Pi Beta Phi - University of Colorado

Arrow UPDATE C O L O R A D O A L P H A C H A P T E R U N I V E R S I T Y O F C O L O R A D O | S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 Colorado Alpha Executive Council in St. Louis for College Weekend. Chloe Balsinger '19 and Teagan McNally '19 at the Angels in the Outfield fall kickball philanthropic event. FOREVER BONDED BY SINCERE FRIENDSHIP S tarting college, I signed up for recruitment with the hopes I'd find a place to make the University of Colorado's campus feel a little bit more like home. I knew the friendships I formed here would be ones I'd cherish for the rest of my life, but what I found through Pi Beta Phi exceeded my expectations. Not only did I find a strong support system, but also Sincere Friendships that continuously push me to pursue a better version of myself. In my years as a collegiate member, there are countless memorable moments that come to mind: Bid Days, Big/Little Reveal, philanthropy events, formals. However, there's one moment that's defined my membership — Initiation. It's incredible to think that each member of Pi Beta Phi has experienced this same ceremony — a chain linking me to our 12 founders gathered together in the southwest bedroom of "Major" Jacob Holt's house, as well as to our chapter's founding in 1884 when Helena Dorr Stidger, Iowa Beta and Dessie Widner Rodgers, Iowa Alpha installed the chapter. I am beyond honored to play a small part in carrying on our Pi Phi Ritual and traditions as a leader in our chapter. Though I am no longer a New Member, I can still remember hearing our Ritual for the first time. I spoke with some New Members about their experiences during Initiation and the ceremonies leading up to it. "My favorite part of Initiation was learning the rituals next to my closest friends. We went through recruitment together, and it meant a lot to grow stronger in sisterhood," said Chloe Snellgrove '19. While we'd already begun forming friendships in the chapter before Initiation, that day we solidified our Lifelong Commitment to our sisterhood. I couldn't begin to imagine the experiences I'd have with the women standing next to me or the Sincere Friendships that would carry me throughout my days at CU. I attended College Weekend in January and it was such a special opportunity to see how many sisters are connected by our Ritual. We may be spread out across the continent, but we are all part of one sacred organization that binds us together and that we all get to share. Being able to meet alumnae like former Grand President Sarah Ruth "Sis" Mullis, South Carolina Alpha and feel the sisterhood across generations bonded by Pi Phi Rituals really added such a special meaning to everything we do! My collegiate years have been bettered by the women of the Colorado Alpha Chapter. Every step of the way, my sisters have been by my side, cheering me on in moments of joy and comforting me in moments of sorrow. No matter what chapter you're from or when you joined, you can always find a sincere friend through Pi Phi. In Pi Phi, Lauren Purcell '18 Chapter President

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