The Anchor celebrates its 100 th anniversary this year! We’re excited to give you a peek into The Anchor’s many eras, from its conception in 1925 to today, highlighting covers, feature stories, and more. You even have the chance to explore all Anchor issues further!
KNOWING YOUR WHY
When she was appointed as Director of the Women’s Wellness Initiative, Alyssa Nolan (Upsilon 2021/ Central Arkansas) found her “why” and began prioritizing working with local women-owned businesses for philanthropic events. Learn more about how the Upsilon Chapter is partnering with women-owned businesses to benefit their community and their chapter!
ΑΣΤ AND GEN Z: RESHAPING OUR STORY FOR TODAY
With increasing tuition costs and declining enrollment, NPC sororities have seen a steady decrease in membership since 2017. Are sororities still relevant to the incoming Gen Z college student? And if not, how do we make them relevant again? See how Alpha Sigma Tau is learning more about our incoming Gen Z students and where we need your help to tell the story of our Sorority.
Emily Holloway (Epsilon Chi 2021/Minnesota Duluth)
Nicholle Potter Probst (Epsilon Kappa 2011/Trine)
Joell Sperry (Gamma Theta 2004/Penn State Behrend)
Lauren Bendes Warren (Beta Xi 2005/Michigan Tech)
Tsai-Ann Yawching (Gamma Tau 2013/Lebanon Valley)
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Angie Bong
THE ANCHOR STAFF
Director of Communications and Engagement
Justina Solties (Gamma Theta 2007/Penn State Behrend)
Communications Coordinator
Regan Hewitt (Epsilon Tau 2015/Kenyon)
Editor
Julia Mann (Beta Mu 2017/Salisbury)
Designer
Melissa Abriola Geibel (Alpha Tau 2014/PennWest Edinboro)
Associate Editors
Cassie Helmer (Alpha 2015/Eastern Michigan)
Mary Reid Howard (Beta Zeta 1988/UAB)
Kelly Rogawski Shelly (Gamma Pi 2017/Lycoming)
Kristi Gdanetz MacCready (Gamma Theta 2009/Penn State Behrend)
Staff Writers
Joanna Barrett (Epsilon Epsilon 2007/JWU North Miami)
Lindsay McDowall Davis (Gamma Mu 2010/WVU Tech)
Carole Bicking Keily (Alpha Xi 1975/Mansfield)
UPDATE YOUR CONTACT
INFORMATION:
Visit: alphasigmatau.org/updatemyinfo
Email: headquarters@alphasigmatau.org
Call: 317-613-7575 or send a note to the mailing address below
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to:
Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority 3334 Founders Road Indianapolis, IN 46268
CONTACT THE ANCHOR:
Do you have a question, response, story idea, or update for The Anchor? We want to hear it!
Email us at anchor@alphasigmatau.org
Dear Sisters,
McKinsey & Company, a multinational strategy and management consulting firm, featured an article on 21st-century leadership that has stuck with me for months. The article explores what it takes to be a leader today and recommends organizations treat leadership development as a core capability by building a “leadership factory that shapes, develops, and mentors the next generation.”
The authors suggest that helping leaders build their resilience muscles will substantially increase the odds that the organization will be able to successfully navigate today’s disruptions and tomorrow’s unknowns. I immediately shared this article with the National Council because I see Sorority programs such as AΣT Excel and Illuminate as our very own leadership factory.
AΣT Excel is a collaborative leadership development opportunity for collegians and alumnae centered on emotional intelligence. After completing the program, participants are better equipped to navigate change, a critical competency as the pace and magnitude of change continues to accelerate. Illuminate (which debuted in 2011 as a four-year collegiate peer-to-peer leadership development program delivered at the chapter level) relaunched in Fall 2024 as a small National cohort grounded in key competencies including confidence and resilience.
AΣT Excel and Illuminat e are designed to equip members with the skills necessary to navigate life as Alpha Sigma Taus and in roles outside the Sorority. These programs help members gain real-world skills that will be in their toolboxes for high-stakes situations and will give them a competitive edge over their peers. They’ll look great on a resume and on a LinkedIn profile, too!
Leaders must also adjust to the rapid pace of technological advancements and we know our members are encountering new tools, platforms, and capabilities in the classroom and at the office. We also know that the Sorority has to embrace and adapt new technologies and use them responsibly to stay relevant and competitive. This spring, we will launch the AI x AΣT Sorority Advisory Committee to assess and recommend ways the Sorority can leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive innovation in the new member and member experience, improve organizational efficiency, and explore the ethical implementation of AI within Alpha Sigma Tau.
Alpha Sigma Tau is going All In to prepare our members and the Sorority for the future by investing in programs like AΣT Excel and Illuminate and by exploring how AI can propel the Sorority forward into the next 125 years. What will you do this year to enrich your own life and to enrich the lives of others?
Jamie Jones Miller
Psi 1995/James Madison National President
THEN
By Carole Bicking Keily (Alpha Xi 1975/Mansfield)
“Behold the fruit of our labor! We await your greeting of this first edition of ‘The Anchor’ with great interest but much trepidation. If we have strengthened the Alpha Sigma Tau friendships we shall have been repaid.”
– Louise Glade Bohlen (Alpha 1914/Eastern Michigan), Associate Editor, 1925
1925: THE FIRST EDITION OF THE ANCHOR
In 1925, Alpha Sigma Tau took a big step with the launch of The Anchor. The magazine set the stage for promoting connections among members; pages were filled with updates on collegiate and alumnae chapters, the Sorority’s colors, hymn, and even the “Footpath to Peace.” The chapters shared their histories, membership lists, and activities, often with songs and poems that reflected each chapter’s spirit.
1949: GROWTH AND CAMARADERIE
By 1949, The Anchor was brimming with content in just 34 pages. The April 1949 issue highlighted the forthcoming National Convention and offered member-submitted articles on topics ranging from “book therapy” to the dynamics of alumnae cooperation. Readers met Alpha Sigma Tau members, including a Homecoming Queen. The steady growth of the Sorority was evident, as were the well-dressed and poised women featured in the issue’s photographs, reflecting the elegance and camaraderie that defined the era.
1974: A TIME OF ACHIEVEMENT AND REFLECTION
By 1974, Alpha Sigma Tau was flourishing. The fall issue of The Anchor showcased the Convention Queen, Nancy Dmoch (Zeta Tau 1972/Longwood), and documented Convention through extensive photo coverage. National President Sybil King’s (Psi 1947/James Madison) speech was featured, along with updates on Convention awards and newly elected leaders. Collegiate members’ achievements were celebrated, and a thoughtprovoking section, “What AΣTs Think Now and in the Future,” asked collegiate members how they thought the Sorority was adapting to contemporary values while remaining true to its core values.
out all issues
NOW NEXT
THIS ISSUE:
1999: EMBRACING THE CENTENNIAL
As the 20th century drew to a close, the Fall 1999 issue of The Anchor commemorated Alpha Sigma Tau’s centennial with a blend of nostalgia and forward-looking vision. The magazine included updates on the National Foundation, the new headquarters building in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Sorority’s ongoing commitment to various philanthropic and community service endeavors. A timeline of significant milestones topped each page, celebrating a century of sisterhood and service.
REFLECTIONS ON CHANGE AND CONTINUITY
While there have been many changes in clothing and communication styles over the decades, The Anchor has also evolved in content and in the way it has been produced. From handwritten or typewritten articles in 1925 to floppy disks to the desktop publishing revolution of the 1990s, the magazine’s production mirrored the technological advancements of the times. What remains constant is the magazine’s role in uniting and inspiring Alpha Sigma Tau Sisters.
