The Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha; Winter 2014 by Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority

hoenix

Winter 2014 | Volume 100

100 Special Anniversary Issue

History of the Phoenix magazine

The Phoenix turns 100

page 12

page 6

Preview of #Viva2014

Live it!

W i n ter 2 0 1 4 C O NT ENTS

FEATURES Cover story, page 12:

History of the Phoenix – 100 Years 6 Preview of the 2014 National Convention & Leadership Conference in San Antonio 11 Make your impact at UIFI 2014 PHOTO CREDIT: Katie Matis Smith

D E PA R T ME N T S 4 Editor’s desk 5 From the president 18 District news 20 ASA Palms 21 ASA Foundation news

6 PHOTO CREDIT: Westin Riverwalk San Antonio

22 News & events 23 From the ASA archives 24 Woman of poise and purpose

Cover PHOTO CREDIT: Katie Matis Smith

www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

hoenix

E di to r ’ s D e S K Volume 100, Number 1

Dear readers,

Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha (USPS 430-640) is

Welcome to the first of four issues commemorating the Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s 100-year anniversary! One hundred years ago, the first issue of the Phoenix was written and distributed to the membership. To celebrate the history of our national magazine, the theme for the 2014 issues are Live it, Talk it, Dream it, Work for it.

published quarterly by Alpha Sigma Alpha, 9002 Vincennes Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN, and additional mailing offices. Produced by Shelle Design Inc., www.shelledesign.com. ©Alpha Sigma Alpha Send address changes, death notices and business correspondence to the national headquarters. Address all editorial correspondence to the editor.

Winter 2014: Live it.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to

Spending my time watching our membership on social media and hearing about the amazing ventures members seek out in life, I am convinced Alpha Sigma Alphas know how to “live it.” One day we will learn about a member who has published her umpteenth novel, and the next day we will see her become an international best-selling author.

Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha, 9002 Vincennes Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018. Printed in the USA.

DEADLINES Winter

Sept. 10

Spring

Dec. 10

Summer March 10 Fall

June 10

EDITOR Katie Matis Smith, DH

Contributing Editor

From studying abroad to raising adorable children, members of Alpha Sigma Alpha have demonstrated the Phoenix magazine’s famous quote for the past 100 years. In this first of four 100-year-themed issues, we will explore the history of the Phoenix magazine, take a look at what we can expect from the highly anticipated 2014 National Convention & Leadership Conference in San Antonio, and see highlights from D.O.T. Days 2013.

Nancy I.Z. Reese, BU

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 9002 Vincennes Circle

Thank you for making the Phoenix a successful and impactful 100year tradition.

Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018 Phone: (317) 871-2920 Fax: (317) 871-2924

Mizpah,

Email: asa@AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

Stay Connected www.facebook.com/AlphaSigmaAlphaSorority

Katie Matis Smith Twitter and Instagram @kmatis25

www.twitter.com/asaHQ www.youtube.com/user/AlphaSigmaAlphaNHQ www.pinterest.com/AlphaSigmaAlpha www.instagram.com/AlphaSigmaAlpha

S HA R E Y O U R T HO U G HT S We always welcome your comments—both

hoenix

Fall 2013 | Volume 99

criticism and praise—about this publication. Email ksmith@AlphaSigmaAlpha.org or send mail to: Editor, Alpha Sigma Alpha 9002 Vincennes Circle

Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2014

page 16

Service immerSion eXPerience

How a trip to Hawaii

changed lives

page 12

introducing your 2013-14 Leadership consultants

F rom the P r es i d ent

BY No r a M . Ten B r oeck, B K | N AT I ON AL P RES I D EN T

“You are a member of a strong Sorority. Live it, talk it, dream it, work for it. In no other way can you so effectively convince others of its beauty, its greatness and its power.” – Phoenix 1916 LIVE IT, what does this mean to you? There are so many ways to LIVE IT, and I have spoken to many members throughout my lifetime membership, a few of whom have shared how they interpret the opening of the powerful message. Amanda Saladin, ZH – Plans her legacy In my last year as a collegiate member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, I am constantly planning what my legacy will be to the organization that has given me so much. I see the spirit for our organization in alumnae like Dolly Loyd, BD, and Kat Wolfington Harth, EE. It is my hope to carry that same spirit as an alumna. As I pass on the torch as collegiate president, it is my hope that the leadership skills I developed in this position will not only help me in my future career but will be a gift to future chapters as I hope to one day be an advisor. Erin Donegan, BΣ – Rejuvenating her membership During my collegiate years, I enjoyed everything the Sorority had to offer. I had not grasped the concept of lifetime membership until after graduation when I attended a Founders’ Day celebration, and it made me realize I was searching for something more. I was missing those three letters... ΑΣΑ. I volunteered as an advisor for a collegiate chapter, took an executive board role for an alumnae chapter, started giving to the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation and developed a passion for our partnership with Girls on the Run. My missing piece was living our core values and how the Sorority makes a difference in my life and the community where I live. Now I LIVE IT when I match 1901 Society gifts to the Foundation, volunteer for Girls On The Run, participate in alumnae chapter holiday gatherings and volunteer at District Day.

