A New Chapter.... This is the first issue of THE ANCHOR in quite some time. You, I am sure, have noticed that it looks different, seems different; and yes, it is different. Very soon , THE ANCHOR will adapt its look to be aesthetically pleasing and be a better publication, which you can view and use. The mission of THE ANCHOR, from th is issue forward will not be to simply inform, but to challenge and discuss. What are the issues facing fraternities and sororities today? How does this affect AI.T? What is our role as a Sorority in today's world and on the college and university campuses? Is there a challenge or threat we need to know about, to discuss? Are we doing all we can to be a leader in the fraternal movement, or are we simply following? There will be articles and issues within the pages of THE ANCHOR that will make you laugh, cry and be angry. There will be times when you will throw THE ANCHOR down in disgust and times when you cannot put it down . There will be times you will be moved to write a letter to share your feelings - good and bad -and there will be times when you are moved to action. There will be times when you are shocked and left speechless. GOOD! This is what I want. THE ANCHOR is a vehicle, a liaison, for you to be informed; however, THE ANCHOR should also be the catalyst for discussion and change within our organization. I want this magazine not to be something you flip through twice a year, but rather, something you can not wait to open, read and digest. It is through THE ANCHOR that we , as a Sorority, can come together twice a year. It has not been here in awhile, but it is back now. I hope you have missed it, and I hope you are glad it is back. This publication is fluid, it will constantly be evolving. This is where you come in. I want to hear from you. I want to know what you are thinking. I want you to be involved. I want you to care. I hope you like what you see and are excited about what is yet to come. If not, let me know!
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inside looking out
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ast alerts
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soapbox
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roll call
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parting shot
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convention 2000
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officer academy 2001
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grand ladies of ast
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going for the gold
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the day that changed the world
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$0APBOX titfe,g tpeal< thei, mind No matter where you were September 11 , time stood still. If you were in class , at work , shopping , retrieving your e-mail, or just getting out of bed , once you heard and witnessed the events as they unfolded , everything stopped . You will always remember where you were when the tragic events occurred .
The initial shock and disbelief of what happened to our country, our friends and our families , made everyone stop and think. We tried to realize why. Why and how this could happen in the United States of America .
We are born and leave the security of the womb to enter into a world where our parents promise us comfort and peace. We never feared the scary monster that could jump out at us. Someone was always there to comfort us. As we grew up , our families, teachers , neighbors, and friends continued to give us comfort. Then , in college , we needed to find a new comfort zone. For all of us, we found it when we pledged our support to each other, through our vows and membership with Alpha Sigma Tau .
On September 11 , the meaning of sisterhood became stronger. Sisters together heard the news, held each other and reminded each other that they were there for comfort.
We are reminded of our founding sisters who , like the great founders of our nation , laid the cornerstones of our Sorority. The cornerstones include the ethical, cultural and social development of its members in hopes that they become strong citizens of our great country.
Today, with all that is happening throughout the world, many question the relevancy of Sorority and sisterhood . Now more than ever, the bonds of sisterhood help us to promote strong citizenship , displayed through the spirit of the members of Alpha Sigma Tau as they donate funds to charities , give blood , or volunteer. All her members throughout the country are passionately showing this spirit to help their fellow Americans .
The world may be forever changed , but the spirit of each member of Alpha Sigma Tau is held high in her torch as she silently and strongly lifts it higher. - Patti Simmons, tJ.
SOAPBOX is a place for sisters to speak their minds on a topic facing the Sorority, the Greek world, or society. Any submission is subject to editing for space and content. The Editor of THE ANCHOR reserves the right to refuse to print a submission. 3
1 e 33rd National Convention of Alpha Sigma Tau is history! From June 20- 24 , 2000 , over 325 collegiate and alumnae women traveled to Birmingham , AL , and shared the history, memories and friendships of Alpha Sigma Tau , as the sorority celebrated a Century of EverlASTing Sisterhood , En Avant. During fun-filled days , collegiate and alumnae members culminated the celebration as they focused each day on a Century of Leadership, Century of Sisterhood , Century of Dedication , Century of Service, Century of Friendship , and Century of Memories. The Century of Leadership was dedicated to National Council and National Staff members, including Chapter Advisers . During this time , the women focused on team building and staff development roundtables, presented by the Fraternity Program , Expansion , and Collegiate Chapter areas . Leadership led into Sisterhood as the opening session brought out the best in everyone . With all sisters dressed in white, the convention was called to order by Martha Drouyor DeCamp, National President. The Honorable Pat Reynolds, Mayor of Hoover, Alabama , presented the official welcome and proclamation , and Mrs. DeCamp presented her keynote address. The evening concluded with a Memorial Service honoring all sisters that have passed away since the last convention and a Rededication Service , where sisters rededicated their spirit by stringing pearls and taking a petal from a yellow rose . 4
A Century of Dedication brought together this group into the business of the convention . Committee, financial and Foundation reports and constitution revisions showed that, with all in attendance , the sorority is dedicated to continued strength as we enter our second century. The highlight of the day was a visit to the historic Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham. The sisters were entertained by the renowned Blue Grass musician Glenn Tolbert, accompanied by local talent. The group took part in folk dancing, led by Ben and Pat Begley, from the Pine Mountain Settlement School , and shared a piece of Alpha Sigma Tau 's birthday cake . A Century of Service is what Alpha Sigma Tau is all about. Guests on this day included Robin Lambert, Director of Pine Mountain Settlement School , who spoke on the history and activities of the school. A first time viewing of the new Pine Mountain video was shown and a presentation to Safe House, the local convention philanthropy, was made in between collegiate workshops and roundtables. A Century of Friendship allowed the entire convention body to participate in the highlight of the week , a visit to our National Headquarters. Everyone was excited to see the recently completed archives and displays and view the actual pieces of the history of Alpha Sigma Tau . The brick walk outside found many sisters looking for their chapter or personal bricks. The Foundation held the convention delegation spellbound as they sponsored a presentation of "Something of Value ," a National Panhellenic Conference program .
