale, Arizona for the 73rd Biennial Convention and celebrate 150 years of Alpha Phi.

ALPHA PHI

EST.1872

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 6

4/26/22 9:36 AM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

Make the weekend a celebration of sisterhood, fun and plenty of time together.

Shop Alpha Phi for 150th Anniversary Merchandise Welcome Dinner at Mummy Mountain Collegiate Reception Alumnae Reception

THURSDAY, JUNE 23 Historical Moments Display and Digitization Area Academy Trainings Lunch Constitution Q&A Leading With Heart Dinner Volunteer Appreciation Reception

FRIDAY, JUNE 24 Convention Assembled Awards Luncheon Court of Ivy 150th Celebration Order of the Ivy Reception

SATURDAY, JUNE 25 Convention Assembled Service of Remembrance

tion is Registra ! o p e n n ow r g i. h ap o V isit alph y word search ke n o Conventi

Women of Achievement Luncheon Initiation Loving Cup Ceremony Candlelight Banquet ... and much more.

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 7

Alpha Phi Quarterly

7

4/26/22 9:36 AM

From the Crest

Learning, Launching, Leading:

2022 Leadership Conference Wrap-Up

by Gina Henke

F

rom the end of January through the end of February, Alpha Phi officers, volunteers and members had the opportunity to learn, launch and lead at the Fraternity’s 2022 Leadership Conferences.

To kick off the five weekends of programming, the January 29 virtual Leadership Conference offered training for 920 attendees from chapters across the United States and Canada. Primary attendees were appointed officers as well as volunteers and members who could not travel/attend an in-person

8

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 8

conference. The in-person sessions added another 1,750 attendees across the north, south, west and east conferences.

From housing and finance, to membership and education, to health, wellness and accountability and marketing, attendees enjoyed educational and resource sharing sessions that brought dialogue and inspiration. With a focus on leadership skill development, important training and strategy development, members enjoyed the chance to celebrate Alpha Phi together during this milestone anniversary year.

Alpha Phi Quarterly SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:36 AM

Fraternity Updates

NORTH QUADR ANT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Feb. 4-6 Hilton Chicago Chicago, Illinois

Our chapters work hard to lead with character, live generously, prioritize sisterhood and innovate as they pursue their goals and give back on their campus and in their community.

Their diligent efforts meant kudos were definitely in order! Chapters who met or exceeded their goals and/ or made significant progress were honored with recognition. Alpha Phi International President Jacqueline Schools (Eta Lambda-George Mason) was proud to present chapters with their well-deserved awards. Alpha Phi Fraternity and Foundation presented over 120 awards between the conferences.

“Leadership Conference has inspired me in so many ways. As a leader, sister and peer, every detail matters. It's often the littlest details that can mean the most. The conference showed me how I can improve my chapter's health through finance. It inspired me to be a leader that focuses on all the small things.

I want to be the type of leader who goes above and beyond to get to know every organization member; a leader that focuses on the details that others sometimes forget; a leader whose legacy is unforgettable.”

Kathryn Ladley (Zeta Delta-Iowa State) Vice President, Finance and Housing

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 9

Alpha Phi Quarterly

9

4/26/22 9:37 AM

From the Crest

SOUTH QUADR ANT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Feb. 11-13

WEST QUADR ANT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Feb. 18-20

Hyatt Regency Dallas

Westin L A X

Dallas, Texas

At each Leadership Conference, members received information and training that emphasized the importance of bystander intervention in an emergency. Alpha Phi’s new program, StepUp! was an integral part of the conversation at these conferences. StepUp! is facilitated by alumnae volunteers and includes both in-person and digital resources.

The glowstick ceremony held at Leadership Conference as part of the StepUp! campaign celebration reinforced the positive impact that comes when Alpha Phis support one another. Members activated their glowsticks as Fraternity staff read out examples of ways Alpha Phi has touched members and soon the room was filled with light.

10

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 10

“The lectures we attended completely changed the way I view my role as an executive officer, but I think my most important takeaway was learning to create social media posts with purposes.

It is important to share not only why we joined Alpha Phi, but also why we stay!”

Los Angeles, California

All Leadership Conference attendees were part of the 150th anniversary celebrations and participated in a 150-year birthday party for the Fraternity. In Silver, Bordeaux and pink, our members took the time to have fun and connect with one another.

They shared ideas of how they might host their own Happy Birthday Alpha Phi celebration with their chapter this coming year. Attendees played games like “Martha Says,” “What Do You Meme?” and “Find That Object.”

They also enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to our beloved Fraternity.

Isabella Mulwani Iota Beta-St. Mary's VP Marketing

Alpha Phi Quarterly SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:37 AM

Fraternity Updates

“To me, being our Chapter President as our fraternity prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary is a testament to our values.

Alpha Phi continues to lead conversations that promote diversity, foster inclusivity and strive toward equity. As we reach this 150th year mark, I’m reminded of the courageous women of color who trail blazed the path before me. I’m proud to contribute to this change, and I look forward to seeing Alpha Phi continue to creatively transform Greek life’s reputation and diversify membership.”

EAST QUADR ANT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Feb. 25-27 Hilton Meadowlands East Rutherford, New Jersey

All in-person Leadership Conferences included a celebration with Alpha Phi Foundation. As the Foundation is poised to reach its Leading With Heart campaign goals later this year, Alpha Phi Foundation Chai, Mary Beth Tully (Epsilon PsiLehigh) and Foundation staff shared progress on the groundbreaking Leading With Heart campaign.

Attendees learned more about the important role the Foundation plays in supporting continued leadership and programming opportunities for future generations of Alpha Phis.

“After attending Leadership Conference I learned so much about how marketing is crucial for attracting our chapter’s potential new members. I plan to cater our content on all our social media platforms to attract those with Alpha Phi’s values, especially girls interested in pursuing leadership roles and making a difference within their community.”

Tayedza Chikumbirike Xi-Toronto VP Marketing

Sydney Roberts Lambda Chapter–UC Berkeley Chapter President

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 11

Alpha Phi Quarterly

11

4/26/22 9:37 AM

From the Crest

ALPHA PHIS ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE

ONE OF US

Desiree Flores

(Gamma Beta-UC Santa Barbara)

Director, UTA Foundation at United Talent Agency (UTA) Desiree Flores joined Alpha Phi because of the instant connection she felt with the members she met during recruitment. She wanted to network with like-minded students who were engaging in the community while having fun. Building friendships that last a lifetime was high on the list, too. She did all that, and can also trace the start of her career back to Alpha Phi. “All the women from the Gamma Beta chapter were career focused, driven and bold. Surrounding myself with these women has inspired me to reach for the stars!” said Desiree. “While I was President of Gamma Beta, I attended Leadership Conference where I met Gamma Beta alumna and former president Laura Roenick. Laura was volunteering as an advisor to Pepperdine and working at UTA. I was eager to learn more about UTA, and Laura was kind enough to offer her time,” Through Alpha Phi, Desiree was also able to network and form a connection with Brianne Chan, who had recently graduated and was also working at UTA. With their guidance ten years ago, Desiree secured a place in UTA’s summer internship program and, as they say, the rest is history. With time employed also at a financial software company and an internship at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, she was building the skills and confidence to bolster her professional development.

After graduation, Desiree returned to UTA and was prepared to work her way up to achieve her goals. She was set to start in the mailroom as part of their agent trainee program, when a position opened up in the foundation.

Desiree interviewed and earned a role as an assistant. She was later promoted to coordinator, then manager and now works in a director capacity.

12

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 12

Currently, Desiree serves as the director of employee social impact at the UTA Foundation and oversees the related employee programming. This includes global volunteerism, youth mentoring, and the company’s community partnerships. She also works closely with the team that manages the company’s corporate giving initiatives.

“I have always admired the way TV and film can shed light on social issues,” shared Desiree. “When I joined UTA and had the opportunity to learn more about the UTA Foundation, I was inspired to pursue a career in social impact within the entertainment and media industry.”

Valuing the way others helped open doors for her, Desiree has paid forward the same to others in her chapter. As job opportunities have become available at UTA, she has tried to mentor them the way others supported her. Now she has the pleasure of working with some she has supported, and Desiree finds it fulfilling.

Alpha Phi Quarterly SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:37 AM

Fraternity Updates

“All the women from the Gamma Beta chapter were career focused, driven, and bold.

Surrounding myself with these women has inspired me to reach for the stars!”