As a parent of a daughter, I understand the importance of preparing the future generation to live with poise and purpose. What is a better guide than the principles of the organization that has given me such immeasurable joy? While her life’s journey may not bring her to Alpha Sigma Alpha, she will always carry with her an appreciation of the ideals to which I strive. This is how I LIVE IT. Dolly Purvis Loyd, BΔ – To love life and joyously live I treasure my membership in Alpha Sigma Alpha. As a 50year member, I have much to look back upon and much to look forward to enjoy. I have volunteered for the Sorority in almost every capacity on the chapter and national level. I have had so many ways to live out my membership through volunteering, being a member of my alumnae chapter, attending national convention & leadership conferences, and enjoying each of my sisters – my lifelong friends. Looking forward I will continue to volunteer and give to the Sorority and the Foundation, keep the Hattiesburg Alumnae Chapter vibrant, and keep having fun! I hope these four lifetime membership perspectives give you an idea of what LIVE IT can mean for you in action. For me, I will LIVE IT through serving as the best national president that I can be, finding enjoyment in every day of my term with the privilege of serving you – our members – so that you may find the right opportunities for yourself to LIVE IT.

In Alpha Sigma Alpha,

Nora M. Ten Broeck National President Follow Nora on Twitter @ntenbroeck! Tell or show us how you #LiveIt on Twitter or Instagram!

Margaret Chorba Glascott, ΔH – Enjoying her gifts For me, to LIVE IT as an Alpha Sigma Alpha has been a gift that began 20 years ago with my five collegiate chapter founding members, and this gift has grown exponentially as an alumna. Serving on the board of my alumnae chapter, I have volunteered, celebrated, laughed, cried and connected with women I may never have had the pleasure of knowing had it not been for Alpha Sigma Alpha.

www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

#Vi va 2014

Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2014

SAN ANTONIO BY Joanne E. Weber Catron, A | convention event team leader and Hayley Finch Pritchard, EE | leadership development & event coordinator

www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

#Vi va 2014

Join your sisters young andto experience old Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority is eager to be going to San Antonio for the 2014 Alpha Sigma Alpha National Convention & Leadership Conference – ¡Viva!

Spend the afternoon catching up with and meeting sisters from across the country, tour the city or make an appointment at the hotel’s spa before official events begin late in the afternoon.

“Viva,” the Spanish word for “live,” exclaims everlasting love and cheer. The people of San Antonio exclaim, “Viva!” during family gatherings, local celebrations and festivals. It is a celebratory word that showcases pride in your past, present and future.

Offered again with an enhanced format, first-time attendees will be partnered with veteran attendees at the mentor/mentee event before the welcome session. Veteran attendees will walk through the schedule of the national convention & leadership conference, share tips and tricks for making the experience the best it can be, and introduce the first-time attendees to other collegians, advisors and alumnae.

For Alpha Sigma Alpha from July 9-12, 2014, viva means long live our sisterhood, heritage, leadership and heritage. Viva AΣA! Viva sisterhood! Wednesday will be a sensational day as we kick-off the national convention & leadership conference. When you arrive at the Westin San Antonio, the vibrant colors of downtown San Antonio will set the scene of ¡Viva! Conveniently located on the famous San Antonio River Walk, a network of walkways along the banks of the city’s river that connects the hotel to famous restaurants and eateries, the Alamo, shopping, theatres and more, the hub of ¡Viva! offers everything an attendee could ask for and more.

During the evening welcome session, National President Nora M. Ten Broeck, BK, will welcome all attendees. Colleen Coffey from Active Minds, Inc., will kick off the programming with a keynote address that will set the tone for the bright future of Alpha Sigma Alpha. The evening will be capped with a networking reception filled with conversation and authentic southwestern finger foods.