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With the week drawing to a close , A Century of Memories gave many much to reminisce about. No matter where you went throughout the hotel , the evidence of a Century of Memories was everywhere . With the business completed , the final gala was soon to be held . The Centennial Banquet saw the announcement of the Alpha Sigma Tau Builders , women who have led the Sorority throughout the century. The 34th National Convention is June 26-29 in St. Louis, Missouri , so plan to meet AST under the Arch for a celebration of the second century of sisterhood!
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Convention Award Winners Alumnae Chapter Top Tau
Anchor Award
Lynn Miller O'Malley, Baltimore Diane Schmelzel , Boston Lois Anne Dryer Cooke, Buffalo Diane DiSandro Underwood , Centreville-Manassas Nadia Sawka Maddens, Detriot-Northeast Suburbs Jeanne Egan Brunworth , Edwardsville Amy Lassi , Harrisburg Kimberly Golden Benner, Lehigh Valley Yvonne Theriault, Lowell Betty Sue Smith Glaeser, Northern Virginia Arline Bouligny Clark, St. Louis Robbie Smith Cool , Tidewater Donella Leonard Sellers, Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor
Florence Sodus, Buffalo
Alumnae CEP Level Recognitions 1998- 1999 Anchor- Frederick-Hagerstown , MD Emerald - Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor, Centreville-Manassas Gold -Baltimore , St. Louis, Buffalo, Northern Virginia Alumnae Club Stars - PhoenixNalley of the Sun
National Membership Improvement Award Gamma Omega
Collegiate District Improvement Awards Alpha District - Alpha Beta District - Beta Ch i Epsilon District - Gamma Zeta Eta District- Gamma Upsilon Iota District - Phi Kappa District -Alpha Gamma Mu District - Gamma Omega Nu District - Delta Delta Rho District - Sigma Sigma District - Gamma Tau Theta District - Psi Zeta District- Beta Eta
Collegiate Improvement Award Gamma Omega
1999-2000 Pearl - Lowell , Edwardsville , Montgomery County, MD Elizabeth Wilson Chapter Excellence Emerald - Baltimore, Greater Chicago, Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor, 1998 Buffalo, St. Louis , Tidewater, Harrisburg Gold - Detroit Northeast Suburbs , Northern Virginia , Boston , Lehigh Valley
1st- Ph i: 98.42% 2nd- Gamma Zeta : 97 .76% 1999
Alumnae Club Stars - PhoenixNalley of the Sun ,
1st- Alpha Gamma : 97.42%
New York Metro
2nd -Gamma Pi: 95.40% 3rd -Gamma Zeta: 95 .05%
Alumnae Philanthropy Award 1998- 1999 1st - Baltimore 2nd - Northern Virginia
Scholarship A wards 1998 1st- Delta Mu : 3.26 GPA 2nd -Delta Lambda : 3.21 GPA
1999-2000
3rd -Beta Tau : 3.11 GPA
1st - Tidewater 1999 1st- Delta Lambda : 3.31 GPA
Pledge Awards
2nd - Delta Mu : 3.23 GPA
Phi - Best Pledge Program
3rd -Gamma Xi: 3.22 GPA
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Rush Awards Excellence in Total Membership Size
Collegiate Philanthropy A wards 1998- 1999
Psi
1st - Upsilon
Alpha Phi
2nd- Beta Mu
Beta Pi Gamma Omega
3rd- Beta Xi
1999- 2000 Excellence in Pledged Member Class Size
1st - Alpha Pi
Alpha Phi Beta Pi Gamma Omega Gamma Xi
2nd- Beta Mu
Improvement in Pledged Member Class: COB Ch i
Plaques Alpha Epsilon - largest donation to Pine Mountain Upsilon -completed most hours of community service
Improvement in Pledged Member Class: Formal Recruitment
Scrapbook Awards
Sigma
1st - Delta Epsilon 2nd - Beta Tau
Improvement in Continuous Open Bidding Alpha Alpha Omicron
McCrory Order of Interfraternity Excellence Charles Warner, Student Organ ization Advisor - West Chester University
Convention Top Taus Alumnae Heath er Frankhouser, Zeta Collegian Rebecca Brooks, Beta Eta
Founders' Award Beta Eta
3rd- Beta Pi Honorable Mention Chi Delta Lambda Honorable Mention: Cover Beta Eta Honorable Mention: Alumnae Boston Buffalo Baltimore Detroit Indianapolis Montgomery County, Maryland Northern Virginia Tidewater
Ada A. Norton Award
Carrie W. Staehle Award
Kathy Pulice Baecker, Detroit Northeast Suburbs
Joyce Berg , Alpha
Mary Louise Doyle Panhellenic Award
Helen R. Garmen Award
Anna Margaret Young Rhodes , Tidewater
Peter Bohling
The Pearls of Alpha Sigma Tau
Women of Excellence
Virgin ia Correa Craeger
Virg inia Correa Craeger
Order of the Yellow Rose Anita Charkauer, Buffalo Melanie Welsh , St. Louis Andrea Klein-Yancho , Boston
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Margaret MacDonald Convention Beau Awards
Music Awards
Jack Ashby - 6
1998- 1999
Jerry King - 22
1st- Phi & Rho
Christopher Williams
2nd - Beta Theta
Jeff Yancho
3rd- Beta Pi
Council Ring
1999-2000
Andrea Klein-Yancho
1st - Alpha Omicron
Patti Simmons
2nd- Beta Pi 3rd - Alpha Gamma
Thomas J. King Jr. Award Robert 0 . Driggers J. Terry Justice Raymond F. Worsham Bud Pinyan
Sustainers Carrie Wasburn Staehle , Alpha June McCarthy, Pi Ferne Shumate Phipps , Omicron Elizabeth Wilson , Pi Sue Rae Rogers , Alpha Lambda Melissa Friesen Parks, Beta Xi Lois Schweikert O'Dell , Lambda Carol Bicking Keily, Alpha Xi Ethel Himelick, Alpha Alpha Mary Louise Mandrae Doyle , Theta Lenore Seibel King , Psi Rose Marie Schmidt, Theta Charlotte Evans Floyd , Psi Bobbie Nichols Tucker, Alpha Gamma Gail Shockley Fowler, Alpha Lambda Patricia L. Nayle, Phi Julie Bell Bruington , Iota Ricki Bargman Trosen, Alpha Sigma Martha Drouyer DeCamp , Alpha Cynthia Peckhart McCrory, Alpha Alpha Debi McCain Pyszka , Alpha Nu Mary Ellen Willmitch , Alpha Rho Carol J. Cooper, Zeta Tau Carolyn Connor Alexander, Pi Mary Charles Adams Ashby, Chi Mary Glor Bolton , Sigma Anna Margaret Young Rhodes , Psi Meda Ray Elliot Sewell , Omicron Sally Sturm Wales , Sigma