The UTA Foundation focuses on engaging with organizations that align with the agency’s philanthropic priorities. With this in mind, Desiree challenges herself to always be evaluating. “With so many charitable causes and social issues in our world, I always ask myself, ‘Are doing enough? Are we offering enough opportunities for our employees to engage in their communities? Are we supporting enough nonprofits in the youth development space?’”

For her, it is all about the peace and confidence that come from knowing she has made a difference. “In 2017, UTA cancelled our Oscar party, and the Foundation was able to, instead, facilitate a donation to the American Civil Liberties Union and International Rescue Committee in support of immigrants and those affected by [the immigration policies in place at the time]. We also hosted a rally featuring clients, activists and politicians advocating for the rights of artists and the creative community,” shared Desiree.

She has found similar pride when UTA began working more closely with their diversity and inclusion group and the larger agency to support organizations emphasizing equity.

That work also came with UTA’s commitment to donate $1 million to social and racial justice causes between 2020 and 2024.

Best Lesson She Has Learned: Lead with kindness.

Kindness empowers a team to share new ideas, maintain a positive mindset in high-stress moments and embrace change and innovation as a company grows.

Her Advice:

Network as much as you can, explore any opportunity that piques your interest and – when you finally land your dream job – show them what you are made of! Be a student of the job, demonstrate a strong work ethic and stay curious.

Desiree and her husband recently celebrated their first-year wedding anniversary. In addition to enjoying adventures together, she is also excited to build upon her career at UTA and lead with empathy.

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 13

Alpha Phi Quarterly

13

4/26/22 9:37 AM

W I T H A G OA L O F R A ISI NG $38 M I LL ION, A L P H A P H I F O U N DAT I O N D O N O R S H AV E …

Funded over 30 new leadership training programs

W H AT DOES YOUR HE ART BE AT F OR?

Awarded over $1.6 million in scholarships Granted $600,000 to women’s cardiac care research through the Heart to Heart Grant

More Alpha Phis than ever have united around one goal: leading with heart. In 2015, dedicated and forward-thinking Alpha Phi leaders made the bold decision to launch a transformative campaign that would invest in our members and ensure our future.

Number of member donors:

15,000+

Through Leading With Heart, not only has Alpha Phi raised the standard for leadership training, merit and need based scholarships, and grants, we are also setting the standard for philanthropic efforts throughout the National Panhellenic Conference.

Through endowment, Alpha Phi Foundation is supporting the Fraternity’s response to the needs of our members.

We are reacting to the changing philanthropic world and how women are demanding more from their philanthropy of choice. Alpha Phi Foundation has evolved our policies and procedures to protect and build donor investments.

Alpha Phi Foundation donors are forging a new path for our organization – but there is still work to do!

Join us and be a part of Alpha Phi history!

Leading With Heart is Alpha Phi Foundation’s acknowledgement of this growth and our promise to support the legacy of our sisterhood.

M AK E A GIF T TO LE ADING WITH HEART UPCOMING EVENTS

today .

Online:

alphaphifoundation.org/ways-to-give/donate

CONVENTION 2022 Celebrate the conclusion of Leading With Heart and 150 years of Alpha Phi.

Mailed Check:

Alpha Phi Foundation 1930 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL 60201

LEADERSHIP DAY OF GIVING Join us this September as we celebrate Alpha Phi’s cutting edge leadership training opportunities with Alpha Phi Foundation’s Leadership Day of Giving.

14

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 14

Alpha Phi Quarterly SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:37 AM

THE WOMEN WHO F ORGED T H E PAT H F OR LE ADI NG W ITH HE ART

“

I give to Alpha Phi because I believe in my Fraternity.

As Alpha Phi has grown in number of chapters and membership, the need to develop and connect those chapters and members must grow as well. The Leading With Heart campaign allows the Foundation to provide a guarantee to the Fraternity that a certain level of programming can always be provided.

When we envisioned a comprehensive endowment campaign, we knew we were facing challenges – both anticipated and unanticipated.

We wanted to provide meaningful, large-dollar scholarships, make sure Alpha Phis who experienced financial difficulties had a safety net, continue to advance women’s heart health, ensure that we continued as guardians of our remarkable history, and provide leadership programming that would benefit our organization, our individual members, and the communities we are a part of.

We felt called upon to be activists in so many ways. Leading With Heart was our answer.

- DIANE SPRY STR AKER (DELTA ALPHA – EAST CAROLINA)

Alpha Phi Foundation donors are impacting their sisters and their communities every day by supporting Leading With Heart. But these four women are who envisioned a transformative future for Alpha Phi. They have invested their time, talent, and treasure. Our Alpha Phi experience will continue well into the future because of their visionary thinking and commitment.

FOUNDATION BOAR D CH AIR, 2012-2016 CA MPAIGN STEER ING COMMIT TEE

“Many of us have long dreamed of a comprehensive endowment campaign.

Through the years, many boards, both Foundation and Fraternity, hoped for a time when the Foundation could help provide the stability of funding to the Fraternity for educational programming. It is my dream to help ensure that Alpha Phi is always able to anticipate what is needed in the future.

What better time to endow leadership and the other programs so important to Alpha Phi than in the years leading up to our 150th celebration! The campaign provides each of us with a way to thank our courageous, visionary founders.

It is an honor and a privilege to be part of the Leading With Heart campaign.“ - LINDA GARDNER MASSIE (DELTA ALPHA – EAST CAROLINA) INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT, 1994-1998 FOUNDATION BOAR D CH AIR, 2008-2012 CA MPAIGN STEER ING COMMIT TEE, CO-CH AIR

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 15

“Endowments to support our leadership, scholarship, and heart health programs are not built overnight; these take careful thought, commitment, and the generosity of Alpha Phis across all our chapters.

The Leading With Heart campaign was carefully crafted to connect with and educate sisters about the impact of these three program areas and the opportunity to support them into the future. As we connect and reconnect with many sisters in this sharing, celebrating, and cultivating process, our sisterhood has grown even stronger and more vibrant.”

- SUSAN WEISKITTLE BARRICK (BETA OMICRON – BOWLING GREEN)

“Together with donors and Alpha Phis across the globe, we will ensure Alpha Phi’s vibrant future, deepen our impact, and boldly embrace our call to lead with heart for the next 150 years. At no other time in our history has Alpha Phi Foundation’s purpose and mission been as clear or as vital. Leading With Heart will strengthen our beloved Fraternity, ensure its legacy, and inspire our sisterhood to live lives with purpose and passion, hand in hand and heart to heart.”

- MARY BETH COOLEEN TULLY (EPSILON PSI – LEHIGH) FOUNDATION BOAR D CH AIR, 2017-2022 CA MPAIGN STEER ING COMMIT TEE

FOUNDATION BOAR D CH AIR, 2004-2008 CA MPAIGN STEER ING COMMIT TEE, CO-CH AIR

alphaphifoundation.org Alpha Phi Quarterly

15

4/26/22 9:37 AM

16

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 16

Alpha Phi Quarterly SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:37 AM

g n i g r o F h t a aP d a e Ah

by Gin a He n

B

lazing your own trail ahead can be challenging.

It can bring fear, worry and failure.

But it can also bring confidence.

It can bring joy, can yield a network of support, and, yes, success.

What does that success look like? Well, one of the best parts of forging your own path ahead is that you get to determine what success looks like for you. Sure, others will have their opinions. If we are being honest, they may share those opinions with you or others instead of keeping silent. But you are the person who ultimately decides the success of pursuing your goal, who writes your own story or develops your own system.

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 17

ke

Alpha Phis have been leaders in their futures and illuminating a path for others since the Founders spoke their first promises to each other and declared with their actions that women deserved the opportunities that come with sacred camaraderie and mutual support. The strength to persevere in pursuit of your passions can come from within, it can come from a spiritual source, it can be traced back to family support and it can also blossom from the friendships formed in the springtime of our youth.

When you have someone in your corner to cheer you on or lift you up, it makes a difference. When people surround you with love and hold up a mirror so you can better

recognize your capabilities, light a candle so you can see the way or walk with you to the horizon so you can gain a different perspective, it makes a difference. That is what Alpha Phis have in this sisterhood.

For Stacia and Christi, whose stories follow here, excitement has followed periods of uncertainty, light has followed (and preceded) darkness (as it often goes). Their confidence has risen after trials and, with passing time, each has developed the ability to recognize and celebrate their success, the success of others and redefine what success means to them.

