Pi Beta Phi - University of Georgia

MEMORIES ON MILLEDGE p. 4 PBF I n the fall of 1998, when Courtney Atkinson '96 was the House Manager for Georgia Alpha, the chapter wore Bid Day shirts that read, "Be a flame, be a spark, be a candle in the dark." That shirt proved ironically prophetic when, during recruitment, a candle in the chapter house dining room started a fire. "There were more than 200 people in the house for the first Preference party of the day," Courtney recalls. "Thankfully, we all evacuated safely and the fire department responded quickly — though it felt like years as all the sisters and Potential New Members waited across the street, watching the fire burn." Given her duties as House Manager, Courtney has many vivid memories of the day, from assessing damage to working out alternate housing plans. What stands out most, though, are the ways in which the sisters supported one another, and having alumnae like Judi Saye Fleming '70 provide meals, help make alternate Bid Day plans and shower the chapter with love and support. Seeing that strong alumnae support, along with her many positive Pi Phi experiences, inspired Courtney to remain involved with Georgia Alpha beyond her undergraduate years. "The confidence I gained from serving in chapter leadership has served me greatly in my personal, professional and community life." Courtney has served nearly a decade on the Georgia Alpha AAC and is in her first year as the Finance and Housing Advisor after many years as advisor to the VP of Housing; she drives in from Greenville, South Carolina, to attend meetings. As the ongoing pandemic affects the chapter in many ways, the AAC has worked on financial adjustments, new health and safety policies for the chapter, and planning potential activities depending on how things progress in the coming months. "Like the rest of the world, things are changing on an almost daily basis," Courtney said. "But the chapter is blessed with an amazing group of leaders working daily to help provide the best experience possible for our collegiate sisters." For Courtney, that support includes giving to The Campaign for Georgia Alpha to honor her many wonderful memories and to make our Pi Phi home an even better place for future sisters. She is particularly excited for collegiate sisters to have a proper Chapter Room where they won't have to sit on the floor during meetings! "I would ask members who are able think about their time living on Milledge and strongly consider helping provide a wonderful environment for our future sisters to make similar memories." Courtney is a practicing attorney and started her own law practice in 2011 after years working for a large firm. She and her spouse, Chris, have spent plenty of time working on their nearly 100-year-old house and are planning their own renovation in the coming year. Connect with Courtney at catkinson@ malawfirmsc.com. e Importance of Alumnae Support From a Fire to a Pandemic, Courtney Atkinson Has Been ere for Pi Phi Fall 1998 Bid Day t-shirt. A s a new student at the University of Georgia, Elizabeth Doherty '16 didn't picture herself in a sorority. However, as a legacy to another National Panhellenic Conference organization group and with roommate-turned-best friend who did join a sorority, she decided to give recruitment a go her sophomore year. She gave each sorority a fair shot, but felt a consistent feeling of peace after each visit with Pi Beta Phi. "It was the same peace that led me to attend UGA, so I knew Pi Phi was the right move." For Elizabeth, the highlight of her experience was welcoming her actual little sister, Priscilla Doherty '17, to Georgia Alpha one year later. "We look nothing alike, so everyone thought we were just super passionate Pi Phis when we called each other sisters." Since Elizabeth never lived in the chapter house, she made it her "second home" when Priscilla moved in as a sophomore. Elizabeth is thankful for all the wonderful friendships formed within the chapter. "As a 4.0 student, I typically only would have worried about social relationships if I were graded on them. Pi Phi showed me the importance of balancing social, spiritual and academic achievement." With that balance, she still graduated with First Honor distinction. Aside from Pi Beta Phi, Elizabeth is passionate about giving back. Elizabeth works as a data analyst at Equifax in Atlanta, where she established and leads a sustainability initiative within the company. That same passion for sustainability and investing in the future inspired Elizabeth to support The Campaign for Georgia Alpha in a heartbeat. "Looking back on my college years with Pi Phi, I can't imagine that the majority of those incredible experiences would have been possible without the support of generous alumnae," she said. "As our chapter continues to grow, contributing to the campaign is a way to leave your legacy to ensure the Sustaining the Future of Georgia Alpha Why Elizabeth Doherty Proudly Supports the Campaign

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