Viva Leadership and Service! The morning of the first full day of ¡Viva! kicks off with an optional morning exercise, followed by an all-group gathering and two blocks of leadership conference educational sessions themed on professional and personal development. Each of our four philanthropic partners – the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation, Girls on the Run International, S. June Smith

Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2014

in San Antonio this joyous four-day event. Center and the Special Olympics – will join us for the Service and Giving luncheon. The combined efforts of our partnerships will be showcased and celebrated. The afternoon leadership conference educational blocks feature each of our philanthropic partners. The first business meeting takes place in the afternoon, officially declaring the beginning of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s 48th national convention. Examples of past agenda items during the first business meeting include: 50-year member recognition service, call for resolutions and national committee reports. Thursday evening opens the city of San Antonio to attendees with a free night of programming. Take a tour of the Alamo, enjoy a dinner cruise down the River Walk and enjoy the scenery in the heart of Texas.

Viva Heritage! Another optional morning exercise starts Friday morning, followed by the second business meeting. Examples of past agenda items of the second business meeting include: changes to the national bylaws and the State of the Sorority address. Friday afternoon honors the heart and soul of the continued development of Alpha Sigma Alpha, our volunteers. Our volunteer

Volunteer pre-conference On July 9 from 1–5 p.m., Alpha Sigma Alpha once again is offering a volunteer pre-conference for collegiate chapter advisors and volunteers. Colleen Coffey will be speaking at the volunteer preconference on Wednesday, July 9. The pre-conference will focus on building strong volunteer teams and advisory boards, boosting group and personal morale and helping volunteers and advisors develop strategies for working with collegiate members of Alpha Sigma Alpha. The volunteer pre-conference and keynote speaker are made possible by a grant from the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation. Keynote speaker: Colleen Coffey Alpha Sigma Alpha is thrilled to host Colleen Coffey as the keynote speaker. Colleen Coffey, Ph.D., is a survivor who has dealt with mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and disordered eating, for as long as she can remember. Since receiving the right type of help in her early 20s, Colleen has become a seasoned speaker and consultant devoted to showing audiences that recovery is possible, stigma is useless and everyone holds the power to transform communities. Colleen is director of research for Phired Up Productions and a proud wife and mother. A graduate of Belmont University, Eastern Illinois University and Trevecca Nazarene University, Colleen regularly consults with fraternities, sororities and Active Minds chapters on topics such as leadership, stigma reduction and recruitment. Colleen is a published author who also enjoys pilates and working at a comedy club a few nights a week.

www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

#Vi va 2014

SAN ANTONIO, THE ALAMO CITY San Antonio, the host of ¡Viva!, is home to one of the nation’s most vibrant cultures. As a top destination for conventions and conferences, San Antonio offers a unique setting that combines urban living, Southwestern and Spanish culture, and rich history. The city is famous for being home to the Alamo, the River Walk, the Tower of the Americas, SeaWorld and Six Flags theme parks and the four-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. Prior to, throughout and following national convention & leadership conference, attendees have the opportunity to visit all that San Antonio has to offer. Thursday night off-site excursions Take advantage of a programming-free night and explore the Alamo City. Alpha Sigma Alpha is hosting the following off-site excursions at an additional cost.

Tours of the Alamo After Hours Tours - Darkness at the Alamo Darkness at the Alamo gives you an exclusive evening at the historic mission with a tour of the Alamo church, the Shrine of Texas Liberty and the Long Barrack Museum, one of the oldest buildings in San Antonio.

Tower of the Americas Located in downtown San Antonio, the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas provides guests the most spectacular view of the Alamo City. Enjoy the

recognition luncheon will showcase the hard work our volunteers give to Alpha Sigma Alpha. The luncheon will be followed by an open forum for membership to learn and discuss the future of our organization. The famous Foundation Red Ticket Raffle offers the latest and greatest swag for membership and will be featured throughout the day on Friday. Friday evening we will drape the city in red as members and guests are welcomed to the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation’s Red Tie Dinner.

Viva Alpha Sigma Alpha! The final day of ¡Viva! will capitalize on the celebration. Saturday morning reflects our past, present and future. The Sanctuary Degree Service will welcome the initiation of new Alpha Sigma Alpha members and will be followed by the Memorial Service, where we remember those we have lost over the biennium. The third and final business meeting of the national convention will round out the morning. Examples of past agenda items for the third business meeting include: collegiate and alumnae awards and the election of national council officers. Attendees will have Saturday afternoon open to explore San Antonio, shop at Crimson Collections, or visit the campuses of two collegiate chapters: Delta Upsilon Chapter at the University of Texas at San Antonio and Zeta Sigma Chapter at the University of the Incarnate Word. The final and most anticipated program of the national convention & leadership conference is “Viva Alpha Sigma Alpha!” During this formal banquet, members and guests will celebrate award winners and watch the installation ceremony of the newly elected Alpha Sigma Alpha National Council.

gorgeous panorama from the tower’s revolving Chart House Restaurant, take in the scenery from the observation deck, or experience the thrilling 4D theater ride.

Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2014

To register for the 2014 National Convention & Leadership Conference in San Antonio, visit www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org/Viva2014.

2014

UIF I

Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute

In the summer of 2013, Alpha Sigma Alpha granted five members scholarships to attend the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI) offered by the North-American Interfraternity Conference on the campus of Indiana University. This five-day leadership experience, held at various times throughout each summer, is designed to enhance the awareness of fraternal values and personal commitment to those values. Through large and small group discussions and activities, undergraduate members of fraternities and sororities around the country explore ethical leadership, values-based action and commitment to the fraternal movement. Alpha Sigma Alpha is pleased to offer scholarships to cover the registration costs for up to five women to attend the UIFI in the summer of 2014.

“UIFI changed my life in so many ways, and it made me more proud to be a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha than I thought I could be. Of the many things I took away from the experience was to always look and reflect upon our Ritual. Being consumed with all aspects of our chapter operations like budgets and elections can cause us to forget what exactly we were founded on; our purpose, our Founders’ purpose and our Ritual.” – Courtney Domingue, ZΣ Announcements and applications will be made available in spring 2014. Members interested in the facilitator and intern application processes are encouraged to visit www.nicindy.org.

Scholarship recipients for UIFI in the summer of 2013: Courtney Domingue, Zeta Sigma Chapter, University of the Incarnate Word, TX Whittney Gregory, Beta Upsilon Chapter, Indiana State University Amanda Molaskey, Theta Tau Chapter, Capital University, OH Aurora Ortiz, Theta Rho Chapter, West Texas A&M University Aubrey Winn, Zeta Zeta Chapter, University of Central Missouri

www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

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Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2014

IN JOY, IN LOVE

Summer 2013 | Volume 99

History

hoenix of the

100 years of service to Alpha Sigma Alpha 1914

t was an inauspicious beginning. The Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha, Volume I, Number 1, dated Nov. 1, 1914, was four pages on regular 8 1/2-by-11-inch typewriter paper, printed in a purplish-blue ink. Intended as a weekly publication, it was issued from National President Ida Shaw Martin’s home office in Boston. But the newsletter served as an important vehicle for the 1914 reorganization of the sorority, which had been reduced to just one chapter by 1912. That first issue in November 1914 discussed the upcoming four-chapter, reorganization convention held over Thanksgiving weekend at Miami of Ohio. The debut of the Phoenix preceded by only several weeks another important event for Alpha Sigma Alpha: the convention of Thanksgiving weekend 1914, which brought together the four Alpha chapters that were to form the nucleus of the reorganized Sorority. Among the discussions at this reorganization convention was how to print and pay for the newsletter. A Rotospeed (replaced just a year later with a mimeograph) was purchased with funds from each chapter. It was then determined that in order to pay for the expense of printing, 100 subscriptions were needed. The members were so successful in soliciting support for the publication that, when the 25th issue was published in May 1915, the subscription list had 200 names on it.

1916

BY Nancy I.Z. Reese, Bu | Contributing editor, Phoenix editor (1984-2000)

The magazine as instruction book “The Years Behind Us, 1901-1951” tells us that the infant Phoenix was the central medium by which the various parts of Alpha Sigma Alpha were linked together. It consisted of instructions and discussions of sorority rulings and policies, chapter newsletters and excerpts from articles on morals and fraternal organizations. “It reminds one greatly of the family mail pouch sent periodically to the far-away children by a strong-minded mother whose experience and age are assumed to give her authority of opinion and action. Only infrequently does the National President, mentioned as the ‘Central Office,’ fade into the background.” The Phoenix of Sept. 16, 1916, began a practice seen in many later issues of the magazine – it included a supplement of another sorority publication, in this case a six-page recruitment manual. This manual contains the now-famous quote, “You are a member of a STRONG Sorority, one that ranks with the best in the country. Live it, talk it, dream it, work for it. In no other way can you so effectively convince others of its beauty, its greatness and its power.” At the beginning of the 1915-16 school year, the Phoenix carried the news of the organization of the Association of Pedagogical Education Sororities.

www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

History of the P hoen ix From newsletter to magazine The weekly mimeographed publication of the Phoenix continued for several more years. But at the convention over Easter weekend, 1918, at the Hotel Sherman, Chicago, the membership voted to establish life subscriptions at $25 each, and that the Phoenix should be a printed and bound magazine, issued monthly, in the charge of an editor-in-chief and a staff. An editor was elected but apparently never served.

