Pi Beta Phi - University of Mississippi

MS Beta Post The Mississippi Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi at the University of Mississippi | Winter 2020 U pon graduating from the University of Mississippi, we all leave Pi Beta Phi with high hopes of keeping our sisterhood close to our hearts. Unfortunately, we quickly find that many new interests—careers, families and civic activities—can create valid diversions. The day-to-day activities of life take over and, before long, we fall out of touch and begin to wonder what happened to our sisters. Together with the undergraduate chapter, we have decided to boost our alumnae relations program. WHAT CAN I EXPECT? Our updated alumnae relations program is designed to help our members stay in touch and to cultivate awareness and involvement with the chapter. Luckily, there are several elements that are key to the program's success. • In collaboration with the undergraduate chapter, we will continue to mail two newsletters each year containing alumnae news, information on any upcoming events, reports on various chapter activities and current lists of undergraduate and/or alumnae officers. • Once a year, we will send out a biographical update that allows alumnae to update the information we have on record. In fact, you can find your first copy in this mailing! These updates also provide the information for one of the most popular features in the newsletters, the "Alumnae News" section. Altogether, they are a vital tool in maintaining our records and our ties with one another. Drop your completed form in the mail today! • Periodically, Mississippi Beta will send out vital information via email. Make sure you're on our mailing list by filling out the biographical update form or contacting hcarney@ penningtonco.com. HOW CAN I FURTHER PARTICIPATE? Our alumnae leadership is always looking for ways to better the Pi Phi experience for our collegiate members. As fraternity and sorority life continues to change on the Ole Miss campus, we will be focused on evaluating the needs of the chapter in the coming months and how we can best stay competitive. We look forward to sharing our plans with you as they unfold! Let us all strive to keep this foundation strong for future Mississippi Beta women. We hope that through the alumnae relations program, your sisterly bonds are regularly renewed and strengthened. We are always interested in hearing from you, so if you have any suggestions, alumnae news or ideas for articles, please submit them to our alumnae relations coordinator at hcarney@penningtonco.com. In Pi Phi, Beth Williston Webb '68 Chapter House Corporation President bethpiphi@gmail.com Sarah Brooke Bishop '99 AAC Chairman sbgober@gmail.com STRENGTHENING THE PI PHI BONDS Mississippi Beta Enhances Alumnae Relations Program Sisters in Pi Phi T he summer before her freshman year, Carrie Westbrook Smith '94 received a booklet from Ole Miss with a profile of all sororities. It had a photo of each house, the chapters' officers and information on each organization. "I was absolutely clueless about the process as I would be the first in my family to be in a sorority and I didn't have a mom helping me." At the time, the Pi Phi house looked more like a ski lodge than a southern sorority house. But once recruitment started, Carrie immediately knew it was home for her. When Julie Westbrook Eisenberg '98 decided to follow in her sister's footsteps and join Greek life at Ole Miss, she knew she could lean on Carrie for advice. "Carrie told me I HAD to join, and she was absolutely right!" Julie said. "It was one of the best decisions of my life." For Carrie and Julie, the Pi Phi bond has only strengthened their sisterly bond. Carrie reflects on the night before Julie made her final decision. "Julie almost didn't join. I always told her that she could make her own decision. When it came down Carrie Westbrook Smith '94 and Julie Westbrook Eisenberg '98. (Continued on page 2)

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