Alumnae Baltimore (both years) Honorable Mention Gamma Xi Zeta Upsilon
Margaret MacDonald Convention Belle A wards Tracy Bond - 3 Michelle Broussard - 3 Lisa-Marie Fredericks - 3 Anna Mcintosh Golladay - 3 Kris Haskin - 3 Mary Beth Kelley - 3 Jennifer Kemmery - 3 Kerri Maranto - 3 Courtney Monilias - 3 Kelly Park- 3 Suzanne Slick - 3 Neldra Spencer - 3 Adele Black - 5 TeLoa Butler - 5 Sonda Clocksin - 5 Chris Covington - 5 Andrea Klein-Yancho - 5 Miriam Lord - 5 Deborah Meacon - 5 Judy Sanders - 5 Amy Brooks - 10 Ricki Trosen - 10 Mary Ellen Willmitch - 10 Nancy Cook - 15 Jean McNamera -15
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Convention Belle Awards Continued Carolyn Alexander - 17 Mary Bolton - 19 Lois O'Dell - 20 Marty DeCamp - 20 Meda Rae Sewell - 20 Sally Wales - 20
Edith Elliott - 18 Charlotte Evans Floyd -18 Rose Marie Schmidt - 18 Mary Charles Ashby - 22 Sybil King - 23
Mary Lou ise Doyle - 24
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n the weekend of July 27-29 , 2001 , Alpha Sigma Taus from all across the country gathered together in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , for the inaugural Alpha Sigma Tau Officer Acad emy. The Officer Academy is an outreach program developed from the Alpha Sigma Tau Strategic Plan. The focus of the OA is to educate members on successful membership recruitment with the central focus being based upon the Sorority's purpose and core values . Recruitment directors , treasurers , publicity coordinators , and etiquette coordinators gathered to share ideas , learn new strategies and strengthen their leadership skills , as well as rededicate themselves to the founding values and purpose of Alpha Sigma Tau . In add ition , chapter advisory team members participated in specific educational programs geared towards helping them become strong and successful advisers . David Stallman , Gary Bonus and "Mom" Nonnie Cameron of CAMPUSPEAK, a national speaking agency for colleges , fraternities and sororities , were the keynote speakers and session leaders for the weekend. In addition , Lara Cegala-Williams, '짜 ; Christina Covington , AA; and Amy Howard , '짜, led the Saturday programs for over 350 collegiate women . The Saturday evening program focused on the Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation , presented by President Emeritus and Foundation President, Sybil King , \fl .
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Included during the weekend activities was a continuation of an Alpha Sigma Tau tradition . At every national event, Alpha Sigma Tau supports a local philanthropy. OA sponsored a battered women 's shelter, the Alice Paul House . The mission of the Alice Paul House is two-fold: - to provide safety and support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault as they try to free themselves from the oppression caused by violence and abuse and - to help change the attitudes , practices and laws in our society which allow such abuse to occur.
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0 ......., OA participants brought a variety of personal care items, diapers and toys to assist the shelter in its mission . On Saturday evening , Patricia Klausing Simmons, Ll, Executive Director of the United Way of Indiana County, was presented with the boxes of supplies and monetary donations for the Alice Paul House. Throughout the weekend , participants of OA contributed greatly to the success of the programs presented. To honor the women who dedicated their time and talents to OA, Officer Academy Graduate shirts were presented to each attendee . The weekend concluded with an information gathering session of collegiate recru itment activities, providing an opportunity for collegiate member input on needed recruitment tools and with a poolside candle lighting and singing of the National Hymn .
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Many of the materials presented , as well as highlights of the OA, can be found on the Taus@Net site at www.alphasigmatau .org .
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Carrie Washburn Staehle 1899- 2001 Carrie Was burn Staehle was initiated into Alpha chapter at Eastern Michigan University on January 12, 1924. Since that time , she held a myriad of offices in Alpha Sigma Tau and earned numerous awards . She was on the planning comm ittees for nationalization from 1924 to 1925. She held offices of National Treasurer from 1925 to 1934, National President from 1934 to 1949, National Secretary from 1952 to 1960, NPC Representative from 1947 to 1967, and Director of Publications from 1960 to 1976. Carrie was a recipient of the Ada A. Norton Award (1949) and the Convention Alumnae Top Tau Award (1990), and she was named President Emerita in 1970. She was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 1990. She also codified the rules and regulations that make up the National By-Laws .
