membership FROM COLLEGIAN TO ALUMNA

JULIE WILEY RAMSEY, A

It’s more than a house, a badge or pin, a set of letters, or a secret handshake––it’s something you feel––difficult to describe in words, but an incredible experience. When non-members think of sorority life, they think of tangible objects; when sorority women look back–– it’s people, relationships and memories they truly cherish.

I always think back to 1990 and signing my bid card––dismissing the events that would happen later that day and that semester––and how that one decision changed the trajectory of my life in so many ways and eventually the life of my daughter, Madison. I think often: who would be my closest friends today if I had joined a different sorority and would I still choose to volunteer and remain engaged?

I remember meeting Suzanne Kilgannon at the Leadership Development Institute in 1991 at the University of Delaware. It was the first “national” event I had attended and was very excited that everyone knew where Longwood College was located. Suzanne was promoting the chapter consultant position with National Headquarters for collegiate members after graduation. I left LDI with a new purpose: I needed experiences to ensure that I became an AΣA chapter consultant.

Before serving on National Council, my favorite volunteer role was district facilitator (now region facilitator). I enjoyed working with the collegiate women in Virginia and West Virginia to challenge and encourage them and help make Alpha Sigma Alpha a terrific experience for them. Then the most unique and humbling volunteer experience was serving on National Council. I was blessed to serve with some of my dearest friends and though we came from different chapters and backgrounds, we spent a lot of time together and developed a deep-rooted sisterhood of our own.

My AΣA memories span over 30 years, but the ones that seem to drift to the top as my best always involve sharing the AΣA experience with another person. The first one is initiating my mother, Martha Wiley, EH, during the Richmond convention in 2000. The second one is the day my daughter Madison received her bid from the Alpha Chapter at Longwood University. The final one is the day Madison got initiated and my friend Kelly Beck, EK, drove to Farmville to join me at the Sanctuary Degree Service. I am so thankful that I get to share this amazing organization with my mom & daughter for the remainder of our lives.

I cannot begin to tell you how many sisters have positively impacted my life in one way or another, and if I was given the space, I could personally fill this entire magazine listing them all by name and recounting the vast and integral role they’ve played in my life. I think about my chapter sisters and all that we have been through together––weddings, births, vacations, girls’ weekends, graduations, illnesses, divorces, the deaths of our parents and unfortunately, a few children. AΣA Sisters are a support team like no other – in both good times and bad.

None of us truly knew what we all signed up for when we signed our bid cards, but I know I would not want to have experienced it with anyone but you all in Alpha Sigma Alpha.

AΣA’s open motto

One of AΣA’s Philanthropic partners whose mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Core Value: _______ to build strong bonds of friendship

Core Value: _______ to expand my mind

The jewel associated with the Phoenix Degree Service

One of AΣA’s Philanthropic partners where members often volunteer at 5k events, serve as program coaches and raise funds to support the organization.

Core Value: _______ to live a well-rounded life

AΣA’s open motto

Core Value: _______ to love life and joyously live

The school that Alpha Sigma Alpha was founded is ___________ University

Core Value: _______ to give of myself

The jewel associated with the Sanctuary Degree Service

Core Value: _______ to display personal commitment and accountability

Core Value: _______ to seek continual development

Core Value: _______ to have strong moral principles

Down: Across:

The author of AΣA’s creed

The name of our current National President

Key: