7 minute read
Family Ties That Bind
FAMILY TIES THAT BIND
The Common Bonds of Alpha Sigma Tau
By: Joanna Barrett (Epsilon Epsilon 2007/JWU North Miami) Contributors: Kate Sweeney (Gamma Theta 2004/Penn State Behrend), Justina Solties (Gamma Theta 2007/Penn State Behrend)
Pennsylvania natives Juli, Melissa, and Jill are sisters by blood and Sisters by choice. They went their own ways when it came to choosing a college, but when they were seeking a community of their own at school, they all agreed Alpha Sigma Tau was the place for them. Though their collegiate chapter experiences varied a bit from one another, they ultimately received the same sense of belonging, community of support, and elevated sense of self from their Alpha Sigma Tau experience.
It’s been thirty years since Juli Herring Miller (Beta Nu 1989/Bloomsburg) was initiated into Alpha Sigma Tau. Like some first-year students, Juli found herself unhappy and out of place during her first semester of college. It wasn’t until she found a home in Alpha Sigma Tau that she felt like she belonged. Little did she know her decision to join the Sorority would also have an impact on her two younger sisters who would follow in her footsteps and seek out Alpha Sigma Tau as their home-away-from-home. Like many younger sisters, Melissa Herring Bower (Alpha Pi 1994/Slippery Rock) and Jill Herring Flatley (Beta Iota 2000/Millersville) both looked up to Juli and took note as Alpha Sigma Tau played a leading role in her happiness and fulfillment at college. Melissa credits her stronger connection to Alpha Sigma Tau to Juli’s lead. Jill, the youngest sister, adds, “Watching both of my sisters going through these positive experiences that I wasn’t knowledgeable about brought up curiosity for me. After hearing my sisters’ sentiments, there really was no second-guessing my choice to join Alpha Sigma Tau.” Juli, Melissa, and Jill went from being biological sisters to also being sorority Sisters, and it added another layer of connection between the siblings. They are now lifelong members of a 120-year-old organization that inspires women to seek a higher standard. “Even though there was a five-year age difference between us, I called Juli a lot to lean on her as the older sister. She listened to me share my experiences and what I was learning. She shared with me her experiences, as well. Despite our age difference, we chose a similar path in a lot of ways, and we value sisterhood, sorority, family, friendships, and our careers,” says Melissa. Through being members of the same organization and sharing the values of Alpha SIgma Tau, Jill adds that the sisters “now have a double bond with each other.”
A Family Affair
The impact Alpha Sigma Tau has had on these women runs deeper than their relationship with one another. Other generations of their family have also seen how much positivity Alpha Sigma Tau has brought to the Herring sisters. “For me, joining AΣT was one of the best choices I’ve made, and I see the impact it’s had on me and for our family. Our mother recently shared with me that she is proud that we all joined AΣT and are successful in our lives.” Juli continues, “She knew AΣT was a good choice for her girls.”
Alpha Sigma Tau is also bringing the siblings closer together with the next generation of Herring women. Jill shared that she recently spoke with her niece (Juli’s daughter) about the benefits of joining a fraternal organization. The three sisters were able to share their own experiences, and connect with Juli’s daughter while reminiscing on their own cherished memories. Jill reflects, “The fact that Juli, Melissa, and I were able to show her what sorority is about is meaningful to me.”
Three Different Chapters. One Sisterhood.
