THEN AND NOW

Members Sarah Truax Ferguson and Laura Pace joined Alpha Chi Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Sarah, an active Hawaii Alumnae Chapter member, joined the Sorority in 1996, and Laura, a senior studying English and history, joined in 2018. The two sat down with us to recount their college and sorority experiences.

Sarah Truax Ferguson

Laura Pace

Favorite Gamma Phi Beta memory as a collegian?

Sarah: Living in the chapter facility – there’s something about living together that brings you closer. My sisters and I had so much fun in the house, and no matter what happened in my life, my sisters were there to support me. I attended the REAL Leadership Experience in 2019, and it was super exciting to meet sisters from around the country. I had an incredible experience developing my leadership skills with an amazing group of women.

Laura: I attended the REAL Leadership Experience in 2019, and it was super exciting to meet sisters from around the country. I had an incredible experience developing my leadership skills with an amazing group of women.

Popular trends on campus were/are...

Sarah: Low-rise jeans, tube tops and Steve Madden “Slinky Slide” sandals.

Laura: Athleisure, tennis skirts, flannel shirts, jumpsuits, mom jeans, bucket hats – the fashion is kind of all over the place!

How did/do you communicate with loved ones back home?

Sarah: Email had just become mainstream, so I emailed my friends back home from the computer lab. I kept in touch with my family by phone on our dorm room landlines. I remember getting very excited to have “blinkie” when I got back to my room (the blinking light on the phone indicated you had a message!).

Laura: FaceTime and texting. Social media makes it easier to see how friends are doing back home and what they are up to.

What music were/are students listening to?

Sarah: Britney Spears, the Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys. Ska music was also really popular!

Laura: A lot of what we listen to depends on what’s trending on TikTok!

Celeb crushes?

Sarah: My sisters and I loved Heath Ledger in “10 Things I Hate About You.” We also really liked Mark Wahlberg, George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

Laura: A ton of my sisters love Harry Styles.

Do you know two sisters who initiated at the same chapter, just with 10+ years between them? Email TheCrescent@gammaphibeta.org for a chance to see them featured on this page in the future!