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The Bow
Building a Better World — One Leader at a Time first day of recruitment, I instantly felt at home. I knew right away it would be my first choice.” Angie believes in the power of Pi Phi to build confident women leaders. She not only sees the ways Pi Phi’s programs develop leadership skills in our collegians and alumnae, but also knows their benefit firsthand. Angie has served in numerous civic and volunteer leadership roles, and even was elected mayor of Long Grove, Illinois, the suburban Chicago village she calls home. She credits her experiences in Pi Phi with building the leadership skills and confidence she has carried throughout her postcollege life. Illinois Iota ANGIE KILLIAN UNDERWOOD (right) with her husband, Aaron.
Initially, Angie worked as a dietitian in a hospital setting and
Illinois Iota ANGIE KILLIAN UNDERWOOD remembers the
for senior citizens. When her husband took a job that required
first gift she made to Pi Phi in the mid-1980s. As a recent college
extensive travel, Angie opted to stay home with her three
graduate and newlywed, she didn’t see herself in a position to
children for the next 20-plus years and was able to explore
give. “I remember getting a letter, and I think I gave 25 dollars,”
a different skill set. “I became what I call a ‘serial volunteer’
Angie recalls. “I felt like I had no money, but I wanted to support
for many different causes — schools, Scouting, community
Pi Phi because it was so important in my life.”
organizations,” she says. “I’d join a group, and a few years later,
Several decades later, Angie has not only continued to support Pi Phi, but has made giving to our Foundation a philanthropic priority. As a member of the Evelyn Peters Kyle Society, she is among the donors who provide the essential financial support Pi Phi needs every year. Angie chooses to direct her gifts to
later for a company that operated home meal delivery programs
would be asked to take on a significant leadership role.”
“I want to put my money somewhere it’s going to make a difference — not just fix a crisis, but help build a better world.”
the Friendship Fund, which provides unrestricted funds that
She realized others recognized and valued her ability to
make all Pi Phi programs possible as well as the operational
lead, noting women would ask her how she was able to stay
functions needed to support them. Gifts like Angie’s provide the
organized or run a meeting so smoothly. “I told them a lot of it
resources Pi Phi needs today to ensure we can meet the needs
comes from Pi Phi,” Angie says. “Sorority membership is not just
of tomorrow. “I want to put my money somewhere it’s going to
about a social life. Pi Phi is where I learned and perfected my
make a difference — not just fix a crisis, but help build a better
leadership and volunteer skills. My experience was so important
world,” she says.
in moving up and progressing throughout life and what was
Coming from a small town in Illinois, Angie felt a bit overwhelmed by the transition to Illinois State University’s
in store for me later on, whether it was the Scouts or serving as Mayor of my town.”
campus. She calls Pi Phi the home within a home that made her
Soon after they became empty nesters, Angie and her husband,
college experience much more comfortable. Having grown up in
Aaron, reviewed their charitable giving and identified the causes
a family with only brothers, she found the idea of participating
closest to their hearts. Angie chose to increase her support of
in recruitment appealing. “I went from a tiny high school of 250
Pi Phi and feels grateful she can give at the Evelyn Peters Kyle
students to a campus of more than 25,000 people,” Angie says.
Society level. The value she sees in Pi Phi’s ability to create
“Pi Phi was perfect for me. When I walked into the house on the
leaders influences her decision to give to the Friendship Fund.