As we celebrate 100 years of The Anchor, we honor the rich history and enduring legacy of Alpha Sigma Tau, a Sisterhood that continues to thrive and adapt, always looking forward while remembering our past.
Carole Bicking Keily was editor of The Anchor from 1990 to 1995 and Associate Editor from 2012 to 2016. She knows about that feeling of “great interest but much trepidation” before an issue is delivered.
As much fun as we’ve had looking back, now is the time to look forward! The future of Alpha Sigma Tau depends on the next generation of women being engaged and enthusiastic members—so how do we attract those types of women to our Sisterhood? Flip to page 13 to find out how you can reframe your Sorority experience to tell your Alpha Sigma Tau story to our incoming Gen Z women.
Additionally, you’ll find collegiate chapter updates, a 2024 Founders Day of Giving recap, an innovative philanthropic event with a women-owned business, and more!
COMING UP!
Coming up in our 2025 Anchor issues, we’ll explore how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are affecting the current college experience, learn more from Sisters embracing our “Supporting Women-Owned Businesses” initiative, hear from our collegiate chapters and alumnae groups, celebrate Foundation wins and its impact on our members, and more!
Check
of The Anchor here!
The Giving Our All campaign aims to raise $1.25 million to secure AΣΤ’s future.
At the end of 2024, as we celebrated the Sorority’s 125th Anniversary, the National Foundation launched a transformative $1.25 million campaign, Giving Our All: The Campaign for 125 Years of Sisterhood, that asks each of us to Give Our All to the future of this organization.
This campaign will strengthen the impact Foundation donors have in funding the Sorority’s critical initiatives and provide a sustainable level of support that our Sisters can count on. Each AΣT has a part to play in cementing the purpose, progress, and permanence of our Sorority.
With this campaign, we will:
• Empower women by guaranteeing funding for the next three years of integral programming, such as Officer Academy and Name Your Story
• Establish 10 new scholarships to ensure the success of our Sisters in their undergraduate pursuits and beyond
• Ensure that our Sorority’s history is safely preserved and easily accessible for generations to come
These goals are based on the Foundation’s commitment to supporting our Sisters as they work toward academic success, engage in professional and personal development, and develop lifelong friendships. I know our Sisters are up for the challenge of supporting this campaign and ensuring our future AΣΤs have the same positive, enriching experiences.
In addition to launching this incredible campaign, we also celebrated our 9th annual Founders Day of Giving in November! Sisters, family, and friends came together to raise a record-breaking $365,250 to support our mission, our chapters, and each other. This incredible feat means we’ve got a lot to live up to in 2025!
Thank you to everyone who celebrated our 125 years of Sisterhood by making a contribution to our future. I am already excited to see what our Sisters, friends, and family can achieve together in 2025 and the impact we will have through Giving Our All.
Because you believe in our Sorority, you can make a difference at this pivotal moment in our organization’s history. Please consider making a contribution today to ensure our Sisterhood’s tomorrow.
Erika McManus Bukva Delta Rho 2000/Chowan President, Board of Directors Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation
Scan this QR code to make your contribution today!
GIVING OUR ALL FOR
Purpose
Alpha Sigma Tau is committed to growing the resilience of all members
A leadership program to create a stronger future—for both AΣΤ and our members
Nearly 500 incoming Executive Committee officers attended Officer Academy 2025; that’s 85% participation from our chapter leaders! This record-breaking number of young women used this annual virtual event to develop new connections, learn integral professional development skills, and lead their chapters more effectively.
By attending Officer Academy, our members develop leadership skills to manage the interpersonal and situational challenges and opportunities that may arise during their time in office. It also prepares them for future professional opportunities by teaching them how to delegate tasks, manage people, and practice critical thinking.
Thank you to our donors for making this leadership development opportunity possible for our Executive Committee officers!
As part of Giving Our All, we aim to guarantee funding for the next three years of Officer Academy, an integral part of the Alpha Sigma Tau collegiate experience. If you are interested in funding an educational initiative or program such as Officer Academy, please contact Ashley Smith Ried, Director of Alumnae Engagement, at 317-613-7573 or aried@alphasigmatau.org.
MEET AN ANCHOR SOCIETY DONOR
BRANDY VANLOO BECK
DELTA TAU 2009/OAKLAND
Brandy is a software engineer, has two cats, and serves as the Community Relations Advisor for the Delta Tau Chapter at Oakland University and as the Alumnae Vice President of Administration for the Detroit Metro Alumnae Chapter. She joined the Anchor Society in 2024, ten years after her first donation to the Foundation.
I GIVE BECAUSE: During college, the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation gave me a few different scholarships, which meant that I could graduate on time. Now, as an alumna member who has attended multiple national events, including three National Conventions and an Advisor Academy, I get to see all the other work the Foundation funds to improve the lives of our members, both in the Sorority and in our personal lives. Alpha Sigma Tau has helped me grow in immeasurable ways, and I want to make sure the opportunities are there for those who come behind me.
FAVORITE ALPHA SIGMA TAU MEMORY: There are too many to choose from! The first one that comes to mind is during my first Convention, when the coalition from my chapter went to Waffle House. I famously drank my water without ice but the waiter brought water without being prompted, so it naturally had ice. Once the waiter left, my chapter Sisters started scooping the ice out of my glass. It’s so small, but it showed me how much I was loved.
Anchor Society supporters, who give $1,899+ annually to our Anchor Fund, enable Alpha Sigma Tau to provide an exceptional membership and educational experience. Through the Giving Our All campaign, we aim to welcome 125 donors into this transformative community. To join and make an impact on women right now, please contact Ashley Smith Ried, Director of Alumnae Engagement, at 317-613-7573 or aried@alphasigmatau.org.
Foundation: Giving Our All
GIVING OUR ALL FOR Progress
Through Giving Our All, we will increase our investment in the academic pursuits of our Sisters, from undergraduate degrees to professional development opportunities.
While $90,000+ in scholarships is available to members for the 2025-2026 academic year, our scholarship applicants have indicated that their financial needs for the academic year exceed $2.2 million. This number is expected to increase annually as our Sisters encounter ever-growing education costs.
Alpha Sigma Taus are relentless in their pursuit to support one another THE ALPHA PI CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP
With that in mind and to support even more Sisters as they pursue their education and career goals, the Foundation is excited to announce three new scholarships!
Established by an anonymous donor, this general scholarship is available to collegiate members of the Alpha Pi Chapter at Slippery Rock University.
DR. GERTRUDE FELSHIN GOLDBERGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP THE MARY CANNON CABOT SCHOLARSHIP
Established by Alicia Pais Raizen (Beta Theta 1980/St. Mary’s) and Dr. Mark Raizen in memory of Dr. Raizen’s grandmother, this scholarship will be available to alumnae enrolled in medical school and collegians enrolled in a pre-medical school track, with preference given to applicants in greatest financial need.
Established by Chief (Ret.) Robert Cabot, Ph.D in memory of his wife, Mary Cannon Cabot (Delta Upsilon 2002/Saint Leo), this scholarship will be available to collegiate members of the Delta Upsilon Chapter at Saint Leo University.
Thank you to these generous donors for supporting our members and encouraging them to define excellence in their daily lives!
Establishing a scholarship is an investment that transforms lives and empowers generations of Alpha Sigma Taus to reach their full potential. To learn more about creating a scholarship for deserving Sisters, please contact Ashley Smith Ried, Director of Alumnae Engagement, at 317-613-7573 or aried@alphasigmatau.org today.