Alpha Sigma Alpha in a circle, flanked on each side by wings, that also became familiar

In November 1933, the first of several Aegis editions of the Phoenix was published. The editions contained material of an esoteric nature and were named for the second Alpha Sigma Alpha magazine. The Phoenix of November 1938, under the editorship of Genevieve Steele Leib Foltz, CC, marked a notable change in the format of the magazine as it went from its previous size to an 8-by-10-1/2-inch “saddle-stitched” magazine, the basic size and format it has retained to the present.

Still the long-awaited, printed Phoenix made its bow in October 1918 as an approximately 6by-9-inch bound magazine. And even though there were government restrictions on the use of paper during World War I, the magazine still managed to be published in all months, except January, from October to June 1919.

The January 1945 issue showcased another example of the magazine serving a dual

1919

In the November 1919 Phoenix, the announcement was made of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s important decision to enter only institutions offering a four-year teachertraining course, and no institution that was not of the highest grade and none where the faculty was not in sympathy with the Sorority idea. Coincident with this was the mention of the regrettable withdrawal of the mother chapter at Farmville, which at the time did not offer a four-year degree.

In the fall of 1919, the Phoenix became a quarterly, to be published in November, January, March and May, although the January issue was not published. The November issue was primarily a celebration of the fifth anniversary of the reorganization and a history of the 18-year-old Sorority. Artwork of the Phoenix on the title page, dating from that year and for many subsequent years, was a reproduction of a stained glass window commemorating the Boston fire of 1872. Mary Ruth Early, AB, designed the monogram of

Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2014

In the January 1933 issue, the Phoenix announced that a petition had been received from Delta Sigma Chi to reinstate the chapter at Longwood as Alpha Chapter.

1933

to Phoenix readers for many years. As the Sorority grew after World War I, so did the Phoenix; issues frequently ran as large as 150 pages. In 1921, Dr. Ida A. Jewett, AB, became the first editor who was not Ida Shaw Martin. Gertrude D. Halbritter, ΘΘ, became editor in 1923 and continued to the end of the Martin presidency.

1947

purpose as it contained the first published history of Alpha Sigma Alpha. As recounted in “The Years Behind Us,” because of World War II, the pictures were limited as Uncle Sam and the budget frowned on excessive engravings. In 1947 the Sorority’s petition for admittance to the National Panhellenic Conference was approved and the Association of Education Sororities was disbanded.

Evolution of themes Even though 1930 marked the first change of Sorority administration since the reorganization in 1914, the Phoenix continued its mission of communication among the chapters as well as informing the membership of organization events and policies.

The first Alumnae Bulletin of the Phoenix appeared in January 1948. It was a four-to six-page newsletter that appeared at various times of the year in place of a regular issue of the magazine. It appeared annually until 1970, primarily in the summer, when it again became a regular issue of the magazine.

Julia Lancaster, ΘΘ, editor from 1930 to 1934, recalled that, “ … we were a much smaller sorority. We were concerned with the creation of standards and traditions. … The Phoenix needed to flap its wings vigorously.”

The golden cover of the November 1951 Phoenix proclaimed the 50-year anniversary of the Sorority. It also included the pictures of the five Founders, all of them living. The Phoenix

changed from being issued by month of publication to seasons in the fall of 1958. In the Fall issue of 1976, for the Sorority’s 75th diamond anniversary, the magazine became a history supplement, 1951-1976, of “The Years Behind Us.” The summer 1992 issue was devoted to another history supplement for 1976-1992. The look of the magazine The page count of the Phoenix has varied over the years since it became a full-size magazine in 1938. Some issues were as large as 100 pages, while the “Alumnae Bulletin” editions were only several sheets. Since the mid-1970s, the magazine has averaged 24-32 pages an issue. Plain covers, with a border and the name of the magazine, predominated in the early years 1960

of the magazine. As early as 1938, however, a drawing was used for the Yellowstone convention issue. Photos began to appear periodically on the cover in the late 1940s and were first done in duotone (one color and black). Later, black and white photos were surrounded by a single color on the cover. The photos used were often prominent buildings on the campuses of Alpha Sigma Alpha chapters. Plain covers returned in 1958 and were used throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. The “Alumnae Bulletin” edition of the Phoenix of spring 1961 boasted the first four-color

cover of the Phoenix. It was a photo of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, site of the 1961 convention. The next full-color cover did not appear until winter 1980, when the picture of a Special Olympic athlete was featured. Now, not only are all the covers color, but all of the inside pages are color as well. Bringing the magazine ‘in-house’ While volunteers had successfully guided the magazine for more than 75 years, increasingly the trend in fraternal editing called for additional skills, responsibilities 1980

and professionalism of the editor. The era of the volunteer editor was on the wane. To ensure that Alpha Sigma Alpha was able to compete with her peers in the fraternal community, Nancy Zander Reese, BY, editor from 1984 to 2000, urged the national council to consider bringing the editor’s job into headquarters to edit the magazine and take on additional responsibilities, including the emerging technology of online websites. So in 1998 the Sorority hired its first director of communications and editor-in-training. The last volunteer editor retired at the Sorority’s centennial convention in 2000.