Alpha Phi Quarterly

17

4/26/22 9:37 AM

Here’s To the Road Ahead CARVING SNOW AND LEAVING HER MARK

by Gina Henke Featuring Stacia Hookom Gollihar, MMS, PA-C (Beta Gamma-Colorado)

A

“I would no longer compete in snowboarding, but I did not quit. My goal changed. That mentality saved me.”

18

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 18

Alpha Phi Quarterly

s an adolescent, Stacia had three passions: attending school, cheering on the Denver Broncos with her father and skiing. The first time she went skiing she was three, years before she would find herself on a snowboard and years before she would be the first woman named to the first U.S. Snowboarding team in the 1994-1995 season.

“My mom always said I just loved it from the beginning,” remembered Stacia. “I had the opportunity to take lessons on weekends, but I really loved skiing because it brought me a connection with my dad.” Stacia’s dad was the first to introduce her to snow sports and their bond deepened on the slopes.

Stacia skied at every opportunity, joining programs that focused on racing. She participated in the Buddy Warner learn to ski program in Colorado, where parents volunteered to teach youth and hosted ski racing once a year. When she was in high school, the Vail, Colorado area started offering snowboarding opportunities.

She and a few friends tried it out in 1987, much to the chagrin of Stacia’s father, but soon after she began

snowboarding she loved it. “When I had gotten pretty good on the board, we went out together and I showed my dad what I could do. When he saw me perform and how happy I was, he thought the whole thing was incredible,” said Stacia.

“Dad was always my biggest fan.

When a local newspaper would publish results, he would clip and save them. He had a Stacia Hookom hall of fame in his home, with framed articles on the walls,” said Stacia.

What drew Stacia to snowboarding? The speed was the biggest factor, but she also loved how “the mountain looked completely different on a snowboard. You can carve your snowboard down and leave your mark,” she said. “Snowboarding was a natural fit and stemmed from my passion for ski racing. My friends and I already knew how to race.

All we had to do was learn how to snowboard. For women, the field was wide open, and we could already read the course and go fast,” said Stacia.

Stacia raced in all aspects of snowboarding, from the slalom and giant slalom, to the parallel slalom and parallel giant slalom, to the half-pipe, SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:37 AM

while today’s snowboarders specialize in specific events. When she was competing, mornings were early as she traveled from race to race. She would go to the slopes, set a course to practice and run the course many times, trying to improve her speed.

After lunch or rest, Stacia would then start her dry land conditioning, which included interval and strength training or playing games like soccer or ultimate frisbee.

In summers, Stacia traveled to Arizona and found one of her biggest cheerleaders, a conditioning gym called Athletes Performance that served professional athletes and acted as her cheerleaders as she pushed forward. “I thought I knew how to work out and get in shape, SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 19

but they helped me understand that passing fitness tests is not just about conditioning. It’s about knowing how to pass the fitness tests,” shared Stacia. With their help, she added longevity to her career and won her first Grand Prix title.

What does a competitive snowboarder do when it comes time to pick a college? Stacia’s mom, Cynthia Bullinger Lashley (Gamma Omicron-Drake), encouraged her to attend the University of Colorado and made a deal with her that she could take off the winter to compete. The balance was hard, but that didn’t take away from the joy of Stacia’s first semester in the fall of 1993. During that semester, she went through

“Dad was always my biggest fan.

When a local newspaper would publish results, he would clip and save them. He had a Stacia Hookom hall of fame in his home, with framed articles on the walls.”

Alpha Phi Quarterly

19

4/26/22 9:37 AM

recruitment and joined Alpha Phi. “It was a great semester for me… just a normal college experience.

I took too many classes, studied a lot, crammed for tests and met Alpha Phi and fellow snowboard enthusiast Summer Morrill Deaton,” said Stacia. “The girls in the house were amazing. I look back on that time and I feel like I was in school with them for years, when, really, I was just there for bits and pieces of time between competitions and training, but I loved it.”

During the spring after she joined Alpha Phi, while she was competing she suffered an injury that blew out her knee. It was a season-ending injury, but it was also the year they would name the U.S. Snowboarding team — and Stacia wanted to be on that team.

She wanted to get to the U.S. Nationals in

20

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 20

Alpha Phi Quarterly

March of 1994. She wore a brace and went through physical therapy for six weeks. Then, she raced. “I fell and it hurt, and that should have been it,” remembered Stacia; and yet, she went to Nationals, without many points because she had not competed enough to earn them that season.

With a bib of 20, at the back of the pack, Stacia had limited options, but this was the race she was there to win. “I had a really good run and won the race. It was remarkable!

After a terrible season, I had done it,” said Stacia. The stars aligned, and her combined time on the slalom and giant slalom races that day put her in first place. One more race followed, and she was tops there, too. “My scores would not have mattered after Nationals, so I just kept on winning. It made me think, ‘What am I made of?’

‘What am I capable of achieving?’ And the experience gave me confidence to dream toward my big goals,” remembered Stacia.

The win at Nationals was huge.

Each time Stacia raced as part of the U.S. Snowboarding team,

SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:37 AM

she challenged herself to analyze her performance, understand her strengths and weaknesses and improve. “One coach told me that to be the best, I had to be the first on the hill and the last off. So that’s what I did,” said Stacia. No matter the obstacle, as she pursued her goal of making it to the Olympics, she said, “You never could count me out.”

The highs are tempered by the lows. Sadly, she missed qualifying for the Nagano, Japan Olympic Games, Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002 and the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy by just one spot each time. She was not, however, deterred. She worked harder where others eased off the gas and made the most of her ability.

Although she had not made it to the Games in 2006, she had achieved great results — high enough to earn her funding, so she decided she would compete for one more year. She would close her competitive career on her own terms. In 2007, the World Championships brought her luck and she finished with her best placements in that event, grabbing the 8th overall spot in giant slalom and 5th in slalom, her personal bests in that particular competition.

Not only did she forge her own path, but Stacia did it twice — once entering competition and once as she left it to explore other parts of life. After her final competition, she remembers soaking it all in, honoring what she had done — and how she had done it. “And then it was a good time for me to move on. I came home, finished school, which I had returned to while competing two years earlier, and prepared for graduation in May,” Stacia said.

“I am not a quitter, and the fact that my Olympic goal eluded me was hard,” she said. “I know I was good enough to have made it and believe I would have risen to the occasion had things aligned differently. I struggled with that for many years, wondering, ‘Did I waste my time?’”

She remembers an athletic trainer asking her if she had considered a SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 21

career as a physician assistant, and her interest was piqued. “I could study two years, earn my Master’s degree and practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor? I was in. It felt like the next right step. I would no longer compete in snowboarding, but I did not quit. My goal changed. That mentality saved me,” said Stacia.

The world watched this year as Shaun White wrapped his professional snowboarding competitive career at the 2022 Winter Olympics, and saw the emotion that played across his face in coming to terms with a moment he had prepared

“I am not a quitter, and the fact that my Olympic goal eluded me was hard.”

Stacia’s Top Stats WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

2007 Parallel Giant Slalom (5th) 2007 P arallel Slalom (8th) 2005 Parallel Slalom (21st) 2005 Parallel Giant Slalom (22nd) 2003 Parallel Slalom (24th) 2003 Parallel Giant Slalom (8th) 2001 Parallel Slalom (8th) 2001 Parallel Giant Slalom (27th) 2001 Giant Slalom (12th) 1999 Parallel Slalom (16th) 1999 Parallel Giant Slalom (44th) 1999 Giant Slalom (24th) 1997 Parallel Slalom (8th) 1997 Parallel Giant Slalom (32nd) 1996 Giant Slalom (12th) 1996 Halfpipe (9th) 1996 Parallel Slalom (8th)

2002 Giant Slalom 2002 Slalom 1994 USASA Giant Slalom 1994 USASA Slalom 1994 USSA Slalom 1993 USASA Slalom

WORLD CUPS 2006 Parallel Giant Slalom 2002 Parallel Giant Slalom 1998 Parallel Slalom 1997 Parallel Slalom 1996 Slalom 1995 Half-Pipe 1995 Parallel Slalom 1995 Slalom 1995 Giant Slalom 1995 Giant Slalom

1st 2nd 3rd 4th

NATIONAL CUPS 2006-2007 Parallel Giant Slalom 2005-2006 Parallel Giant Slalom 2005-2006 Parallel Giant Slalom 2003-2004 Parallel Giant Slalom 2003-2004 Parallel Giant Slalom 2003-2004 Parallel Slalom 2003-2004 Slalom 2002-2003 Slalom 2002-2003 Parallel Giant Slalom 2002-2003 Parallel Giant Slalom 2001-2001 Parallel Giant Slalom 2002 Parallel Giant Slalom 2001 Slalom 2000 Slalom 1998 Giant Slalom 1998 Slalom 1995 Giant Slalom 1994 Slalom 1993 Slalom

OTHER NOTABLE WINS 2000 Goodwill Games, Lake Placid, NY 1994 ISF Junior World Championships Alpha Phi Quarterly

21

4/26/22 9:37 AM

for, the closing of one door and opening of another. To give so much of yourself to something that your body cannot sustain forever, but which you love almost as much as breathing — that kind of commitment takes a lot of courage. “Sports represents some of the best times in my life,” said Stacia, “and if I didn’t have something to step into that I was passionate about, it would have been so much harder.”

That passion came in two forms — her career as a physician assistant and a family.

As a child, when her grandmother had died of cancer, she remembers thinking she wanted to help cure cancer so others would not have to suffer. She took a job as a research assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center, left for a more advanced role and returned to MD Anderson through an elective rotation for her training. She found a job there when she was done with school and has been there ever since. “I love the intrinsic reward of accomplishing my goals and building resiliency in my work,” shared Stacia.

Transitioning out of competition life was hard, but one of the most rewarding parts of her work today is the opportunity to be part of the patients’ care team, supporting them, cheering them on and helping them to heal.

The fact that Stacia had fallen in love with her now husband also helped soften the blow. It also explains how this mountain-loving, snowcrazy, determined woman finds herself in Texas these days.

She met John in an airport when she was traveling through Houston on a layover. They talked the whole flight and, “He asked me to go out on a date, and I remember thinking he was older, a businessman and not my type. But then we went on the date, and I smiled when I saw him dancing to music as they played pool during ladies’ night at a local bar.

I thought to myself, ‘I am probably going to marry him.’”

Once married, Stacia moved to Houston where John was raising his now adult daughter, Gabby, and where they added to their family with daughters Cora and Clara who are seven and four respectively.

John and Gabby were there to cheer her on at her final

22

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 22

Alpha Phi Quarterly

“Sports represents some of the best times in my life, and if I didn’t have something to step into that I was passionate about, it would have been so much harder.” competition, one of Stacia’s most salient memories. As a working mom, Stacia sees her role as a model for her kids as an important one. “I want them to grow and be productive members of society. It is important they see me meeting obligations and being able to embrace their path when they get older,” she said.

Her typical day now revolves around them and working in either the melanoma skin cancer clinic with patients or assisting in the operating room. Evenings are for family activities, ballet and hopefully sports. She makes time to take care of herself every day. Training is still critical for her, and she spends time in her garage gym.

What’s on the horizon for Stacia?

Sometimes she thinks about just registering for a snowboard race and competing for the fun of it. Maybe one day the family will move back to Colorado where she would like to teach her daughters to love ski racing.

Perhaps coaching is in her future. She would like to write more medical articles. Creating opportunities for girls to engage with sports is high up on her list, too. “I am content right now,” said Stacia…content to keep embracing life as she races into the next turn, goals at-the-ready and determination part of her DNA. SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:43 AM

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 23

Alpha Phi Quarterly

23

4/26/22 9:37 AM

Hopping Over

GROWING LIKE THE VINES

24

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 24

Alpha Phi Quarterly

SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:37 AM

by Gina Henke Featuring Christi Coors Ficeli Owner, Goosecross Cellars (Zeta Gamma-Santa Clara)

G

rowing up in the family that pioneered the well-known Coors Brewing Company (now Molson Coors Beverage Company), one might think Christi Coors Ficeli would find herself working in the family business. That’s what Christi thought, too. But after years working in the beer trade, Christi took a leap, opting for the stem rather than the stein, and she is building something of her own in Yountville, like her own parents and grandparents have in Colorado, where family is at the heart.

“In middle school and high school, I was the only one of us six kids who loved to talk with my dad about his work,” remembered Christi. Peter Coors, Christi’s father, represents the fifth generation of the family to have led the Coors brand. The family demonstrated with actions that it was important to take pride in your work. As children, she recalls going on vacations and her family stopping in grocery stores to rotate the beers with her dad and keep the product fresh.

“I loved the stories he would share about his work. That was my connection with my dad. In college, I wanted to be my dad, and that admiration is still a driving force today,” said Christi. The brewery business intrigued her. “As a kid, SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 25

I didn’t understand marketing and finance yet, but I loved the idea that I could work while being surrounded by people and by trying to make people happy,” said Christi.

In a family where it was an option to go into the family business, what brought Christi to stand on her own, with a stunning view of the Mayacamas Mountains? It all started in following her family’s lead.

College was a big step in that process and a wonderful experience for Christi, giving her the chance to build lifelong friendships. Her mother, Marilyn, was a Kappa Kappa Gamma at Cornell University and would frequently tell Christi stories about the fun she and her sorority sisters had over the years. That sparked an interest in sorority life for Christi.

“I loved college and our Greek recruitment at Santa Clara was in the spring, so we had months to meet people before recruitment began,” Christi said. “Most of my friends became Delta Gammas, the other sorority on campus, but I chose Alpha Phi because of the way the chapter felt. They felt more like home. And I had so much fun. These women are still the ones I hang out and connect with today.”

Christi’s family has a rule that before any of the family can join Alpha Phi Quarterly

25

4/26/22 9:37 AM

the business, they have to work two years for someone else to understand what it is like to work for people who are not their family. After college, she took a job with Xerox, selling copy machines in Silicon Valley to start-ups, and she got a taste of success. After two years, she went back to her dad and said she was ready to join the marketing team at the brewery.

“My dad said I wasn’t ready, and I was angry because I felt like I had done what was asked. But he said, ‘I have bigger plans for you,’ and he asked me to get a job in the 26

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 26

packaged goods industry,” said Christi. “At this point, I still wanted to cut my teeth, join the company, grow old and retire there.”

In 1998, she interviewed with companies like Procter and Gamble, Gillette and Gallo Winery before accepting an offer at another beverage company so she could learn the ropes there. She started in sales, working with local retailers, and participated in Gallo’s management training program where she learned a ton. As part of the experience, she worked with their brand marketing team in Modesto. Christi had

earned her degree in marketing, but performing a job in that field made her realize she preferred sales.

Just as she was about to announce she would be moving back to Colorado to start business school at the University of Colorado at Denver, a bolt of lightning struck.

She met Dave Ficeli, and they started dating four weeks before she was moving home. Dave worked at Gallo as well, and they continued their relationship across the miles when Christi started business school in Colorado. She was also working parttime for the brewery, connecting with retailers in California. This gave her the opportunity to see Dave, who was then working at Beringer Vineyards.

Alpha Phi Quarterly SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:37 AM

It was love, and after marrying she moved back to California.

As she continued to work for the brewery, learning all she could, the couple moved several times, from California, to Oregon, to Chicago, to Boston and Napa. When they welcomed their first child, Luke, the moving and frequent travel for work became a challenge. They wanted to put down roots and Napa was where they chose to make their home. “We love the Napa Valley. The community, wine, food and people make it a wonderful place to live,” shared Christi.

“I never imagined working in the wine industry. It is amazing what love does for you. My husband and I were sitting at a restaurant on our first anniversary in 2003, and SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 27

we had said we wanted to be back working in the wine industry one day,” said Christi. There, they made a life, kept traveling and raising their family. But, meeting for lunch in the airport as you pass like ships in the night was not all it was cracked up to be. What happened next was life-changing.

The dream of their own winery grew slowly, but steadily, but when they moved to Napa they were able to make progress on their goal.

They brought their dream to life in 2013 when they bought Goosecross Cellars. “I love it here. Every day.

I love my team and I love that we made our dream come true.”

When they purchased Goosecross Cellars, whose original owners were looking to retire, Christi and Dave had expanded their family with their daughter Lucy. They thought this would be the perfect winery to build into their own generational legacy.

Christi is grateful no one pushed her into the family business, and she doesn’t plan on forcing the winery on her kids in the future. Instead, she hopes they will find their own path, but thinks it would be wonderful if they found joy at Goosecross.

The winery bears the name the original owners bestowed upon it in 1985. “The story goes that there were a pair of geese who lived on the corner of the property, and as their flock was migrating south for the winter one of the males injured his wing. Since geese mate for life, his partner stayed with him,” said Christi. “Geese would cross over the property, and our former owners loved to watch them make this passage.”