GIVING OUR ALL FOR Permanence
We refuse to allow the chronicles of our history to be forgotten as the world changes
BRINGING OUR SCRAPBOOKS BACK TO LIFE
For 125 years, Alpha Sigma Tau has built a legacy of sisterhood, with artifacts that reflect our rich history.
In 2023, we began the crucial work of digitally preserving our archives, starting with 400 pieces. Our next phase includes scrapbooks and albums—a high priority for preservation due to fragile pages, dried glue, and crumbling bindings. Once digitized, these memories will be available for all to explore in our digital museum.
The photograph here, along with others in the upcoming phase, captures a snapshot in time, but is part of a much larger story. With your support, we can preserve these important moments for future generations.
DO YOU KNOW THESE SISTERS?
Email anchor@alphasigmatau.org or call 317-612-7575 to tell the story behind the photo.
If you are interested in sponsoring an archival project or a chapter composite digitization effort, please contact Ashley Smith Ried, Director of Alumnae Engagement, at 317-613-7573 or aried@alphasigmatau.org. You can see our current digitization efforts at alphasigmatau.org/museum.
125 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD
On November 4, 2024, Alpha Sigma Tau celebrated its 125 th anniversary! Sisters across the country gathered together to celebrate this momentous occasion, bringing alumnae and collegiate members together to reflect on our Founders and the everlasting bond of sisterhood.
Chi/Shepherd collegians and alumnae celebrated 125 years together
MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to these chapters and Sisters celebrating milestones in 2025!
2025 MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
Initiates of 1950 celebrating 75 years
Initiates of 1975 celebrating 50 years
Initiates of 2000 celebrating 25 years
Initiates of 2015 celebrating 10 years
2025 CHAPTER MILESTONES
10 years
Epsilon Tau/Kenyon
25 years
Delta Pi/Oglethorpe
Delta Sigma/Saint Joseph’s
50 years
Beta Tau/UMass Lowell
Phi/Southeastern Louisiana alumnae and collegians rang in Founders Day with fun
Sisters from Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter, Detroit Metro Alumnae Chapter, Central Indiana Alumnae Chapter, Northern Ind iana Alumnae Chapter, Delta Tau/Oakland, and Alpha/Eastern Michigan celebrat ed our 125th Founders Day with a luncheon
DELTA DELTA CHAPTER CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD
By Joanna Barrett (Epsilon Epsilon 2007/JWU North Miami)
For 30 years, the Delta Delta Chapter at the University of Illinois at Chicago has embodied sisterhood, fostering deep connections and cherished memories. On February 8, approximately 70 collegians, alumnae, and guests gathered to honor the bonds that shaped the chapter over the past three decades.
The evening buzzed with excitement as members from different generations shared a collective pride in their chapter’s legacy and found inspiration for the future. “This celebration is important to the chapter after all of the changes that occurred during and immediately following COVID,” said Chapter Advisor Courtney Krzywon Rozovics (Beta Pi 2004/Eastern Illinois). “The chapter has finally bounced back and is on track to be the largest sorority on campus!”
Alumnae reunited with hugs, collegians eagerly absorbed stories of the chapter’s past, and together, they experienced one of Alpha Sigma Tau’s core values: Connections. National Vice President Nicholle Potter Probst (Epsilon Kappa 2011/Trine) attended as a National Council representative, gave her remarks, and witnessed these profound connections. “This celebration was a tangible representation of the values that we, as members of this Sisterhood, hold dear,” she said. “Being present was a reminder of how essential it is to continue to nurture these connections, ensuring that the bonds we create today will last for generations to come.”
The evening also included heartfelt remarks from Growth Advisor Sarah DiDavide (Delta Delta 1999/UIC) and founding member Lisa Medina Malek (Delta Delta 1995/UIC), who reflected on the chapter’s humble beginnings.
After a Candlelighting Service and meal, the night came to a close. Chapter President Eliza Farley (Delta Delta 2022/UIC) said, “Participating in a Candlelighting Service, where the voices of Delta Delta Chapter women sang our Hymn, was one of the most memorable experiences. Even though we were all in one room together, it did not hit me how amazing this opportunity and accomplishment was until I heard the choir of our voices, carrying the tune of the song we all knew, just from different lifetimes.”
Both collegian and alumnae attendees left with renewed pride and inspiration, reminding them that the true essence of Alpha Sigma Tau lies in the connections they share. The Delta Delta Chapter’s 30-year journey is a beautiful example of our Sisterhood’s power— a bond that transcends time and continues to grow stronger with each passing year.
CEO JIM PAPONETTI DEPARTS ALPHA SIGMA TAU
After 15 years of service to our members, Alpha Sigma Tau wishes Jim Paponetti the best as he embarks on the next part of his career.
Jim was hired in 2009 as Alpha Sigma Tau’s first Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this role, Jim facilitated the Sorority’s operational transformation: supporting a strategic-focused National Council, growing the professional staff, embracing our history and traditions, and building the infrastructure that allowed the Sorority’s impact to be accelerated in the lives of our members.
Since 2015, Jim has also served as the CEO of the Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, directing the creation of a robust charitable giving program that allows thousands of donors the opportunity to support the Sorority’s efforts financially.
The Sorority is actively searching for a new CEO, with a timeline to hire by summer 2025. In the meantime, Angie Bong is serving as Interim CEO. Angie joined Alpha Sigma Tau in 2015 as Director of Chapter Services and most recently served as Alpha Sigma Tau’s Chief Operating Officer. She is responsible for overseeing the day-today operations of the Sorority and Foundation, as well as supporting the National Council and Foundation Board.
KNOWING YOUR WHY: MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR WOMEN IN YOUR COMMUNITY
When Alyssa Nolan (Upsilon 2021/Central Arkansas) was appointed Director of the Women’s Wellness Initiative, she wanted to do more than just tick a box and ensure her chapter met expectations. “When you get into a position to lead and serve, you should know your ‘why.’ We all want to give back to our community, but you need to think deeper, know why you care, and how you can make others care about something,” she shared.
As Alyssa considered her “why,” one of her priorities became partnering with women-owned businesses when possible. “I wanted to utilize our alumnae connections and get to know small women-owned businesses in the area, especially since our whole philanthropy revolves around supporting women,” she said.
Her goal was to find women-owned business sponsors for the Upsilon Chapter’s annual philanthropy event, Enchanted Day at the Castle, which benefits a trauma treatment center for adolescent females in foster care, as well as provide service opportunities that would benefit additional local philanthropies.
She found the perfect opportunity with Glazin Pottery, a paintyour-own pottery studio owned by a young woman who had also attended the University of Central Arkansas. “I found the business in a Facebook group and just emailed her to propose my idea of partnering with a local business to support a local philanthropy,” she said.
Alyssa organized a percentage day where 15% of all proceeds went to a local domestic violence shelter. “It was fairly simple to plan once we brought the business owner on board,” she explained. “I offered philanthropy hours to my Sisters to incentivize attendance, and then just worked to promote the percentage days.”
A key element of organizing the event included helping others understand how each group would benefit from the partnership. Alyssa said, “Our Sisters had the opportunity to spend time together and get philanthropy hours, the business would get to contribute to their community and benefit from the purchases, and the local philanthropy would receive a donation.”