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Carrie was a teacher professionally, and she taught in Michigan and Columbia public schools . She taught Latin , English , History and Russian . She also taught English at Columbus State College. Although she is no longer with us , Carrie Wasburn Staehle has left her imprints on Alpha Sigma Tau and was one of the major forces behind developing the sorority into the strength it is today, while still maintaining the values and tenents the nine Founders envisioned . While healthy, Carrie was a fixture at National Convention and was always the center of attention , particularly from the collegians who lined up to have their photographs taken with her for the chapter scrapbook. Carrie Wasburn Staehle personified lifelong sisterhood and truly exemplified the vows of serving the Sorority for a lifetime . She will be sadly missed .
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Mary Charles Ashby 1939-2001 Mary Charles was a woman who was just as comfortable in a Council meeting as she was in her fuzzy AL:T slippers and letter t-shirt, sitting on the floor with a bunch of collegians trading stories and singing songs . She loved to sit and talk and really get to know the women who made up Alpha Sigma Tau . She didn't have to demand respect; she got it by her "no airs" way of handling herself. I can remember sneaking down a dark hotel hallway at Convention with her, at 2 am , to decorate her "Secret Sis"' doorway. We had construction paper anchors , green and gold streamers , L:T letters , and scotch tape .. .lots of scotch tape. I thought, "Here I am , National Pledge Coordinator, with the National President, sneaking around with construction paper and scotch tape at this 4-Star hotel!" Her Secret Sis was so astonished that the National President would take the time to do all this for her, but that is the way Mary Charles was. If you walked through her house , 1 am sure she had more yellow rose items than an FTD florist. She lived L:T and always made us proud to be a member of "her sorority."
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consider myself fortunate because I was able to spend many memorable weekends with Mary Charles doing chapter installations. Mary Charles was a "regular" on the colony installation team. She participated in numerous chapter installations, filling any role that was required. She was often the keynote speaker sharing her jokes and stories and always impressing upon the audience the significance of the events that occurred that day. The collegiate women knew their initiation day was a special event in their lives ... green and gold would be the only choice of colors ; yellow roses were the only flower. The installation weekends were always hectic in an exciting way.. .in the midst of all of this , Mary Charles would convey to our newest sisters the sacredness of our ritual and the significance of the tradition in which they had just participated .
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Colony installations and Convention often provided an opportunity for sightseeing . Following the installation of Gamma Rho at Seton Hall , Mary Charles and the installation team bundled up and ventured out to see the Statue of Liberty. The 1998 Convention was in Phoenix, AZ . A trip to the Grand Canyon was impossible to turn down , so on Sunday afternoon following the conclusion of Convention , Mary Charles loaded up a van with a willing crew. The group arrived at the Grand Canyon just in time to see the sunset and a beautiful full blue moon . The group rose early the next morning after minimal sleep - which seemed to be the norm around Mary Charles - in order to see a beautiful sunrise.
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One of Mary Charles' goals was to visit every state capitol , and installation trips were often the perfect opportunity to do so . She checked off many from the list during these trips . Mary Charles lived life to the fullest and exemplified sisterhood in Alpha Sigma Tau . Her zest for life and dedication to her sisters will be so very missed.
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Lives great women remindus we can make our fiVes subfime andd'!!'arting, feaving behindus footprints in tfie sands time.
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Randolph-Macon Women 's College Head Basketball Coach , Melissa Wiggins , ZT, was chosen as one of only five "i nspirational pairs" to carry the Olympic torch on it's 13,500 mile, 65-day journey to Salt Lake City, home of the 19th Winter Olympics . Melissa was nominated by a former student with whom she ran the 2/1Oths of a mile in Charleston , WV. "I am flattered that a former student took the time and effort to send in the nomination . It is an awesome opportunity and a great honor." Ashley Ayres , P, was also chosen to carry the Olympic torch on its way to the Games . Ashley was nominated by her mother because of her courage and strength to overcome a physical challenge . "I have exercise-enduced asthma , but I ran track and cross country in high school. I was state champion in the 2-mile relay my freshman year. I also went to Europe and ran internationally in France , Germany, Austria , Switzerland , and Liechtenstein . I won 3rd place in a mountain run in Austria . It was hard not to be able to breathe , but 1 worked hard to get past it."
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Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Patricia Klausing Simmons Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority Director of Publications 291 Locust Street Indiana, PA 15701 724-349-2331
Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority Announces New Award The Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority is proud to announce its sponsorship of the National Pan hellenic Conference Leadership Award. Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority believes a primary benefit of belonging to a sorority is the opportunity to sharpen leadership skills within a Greek environment. This experience is advanced through participation in the College Panhellenic Association's leadership on each campus. Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority will promote this leadership by sponsoring the National Panhellenic Conference Leadership Award. The award will be presented to the college Panhellenic that promotes the creed, ideals and regulations of the National Panhellenic Conference through specific, innovative programming as an exemplary college Panhellenic association; makes significant strides to advance the Panhellenic system on campus, to adhere to the Unanimous Agreements, regulations, resolutions, and recommendations of the Conference; and makes a significant contribution to the National Panhellenic Conference, which nationally promotes the creed, ideals, Unanimous Agreements, regulations, resolutions, and recommendations of the Conference. The first award will be presented in the 2002 - 2003 academic year.