Today, Christi and Dave lead a team of eleven employees, and do a bit of everything to make the Goosecross experience one their customers love. Their plate is full, from financial planning and handling invoices, to buying grapes and planning the production of the wine, to visiting with guests and connecting with other wineries, to managing the marketing, label

“I never imagined working in the wine industry. It is amazing what love does for you.

My husband and I were sitting at a restaurant on our first anniversary in 2003, and we had said we wanted to be back working in the wine industry one day.” design, website and media requests.

Christi handling more of the customer-facing efforts and Dave serving as a steady strategist who makes the wheels turn behind the scenes. Their different working styles and skill sets both complement and challenge one another, keeping things interesting, but family always comes first.

While the food and beverage industry is in her blood, for her, winemaking hits a different note.

“This is a passion project, and not so much about the industry. It’s more about what we are doing and putting our wines out there,” said Christi. “I have never sold directly to the consumer before, and this is so cool. Talking with customers is what energizes me. I may not get to spend all day doing it, but when I sit with them, share the stories behind Alpha Phi Quarterly

27

4/26/22 9:37 AM

our wine, enjoy the scenery and help make them happy, it’s a way of creating a sort of membership into our family.”

Along the way, Christi and Dave have appreciated guidance and wisdom from their loyal customers, the previous owners, fellow winemakers and one amazing winemaker, Bill Nancarrow. Bill started with Goosecross in February of 2014 and Christi says, “He has been the absolute best business partner we could have asked for. He understands the business aspect and is never condescending.

He is my favorite hire, ever.” His 12 years at Duckhorn Vineyards as executive winemaker gave him tremendous knowledge, perspective and appreciation for what it takes to make quality wine that people love.

Since purchasing the winery, the couple have made moves to elevate the quality of the wine, strategically manage grape selection and improve upon the tasting room. What used to be a loud and industrial space is now 28

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 28

a welcome oasis. The tasting room is elegant but comfortable, unassuming and the kind of place you would want to build in your backyard — if your backyard faced the mountains and your grass was replaced with the grape vines that would one day end up in your wine glass.

The support from fellow winemakers has also been reaffirming. When Christi and Dave rebuilt the tasting room in 2015, construction was wrapping up quickly because harvest was starting just a few weeks later. When everything seemed in order, they went to plugin their electric grape press and it would not work. The technician could not fix it and grapes were coming in the next day. Allowing them to sit on the crush pad until the problem was resolved was not an option.

In wine country, it seems neighbors are just as friendly with the sharing of materials as the anecdote about neighbors borrowing a cup of sugar might suggest. “We called our neighbor down the road, who happened to have a winery, and asked if we could borrow their press. They did not have grapes coming in the same day, so they allowed us to bring our grapes over and use theirs,” said Christi, still grateful for that generous neighbor’s help.

Just like in Alpha Phi, the women winemakers, general managers, owners and executives also lift each other up in California.

Women like Jessica Link, president of Davis Estates winery is one of the women Christi connects with as part of a group where women leading in the wine industry can connect and collaborate. “She is strong, unrelenting. She is supportive, honest and she brings perspective,” said Christi.

Many of the women in this group are moms, balancing the work and the personal, while committed to promoting women entering this once-male dominated industry. Christi also mentors a couple of women in the industry who have big goals. She has hired women interns and welcomes the opportunity to hire women, too. “Hands down, these women in leadership roles in the wine world are the smartest people I know.”

As she continues to push forward on her own path, what would she do if she could do anything? Perhaps she would explore adding in

Alpha Phi Quarterly SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:37 AM

“Hands down, these women in leadership roles in the wine world are the smartest people I know.” a commercial kitchen at the winery.

She might also buy more vineyard land. But one thing is certain — she would continue the work she is doing today.

For those who might want the adventure of forging ahead on a passion project of their own, Christi said, “Just do it. I was terrified to do this. Going out on my own and not having a safety net is the scariest thing in the world. There will be trials and tribulations, but if you don’t take the leap, you will never do it. …Even when I have failures…

I learn from it and wake up on the other side. This is worth every minute of it.”

It is clear the moments that Christi loves the most at work center in on the stories — just like the ones her dad told her about the business when she was growing up. She lights up when she talks about connecting with guests, sharing stories about the wines’ origins and the team involved in bringing it to the glass.

Proud to be navigating her own terrain, Christi is just as in love with the process as she was in the beginning. Thinking back to the opening parties they hosted when they opened the new tasting room, she shared, “I remember looking around and thinking to myself, ‘Oh my God, this place is beautiful.

I did it….And I am still doing it.”

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_C1-C2_01-29_P4.indd 29

Alpha Phi Quarterly

29

4/26/22 9:37 AM

Always Alpha Phi

I

WISCONSIN-IOTA

The 60Year Letter IN 1962, BEVERLY VAUGH HOCK BEGAN A

tradition with some of her chapter sisters that has lasted the past 60 years. “I was sitting on my apartment floor in San Francisco, I got out my pink Smith Corona typewriter and started typing that first letter,” she recalled. When she sent it out, she began the monthly tradition of connecting with her beloved Alpha Phis through a round robin letter exchange.

Beverly put that first letter in an envelope and then the next person added to the packet.

Month after month, the Alpha Phis involved would have the chance to read through what their friends were part of and then respond while adding in their own experiences. And so it went on. Each year, the packet of letters starts anew.

The inspiration may have come quickly, but the lasting effect of the letter has been a joy for all the Alpha Phis involved.

Martha Murray McDonald said they have all remained active in one another’s lives, and “the letter has allowed us to keep in touch with each other even though we have all moved to different areas of the country.”

From California to New Jersey, to Texas to Wisconsin and even beyond — the authors of the letters make their homes across the country now. Over the years, two of the participants have joined the Silent Chapter. All the rest, who are listed below, have remained active contributors to the letters.

Karen Schubert Anderson Joanie McBain Bennett Judy Dornfeld Danca Gretchen Becker Denny Bonnie Whyte Free Beverly Vaughn Hock Sharon Koehn Holzman • Gertie Horman Jacobson • • • • • • •

• Susan Brott Lawson • Martha Murray McDonald • Shirley Koehn Mueller • Mary Ellen Monroe Nichols • The two members who have joined the Silent Chapter are Nancy Newlin Neumann and Judy Dragotto Liebert.

Gert Jacobsen, one of the authors of the letters, shared, “The round robin has been a source of joy for me since the beginning.

It is always so much fun to get that precious bundle of letters.

Little did we imagine that in these letters we would share so 30

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 30

Alpha Phi Quarterly

LEFT: Front Row: Beverly Vaughn Hock, Joanie McBain Bennett, Susan Brott Lawson, Sharon Koehn Holzman, Martha Murray McDonald; Back Row: Gertie Horman Jacobson, Nancy Newlin Neumann (Silent Chapter), Mary Ellen Monroe Nichols ABOVE: Front Row: Karen Schubert Anderson, Nancy Newlin Neumann, Sally Byer, Beverly Vaughn Hock; Middle Row: Mary Ellen Monroe Nichols, Joyce Pandolfi Johnsen, Susan Brott Lawson, Marilyn Fitch McKay; Back row: Norene Jenson Caliva, Christie Schneider Kienast, Judy Dragotto Liebert, Judy Cobabe Stephenson

much throughout our lives, including marriage, children, grandchildren, the happy and the sad, travel and the news of the day.”

Here and there, especially when a few members of the group were living near each other, they would make time to meet up. Together, they continued to make memories years after they had earned their college degrees. The letters kept them connected when they could not meet in person, and through the letters, they shared so much of their lives. Beverly noted, “Everyone has done very well and been very happy. There was a pattern of our lives that the letters captured, an arc, in a sense. Initially, letters were about children, then travel, then grandchildren and now are more about health and what’s going on in the world.”

Still, in a world where letter writing is not a popular form of communication today, the letter stands out as a shining example of how powerful sisterhood is. No matter the years that have passed or the miles that stretch between us, the connections we have to each other are strong if we nurture them like these Iota Alpha Phis have.

“The letter has been a touchstone in our lives. It has been comforting to know everyone has led successful, use, rich lives.

In my life, Alpha Phis have been fabulous friends. Whether it be through marriages, divorces, babies or getting older, we have been there for each other through thick and thin,” said Beverly. 

SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Alumnae Photos & Updates

DELTA ZETA-MARYLAND

The Kisner Project

IOTA ETA-DEPAUL

Global Exploration Arden Schuman Austin is the founder of Her Adventures, a travel community for women with over 100,000 members worldwide who are working to radically redefine travel to be inclusive, sustainable and empowering. Their Facebook community is 81,000 members strong and represents more than 100 countries. The company earned the Facebook Accelerator Grant in 2021, given to less than .01 percent of applicants, those who stand a chance to make the biggest impact in their area of focus. Arden is a former Alpha Phi executive office staff member and former editorial advisory board member. She also created the Alpha Phi Overseas Facebook group which helps connect members who are living overseas.

Rebecca “Becky” Benton recently launched the Kisner Project, as part of the Green Forests Work initiative out of Lexington, Kentucky. Her “Uncle Dabney” Lloyd Kisner, a WWII veteran, inspired her efforts. They have started treeplanting in her uncle’s honor as a way to reclaim mined land in West Virginia. Her uncle spent his time after leaving the service in that area. Lloyd passed away at age 100 in 2020, and left behind a legacy to inspire Becky as well as others. His plane was shot down on December 13, 1943. After being released from

the hospital several days later, he flew another mission and then 48 more. On May 25, 1944, his plane was shot down over Belgium and he was rescued by the Belgium resistance. They helped hide him for the next five months until September 7, 1944 when Belgium was liberated.

He earned two Purple Hearts, a Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Medal for heroic action, two Caterpillar Pins and a special award from the Belgium Red Cross.

ALPHA-SYRACUSE

Food Network Finalist

Chef Brooke Baevsky, “Chef Bae,” earned some screen time on the Food Network’s Chopped program earlier this year. While she did not advance in the competition, Brooke had a positive experience.

She brought a passion for healthy foods to the show and had a fantastic time working with others during the competition. Brooke is a private chef who graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education and works today as a private chef, food stylist and product developer. She caters to all allergies and dietary restrictions while using in-season ingredients.

DELTA CHI-WILLIAM WOODS

This Champ Doesn’t Horse Around Carol Whiting Ratchuk is still finding success in her equestrian competitions, even after a 4-year hiatus from her passion. She won 3 regional championship on her American Saddlebred “Paddyngton’s UltraSuede” in 2021 and is training with Liz Bolton Stables in San Marcos, California. Carol’s love of horses is what drew her to William Woods University, where she pursued her equestrian studies degree. Carol intends to keep her reignited passion close to her heart as she take the future by the reins.

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 31

Alpha Phi Quarterly

31

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Always Alpha Phi

Phi-nomenal Authors GAMMA UPSILON-WISCONSIN MILWAUKEE

Virginia Murphy Jones Maher, an art historian with connections to many arts organizations has published her new art book Beauty in Simplicity: Arts and Crafts Pottery. The book is an homage to the early 20th century Arts and Crafts movement. Her work includes insights from visionaries of the movement like William Morris, Louis Sullican, Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Stickley. Virginia is also a founding member of the Door County Alpha Phi alumnae community.

BETA ALPHA-ILLINOIS

Alison Begor published Work-Life in Balance: 15 Strategies to Create a Work-Life Balance You Deserve because she knows what it is like to face too many competing priorities and a lack of time. Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, then she says this book is for you and is your guide to feeling calmer and taking control of your life.

DELTA ETA-ADRIAN

Delaney Andrews has written her first book! Silhouette and the Shadow is the first in the Silhouette Series that Delaney is writing. This fantasy novel follows heroine Melbourne Alloway who develops super strength and enhanced senses while discovering her role in saving the community around her.

32

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 32

Alpha Phi Quarterly

EPSILON BETA-BUTLER

Kathryn Woodward, who writes children’s books under the pen name Jemima Neal, wrote a new book called The Love Book that reminds parents love is more important than any obstacle in life. Kathryn has donated books to each classroom at St. Vincent Early Learning Center in Indiana alogn with Spanish copies as well. She was an alumna of the school and that, combined with her more than a decade of experience working in education for children, inspired the donation. She has written four books and more are on the way.

GAMMA RHO-PENN STATE

Eugenia Chu has released her latest work, Celebrating Chinese New Year, a book written for children to explain the history, folklore, traditions and customs of Chinese New Year.

The book also features interactive activities that encourage children to celebrate the holiday in their home or community. The recipes, crafts and anecdotes are sure to make this a favorite and it is already a #1 New Release on Amazon.

SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Alumnae Photos & Updates

GAMMA PI-ARIZONA STATE

The Future is Female Award Winner

Cassy Dizzon Hough was named to the Future is Female Award list by AdWeek New York. Members were nominated and selected based on proven achievements, demonstrated ability to affect organizational change, commitment to external impact, ability to mentor others and professional endorsements. Ten women were awarded this honor. Cassy’s work continues as Head of Industry at SiriusXM, where she leads the technical sales team with thought leadership, research and vertical trend analysis.

BETA-NORTHWESTERN

Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commission (LA County CRC) Leader Gayla Kraetsch Hartsough, PhD completed her year as executive director for the LA County CRC first-ever independent redistricting commission for Los Angeles, the most populous county in the United States with 10 million residents. She ad her team worked to establish boundary lines for the Country of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors following the Federal decennial Census. Now that her yearlong service has concluded, she will refocus her energies on her firm KH Consulting Group, which she founded 35 years ago.

HOUSTON ALUMNAE

Luncheon Celebrating Healthy Hearts

The annual Heart to Heart Luncheon hosted by the Houston Alpha Phi alumnae community took place on February 19 at the Junior League Tea Room. Guests shopped at the Kendra Scott pop-up table sale and enjoyed an informative presentation by Claire Darnall or Katie Davis Design. Funds raised benefit Alpha Phi Foundation and the American Heart Association. Kudos to committee members who planned the event, including Susan Barragy (Omega-Texas), Olivia Bergeron (Gamma Iota-Texas Tech), Jacque Bergeron (Omega-Texas) and Geraldine Bendezu (Theta Omega-Barry).

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 33

THETA CHI-UNC ASHEVILLE, EPSILON NU-DELAWARE

Lions and Tigers and Sisters—Oh My! Michele Lefler, a Theta Chi alumna, and Leslie O’Dell, and Epsilon Nu alumna, discovered they are Alpha Phi sisters! Their shared connection was learned when Michele recruited Leslie as a member of the Shrewsbury Area Centennial Lions Club in Pennsylvania and both were volunteering at a diabetic vision screening event. Michele wore an Alpha Phi mask and when Leslie saw it she shared her own membership.

Alpha Phi Quarterly

33

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Always Alpha Phi

GAMMA IOTA-TEXAS TECH THETA SIGMA-SOUTHERN UTAH

25th Anniversary Celebrations Theta Sigma chapter alumnae celebrated the 25th and 26th anniversaries of their establishment, the 25th having previously been delayed due to health precautions to limit risk of Covid-19 exposure. The festivities took place on September 25, 2021 at their annual alumnae tea. The Theta Sigma chapter was born out of a local Phi Alpha Beta chapter that had formed in 1988. The Theta Sigma chapter was chartered on April 1, 1995. Many of these original members, as well as alumnae and collegiate chapter members, attended the anniversary celebrations. A luncheon, photo slideshow and commemorative speeches rounded out the event.

BETA GAMMA-COLORADO

Striking the Right Note Alexis McClain was just named the diversity and outreach coordinator for the College of Music at the University of Colorado Boulder.

She is thrilled to have the opportunity to engage the community there in ensuring a positive and equitable experience for students, staff and faculty in the program.

Battery Safety Campaign Trista Hamsmith suffered the tragedy of losing her 17-month-old daughter Reese after the toddler swallowed a button battery. She has taken some of the pain from this experience and is raising her voice to help make sure other children remain safe. Reese’s early symptoms were wheezing, which was mistaken from croup, but when they realized a small button battery was missing from the remote control, the family rushed to the emergency room. The battery had caused a hole to develop in Reese’s esophagus and sadly she died on December 17 of that year. Trista is sharing her family’s story in hopes others will exercise extreme caution with toys and devises that use these kinds of batteries. She hopes manufacturers and Congress will address this issue. She has launched Reese’s Purpose to work toward this end and then, once this goal is achieved, pursue other safety efforts to benefit children. Reese’s Law (H.R. 5313) was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 21, 2021 and in the Senate on Septemebr 30. It has bipartisan support in its sponsorship

by Congressman Arrington (R-Texas) and Congressman Lieu (D-California).