“Hiring a professional staff member to oversee all aspects of communication helped streamline and standardize the messages Alpha Sigma Alpha was sharing with our membership, our fraternal peers and the public, ” according to Krystal Geyer Slivinski, ΓΡ, executive director. Today is only the beginning Having moved into a digital age, in recent years the Phoenix magazine has been made available online a few weeks after each printed issue is mailed. More and more members enjoy the online issues. 2000

“It is amazing to learn about the beginning of the Phoenix magazine to see what it has become today,” said Katie Matis Smith, ΔΗ, communications & marketing coordinator. “But the one thing that has remained the same is the content our membership creates. Alpha Sigma Alphas deliver the mission of the organization every day, and the Phoenix has always celebrated it, challenged it and will continue to seek for more.”

Before the Phoenix was produced and designed by an outside company, the magazine was produced and designed “in-house.” Photos taken from the fall 1979 issue of the Phoenix magazine. www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

History of the P hoen ix

Phoenix editors and staff For the bulk of the 100-year history of the Phoenix, the magazine was edited by dedicated volunteers. It wasn’t until 2000 that the last volunteer retired and the work of editor of the magazine was moved to national headquarters. It proved to be a prophetic move as the rise of the Internet added websites, e-newsletters and social media to the responsibilities of the instaff editor along with the added duties of overseeing sorority publications, public relations and marketing. From Ida Shaw Martin, Delta Delta Delta Fraternity and honorary member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, who was the first editor (1914-20), to Nancy Zander Reese, BU, the last volunteer editor (1984-2000), the position of volunteer editor was filled with distinguished members. They included eminent educators and women who went on to make significant contributions to the Sorority and Foundation. The president-editor connection Delta Delta Delta founder Ida Shaw Martin was the “strong-minded mother,” who served as both president and editor of Alpha Sigma Alpha from 1914 to 1920. She continued to serve as president until 1930. Well known in the fraternity world as the editor of “The Sorority Handbook,” which first appeared in 1907, she was instrumental in 1913 in bringing together Alpha Chapter at Longwood University, VA, and the local sorority at Miami University of Ohio, which later became Alpha Alpha Chapter. The first editor who later became president was Mary Goeke Backsman, AA (1961-64), who also later served as

Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2014

National Panhellenic Conference delegate. Mary has been a practicing attorney in Cincinnati, OH, for many years. Betty Urban Wallick, ZZ, (1974-76), and Dr. Rosemary Carucci Goss, ΒΠ (1980-84), not only served as editor and then president of the Sorority, but they also served for many years on the Foundation board of trustees, including terms as chairman. Betty also served as National Panhellenic Conference first alternate delegate for 10 years as Sidney Gremillion Allen, ΨΨ, advanced through the offices of the NPC executive committee. Although not destined to be president, Bonnie Payne Koenemann, ZZ, (196470), was a member of national council and served as the first chairman of the Foundation board of trustees. As editor, she compiled the 50th anniversary edition of the Phoenix. Bonnie taught high school business education for 17 years. Distinguished educators Editors who were educators included Dr. Ida A. Jewett, AB, (1921-22), who was a teacher and superintendent in public high schools before she began teaching at Columbia University, NY, from 1921 until her retirement in 1948. Gertrude D. Halbritter, ΘΘ, (1923-30) taught at Hyde Park High School in Boston for 33 years and was executive director of the Cape Cod Campfire Girls at the time of her death.