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I immediat.ely pulled my cell phone from the holder clipped to my waist and instinctively called my father in Erie. Pe~nsyl~a n1 ~ . " Ha~e you heard ?" I asked. "Yes , and they bombed the Pentagon. Where are you?" my father asked, h1s vo1ce f1lled With anger and sadness . I told him I was about four blocks from the World Trade Center, and I was okay. As I slowly walked up the middle of Fulton Street, 1 gave him a description of what was going on : The large amou nts of people in the street whom I noticed were either looking for friends and co-workers or staring 111 disbelief; the fire raging in both towers ; the now deafening wail of sirens coming from all directions. He told me about a co-worker whose brother worked on the 1OOth floor. I told him to tell her to go home immediately as I looked at the fire ravaging the area where her brother would have been . "there is no way he survived. " 1 said . 1 also told my father that it had to be Osama bin Laden who was behind this, as he was the only one with the financia l means to pull off such a mind-boggling act. We ended the brief conversation with my explaining that 1 would continue to walk to the subway until I could determine if they were running and how 1 would get to work. 1 walked a little furthe r up the street, talking with a few people around me. The scene was surreal , as if in a movie, and we were merely extras to fill in the space. I watched for a few minutes as the fire became worse , particularly in the the North Tower, Tower Two . That is when I saw it. My mind did not comprehend for a second or so. It looked like debris fa lling, however, debris does not wiggle or have legs and arms. It was a person. Then another. It was the most horrifying thing I have ever seen. I could not begin to imagine how horrible it must have been on the floors to make th e choice to jump, knowing you would die. I felt sick again. I also felt hopeless. People were gasping and covering their eyes. Some were pointing upwards. Some had their mouths hanging open , yet nothing was coming out. Ironically, the sky around the towers looked like a ticker tape parade that New York is famous for. Paper wa s swirling around the air as if to celebrate some achievement or athletic win . Yet this was no celebration . I stopped about two blocks from the World Trade Center and a block from my subway. I had resigned myself to not going to work for some time, if at all. I was at the corner of Nassau and Fulton Street, standing by a street lam p. I called my mother and spoke briefly to her. I told her I had talked to dad and described where I was. She told me to be careful and to call when I got into work. Her voice was quiet, yet firm. I told her the fire was bad, but no one knew what to do at the time or where to go, so we were in the streets. I told her I did not know when I would get to work, or if I could, as I speculated that the subways were closed, and there were no vehicles other tha n emergency trucks , fire engines, ambulances , and police cruisers in the streets. the few trucks or cars that had been on the streets were gone. As I ended the conversation with my mother, I looked up and thought the buildings would burn until there was nothing left to burn and be gutted shells of the once mighty and overwhelming towers. My cell phone has a two-way radio, so I radioed into the Office of Housing and Residence Life at New York University, who oversees my office, to let them know I would be very late. I radioed Maurice Washington, the Director of Residence Life , and he responded back with an air of concern . "Debbie, you are the first to get through, where are you?" ''I'm two blocks from the towers ." I replied. "How is it down there? Is Water Street okay?" Water Street is the largest residence hall in the country, housing over 1 ,200+ students. Water Street is where I live . I radioed back, "Yes , Water is fine . The fire is bad in the towers. I don't know when or if I'll be into the office ... " The sound was indescribable. I was looking away from the towers, and the man next to me started yelling and pointing "Oh my God , over there , over there! " as people screamed and started to run. I turned slowly, phone still in my hand and looked up as a large wall of dust, debris and who knows what else began to pour out and move towards me like a large tidal wave. As my mind registered what was happening, I slowly turned and thought RUN! I began to run down the street and tried to enter a store, but the owner yelled at me "We're closed! " and would not let me in. I turned and saw the wave coming upon me faster than I was moving . "I don't believe I am going to die in the street!" 1 thought to myself as I continued to run. I asked God not to let it hurt as I dove into an open doorway. 1 squatted and began to pray. Whoosh! A blast of hot, choking air hit me as debris began to rain down on me as if someone was pouring a bucket over my head. The air was choking, full of dust, and I could not breathe. 1 was sucking in large amounts of dust, and even after I placed my blazer over my mouth to block the debris, 1 still could not breathe. My glasses were covered with dust, so I could not see; however, it would not have mattered. The beautiful , clear day was as black as night. The debris rain lasted about a minute, and the normally loud and busy Financial District was dead silent with no movement. I waited for what seemed like an eternity, but was closer to a minute. 1 could see nothing , but I began to hear screams and crying , yet where were they coming from? W hat was in the street? Bodies? Large pieces of building? Fire? A man stumbled by me, his figure merely a shadow. 1 slowly popped my head out of the doorway but could see nothing. I had to get to Water Street, to see if the students were alright. Was there still a Water Street? I was too afraid and in too much shock to fathom the thought. 1 went to stand , but my legs betrayed me . I radioed to Maurice again and was cut off almost instantly. 23
1 slowly began to crawl out of the doorway and felt my way along the wall. My hand came upon something ,
and I pulled myself up. I looked in the window and saw people. It was a bar, and I had grabbed the pane of the window 1 was peering into. 1 weakly knocked on the window. No response. I knocked harder and be~an to cry. Again, no response . 1 pulled myself along the window and came to the door. I tried the ha~d.