Gamma Phi Beta - Southern Methodist University

Gamma Phi Beta | 3 W hen Emily Trout Ellenberger '91 first came to SMU, she was intimidated by the university's intense recruitment process. "It is a high-pressure situation where you essentially make a choice on how you will spend a significant portion of your college career," Emily said. Fortunately, it did not take her long to find the perfect fit after meeting the women of Gamma Phi Beta. "The sisters were so open and genuine," Emily stated. "At ΓΦΒ, there was never any question as to where I would fit. It felt like I had nothing but opportunity in front of me." After graduating from SMU, Emily began her professional career in finance within the shipping and aviation industries. That eventually changed after she and her husband, Mark, experimented with making their own barrel of wine in 2008. Their wine-making hobby quickly turned into a profitable business venture, so Emily and Mark became partners in a winery in Napa, California, in 2010. Since then, they have been producing Kagan Cellars wine and selling it commercially across the country. Emily conveyed that many of her leadership positions at Alpha Xi and the skills that she developed through her involvement in ΓΦΒ had a direct correlation to her professional achievements within the corporate world and as a business owner. As an alumna, Emily values sisterhood and the friendships she made during her time at SMU. "We are all part of something bigger than ourselves; whether that be a family, a team, a church, a heritage, or even a sorority," Emily said. She served on the Alpha Xi House Corporation Board for a number of years where she learned about operations management, human resources, budgeting and financial analysis, and management. She encourages alumnae to get involved within the chapter as a way of giving back. "It is our responsibility to participate, improve, and carry-on the legacies in our lives. These legacies are the ties that bind us together in our relationships with one another." When Emily and Mark are not running Kagan Cellars, they enjoy traveling, sailing, and scuba diving. They also volunteer with dog rescue organizations and are currently fostering their 30th dog. If you would like to reconnect with Emily, you can reach her at ektrout@gmail.com. Why I Gave What motivated you to support A Strong Foundation, A Stronger Future: The Campaign for Alpha Xi? When I arrived at Alpha Xi, I inherited a beautiful house built by the collegians and alumnae that came before me––it was a gift. Living at the Alpha Xi house was a great experience for me, and I would love for future generations of Gamma Phis at SMU to have the same experience. When I visited the house in 2018, I was surprised that it has not been significantly updated since I graduated almost 25 years ago. It is obvious that the house is too small for the chapter's current needs. The finishes are old and outdated, and our younger sisters deserve a house that they are proud of and enjoy. During recruitment, women are drawn to attractive houses with great amenities, and Alpha Xi will lose out on quality candidates if the house is not rebuilt. I hope my gift will provide a comfortable home and a source of pride for our sisterhood. Why should alumnae consider giving back to Alpha Xi? It is our responsibility to provide our younger sisters with the same opportunities we had as collegians. It is our duty to help build and maintain a house that is suitable for sorority business and is a safe, beautiful haven for the girls. If we take our lifelong commitment to Gamma Phi Beta seriously, now is the time to act with gifts of our own. What values from ΓΦΒ resonate most with you? Loyalty––no matter what sisters go through or how far apart life takes us, our ΓΦΒ sisters are always there. You can always come back to your sisters and find the support, strength, and love you need to see you through. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of the Crescent Entrepreneur Emily Trout Ellenberger '91 Shares the Impact of Alpha Xi O n November 11, more than 140 Gamma Phi Beta sisters came together to celebrate our sisterhood's founding at the Lumen Hotel in Dallas. During this celebration, sisters enjoyed a custom menu catered by the hotel, live music from guitarist Blair Duran, and a photo booth. The group also had the opportunity to purchase custom-designed Gamma Phi Beta T-shirts from Agape North, which helped provide school uniforms to children in need in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Throughout the event, sisters bid on an array of amazing auction items, including four trips to Cancun, St. Lucia, and Antigua. Through these efforts, Gamma Phi Beta was happy to have raised more than $10,000 for Girls on the Run thanks to alumnae support. To see the recap video and photos from the celebration, please visit the Gamma Phi Beta Dallas Alumnae Chapter Facebook page. Thank you to everyone who attended this momentous occasion. FOUNDED ON A ROCK Sisters Celebrate Founders Day, Raise $10,000 for Girls on the Run From the fall 2017 to spring 2018 semester, Alpha Xi completed 2,628 community service hours, the most hours completed by any SMU sorority, and raised $8,120 for Girls on the Run. In the spring 2018 semester, the chapter achieved a 3.491 GPA. In the fall 2018 semester, the chapter welcomed eight new members during informal recruitment. Spring 2019 recruitment efforts helped the chapter reach more than 110 members. Did You Know?

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