JEAN WIRTHS SCOTT
Remembering Grand President Emerita Jean Wirths Scott, 1934-2021 Revered and admired by all who knew her, Grand President Emerita JEAN WIRTHS SCOTT, Pennsylvania Beta, was a distinguished member of Pi Beta Phi whose transformative leadership can still be seen today. As a legend in the greater fraternity and sorority community as well as within Pi Phi, Jean’s leadership, foresight and passion for teamwork created a strong foundation for all 26 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organizations. Since her chapter days, Jean served as a leader in our sisterhood and the fraternity world, ushering Pi Phi and NPC into the 21st century. A passionate leader and sincere friend, Jean helped grow the Fraternity as Grand President from 1979 to 1985. Under her guidance, the Fraternity began its relationship with legal counsel Manley-Burke, leading to a critical partnership which has benefited the Fraternity and greater fraternal industry in the decades since. “You didn't see Jean in action without her demonstrating her leadership,” said Tim Burke, long-time legal counsel for Pi Beta Phi. “Jean wasn’t afraid to make difficult decisions when they needed to be made — she knew how she wanted things done, and how to do it graciously.” Jean first served Pi Phi at the international level as Grand Vice President Philanthropies, having begun her Fraternity work as a club president before moving to the office of Alumnae Province President. During her term as Grand President, Jean found the Fraternity faced with unprecedented challenges: coed fraternities, injury and alcohol liability, drug abuse and hazing. She oversaw the development of alcohol and drug awareness programs and took a firm stand against hazing practices.
“Jean recognized that if there is one thing that can kill the Greek movement — it’s the perception that the Greek movement is killing its members,” Tim said. Her passion for eliminating hazing led to the Fraternity issuing a firstof-its-kind anti-hazing standard in 1985. That same year, Jean expanded her service to the Panhellenic community as the NPC Delegate. She would go on to serve as Treasurer, Secretary and, eventually, Chairman. Until 2012, leadership in NPC was determined by a rotation. Every other year, one of the 26 member organizations would select a representative to serve a sixyear term, first as Treasurer, then Secretary, and finally as Chairman. Several years before it was Pi Phi’s turn to lead, Jean was chosen by Grand Council to be the Pi Beta Phi delegate in the rotation. “At that point in time, you only had the opportunity to be in one of NPC’s leadership roles every 52 years — it was a big deal,” said past Grand Council member and past NPC Delegate CAROL INGE WARREN, North Carolina Beta. “Jean was the perfect person to fill that role. She had big picture perspective — she knew how to engage others and and how to move things forward. Her leadership in NPC gave her a much broader realm to lead and to influence in the fraternity and sorority community. Jean was an incredible leader in Pi Phi, but she had a much greater influence across NPC and the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).” Jean’s accomplishments can be credited to her open lines of communication and her support for success across the Panhellenic community. Her calm demeanor and positive attitude helped build a strong, unified fraternal
1985-1987 1953
1971
1975-1979
Jean was initiated into the Pennsylvania Beta Chapter at Bucknell University.
Jean became President of the Contra Costa, California, Alumnae Club.
Jean served as Grand Vice President Philanthropies.
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1985
1979-1985 Jean led Pi Beta Phi as Grand President.
Jean’s passion for ending hazing led to the Fraternity issue first-of-its-kind anti-hazing standards.
Jean served as Pi Phi’s first Grand Vice President Membership, pushing the Fraternity to carefully examine membership trends. During this period, the Fraternity established seven new chapters on top of the eight new chapters which were installed during her time as Grand President.
1955
1972-1975
1976
1982
1985-2003
Jean became Chapter President at Pennsylvania Beta.
Jean served as the Phi North Alumnae Province President.
Jean visited Arrowmont for her first Board of Governors meeting.
Under her guidance, the Fraternity began its relationship with legal counsel ManleyBurke leading to a critical partnership which has benefited the Fraternity and greater fraternal industry in the decades since.
Jean expands her service to the Panhellenic community as NPC Delegate.