~e , ~nd 1t opened. I stumbled into the bar, covered in dust and debris. A man looked over from the bar and sa1d Ma am, are you okay?" I began to cry as he rushed over and grabbed me and led me to the bar to help me si.t down. He held onto me for about five or ten minutes, comforting me until I stopped crying. He asked my name. H1s was Darryl. We started to talk and found out we both had lived in Philadelphia. He spoke of how he used to work in the World Trade Center and how he had many friends there. He began to cry as he wondered aloud if they had made it out. Slowly, more people made their way into the Blarney Stone Grill, some had gotten out of the building. Their descriptions of the utter chaos at the scene were shocking: People jumping and falling everywhere to get away from the falling debris; people were falling over one another as they ran . Bags, phones, shoes, and coats were lost as people scrambled to survive. They described falling glass and debris and wondered themselves how they survived. One woman, Jane, was in from London on business. She and her business colleague joined Darryl and me at the bar. Darryl gave up his seat, so they could sit. Shortly thereafter two or three police, a couple of firemen and an EMT came into the bar. Their faces etched with dust, sweat and shock. They asked if we were alright and if anyone needed an EMT. The firemen were gasping for air. Someone gave one of the firemen a drink and another gave the police a towel to wipe their faces. When asked what was going on, they replied they did not know. A couple of them made calls on cell phones home. They told us to remain inside, and they all left to go back to work. I can only wonder if they survived or were part if the large number of emergency personnel who perished . We all watched the TV to see the latest news. Pictures of the Pentagon on fire ripped across the screen. Reports of the State Department being bombed flooded in. Men cussed out loud, wondering what was happening and who did this. Then a report came across that there were upwards of eight hijacked planes in the air and that one had crashed in Pittsburgh. They are going after the steel, I thought, they are trying to cripple us! Later, of course, we learned the truth of the brave passengers who risked their own lives to save so many others. I had not been in the bar very long when a couple of policemen rushed in. "Everyone to the middle of the room or the basement! Tower Two is about to go!" Everyone gasped, and some started to cry. Everyone moved in a little tighter and all eyes were on the TV. Suddenly, the top of Tower Two started to cave inward and pancake downward. Grown men yelled and wailed as everyone cried and the ground and building shook. Seconds later a large whoosh drowned out all sound as I looked towards the front windows and relived what had happened to me not too long before. However, I was safe inside, and the debris wave once again washed over the building and everything in its wake as it poured down the street. Everything went black, yet shockingly, the electricity stayed on. As I turned back to the TV, it was the first time I had seen what had happened to Tower One, as Tower Two replicated the horror. I lowered my head. Darryl put his hand on my shoulder, and I looked up to see tears streaming down his face. "All those people." I said. He nodded and shook his head. After Tower Two collapsed, I decided I was not going anywhere until I was told it was safe to leave. God only knew what would come crashing down upon me if I dared to emerge from the safety and surprising comfort of the bar. It was not even 11 :00 am. What had already been a long morning was presenting itself as the beginning of a long nightmare with no apparent end in sight. I was numb. I kept thinking to myself that this was all a mistake, a bad dream that suddenly 1 would awake from . It was not to be. I began trying to call home. I had not talked to either of my parents since the first tower fel l. I could only imagine what was going through their minds wondering if I was alive or dead. I was one of who knows how many were trying to get through on the overworked and disrupted phone lines. The large antenna on Tower Two was a connecter for many cell phone companies, and when it went down, so too did connections. Even though my phone was connected by satellites, I was not getting through for anything. 1 had to keep trying; 1 had to let my mother know I was okay. I do not know how long it took to get through, well over an hour if not longer, but I heard ringing and my heart leapt into my throat as I started to cry again . My mother answered the ph?ne quietly, her voice tentative. "Hello?" "I'm okay." is all I could muster before breaking down and crying hyste~lcally. My ~other began to cry and replied, "Okay." As I calmed down , comforted by the sound of my mother's vo1ce, I explained what had happened and where I was. We talked briefly and I asked her if she would call my father to let him know I was okay. She said she would , and told me she loved me. After I hung up with my mother I beg~n calling ~ver~one I could think of. It took a couple of hours, but I was able to get through to two of my clos~ e~t fnends and, 1romcally, to my undergrad. I do not know why I called Heidelberg College, but 1 did and talked w1th a classmate who was the director of alumni affairs. We cried as I told her what had happened . She said no one else had called in who might have been affected, but she assured me she would let me know if there was. 24
It was now mid afternoon , around 2:00 pm. I had been in the bar since around 10:30 am. No other buildings had fallen , and reports on the news were that the skies over the United States had been closed off and no planes were flying. They had accounted for all airborne planes, they thought, but there was still such confusion no one knew what to be lieve or what not to believe. The report of the State Department being bombed was inaccurate; however, no one knew if more attacks were to come and if so, where , when and how? An announcement came on the news asking for blood , particularly type 0. I am terrified of needles and have never given blood because of it. However, I looked at Darryl and said , "I want to give blood. I survived , I need to give." Darryl looked at me and stated he wanted to as well. We tentatively got up and said goodbye to the people who had shared the bar with us for so many hours. There were hugs, tears and exchanging of business cards. Once completed, Darryl and 1 made our way to the front door of the bar. He slowly opened it, and when we exited the building onto the street, it was incomprehensible . What had been a crystal blue day was gray and dark, and you could not see the sky. We were ankl e deep in ash and debris, making my last minute switch from flats to boots so many hours ago a wise choice. The street was littered with paper and debris. Everyth ing was covered in inches of dust and ash. The air was putridly thick with dust and an indescribable burning smell. Downtown New York City looked as if a volcano had erupted and spewed ash as far as the eye could see. It was like nuclear winter as it was so eerily calm and quiet. I looked up to where the towers once stood and saw nothing but grey and an amber glow from the burning fires. Various emergency personnel were combing the streets as Darryl and I began to make our way slowly down the street to the closest hospital , NYU Downtown Hospital two blocks away. There were few people in the streets, but those that were had a dazed zombie-like look to them . I am quite sure I looked the same. A guy walked down the street with his dry cleaning, and I remember commenting to Darryl that I would not carry my newly cleaned clothing th rough dirt filled air. When we arrived outside the hospital , a nurse handed 'us surgical masks to assist with breathing as the air was still choking and hard to take in because of the dust and ash. When we walked into the hospita l, the lobby had become a triage