The legislation was referred to the Congressional Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. To learn more, visit ReesesPurpose.org.

PHI-OKLAHOMA

Tribal Legislator Advancing Her Education

Katherine Hill McCoy has returned to the University of Oklahoma, this time in pursuit of her Masters of legal studies (MLS) in indigenous peoples’ law. She is furthering her education while making time for family and her work as an elected tribal legislator. Katherine earned her BA in political science and Native American studies. She was an Alpha Phi Foundation scholarship recipient in 2020 and looks forward to continuing to make a difference for indigenous populations.

34

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 34

Alpha Phi Quarterly

SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Alumnae Photos & Updates

Wedding Bells

IOTA BETA-ST. MARY’S

Dr. Vanessa Garza Reyes tied the knot with Steven Reyes on New Year’s Day 2022. They were surrounded by plenty of family, friends and Alpha Phis who were their to celebrate their love. Vanessa’s maid of honor was her chapter sister Marcia Garcia Casteneda.

Vanessa also recently earned her PhD in business administration. Congratulations, Vanessa!

THETA TAU-RENSSELAER

IOTA-WISCONSIN

Karen Koeble Rinka married Kevin Rinka in July of 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin surrounded by love and plenty of Alpha Phis. Four of her bridesmaids were Alpha Phi chapter sisters, including Tracy Griffin, Sophie Battiloa Graykoswki, Colleen Koeble Johnson (Karen’s biological sister) and Cathy Griffin. Congratulations, Karen!

Hannah Lee Merrow and Andrew Philip Yonchak, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon, married on October 9, 2021, nearly six years to the date from when they first met at a campuswide philanthropy event. After his fraternity chapter had named Hannah one of their sweethearts in 2017, Andrew proposed at the chapter house, serenading her in September of 2018. Many of their Alpha Phi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon traditions were included in the big day as they celebrated with their Greek life brothers and sisters. Alpha Phis sang Hand to Hand in the moments before the bride walked down the aisle, and her “something borrowed” was the collection of Alpha Phi pins from those members in attendance. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon brothers sang their sweetheart song “Violet” before the couple’s first dance. Congratulations, Hannah!

ALPHA-SYRACUSE

Sister Named Trustee at Syracuse

Christina Carona was named to the Syracuse University Board of trustees, the first Alpha Phi to serve in this capacity at the university at which Alpha Phi was founded! Christina graduated with dual bachelor’s degrees in human development and family science and in retail management. As part of her service the Syracuse University, she serves on the Board Advancement and External Affairs as well as the Snrollment and Student Exeperience committees.

Living in the Boston area, Christina an executive director at Morgan Stanley where she serves as a SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 35

financial advisor and senior investment management consultant. Her three decades of wealth management experience were built through senior positions at companies like UBS Financial Services, Smith Barney and BankBoston. She has earned many awards including being named as a Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisor in 2017 and 2020 and a Five Star Wealth Manager Award in 2020. She volunteers at several organizations including Rosie’s Place, Boston Childrne’s Hospital, Urban Health Media Project, Best Buddies International, St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children and more. Christina is married with two young adult daughters, Sophie and Marissa. While at Syracuse, she helped start the Syracuse University dance team and held chapter positions.

Alpha Phi Quarterly

35

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Always Alpha Phi

OMICRON-MISSOURI

Twenty Years in the Making ZETA IOTA-VIRGINIA

ArtsFields 2022 Artist Dawn Inglis Montgomery was selected as an ArtsField 2022 artist and her painting The Back Corner was exhibited in April in Lake City, South Carolina.

ArtFields is one of the south’s most engaging art competitions and festivals. Dawn’s love of art came from her mother who was also an artist and an interior designer.

Dawn studied at the Crealdé School of Art and earned a degree in architecture and city planning at the University of Virginia. She completed her graduate studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is drawn to angles and planes and the contrast between resilience and decay found in the urban and natural landscapes.

Her award-winning art is displayed throughout the southeast.

BETA KAPPA-DENISON

100 Years of Claire

Claire Thomassen Prior celebrated her 100th birthday on December 2!

A college graduate from 1944, Claire has been witness to and part of a great deal of progress in our world. She served as an Alpha Phi district governor from 1972 until 1974, and was also a traveling delegate following her 1944 graduation, visiting Alpha Phi chapters to help guide them in their pursuit of success. A celebration was held in Canfield, Ohio with family and friends on December 12. Happy Birthday, Claire!

36

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 36

Alpha Phi Quarterly

Katie Roeder Flynn, Carrie Moreland Reid, Jen Harvel, Kristen Zap Conrad, Kristina Mavers-Vogel and Meghann Fruin reunite once a year or so to keep the bonds of sisterhood strong. They met nearly 20 years ago when they joined the Omicron chapter at the University of Missouri and make it a point to shorten the miles between them with their regular visits.

BETA LAMBDA-ROLLINS

Swinging for the Fences

Carol McKechnie Montgomery published The Deacon’s Daughter a few years ago, but, in spring, a baseball story is always in season. Daughter of Bill McKechnie, the only baseball manager to lead three different teams to National League pennants and two of them to World Series championships en route to his own induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Carol tells her story of growing up with baseball. A native of the Pittsburgh suburb of Wilkinsburg and the mother of four sons, as a child she learned to complete baseball box scores, cheered for her Dad’s Cincinnati Reds when they won the World Series in 1940, made memories at spring training, which is held now at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Florida and so much more.

SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:46 AM

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 37

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Silent Chapter

“ This is goodnight, but not goodbye.”

— “Linger” We honor our sisters whose notification of passing we receive. Silent chapter notes may be submitted via alphaphi.org (keyword: silent chapter) or to quarterly@alphaphi.org. Please note: year in parenthesis is year of initiation.

Bowling Green (Beta Omicron) Loran Starr Estep (‘75)

Central Missouri (Theta Lambda) Chandra Helm Ebbing (‘00)

Denison (Beta Kappa)

North Dakota (Pi) Helen Paulson Nord (‘40)

Northwestern (Beta)

West Virginia (Beta Iota)

Kathryn Hall Tobinson (‘54)

Wichita State (Gamma Xi)

Ohio State (Rho)

Reba Wedel Greathead (‘61)

Jacqueline DeGroot Holzer (‘51)

Robyn Waller (‘98)

William Woods (Delta Chi)

Jean Wilson Stockfleth ('37)

Oklahoma (Phi) Shirley Brink Holladay (‘51)

Nancy Heller Gerhart (‘69)*

Illinois (Beta Alpha)

Charlotte Gibson Slemp (‘49)

Natalie Turner (‘91)

Elizabeth Quick Christy (‘55)

Indiana (Beta Tau) Jayne Durlauf Miller (‘61)

Kansas (Gamma Delta) Kathryn North Burton (‘51) Michelle Stadler (‘82)

Lake Forest (Gamma Epsilon) Evelyn Dye Gill (‘60)

LSU (Delta Tau) Arletta Dornier Averette (‘64)*

Missouri (Omicron) Peggy Oberhelman Schlapper (‘58)

Nebraska (Nu)

Penn State (Gamma Rho) Ellen Knies Landis (‘63)

San Diego State (Gamma Alpha) Sharon Anderson Ritchey (‘55)

Texas (Omega) Kathleen Millikan Mathes (‘47)

USC (Beta Pi) Mary McClister Cogbill (‘62)

S

Ruth Marks Diller (‘51)

Wisconsin La Crosse (Delta Kappa) Susan Hahn (‘63)

Wisconsin Stout (Gamma Sigma) Susan Banovich Oxendorf (‘61) * I ndicates member is also an Alpha Lambda alumna initiate.

There was an error in our recent issue. Alice Stockfleth Hayward is not a member of the Silent Chapter. Her mother is, and she is listed above.

Washburn (Upsilon) Janice Fernstrom Diepenbrock (‘55) Marjorie Murphy Parsons (‘45)

Jane Linn Temple (‘48)

38

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 38

Alpha Phi Quarterly

SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Amongst the Ivy

Jason Derulo Pops in to Celebrate with Alpha Phis

S

IOTA ALPHA-PEPPERDINE

just hits the right note. That was definitely the case when singer, songwriter and dancer Jason Derulo stopped by for a visit with Alpha Phis at Pepperdine University.

The award-winning performer has a mutual connection with one of the chapter’s members, and wanted to stop by during their philanthropy week. For Iota Alpha, they call it Sweethearts Week, and it offered the perfect time for Jason to tour the campus and show his support for Alpha Phi’s commitment to women’s heart health.