In addition to editing the Phoenix, Julia E. Lancaster, ΘΘ, (1930-34) wrote Alpha Sigma Alpha’s first pledge manual in 1930. In 1939, she left the field of education and began work as an orthoptic technician in San Francisco. She helped start the American Association of Certified Orthoptists. Dr. Helenmarie Herbert Hofman, ΑΓ, (1976-80) is professor of education, emerita, at Gettysburg College, PA. She taught at the school from 1991-2007. Prior to that she worked for over 10 years at the National Science Teachers Association in Washington, DC, including several years as director of its Science, Space and Technology Programs. Dr. Rosemary Carucci Goss, ΒΠ, (1980-84) earns a second mention, as she is a nationally known educator and expert on housing and property management. She is currently Residential Property Management Advisory Board Professor at Virginia Tech, VA. Super volunteers Esther Bucher, HH, (1952-58) devoted more than 25 years of service to Alpha Sigma Alpha as a chairman, member of national council, editor and NPC delegate. She worked for many years for the Better Business Bureau of Greater Kansas City. Hiwana Cupp Crompton, BE, (1958-61) devoted 21 years of service to the Sorority in several chairmen positions, as editor, member of national council and historian. In 1976, she edited the 1951-76 history

supplement to “The Years Behind Us.” She was a high school teacher and high school and middle school counselor. Judith A. Holman, ΘΘ, (1970-74) served as a field representative and was responsible for rewriting the pledge manual in 1972. For more than 15 years, she worked for government housing programs in Colorado. Long-serving editors Genevieve Steele Leib Foltz, CC, (1934-52) and Nancy Zander Reese, BY (1984-2000) were the longest and second longest serving editors. Genevieve was editor for 18 years, and as editor of the Phoenix, she developed wide contacts in the Greek-letter world and worked on many interfraternity projects and committees. A professional journalist with the Chicago Tribune for 32 years, Nancy was editor for 16 years and served as president of both the College Fraternity Editors Association (now the Fraternity Communications Association) and the National Panhellenic Editors Conference. The volunteer staff Over the years, the magazine not only had an editor but other dedicated volunteers who were in charge of the alumnae, collegiate and feature sections among other positions. Many of these volunteers made significant contributions to the Phoenix. According to Esther Bucher, HH, editor from 1952 to 1958, “Editing the Phoenix was a joint effort between myself and Mary Kay Reiff, associate editor. Our office was Mary Kay’s apartment, and we burned the midnight oil at times…”

And Mary Goeke Backsman, AA, editor from 1961 to 1964, said, “All the editors on the Phoenix staff lived close to each other, and we would get together to work on each issue. I enjoyed working with them and the friendship we shared.” Headquarters staff Teresa Boyer Fishback, ΔΚ, (2000-07) was a television and radio anchor, reporter and video producer before she became the Sorority’s first director of communications. Louise Morales Mitchell, ΖΩ, (200709) has a degree in communications from Austin Peay State University, TN. She now works at Austin Peay, serves as the District 3 communications liaison and is an advisor for the Zeta Omega Chapter. Erika Butts, EK, (2009-12) has a bachelor’s degree in speech communication, with a public relations focus, from Millersville University, PA. She is now administrative assistant, university communications, at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD.

The magazine contained Sorority news, reprints of articles on the fraternity system, editorials, chapter letters, Alpha Sigma Alpha songs, news of members by chapter, news of other Greek-letter organizations and a directory of the Grand Council and Roll Call of chapters. Advertising was accepted and, in fact, each chapter was expected to solicit its quota of advertising. The name of the magazine was changed to the Aegis of Alpha Sigma Alpha with the May 1908 issue. The binding and format remained almost the same, although the editions during most of the 1909-12 period bore the coat-of-arms in crimson. But The Aegis floundered as the fledgling Sorority floundered just a few short years later on a wave of anti-sorority sentiment. The last issue was published in February 1912.

Katie Matis Smith, ΔH, (2012-present) has a bachelor’s degree in communications and digital cinema from DePaul University, IL. She previously worked as membership growth coordinator from 2010-12. The first magazine The Phoenix was not the sorority’s first publication. The Alpha Sigma Alpha Magazine was first published in May 1906, just five years after the founding of the Sorority. It was a quarterly publication, bound in grey, with crimson printing, and was priced at “$1.50 per annum, payable in advance; single copies 50¢.”

www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

Di str i ct News — D .O .T. D ay s E di t i on

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12 10 1. Zeta Alpha Zeta Alpha Chapter from Missouri Southern State University was “freezin’ for a reason” while working registration and merchandise tables to support the Special Olympics at the Polar Plunge. 2. Zeta Chi To support one of their sisters who fought and battled Lymphoma cancer, Zeta Chi Chapter from Niagara University, NY, and the Buffalo Alumnae Chapter volunteered and walked in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk. 3. Chicago North Suburban The Chicago North Suburban Alumnae donated their time collecting goods and items from the S. June Smith Center wish-list. 4. Tampa Bay The Tampa Bay Alumnae Chapter, FL, donated their time at the local Ronald McDonald House.

5. Theta Mu Theta Mu Chapter at Valdosta State University, GA, volunteered at a local food bank.

9. Beta Mu Beta Mu Chapter at Henderson State University, AR, picked up trash in their local community and neighborhoods.