center with medical personnel running to and fro. I wondered how many victi ms they had brought here. The hospital was not equipped to take blood donations as the main NYU hospital and Bellview in Midtown were. Darryl and I left feeling more defeated than when we arrived because we were not able to assist. Darryl decided he would go back to the bar, but I needed to go to Water Street, my home, to see if it and everyone was okay. Darryl and I took one last lingering look at the fractured New York skyline and hugged. "You know we're bound together for life because of this?" he asked me. I nodded and said I agreed. I watched him slowly walk up the street and disappear in the dusty air. I turned to make my way down the street to my home ... or what I hoped was still my home. I walked around the building . It was still standing, daring anyone to knock it down. I must say, my building is pretty sturdy as it was once home to Prudential , now occupying the building across the street. I remember seeing no wi ndows were broken , but many were open , and I thought about what those apartments must look like covered in dust and debris like everything else. I tried to go in the building but it was locked , a sign on the door stating that it had been evacuated to campus , some 30-40 minutes away by foot. I stood in the middle of Water Street, one of the busiest streets downtown and not a car was in sight. I tried to radio Maurice again and after a few failures, was able to get through. I told him I was alright, that Water Street was alri~ht, and asked how to get to campus by foot, as I had never tried before. He told me how to get there and to be careful. Suddenly, I thought to myself that I needed cash , in case . My bank has an ATM down the street from my apartment building, so I headed in its direction , wondering if the ATM would work. It did . I thought to myself that it was nice to know one could still get funds in an emergency and headed out the door for the long, slow walk to Greenwich Village, where NYU proper is located. As I made my way down Water Street, a city bus very slowly crawled down the street, plumes of th ick black smoke pouring out of its exhaust pipe , apparently caused by large amounts of dust and who knows what else being sucked into the engine after the collapses. After it putted by me, it died . The few passengers still aboard slowly exited the bus as a cab ambled past trying in vain to make it with the same tell-tale plume of black smoke com ing from the back. I joined a small group of people who were walking out of downtown. Suddenly we heard what sounded like airplanes. As the news had" stated that the airways had been shut down , and we could not see the sky, we all hit the deck in fear that they were coming back for more. I later learned they were military jets patrolling the skies of New York City. As we slowly got up, we once again began the long journey out. . Police were directing all of us out of downtown. We walked along the East River, but then they directed us to walk west into Ch inatown. 1 was walking next to a man in the perfectly clean and crisp white shirt. I could not figure out how he had rema ined so clean when I looked like Casper the Friendly Ghost covered in dust 'and ash. Although we struck up a conversation , I was not tuned into what was going on , yet at the same time had height25
· f h b·t t because I was willing it to. As we left ened senses. I felt nothing. It was as 1f my body walked out o a I , no . · · · · Th ound was free of debns and dust. . e gr downtown I remember look1ng up and seemg blue sk1es aga1n. ~ · · · d d 1 aw signs on restaurants that sa1d free Everyone 1n the streets were clean , and cars were dnvmg ummpe e · s · people hn1ng · · the streets as 1 ·f ·m an t.JClpa · t.Jon of a parade · A. man had set .up a small bathrooms along the way w1th table and was handing out free glasses of water to all who passed by. He smiled at me In a sad , knowing wa~ as · my ha1r · a 11 over the place and covered head to toe as 1f I he handed me the water. I am sure I looked awful w1th . rolled in a newly burned fireplace . I felt like a zombie, and I am sure I looked like one. As I contJ~ued to walk, I noticed people looking at me, as if to think "She was there ," but no one said anything ~o me. I still ~ad m~ travel mug full of coffee, but when I tried to drink it, 1 got a mouthful of dusty, cold coffee. I d1d not try again . At t1mes. I felt as if I was outside of myself, watching what was going on around me, yet the ever pres~n~ nu.~bness .and emptiness stayed . As we walked up 2nd Avenue, the man next to me said "There's Y?~r bUJidmg. and pomte? at Palladium Residence Hall , two blocks to our left. 1 nodded. Palladium, our newest bUJidmg formally the Palladium Night Club, was the first NYU building 1 came upon. 1 said good-bye and turned left onto 14th ~treet. I had . radioed ahead to Ranetta Hardin, the Residence Hall Manager, that I was on my way to Palladium . She was Sitting at the front desk talking to an RA as 1 entered. "Hey," she said and asked if I was okay. I feebly muttered "physically yes, but mentally no." Truth was, 1 was having a hard time breathing, and my lungs felt heavy and coated. The RA took me upstairs to one of the Graduate Assistant's apartments where all of the other RA's and one of my Graduate Assistants was. Denisse, tears in her eyes, hugged me and said she was glad I was okay. I told everyone in the room what had happened, the news playing in the background . We cried as I told them what I saw. One of the RAs, a member of one of the sororities gave me some pizza and juice and asked if I needed anything. I told her I wanted to go to the hospital because I was having trouble breathing, and I wanted to give blood. I asked if she would go with me, and she agreed. Before leaving , I made one more phone call , to Anna Golladay, X. Anna had been to my apartment before and knew where I lived. It was around 4:00 pm , and I was able to get through to her easily. She asked if I was okay, and said she did not know how to get a hold of me and was worried. We cried, and I told her I was going to the hospital and that I would call later. I checked out okay at the hospital, although the doctors told me I would have problems breathing for a few days and that I might bring up a lot of black when I coughed and blew my nose. I cannot imagine all that I breathed in, but I knew it was not healthy. While at the hospital, my phone rang off the hook as sisters called from all over the country. Anna was on the phone as soon as she hung up with me. The student who went with me to the hospital and a member of a local sorority were so impressed that sisters from all over would call me. I told her without blinking that was what true sisterhood was all about, providing comfort and support and making sure things were okay. It made me feel good to know I had a network of people thinking of and praying for me. As Ranetta and I sat in her apartment late that night watching the news, it was the first time I was able to really see all that had happened. However, when they showed the buildings collapse and the wave of debris, 1 looked away and shook, the memories and visions flooding back as if it was happening