She organized this event twice–once in the spring, as a joint philanthropy-sisterhood event, and once in the fall, as an activity on Mom’s Day. Sisters were able to paint their pottery pieces together and had the option to purchase professional pottery. “Everyone had a great time, and we were able to raise almost $800 for the shelter during the Mom’s Day event,” Alyssa said.
In addition to this event with Glazin Pottery, Alyssa found womenowned businesses to sponsor Enchanted Day at the Castle and helped other chapter officers partner with women-owned businesses. She shared, “Our Sisterhood Chair partnered with a women-owned lemonade business for an event, and our Fundraising Chair started a percentage night with a women-owned smoothie business near campus.”
As Alpha Sigma Tau embarks on our newest initiative to support women-owned businesses, this type of philanthropic event is a great example of how our Sisterhood can impact the lives of women in our communities.
AΣT AND GEN Z: RESHAPING OUR STORY FOR TODAY
Each year, sororities provide key opportunities to hundreds of thousands of college women: Lifelong friendships. Academic support. Leadership skills. Networking. Community service. These experiences mirror the ones available to you as a collegiate member and have been points of entry for sorority women for over a century.
Yet, since 2017, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) has seen a year-over-year decrease in membership. With a college enrollment cliff looming (a projected 13-15% decline in the next 15 years), sorority membership seems more perilous than ever. Something about the sorority experience—whether you’re considering recruitment or retention—is not appealing to Gen Z college women.
It’s time to tell the Alpha Sigma Tau story differently.
SORORITY = SCARY?
From 2023 to 2026, the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE) will conduct 10 projects based on Gen Z and the sorority experience. In 2022, they launched the Amplifying Sorority campaign to fund research focused on recruitment and retention. Alongside 24 other NPC organizations signing on as donors and partners, Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority and Foundation saw this campaign as an opportunity to invest in our Sorority’s future.
The Amplifying Sorority research shows that only 25% of Gen Z women in high school are interested in sorority life, often ranking clubs, community service, professional organizations, and even study groups as higher priorities.
Only 25% of Gen Z women in high school are interested in sorority life.
The lack of interest is mirrored by current collegians who did not intend to join a sorority when they came to college. Maria Modaff (Gamma Xi 2021/Grand Valley), a senior who previously served as Chapter President, said, “If you had told me that I’d join a sorority, I wouldn’t have believed you! I never planned on it until my freshman year roommate mentioned she was going to go through recruitment and I told her I’d do it with her so she didn’t have to do it alone.”
However, their disinterest in sororities doesn’t stem from ignorance because Gen Z women are fairly aware that sororities exist. Shae Pettibone (Epsilon Kappa 2018/Trine), who is a high school English teacher in Fort Wayne, Indiana, said, “My students are aware of Greek organizations. In fact, there’s been an increase in conversations about them over the past few years. They are seeing what campuses have to offer in the way of Greek life as part of their college application process, but they are also seeing a lot on social media that can cause them to change their perspective on it.”
As with many other aspects of Gen Z’s life, social media has made the sorority experience seem more intimidating than it might be otherwise. Elliot Schatz (Epsilon Chi 2022/ Minnesota Duluth) shared, “When I find that someone says they don’t want to go through recruitment, there are generally three reasons. They see sororities as too expensive, have only seen negative stereotypes of Greek life in the media, and they are worried about being judged for their clothing during recruitment.”
Maria agreed, “When someone doesn’t want to join Greek life, I usually find that they don’t truly know what Greek life offers.” Shae acknowledged that when she and other teachers at her school speak about Greek life to their students, it’s often to dispel misconceptions about the experience.
WHY AREN’T GEN Z WOMEN “INTO” SORORITY?
66% cite “drama” as a reason not to join a sorority
68% believe they will be judged by current members during the recruitment process
59% see sororities as a financial burden
80% use social media weekly, where negative sorority stereotypes abound
44% identify as “anxious,” often fearing rejection during recruitment
The good news: Incoming Gen Z women can find the best side of Alpha Sigma Tau and sorority life. We see it in our collegians (many of whom identify as Gen Z) every day.
The bad news: They only see the best side after going through recruitment. Unfortunately, many incoming Gen Z women are not participating because they cannot imagine what that “best side” might look like for them.
Although you indeed get out of an experience what you put into it, our return on investment should be more obvious to the women we’re attempting to recruit. While sharing our Sorority’s impact during recruitment isn’t new advice for our members, it’s increasingly difficult to impress Gen Z women with future ROI when they are hesitant to try new situations without an immediate benefit.
As alumnae, we know that Alpha Sigma Tau was not only an asset to our collegiate experience but also to our professional careers and lifelong relationships.
So, why are today’s women not seeing how impactful sorority can be for them? And how do we ensure sorority’s relevancy for generations to come?
PROVIDING A FOOLPROOF FUTURE
For a generation written off as “apathetic,” Gen Z students are voraciously focused on their future. The Ampliyfing Sorority research shows that Gen Z women in high school rank “getting good grades” and “career development” as their top two priorities for college; “having fun,” on the other hand, ranks at the very bottom of their priorities.
Shae shared, “I see students who already know what they want to do for their career and are selecting colleges based on the best program. Even before they start their application process, they are already thinking about how they will stand out in the job market after they graduate.”
The Ampliyfing Sorority research shows us that Gen Z women want a “foolproof” future—they just can’t see how sorority could play a role in it! For them, sorority membership can seem like a burden, rather than an opportunity.
In part, this is because 42% of incoming Gen Z women’s main takeaway from sorority life is that they “throw fun events,” which isn’t among their top priorities for college. Additionally, sorority life comes at both a financial and time cost, which many college activities do not.
An average Gen Z college student balances more than their predecessors did, with at least one part-time job, rigorous college courses, and other extracurricular activities to pad their resumes.
Thanks to the rise of technology, Gen Z students are also reachable 24/7—meaning a professor can add extra coursework not outlined in a syllabus at the click of a button or a boss can text and tell you to come in to work ASAP—in a way that no other generation before them has been.
“There’s a weight between work responsibilities, classes, and Sorority responsibilities,” shares Andrea Edwards (Epsilon Gamma 2021/Georgia Southern-Armstrong). “I often work 40 hours a week, and there’s no room for extra activities. I’ve seen women who struggle to attend events because they need to keep their jobs over everything else, and I understand why some women feel sorority membership isn’t sustainable for them.”
The Amplifying Sorority research shows us that women are more likely to resign their membership if they spend too little (<1 hour/week) or too much time (>20 hours/week)
64%
considered resigning their membership because they did not feel connected to other chapter members.
Identity Explorers are looking for a family on campus
working on sorority activities. The ideal amount for member retention is 5-10 hours a week, but with declining interest in recruitment, that balance can be harder to strike for current collegians who have to take on additional work to make up for fewer chapter members.
And yet, the number one reason women leave their sororities has nothing to do with time commitments or financial obligations. 64% considered resigning their membership because they did not feel connected to other chapter members. This can be in part because of their busy schedules and overcommitted lives, but for most Gen Z women, it seems to simply be because they lack a sense of belonging and friendship within their chapter and with their Sisters.
STRANGERS TODAY, SISTERS TOMORROW
Friendship seems to be the key to making the rest of the sorority experience relevant to Gen Z. While this may seem like an obvious takeaway, it’s a point of difficulty for many incoming Gen Z women.
With 37% self-identifying as shy and 44% as anxious, the incoming Gen Z woman is desperately seeking connection yet not often finding it. Shae shared, “My students often struggle to connect, but they are finding ways to do so, even if they look strange to us. They show up for each other in ways that matter, and they want to care for each other.”