6. Zeta Sigma Zeta Sigma Chapter at the University of the Incarnate Word volunteered at Habitat for Humanity.

10. Alpha Alpha Chapter at Longwood University, VA, put their handyman skills to work when they volunteered at a visual arts school.

7. Zeta Eta Zeta Eta Chapter at Rockhurst University, MO, cleaned the streets and sidewalks on campus and the surrounding neighborhoods.

11. Theta Upsilon Theta Upsilon Chapter at Boise State University, ID, hosted a Spread the Word to End the Word campaign.

8. Alpha Gamma Alpha Gamma Chapter at Indiana University of Pennsylvania visited a local nursing home where they hosted a game night for the residents.

12. Kansas City Area Sisters Members of the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter, Zeta Eta Chapter from Rockhurst University, MO, and Theta Omicron Chapter from the University of Missouri-Kansas City painted the Girls on the Run Kansas City office.

www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

ASA Pa l ms

ASA Palms The word palm means tribute, honor or praise. Alpha Sigma Alpha gives palms to alumnae and collegians for their successes and milestones. Celebrating a personal, professional or volunteer success? Tell us about it! Send your success stories to the editor at ksmith@AlphaSigmaAlpha.org.

2 Zeta Upsilon Alumna author who goes by L. White released her first book, The Graceful Art of Falling, in the fall of 2013. The book is a memoir about her experiences living with FSH muscular dystrophy. It was her intention to write a book that would help raise awareness of the many muscle disorders and help others experiencing similar challenges.

1 Campus Queens Congratulations to a few of Alpha Sigma Alphaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fall 2013 campus homecoming queens! 1. Beta Nu Celeste Chockley, Murray State University, KY 2. Zeta Alpha Karlie Monroe, Missouri Southern State University 3. Theta Tau Madison Mikhail, Capital University, OH

Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2014

F ou n dat i o n News

“Lofty aspirations are empty unless followed by equally high attainments… Let us strive to develop the potentialities of each individual,

Volunteer for the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation

mindful of the fact that as we help others we help ourselves. So together let us ASPIRE –

SEEK – ATTAIN.”

– Evelyn G. Bell, ΠΠ

We are seeking collegiate and alumnae members who have the desire and passion to volunteer as Foundation ambassadors. Foundation ambassadors work directly with

The Heritage Society

Heritage Society members are role models to others. Each member of the Heritage Society lives her commitment to the future of the

the board of trustees and Foundation staff in fulfilling the mission and vision of the

Sorority by making a monthly, quarterly or annual gift to the Alpha

Foundation. Ambassadors create relationships

Sigma Alpha Foundation. Membership in the Heritage Society is

with donors and help educate members on

extended to Alpha Sigma Alpha members who make an annual gift

the importance of the Foundation. Contact

of $250 or more.

Development Coordinator Shannon Priddy at spriddy@AlphaSigmaAlpha.org if you are

Heritage Society Circle

Annual Giving

Pearl

$250 +

Ruby

$500 +

Diamond

$1,000 +

Achievement

$2,500 +

Devotion

$5,000 +

Legacy

$10,000 +

interested in being a Foundation ambassador.

The Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation exists to support the educational, leadership and philanthropic purposes of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority through charitable giving.

www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org

News and e v ents

Spread the Word to End the Word Join Alpha Sigma Alpha this March in promoting and participating in the national annual Spread the Word to End the Word campaign. Spread the Word to End the Word is an effort encouraging people nationwide to pledge to stop using the derogatory word “retard.” The campaign is devoted to educating and raising awareness about individuals with intellectual disabilities and the offensive use of the “R-word” in casual conversation. Alpha Sigma Alphas across the country challenge everyone to think before they speak. Collegiate and alumnae chapters participate by encouraging other students, co-workers, friends and family to pledge to stop the use of the word at www.r-word.org.

International Badge Day March 3, 2014, is the National Panhellenic Conference International Badge Day. Alpha Sigma Alpha members are encouraged to wear their badge on this day at school, work, home, vacation, etc. to show pride in their Alpha Sigma Alpha and Panhellenic sisterhood.

West Chester University, PA, expansion Alpha Sigma Alpha has been invited to colonize at West Chester University in West Chester, PA, in fall 2014. We are seeking passionate and dedicated alumnae to be advisors for our next chapter. Email lstephenson@AlphaSigmaAlpha.org to express your interest in volunteering. Visit www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org/ Alumnae/Volunteer/InterestForm to formally apply for a volunteer position.

Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2014