all over again . For the next four weeks , NYU was in crisis mode. I was homeless, only the clothes on my back to wear that were unwearable because of the asbestos and other particles that irritated my skin. Ranetta had clothes I could wear, and I learned to appreciate K-Mart clothing. I was able to go back to Water Street that first weekend to get clothing, but spent the next two-and-a-half weeks on either Ranetta's sofa or the Sheraton New York in Midtown. We were able to move back to our building at the end of September, much sooner than any of us had anticipated. Life downtown, however, was never the same. September 11 started out beautiful and ended ugly. It has been nine months since the buildings came down and I am doing okay, despite all that had happened to me. However, there are three triggers that reduce me to a doubled over, wailing child: The sight of the wave of debris, anything about the firefighters, and the sight of people jumping . I have watched every special there has been on 9/11 because I have to, need to, as painful as it is. Will I ever be the same? NO. Will I be okay? YES. What I witnessed that fateful morning will be with me forever. Someday the hole in the New York City skyline will be filled, but the hole in our hearts and our sense of security will never heal. Just as Pearl Harbor was the end of innocence for one generation, so too is September 11. we will overcome as they did, BUT WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
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Bold = Active Chapter Bold Italic Italic
= Colony
= Inactive Chapter
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A Eastern Michigan University B.::. - Michigan Technological University B- Central Michigan University BO Colony - University of Wisconsin at Green Bay University of Wisconsin BIT - Eastern Illinois University t:.- Indiana University of Pennsylvania BP - Arkansas Technological University z- Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania B'E Colony - Northeast Oklahoma State University H- Kent State University BT - University of Massachusetts at Lowell Wayne State University BY - New Jersey Institute of Technology 1- Emporia State University B<l> - California University of Pennsylvania K - Miami University of Ohio BX - Ferris State University A - Temple University B'P - St. Louis University N- University of Northern Colorado BQ - Monmouth University := - Western State College r A - University of Rio Grande 0- Concord College rB - Lake Superior State University Harris-Stowe State College rr - University of West Alabama P- Southeastern Oklahoma State University r t.- University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth !: -State University of New York at Buffalo r E - State University of New York at Potsdam ZT- Longwood College rz - Frostburg State University Y- University of Central Arkansas rH - Northwood University <I>- Southeastern Louisiana University re- Pennsylvania State University at Behrend X - Shepherd College ri - York College 'I'- James Madison University rK Colony - Averett College Q- Minot State University fA - Kutztown University of Pennsylvania AA -Ball State University rM - West Virginia Institute of Technology AB - Marshall University rN- Waynesburg College Ar- Henderson State University r:=: - Grand Valley State University ALl - Southwest Missouri State University ro Colony - Cameron University AE- Western Illinois University rn - Lycoming College AZ - City University of New York, Queens College rP - Seton Hall University AH - Alma College rr,- Belmont Abbey College A e - University of Detroit IT - Lebanon Valley College AI- Syracuse University IT - California State University at Los Angeles AK - Marietta College Pl> - Merrimack College rx - William Patterson University AA - Radford University r'P Colony - Fitchburg State College AM- University of Arkansas at Monticello rn - LaSalle University AN - Central Missouri State University t.A Gannon University A3- Mansfield University of Pennsylvania t.B Fairmont State College AO - Clarion University of Pennsylvania Llr Colony - Pembroke State University Afi - Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania tot. - University of Illinois at Chicago AP- Youngstown State University toE- Marist College A'E - Northeast Missouri State University t.ZEast Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania AT- Edinboro University of Pennsylvania t.H Belmont University A Y- Bryant College toe Moravian College A<l>- West Chester University of Pennsylvania M Johnson & Wales University AX- Northeastern University LlK Colony Nicholls State University A 'P Colony - University of Northern Iowa t.A Siena Heights College AQ - Brooklyn College toM - Cumberland University BB - Widener University toN - Beloit College Btl- Dusquesne University !15 Colony - Valparaiso University BE- Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania t.O North Carolina Wesleyan College BZ- University of Alabama at Birmingham torr Oglethorpe University BH- Southern Illinois University toP Chowan College Be- St. Mary's University t.L University of the Sciences BI- Millersville University of Pennsylvania toT Oakland University BK Colony - American International University toY Colony - St. Leo's University BA - University of Texas at San Antonio t.<l> Colony - New York University BM- Salisbury State University 2? BN- Bioomsbu~Un~e~~y~~P~e~n~n=s~y~ lv~a~n=ia~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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A Parting Shot.... As the days inch closer to the beginning of Alpha Sigma Tau Sororityls 34th
Annual Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, the organization finds itself at a crossroads. Membership in Greek-letter organizations is down nation ally, and the environment on college and university campuses and in the court of public opiniorrl is growing increasingly strained and even unwelcoming. 11
After an assessment of the Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority by collegiate and alumnae women, plans were made to prepare a vision for the future of Alpha Sigma Tau. As with many organizations, success depends, in part, on the Sororityls ability to develop long-range goals and strategic plans. The following goals are identified in the Strategic Plan: Alpha Sigma Tau will create and implement a public relations and publicity plan; Alpha Sigma Tau will create and implement a communications plan, and Alpha Sigma Tau will create a r ecruitment and expansion plan that focuses on retention for life. Each goal will focus on the use of technology to disseminate the information and progress of the plans. Such technology will include the greater use of the Internet via the alphasigmatau.org web site. As you attend Convention, you will hear about the implementation of the first goal
in the strategic plan dealing with public relations. Also, remember to carefully consider the Amendments on the table and vote with your conscience for what you believe is right for the future of Alpha Sigma Tau. Become well versed and educated on the issues. Ask questions. Get the facts. Use your best judgment. The Sorority S future depends on you. 1
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