42% of incoming Gen Z women rank maintaining meaningful friendships as a life goal.
The Amplifying Sorority research shows that 42% of incoming Gen Z women rank maintaining meaningful friendships as a life goal, just above having a meaningful career even though job security and career success are main priorities as they enter college.
In addition to sharing how Alpha Sigma Tau empowers women to succeed by providing academic support, professional development, and opportunities to gain leadership skills, we must emphasize how friendship and support for each other are the key elements that make a lifelong membership organization worth joining.
shared, “Joining a sorority wasn’t a priority for me but my mom, who had joined a sorority in college, had many wonderful experiences and friendships. She encouraged me to go through recruitment, and now I’ve been able to create close bonds with my Sisters along with amazing friendships with women in other sororities.”
Sororities should be safe spaces for young women to practice and develop the skill of friendship, alongside other personal and professional development opportunities. From building those initial connections and developing close bonds to making mistakes and having to practice caring confrontation skills to restore those connections, sororities help members learn the ropes of friendship and socialize more effectively.
In turn, those friendship skills will help them network, become better managers, and be stronger colleagues in their careers—creating a symbiotic relationship where Gen Z women can see the post-college benefit of sorority membership.
Focused Achievers are all about academics
Comfort Seekers like to make one-on-one connections
Beta Theta Chapter President Ava Sanchez (Beta Theta 2023/ St. Mary’s)
QUIZ: TALK AΣΤ TO GEN Z
As an alumna, you can contribute your share by telling your Alpha Sigma Tau story loudly and proudly to the Gen Z (and Gen Alpha) women and girls around you, particularly those who are entering college soon.
But our routine storytelling isn’t going to cut it with Gen Z women.
They are used to personalized algorithms where each post is designed to appeal to them—and our conversations need to be tailored to them in the same way.
In general, Gen Z women are looking to learn more about:
• What to expect during the recruitment process
• Leadership opportunities and career skills
• Lifelong friendships and how to maintain them
However, as you talk with the Gen Z women in your life, consider utilizing our persona quiz to personalize your conversation. The Amplifying Sorority research breaks this generation’s women into four personas—Memory Makers, Identity Explorers, Comfort Seekers, and Focused Achievers—with each persona comprising about 25% of the total population.
Using the persona checkboxes, think of a Gen Z woman in your life and see which persona she fits in! Then, use the quiz to customize your AΣΤ story to her interests and inspire her to explore sorority membership
Memory Makers are most likely to be excited to join a sorority
ON CAMPUS: COLLEGIATE UPDATES
ALPHA/ EASTERN MICHIGAN
We had an officer retreat in January before Officer Academy, have been hosting COB events, and had a Galentine’s Day event with our Sisters. We’re planning a crafts night with our alumnae and are scheduling “Dine and Donate” events. Many Sisters earned a spot on the fall dean’s list, and two Sisters were initiated into Gamma Sigma Alpha. Our Chapter President, Brittany Clark, secured another Ford Motor Company internship and helped bring back the Women in Cybersecurity Club.
DELTA/ IUP
We welcomed six amazing new women to our chapter! Our Bid Day theme was My My Miss Alpha Sigma Tau. We’re also excited about how well our philanthropy week went; we raised $600 on the first day alone. We did bingo boards, Pie-A-Tau, Tau tacos, and a volleyball tournament. The majority of our chapter made the dean’s list, and our Vice President of Marketing, Alyssa Kremposky, attended the NGLA Conference.
ZETA/ LOCK HAVEN
We welcomed three new members and are only one member away from achieving total. Our Vice President of Growth made sure as many members as possible attended Panhellenic events and made new connections as part of recruitment. We hosted a COB event called “Shirlies with the Girlies,” where we watched a movie and made Shirley Temples, and had a Lucky Charm-themed Bid Day event.
We hosted a Super Bowl watch party, a retreat, and a Valentine’s Day event where we had a photo shoot and made chocolate-covered strawberries. We plan to collect clothing donations and hold a “Sisters Supporter Picnic,” where alumnae, family, and friends will raise money for our local women’s shelter, our university food pantry, and Girls Who Code. Four Sisters made the dean’s list last semester, and Reese Zipperlen is the president of our university’s Order of Omega chapter.
PHI/ SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
We welcomed six new members in February! Our theme was “Camp AΣT ” and our Bid Day committee decorated our parlor to look like a summer camp. We held two interest events: “Cookie and Candy Connections,” where we played board games, and “Cozy Cocoa and Charm Night,” where we made bracelets.
In February, we also held our annual Project Prom, where we collect prom dresses, jewelry, and shoes to donate. Our Director of Local Philanthropy, Maci Auenson, reached out to surrounding high schools, and 10 girls were able to attend our event. Making these girls’ princess dreams come true is such a rewarding experience! At the beginning of the semester, we made vision boards for what we wanted our Spring 2025 semester to be like, and we hosted a Galentine’s Day-themed sisterhood event.
ALPHA GAMMA/ HENDERSON
We welcomed three new members through COB! We hosted a Make Your Own Vision Board Night where we got to know the potential new members better. Our Bid Day theme was “Lucky to be AΣT ” with Lucky Charms, rainbows, and four-leaf clovers. We are planning another COB event making charm bracelets and are hoping to achieve campus total!
ALPHA PI/ SLIPPERY ROCK
Our chapter welcomed 18 new members due to the hard work and dedication of the Growth team. They hosted a recruitment workshop themed “Mission Bring MC ‘25 Home” to educate our Sisters on recruitment. We welcomed 11 Sisters through structured recruitment and seven through COB. Our Bid Day theme was “Freshly Squeezed AΣT s.”
We co-sponsored “Take Back the Night” with the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance to benefit VOICe, our local philanthropy. Our Sisters also volunteered for a 5k run hosted by VOICe. We sold Valentine’s Day goodie bags to support Girls Who Code and hosted “Real Men Wear Pink,” where donations for Dress for Success were the means of voting. The winner was required to dye their hair pink!
We also hosted a Galentine’s Night celebration for our Sisters, where we painted glasses and built stronger relationships with our newest members. 26 Sisters made the dean’s list, and two Sisters were inducted into the Order of Omega.
BETA ETA/ SIUE
We have welcomed five new members so far via COB. We plan to do a small Bid Day to make our newest members feel included and are beyond excited to welcome them to our chapter. We had a Galentine’s Day sisterhood where Sisters got together to make Valentine’s Day cards for a local nursing home. 35+ members made the dean’s list, and 21 had a 4.0 GPA! We have held the highest sorority GPA on campus for several semesters.
In April, we are hosting an event called “Hoops for Her,” a basketball tournament raising money for the Women’s Wellness Initiative. It not only raises money but also empowers women to get involved in sports that are male-dominated in our area!
BETA IOTA/ MILLERSVILLE
We’ve welcomed eight new members so far! Our Bid Day theme was a sailinginspired “Welcome Aboard.” We are continuing COB efforts with events like yoga and an AΣT ea Party. We are also hosting a talent show to benefit Girls Who Code, fundraising through a talent entry fee, an audience admission fee, and a bake sale. Locally, we plan to volunteer with the Clare House of Lancaster by cleaning and preparing rooms. We had several sisterhood events, including a Galentine’s Day-themed bouquet and charcuterie board-making night! We look forward to our charm bracelet-making event and nature hikes. We’re also planning both a new alumnae excellence brunch and a “Sister Party,” which is a more casual picnic we do at the end of the spring semester.