While Alpha Sigma Tau membership journeys differ from campus-to-campus, one thing remains true no matter where a woman joins: Alpha Sigma Tau will provide you with your home-away-from-home, meaningful lifelong friendships, and unique opportunities to develop and grow. This sentiment describes Juli, Melissa, and Jill’s journeys—each had a different experience but all gained so much for a lifetime. As collegiate members, Juli held multiple positions (including President), Melissa served as New Member Director for at least six semesters, and Jill was a Big Sister twice. The Herring sisters also experienced different styles of recruitment and varying beloved campus traditions and events. “We were involved in campus activities, including homecoming, Greek Sing and Greek Week,” Melissa says of her Alpha Pi/Slippery Rock experience. “The most memorable year was when we performed a Go-Go's medley of We Got the Beat and Vacation for the ’80s theme. I still can't resist doing the dance to those songs when I hear them being played to this day!” Despite these slight differences, they did enjoy at least one common thread: Alpha Sigma Tau songs. “Many times, Juli, Jill, and I would sing some of the songs together,” Melissa says with a smile. “We certainly have a gift of song,” Juli says as the sisters break out in laughter. Always Sisters There
As Sisters, Jill, Melissa, and Juli knew they’d always be there for one another. They are family and that’s what family does. But when they joined Alpha Sigma Tau, they extended their network of women who love and support them unconditionally. Through all of life’s ups-and-downs, they are there for one another, as are their AΣT Sisters. “I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2015,” Juli shares. “Jill and Melissa were there for me during this difficult time, and my AΣT sisters were also there, helping me seek treatment pathways and providing support.” Jill shares that Melissa, Juli, and her AΣT Sisters helped her get to where she is today. “When I was in college, I had no idea what I wanted to do with myself after. My sisters in life and in AΣT always supported and showed me the many ways I could expand my horizons. No matter what and how much time and distance may befall us all, I know I can always count on my biological and AΣT Sisters.”
- Jill Herring
“Even though we became members at different colleges,” Melissa reflects, “just knowing that the three of us have our Alpha Sigma Tau bond in common, in addition to being biological sisters, is truly unique.”
- Juli Herring
Jill Herring Flatley
Year of Initiation: 2000 Chapter: Beta Iota Alma Mater: Millersville University of Pennsylvania Major/Degree: Speech communication with an option in public relations Career/Job Title: Senior Project Manager and a Certified Project Manager and Certified Clinical Research Associate (CPM, CCRA) at PRA Health Sciences. Jill manages various types of clinical studies on behalf of pharmaceutical companies and has been in varying roles in the industry for 15 years. Home Life/Hobbies: A doting cat mom to Jasper and Emerald and aunt to four wonderful kids. Jill loves to read, watch any kinds of sports games, spend time with friends and her significant other, and travel. Fun Fact about Jill: At 38-years old, she’s still playing recreational hockey and softball.
The Herring Sisters Talk Jill:
Melissa: Jill is sensitive, kind, generous and always there when I need her. Jill and I share our love for the sport of hockey and the Philadelphia Flyers. We enjoy attending hockey games together to root for our team. Juli: Jill is kind, giving, and a great listener. She is dedicated to her career and is a very talented street hockey player.
Melissa Herring Bower
Year of Initiation: 1994 Chapter: Alpha Pi Alma Mater: Slippery Rock of Pennsylvania Major/Degree: Health sciences with an emphasis in community health Career/Job Title: Clinical Project Manager at Pfizer. Melissa manages large, cross-functional teams to ensure all aspects of vaccine clinical research studies are delivered on time, with quality, and within budget. Home Life/Hobbies: Lives in Audubon, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bob, and children, Rachel and Ryan. Melissa enjoys family time & playing softball and baseball with her kids. Melissa also enjoys doing simple home improvement projects like painting and landscaping. Fun Fact about Melissa: She loves to sing! She used to sing in church and at weddings, and she still sings any chance she gets.
The Herring Sisters Talk Melissa:
Jill: Melissa is the practical, organized sister. She helps with all of life's little hacks. Juli: Melissa is highly organized, an outstanding mother, and willing to lend a hand when you need it. Both of my sisters have admirable qualities that are apparent by many.
Juli Herring Miller
Year of Initiation: 1989 Chapter: Beta Nu Alma Mater: Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Major/Degree: Business administration and marketing Career/Job Title: Senior Vice President Global Business Insights at Johnson and Johnson Medical Device Companies. Juli leads a global team that provides marketing strategy and analytics. Home Life/Hobbies: Juli is married to her high school sweetheart, Christian. Both of her children attend Bloomsburg University (her alma mater). Juli enjoys photography, mentoring college students, and volunteering at Bloomsburg University, where she serves on the College of Business Advisory Board. Fun Fact about Juli: She briefly played a famous character while interning at Walt Disney World.
The Herring Sisters Talk Juli:
Jill: Juli brings the humor to our family—she has always been the first to lighten the mood with a myriad of inside family jokes. Melissa: Juli is funny, kind, generous, and driven to succeed in everything she sets out to do. She’s the type of person I aspire to be, both professionally and personally.