Jason took photos and chatted with members while he was visiting.

It is safe to say that these Alpha Phis enjoyed a day they won’t soon forget!  SOMETIMES, A SURPRISE

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 39

Alpha Phi Quarterly

39

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Q

Amongst the Ivy

DELTA NU-MAINE

Members Inducted into the Order of Omega This winter, five members of the Delta Nu Alpha Phis were inducted into the Zeta Kappa chapter of Order of the Omega at The University of Maine. These members have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA as juniors in good standing with the university and completed the necessary application requirements for consideration. Congratulations to Abbye Koenig, Andrea Morin, Gabriella Peluso, Camilla Silva, Gabby Benson and Kaley Kyle. The Order of Omega strives to recognize fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in interfraternity activities, to encourage them to continue alogn these lines and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment.

THETA ZETA-FLORIDA TECH

Honors & Accolades The annual Greek Life Awards at Florida Tech were a celebratory occasion for Alpha Phis on campus.

Their Theta Zeta chapter earned several awards at the December 2021 ceremony. The chapter was recognized with the Spring 2021 Recruitment Award, Academic Progress Award and Spring 2021 Scholarship Award. Individual members were also honored. Iris Anaruma received the Sorority New Member of the Year Award, Paige Hill was named Greek Volunteer of the Year and Jenny Reeb received the Five Pillars Award. But the season of fun was not over yet! Between Big – Little reveal, volunteering to be part of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Volleyball Philanthropy event and the Red Dress Casino Night e=philanthropy event, every week brought more time to give back and enjoy time with each other. For the Red Dress Casino Night, sisters served as poker deals for the “all in fun” Texas Hold ‘Em and Blackjack games. At the end, players traded their chips for raffle tickets to win gift baskets made by the chapter. More than $1,400 was raised!

Top: Aly Shelton and Chelsea Lewis, Right: Big and Little Iris Anaruma and Aly Shelton

40

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 40

Alpha Phi Quarterly

SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Collegian & Chapter Updates

DELTA DELTA-OKLAHOMA CITY

Winter Wonder

The Delta Delta Alpha Phis found the fun in snowy adventures this season. If they had the opportunity to be together, every part of the experience was fun!

IOTA NU-KENTUCKY

No Fun like Snow Fun

The Iota Nu members spent time outdoors this winter and made the most of the weather wherever they were. Some opted to ski the slopes, while others headed west to ski, snowboard and enjoy the scenery. Those who stayed local still had a ton of fun soaking up the winter vibes. When not exploring the outdoors, members also participated in the annual Bring It On philanthropy event on campus. For the 2021 competition, the Alpha Phis were paired with the brothers of Sigma Nu and earned pthe Best Performance award. The coaches for this year’s Alpha Phi Bring It On team were Lora Tautavicios and Francesca Deacon.

Lexi DeLeon and Ally Qualls

McClain Moss

DELTA GAMMA-NORTHERN COLORADO

Panhellenic Pursuits and Greek Life Support The Delta Gamma chapter recently received the Panhellenic award for the chapter that earned the most service hours on campus. Over 750 community service hours were completed by Alpha Phis at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in the fall 2021 semester! The chapter also earned Greek Week recognition, including the “can sculpture” award, for which they partnered with the local Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. As part of this effort, the two groups donated the most nonperishable food items to their UNC Bear Pantry, a university resource to provide for students facing food scarcity. Alpha Phis are also stepping into three Panhellenic positions on campus to help strengthen the bonds amongst Greek organizations. The members are excited to have the opportunity to lead in the Greek community and promote unity.

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 41

Alpha Phi Quarterly

41

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Q

Amongst the Ivy

EPSILON ALPHA-ASHLAND

Lin Sync Success & Cardiac Care The members of Epsilon Alpha are all in for activities that help others and offer the chance to spend more time together. In November, as part of the university’s Greek life philanthropic programming, the chapter participated in Lip Sync, an event in which sororities and fraternities lip sync and dance to compete for the overall best performance. The event raises funds for a local philanthropy, and this year Alpha Phi was the champion. In February, the members raised awareness for women’s heart health and funds for Alpha Phi Foundation — $1,793.98 to be exact!

They were also rewarded for their creativity and commitment to solid marketing practices at Alpha Phi Leadership Conference, where they earned recognition for their outstanding marketing and social media efforts.

42

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 42

Alpha Phi Quarterly

SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Collegian & Chapter Updates

EPSILON BETA-BUTLER

Planting Trees, Giving Back and Lucky to Be an Alpha Phi The Epsilon Beta members spent time recently at sisterhood events that included taking a spin on ice skates, attending an Indianapolis Colts game and venturing to a fall festival. Their time together was also spent in service of others. They volunteered with a local organization, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, and also planted trees. Their Alpha Phi philanthropy events included Sugar Phi-ver and Mac and Phis, which raised $2,168. Many members also participated in the university’s dance marathon, which raised $95,000 for the local Riley Hospital. When they welcomed their new members on Bid Day, with the theme of Lucky to Be an Alpha Phi, the theme was a sentiment they all felt deeply.

IOTA MU-GEORGIA TECH

Leading and Traveling Together Iota Mu members proudly elected their new executive board for the 2021-2022 year and are excited for the opportunities ahead of them. At the root of it all remains the joy of spending time with each other. Wherever, whenever, these members want to be together.

Sofia Varmeziar visited Kayla Murray in her hometown of Mexico City over break as on example of the ways these Alpha Phis are always there for one another.

SPRING 2022

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 43

Alpha Phi Quarterly

43

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Q

Quotable

“

My scores would not have mattered after those events, so I just kept on winning.

It made me think, ‘What am I made of?’

‘What am I capable of achieving?’

And the experience gave me confidence to dream toward my big goals.

”

Stacia Hookom Gollihar (Beta Gamma-Colorado) Read more about Stacia’s journey on page18.

44

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 44

Alpha Phi Quarterly

SPRING 2022

4/26/22 9:46 AM

Photos from our past

Q

Iconic

Madam Secretary Treasurer Georgia Neese Clark Gray (Upsilon-Washburn) had the distinction of being the first woman to serve as secretary treasurer for the United States. Serving under the Truman administration, she led the way financially from 1949-1953. When she was interviewing for the position, following the death of predecessor William Julian, who had died in a car crash, she recalled her conversation with President Truman in this way: President Truman: “Mrs. Clark, you know why you are here. I have to ask you if you can afford it.”

Mrs. Gray: “Will it cost more than the salary?”

President Truman: “Double that.”

Mrs. Gray: “Well, Mr. President, since I am the first woman ever to be offered the job, can I afford to turn it down?”

President Truman: “You cannot.”

Only Georgia knew whether the cost of being the first woman in this role was what she anticipated, but one thing is certain. Her willingness to serve, lead and innovate led her to success as U.S. Treasurer and when she returned to Topeka and resumed her roles as director of the Richland Bank and as Democratic national committeewoman.

The impact she made, both as U.S. Treasurer and in her years that followed, remains inspirational to all.

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 3

4/26/22 9:48 AM

Save this portion of your Quarterly! You will need your membership number (first seven numbers found at right) to help identify yourself if you contact the Executive Office.

POSTMASTER: Please send changes to Alpha Phi, 1930 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201

ENSURING THE NEXT 150 YEARS OF ALPHA PHI WITH YOUR SUPPORT OF ANNUAL LOYALTY

This year, your engagement will help finance new opportunities to strengthen the alumnae experience and enhance the collegiate membership involvement. Show your support today with your Annual Loyalty by paying $38.49 or joining the Lifelong Society by paying $450. We offer a 12-month installment plan of $38.63 per month in the Lifelong Society.

I WO U L D L I K E TO O Show my Annual Loyalty for $38.49 (paid through June 30, 2022).

O Join the Lifelong Society for $450.

Please note dues are not a tax-deductible contribution, and they are not a donation to the Alpha Phi Foundation.

P AY M E N T O Pay by Check and mail this form to: Alpha Phi International Fraternity Inc. Official Lockbox 27687 Network Place Chicago, IL 60673-1276

MEMBER FIRST NAME

MIDDLE/MAIDEN NAME

LAST NAME

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE/PROVINCE

PHONE

EMAIL

AP_Qrtly_Sp22_30-44_C3-C4_P4.indd 4

ZIP/POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

4/26/22 9:48 AM