Delta / IUP
Phi / Southeastern Louisiana
Beta Iota / Millersville
BETA XI/ MICHIGAN TECH
We’ve welcomed four new members so far and plan to welcome two more to achieve campus total. Before spring recruitment, we had a workshop to emphasize the importance of finding members who meet our values and to encourage participation from the entire chapter. We welcomed new members with homemade ribbon rose bids! We plan to have one recruitment event a month in preparation for the fall.
Our Sisters also competed in the Michigan Tech Winter Carnival statue-building! This month-long competition was very empowering, as we are the only allwomen team, and we got first place in our division. Every Sister contributed at least 30 hours to building the statue, and Brynn Santi managed statue site safety and weather safety for the competition.
We also held a dinner with the Dean of Students to recognize our amazing Sisters who earned the highest GPAs in our chapter. We are in the process of planning our upcoming Tau Trot (a 5k that benefits Girls on the Run) and a Beta Xi reunion in August 2025!
BETA TAU/ UMASS LOWELL
We’ve welcomed seven new members! We also hosted our annual Painting with the Taus event, in honor of our eternal Sister, Kylie Inman (Beta Tau 2014/UMass Lowell). We had one of our greatest turnouts yet and raised $1,660 for the Boston Children’s Hospital Center for Endometriosis through ticket sales and raffle baskets. Everyone left with a piece of art and the heartwarming feeling of the eternal bonds of Sisterhood.
2025 also marks our chapter’s 50th Anniversary! We can’t wait for our Yellow Rose Formal in March; we anticipate this being one of our largest alumnae events to date. Our Formal committee is working hard to ensure that Sisters of all ages are highlighted at this event. Last semester, we celebrated eight Sisters making the chancellor’s list, three making the dean’s list, and four earning Honors with Distinction.
BETA UPSILON/ NJIT
This semester, our chapter collaborated with Phi Sigma Kappa to create and sell carnations to benefit Girls Who Code. This event was not only a great way to raise money for a meaningful cause, but it also brought together our campus community in support of women in STEM. Through our combined efforts, we were able to make a positive impact while spreading awareness about the importance of representation in the tech industry.
BETA CHI/ FERRIS
We hosted a Galentine’s Day sisterhood where we all had little mailboxes and wrote each other uplifting notes! It was so much fun, and being able to write notes for everyone to keep and look back on when they need encouragement has helped us build stronger connections! We also hosted a Super Bowl potluck sisterhood, and our next sisterhood event will include making charm bracelets together.
BETA OMEGA/ MONMOUTH
We had successful fall and spring recruitments, welcoming home 37 new members in total, and we are still hosting COB events! Our spring Bid Day theme was “Once Upon a Tau” because our new Sisters got their fairytale ending. Last semester, we put on an alumnae brunch for our 125th anniversary! It was so great reconnecting with Sisters. Also we are so proud to announce that our Vice President of Finance, Carolyn Petracco, won the Emerging Leader Award at our FSL Winter Awards!
GAMMA GAMMA/ UWA
We held a Welcome Back Bash where we dressed as our younger selves, decorated glasses, and had a First Day of Class banner for pictures. We hosted two COB events: PJs and Polaroids and a St. Patrick’s Day-themed event. Several Sisters went to Greek Night and supported our Sisters in cheer and band, and we hosted a Galentine’s Day sisterhood with charcuterie boards and charm bracelet making.
We had several Sisters make the president’s and dean’s lists and join the Order of Omega and Omicron Delta Kappa. Our Chapter President attended SGLA, and our Vice President of Finance is a majorette captain and was hired to be a coach for the on-campus high school.
We also have a Women Wellness Drive to collect feminine products coming up, where we’ll collaborate with other fraternities and sororities. For Night to Reunite, we’re hosting a dinner with the Birmingham Alumnae Association.
GAMMA ZETA/ FROSTBURG
In Fall 2024, we doubled our chapter size from seven to 16 Sisters! Our Sisters worked harder than ever to pull off an incredible recruitment season. Our Bid Day was one of our best ones yet, and because of our new Sisters, we also have nearly every officer position filled! Additionally, we had four Sisters make the dean’s list for Fall 2024. This semester, we hosted a Valentine’s making event for our local nursing home residents, and other organizations from our campus joined us.
GAMMA THETA/ PENN STATE BEHREND
We’ve welcomed five new members but are using COB to achieve campus total. Our Bid Day theme was AΣΤ Green and Gold. We had a beautiful setup because we won a Bid Day package, thanks to our Founders Day of Giving donors, and hosted a nacho bar afterward. We decorated notebooks for Girls Who Code and plan to fundraise for domestic violence and women’s shelters in Erie by participating in a “Run Like A Girl” event. We’re also planning a period cramp simulator event with a fraternity. Our mini retreat and formal will be in April, as well as our alumnae event for Night to Reunite!
Beta Xi / Michigan Tech
Gamma Zeta / Frostburg
Gamma Theta / Penn State Behrend
GAMMA IOTA/ YORK
We held a “Send a Tau” event where we sold roses to fundraise for the Women’s Wellness Initiative! We hosted a Galentine’s Day event where Sisters decorated cookies, and we are planning a philanthropy lip-sync battle and a sisterhood hike soon. We also have implemented a weekly event called “Seconds with a Sis.” At our chapter meeting, two Sisters are selected to get to know each other better, and then at the following week’s meeting, they tell everyone what they did and talked about! Six Sisters made the dean’s list, and two Sisters were welcomed to the Order of Omega. We look forward to our alumnae potluck and meet-and-greet soon!
GAMMA LAMBDA/ KUTZTOWN
Last semester, we held our annual corn hole tournament and had many Sisters make the dean’s list. This semester, we had “Love Letters to a Sister,” where we all went around to a paper heart with a Sister’s name on it and wrote what we love about them. We look forward to our Women’s Wellness Week, our Just Dance sisterhood game night, and a movie night. We also had two Sisters compete in the UCA College Nationals Showcase where our school’s team placed eighth, which was so exciting!
GAMMA PI/ LYCOMING
This semester, we welcomed one new member, and our Bid Day theme was Enchanted Forest. We currently have COB events every Tuesday and Thursday and hope to welcome even more new members. One of our Sisters presented her research at an academic conference in NYC.
GAMMA UPSILON/ CAL STATE LA Recruitment has been an amazing success! We have 21 women interested in joining our chapter, a big number for our spring recruitment. Our chapter really came together to promote the Sisterhood during our tabling week. During Perfecting Week, we decided to be a little more creative and fun, and our theme was “Sweet Dreams Are Made of AΣΤ. ” It was such a fun idea to be able to dress up, prepare for Bid Day, and have a mini photoshoot.
DELTA DELTA/ UIC
We welcomed 11 new members through COB, holding events like library studying, coffee shop trips, and bouquet-making to meet new women on campus. Our Bid Day theme was “Love Grows Where Alpha Tau Goes.” We had Bid Day at a restaurant near campus with springy, flowery decor!
We hosted SHAPE (Sexual Health Awareness & Peer Education) at one of our chapter meetings, and in March, we held “Taulley Ball,” our signature volleyball tournament fundraiser. We also had a Galentine’s Day sisterhood and a PowerPoint night. During these events, our Sisters get the opportunity to build better connections with one another. Upcoming sisterhood events include a pajama movie night and a visit to the aquarium. We also celebrated our 30th anniversary with a formal dinner, alumnae and collegian speeches, and a Candlelighting Service.
DELTA THETA/ MORAVIAN
We welcomed 18 new members through structured recruitment and COB. Our Bid Day theme was “The Perfect Match,” with tennis decorations and outfits. We’ve hosted several sisterhood events, such as ice skating, a Valentine’s Day gift exchange, and paint nights. In April, we will host Tea with the Taus to raise money for our National philanthropy. We started this event last year, and it went well, so we decided to do it again! We invite a woman of importance in each of our lives to join us for lunch and hear from alumnae/ women speakers.
DELTA MU/ CUMBERLAND
Last semester, we welcomed four new members! We also fundraised for Girls Who Code, hosted a haunted house sisterhood and a secret Santa exchange, and had two Sisters inducted into the Order of Omega. Half of the chapter also made the dean’s list for the fall! We are proud to announce that we have had 100% member retention rates for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 so far.
This semester, we are holding COB events, hosting a philanthropy week, and planning a vision board sisterhood and spring retreat for April! Chapter President Abby Howard presented two research projects at our school’s annual Colloquium event, and Vice President of Operations Elizabeth Davis was awarded the Calvin and Jean King Foundation Scholarship from the Tennessee Society of CPAs, valued at $25,000!
DELTA TAU/ OAKLAND
We’re thrilled to welcome four new members. We hosted several COB events, and our Bid Day theme was “Our Hearts Belong to Alpha Tau.” Our sisterhood events have included a PowerPoint Night and a Galentine’s Night, during which we made cards for each other. Our Vice President of Community Relations, Evelyn Shelton, will perform a self-choreographed solo dance at the ACDA Conference.
Gamma Upsilon / Cal State LA
Delta Mu / Cumberland
Gamma Lambda / Kutztown
Delta Theta / Moravian
Delta Tau / Oakland
DELTA UPSILON/ SAINT LEO
Our chapter partnered with Green Dot to make teddy bears for the women in the local domestic violence shelter. We designed shirts for the teddy bears and wrote letters with empowering messages for the recipients. In February, we hosted a Galentine’s Day event, where we played games and bonded with new Sisters. It was the perfect way to celebrate the love we all have for each other. Our chapter also hosted our annual alumnae brunch for Saint Leo’s Alumni Weekend.
Audrey Lehto-Chew is a junior undergraduate intern at Saint Leo’s advising and athletic departments. Her internship has included the creation of student advocacy programs, the collection of community feedback, and participation in professional development workshops, resulting in obtaining field certifications.
EPSILON DELTA/ ROGERS STATE
We welcomed three new members and had a cute Valentine’s Day-themed Bid Day. We also had an amazing Galentine’s Day event with fun candle painting, a Valentine exchange, and, of course, a heart-shaped cake! We have a new local philanthropy, SheBrews, which empowers formerly incarcerated women and helps provide them with stable jobs, housing, and other necessities! We had three Sisters achieve the president’s honor roll and six on the dean’s honor roll. Chapter President Cate Campbell was asked to speak on the House floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol for all 4-year institutions in Oklahoma for Higher Education Day!
EPSILON NU/ M C DANIEL
After recruitment, we are the largest chapter on campus! We achieved campus total and will initiate a new member class of 12. Our Bid Day theme was “Sweet Home Alpha Tau” because there is no sweeter place to be than AΣT . We are continuing our Pearl Pal dates, where random members are paired together to go on a “date” and get more one-on-one time. We hosted a Galentine’s Day event, where we painted picture frames for Sister photos. We also hosted a self-care night where we wore pajamas, made bracelets, did face masks, and played trivia games.
16 members made the dean’s list, and five members had a 4.0! Madge Myers was recognized by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) as a “Scholar of Distinction” for the fourth consecutive year, and Cassidy Cashman was also named to the 2024 NFHCA National Academic Squad.
EPSILON XI/ GUSTAVUS
Early this semester, we hosted an alumnae white elephant gift exchange! It was a great opportunity for our newest members to get to know our alumnae. We had time for snacks and chatting, and everyone wound up with a fun new gift. Our Vice President of Community Relations, Linnea Beckstrom, was also appointed to the DEI Committee for Alpha Sigma Tau!
EPSILON SIGMA/ BRIDGEWATER STATE
We have been hosting COB events! We’ve welcomed three new members so far, and our initiation will be held in April. We also held our annual Galentine’s Day celebration and made Valentine’s Day cards for a local nursing home to share the love! By partnering with Dress for Success, we will support our local philanthropy, Bear Essentials at Bridgewater State, an organization where professional clothes are provided to all students who cannot afford them on their own. Chapter members will help with sorting, setting up, and running the event. Eight of our members made the dean’s list, and our Vice President of Community Relations, Amber Podd, attended the NGLA Conference.
EPSILON UPSILON/ DALTON STATE
We’ve welcomed one new member through COB so far, and our Bid Day theme was “We Love You Beary Much.” We will continue to host COB events and table throughout the semester. We’ve had two sisterhood events so far and are planning another for International Women’s Day, and we’ve hosted the first college drive clean-up of the semester.
EPSILON CHI/ MINNESOTA DULUTH
We have already welcomed two new members, with more on the way! To get ready for recruitment, we hosted a workshop to explain COB and how it differs from our fall recruitment. During the workshop, we also introduced ChapterBuilder to our members, and it’s been such an awesome tool to use for COB. Our Bid Day theme was “Strangers to Sisters,” and it perfectly captured the experience of going through recruitment and finding your home. For one of our recruitment events, we hosted a charm bar event that raised over $300 for Safe Haven, a local domestic violence shelter, and included making some Valentine’s cards to donate to the organization.
Our most recent event was a bake sale that raised $165 for Girls Who Code. We hosted our 3 rd annual Philanthropy Banquet on March 22, and all proceeds went to Safe Haven. For that event, we collected basket donations for an auction. We are also proud to share that 16 Sisters made it on the dean’s list, and four Sisters maintained a 4.0 GPA.
Epsilon Chi / Minnesota Duluth
Epsilon Sigma / Bridgewater State
Delta Upsilon / Saint Leo
Epsilon Nu / McDaniel
Epsilon Delta / Rogers State
ALUMNAE CHAPTER & ASSOCIATION UPDATES
BUFFALO ALUMNAE CHAPTER
We started our busy fall with our annual September brunch and business meeting, where we celebrated our Chapter President, Sam Katus, who got married! In October, we assembled Halloween candy bags for the collegiate Sisters in Buffalo and participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. In November, we hosted our annual Founders Day celebration, inviting guest speakers from Kaely’s Kindness, which assists teen girls touched by cancer with their emotional, physical, and practical needs. In December, we held our annual holiday party at Board & Brush, where Sisters made pillows. In other exciting news, this year our chapter celebrates 100 years! We look forward to spending 2025 together, hosting sisterhood events, helping our community, and celebrating this milestone. You can follow along and see our upcoming events on Facebook (Buffalo Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau) or Instagram (@buffaloalumnaeast).
CENTRAL INDIANA ALUMNAE CHAPTER
In October, we enjoyed a beautiful fall day at a local orchard and market. Later the same month, we were thrilled to help welcome a beautiful baby boy born to a CIAC member! In November, CIAC celebrated Founders Day at AΣΤ Headquarters, where Sisters caught up with news of families, friends, and happenings. In December, we held our mid-year business meeting and a canned food collection for a local food pantry. In January, our fantastic Vice President of Events hosted an online baby shower for a CIAC member, complete with games. What fun we had trying to “name that baby” from baby pictures CIAC members submitted! If you live in central Indiana, we would love to meet you – look for us online.
DETROIT METRO ALUMNAE CHAPTER
We adopted a family for Christmas, had our annual ornament exchange, and got together for some holiday fun. We look forward to a busy first quarter of 2025. Our Sisters spent an afternoon making tie blankets for children in the hospital with Fleece and Thank You. We had our February axe-throwing event, which was very fun, and are looking forward to Night to Reunite with the Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter.
EDWARDSVILLE-ST. LOUIS AREA ALUMNAE CHAPTER
In October, we served dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, visiting with parents of the hospitalized children. In December, we went to the St. Louis Zoo for Wild Night Lights. Being with our Sisters warmed our hearts on a cold night. In January, we met with the Beta Eta collegians at a restaurant, split into groups, and got to know some of our newest Sisters. We also donated to the Glen Ed Pantry, which serves our area. We are looking forward to spring and Night to Reunite!
PHOENIX/VALLEY OF THE SUN ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
We enjoyed a fantastic fall! We made bracelets for our Epsilon Alpha Sisters in Prescott, which we gave to them in November to celebrate their Founders Day. We enjoyed a fun brunch, got to know all the collegians, and concluded with a Candlelighting Service. Our holiday brunch was fabulous, and the new tradition of our ornament exchange was a huge success! In January, we held our annual coffee and crafts where we painted hearts for Valentine’s Day and began our spring clothing drive for the Phoenix-area Dress for Success. Sisters have donated over a dozen articles of professional clothing so far! We look forward to visiting the Tea Room in Carefree, our Night to Reunite dinner on April 10 at Spinato’s in Tempe, and our Cinco de Mayo-themed annual meeting on May 3rd! If you’re in the area, please join us in all the fun! Contact us at pvos.ast.alumnae.association@gmail.com to get all the details!
TIDEWATER AREA ALUMNAE CHAPTER
In October, we celebrated our 60th anniversary as an alumnae chapter at the English Rose Tea Room. We enjoyed hearing stories from across the ages of the chapter and its members and seeing memorabilia. Soon after, we gathered to mark Founders Day at Gus & George’s Restaurant, where we collected 11 bags of groceries along with financial contributions to support the Tidewater Area Panhellenic Association and the FM99 Mayflower Marathon. EIaine Eason hosted our annual holiday social, where we participated in a gift exchange, and Sisters were able to catch up over delicious festive foods! We also joined the Tidewater Area Panhellenic Association for lunch and attended How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at the Little Theater of Virginia Beach. Beth McOsker’s son had an amazing performance as the lead character. We began the new year with lunch at the Waters Edge Winery and Bistro, a fullproduction craft winery. Some of our Sisters recently attended the Tidewater Area Panhellenic Association’s Galentine’s Event, where we sampled desserts and appetizers, swapping recipe cards for the dish we brought. It’s always good to gather with our Panhellenic sisters.
YPSILANTI-ANN ARBOR ALUMNAE CHAPTER
We have been quite busy over the last several months. In October, Sisters met up for a day at the cider mill. We also celebrated Eastern Michigan’s Homecoming with Alpha collegians and Sisters in the Detroit Metro Alumnae Chapter. In November, we hosted a Founders Day celebration attended by collegians and alumnae from around the metro Detroit and Ann Arbor areas. We also gathered for a Friendsgiving lunch and our monthly book club. In December, we hosted our annual holiday party, welcomed a new member into our alumnae chapter, and kept up with our tradition of adopting a family for Christmas. This year, in addition to buying the gifts, several Sisters volunteered to wrap presents with the local charity that runs the program.
Buffalo
Phoenix/Valley of the Sun
Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor
Alumna Jess Harper Thomas (Delta Mu 2015/Cumberland) with her husband on her wedding day.
HONORING OUR SISTERS: In Loving Memory
We forever remember these Sisters who have entered the Eternal Chapter. Their legacy lives on through their loved ones and their contributions to the progress of humankind. This memorial listing includes all members whose passing was reported to National Headquarters between September 27, 2024 to February 21, 2025.
ALPHA /EASTERN MICHIGAN
Keitha Anderson Parsell (1956)
BETA /CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Susan Hogarth (1974)
DELTA /IUP
Georgia Heid (1957)
IOTA /EMPORIA STATE
Anna Farney Yaussi (1946)
Darlene Reed Brehm (1948)
Nadine Noll Kline (1941)
Virginia Griffith Maxson (1944)
SIGMA /SUNY BUFFALO STATE
Barbara Brann Engler (1954)
ZETA TAU /LONGWOOD
Ann Bowles Staples (1968)
UPSILON /CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Phyllis Reed Darling*
Shirley Minton Roberts (1962)
Judy Studstill Nelson (1962)
ALPHA ALPHA /BALL STATE
Roberta Georgia McCrea (1969)
Pat Minnick Rowe (1947)
ALPHA GAMMA /HENDERSON
Celeste Kirkland Eason (1971)
Rachel Andress Arrington (1969)
ALPHA EPSILON /WESTERN ILLINOIS
Alma Erickson Caywood (1955)
ALPHA LAMBDA /RADFORD
Janie Jones Dunsmore (1963)
Stacey Sherlock Jeuris*
Betty Payne (1953)
Mariah Whitcomb (2012)
ALPHA OMICRON /PENNWEST CLARION
Kimberly Acquaro DeBald (1985)
BETA EPSILON /SHIPPENSBURG
Kim Lefever Burke (1976)
BETA MU /SALISBURY
Heidi Simmons Trageser (1986)
GAMMA PI /LYCOMING
Briana Burley-Inners (2018)
DELTA ZETA /EAST STROUDSBURG
Jenny Zliceski (1997)
To inform Headquarters that a Sister has entered the Eternal Chapter, call 317-613-7575 or email headquarters@alphasigmatau.org.
VIRGINIA GRIFFITH MAXSON
IOTA 1944/EMPORIA
Passing away just days before her 99th birthday, Virginia was an AΣΤ legacy, as the daughter of one of the Iota Chapter’s founding members, Ester Carlson Griffith (Iota 1923/Emporia). After graduating college with a degree in nursing, she served the organization as a District President, an NPC delegate, and “Rush Committee” chairman in the 1960s and 1970s.
Additionally, Virginia helped organize interest in and establish the Alpha Nu Chapter at the University of Central Missouri in 1962. The chapter and officer installation service, Initiation, and new member Rituals took place in her home, and she led the Candelighting Service to conclude the momentous occasion.
Outside Alpha Sigma Tau, Virginia was dedicated to empowering women’s access to education, loved to travel, and stayed involved with her community and service opportunities into her early 90s.
She is survived by her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We appreciate Virginia’s love for Alpha Sigma Tau and will miss her dearly.
A. Kendra Scott | Davis Pendant Necklace, #DAVISPEN
B. Kendra Scott | Davis Station Necklace, #DAVISSTN
C. Kendra Scott | Elisa Necklace, #ELISA
D. Kendra Scott | Davis Stretch Bracelet, #DAVISB
E. Kendra Scott | Davis Stud Earrings, #DAVISEAR
F. Official Crown Pearl Badge, #0100
G. Crown Pearl Double Letter Guard, #J0600
H. 125th Anniversary Dangle, #0125
I. Isla Necklace, #ISLA
J. Josie Ring, #JOSIE
K. Kylie Bracelet, #KYLIE *Standard U.S. shipping.
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F.
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A night to gather with Sisters and renew your connections! Learn more: alphasigmatau.org/news-events/night-to-reunite
