Pi Beta Phi - University of Minnesota

3 Minnesota Alpha W hile we figured this academic year would be full of challenges for Minnesota Alpha, the fall semester and beginning of the spring semester truly have been unlike anything we've ever experienced. The fall semester kicked off with a completely virtual formal recruitment. Although we would have loved to decorate our yard and welcome potential new members (PNMs) into our home in person, we knew we could find a way to display who we are as an organization in a virtual format. The success in showing what Pi Beta Phi is all about became evident as we welcomed 50 New Members to Minnesota Alpha. Despite the unique obstacles surrounding the pandemic that the sisters on our recruitment team had to overcome, they spread their angel wings and rose to the occasion. We are grateful for Julia Bauer '17, Eva Metz '18 and Alexa Miketa '18, who did a phenomenal job leading our fall 2020 recruitment. We are so excited to find meaningful ways to involve our New Members and be part of their accomplishments during their college careers. Pi Beta Phi will also be participating in spring informal recruitment this year. We can't wait to meet all the PNMs and welcome new sisters into our chapter. PANDEMIC DOESN'T DIMINISH SWEETNESS OF PUMPKIN PIE WITH PI BETA PHI We found some normalcy in October when we hosted our annual Pumpkin Pie with Pi Beta Phi event for Read > Lead > Achieve ® . Even though this year's event looked a bit different since most of the activities were online, we managed to fill our parking lot while maintaining a strictly enforced capacity-limit and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It was fun to see so many Pi Phis masked up and ready to get pied safely! Overall, we raised an astonishing $3,232, which is a huge success given all of the restrictions! SISTERHOOD SUSTAINS US The rest of the fall semester was complete with our traditional Big/Little reveal event and Initiation. We have been doing our best to creatively provide numerous virtual sisterhood activities such as a yoga class taught by Amy Walker '18. We are also looking forward to sisterhood events to take place this spring. In February, we already have a collaborative ballet class planned with Delta Gamma. Although it has been challenging to stay connected as a sisterhood, that hasn't stopped Pi Beta Phi from making the most of each situation. EARNING THEIR HALOS WITH 4.0S Several sisters achieved a 4.0 GPA and even more women made the Dean's List for their respective majors. Over the winter break, numerous members held internships which they found rewarding. We are so proud of everyone's accomplishments this past semester and we are excited to see what the rest of the spring semester holds for our chapter. LEADING THE WAY FOR POSITIVE CHANGE We are fortunate to have Madisen Rogers '18 as the new vice president of diversity, inclusion and accessibility for the Panhellenic Council. She will help lead our community as we take part in doing this important work. On January 18, the Chapter Leadership Team participated in a half-day of training in preparation for the spring semester. Along with the organizational work, we participated in diversity, equity and inclusion training. We are thankful for everyone who planned, supported and executed this important event! We are dedicated to finding ways that we can grow as a sisterhood. COVID-19 has made it difficult to stick to our goals, but we are doing everything we can to stay connected while abiding by all health and safety guidelines. Our House Director Jan has been extremely helpful with the leadership she has provided, especially in recent months. We also are working hard to uphold our mission to support lifelong love of reading that can unlock true potential, creating a more literate and productive society. In Pi Phi, Isabelle Thorne '20 Chapter President (952) 949-3034 thorn587@umn.edu Collegians Make e Most of Challenging Fall Semester Virtual Recruitment Brings 50 New Angels to Minnesota Alpha Olivia Anderson '18, Caroline Holt '18, Alexa Miketa '18, Anna Pins '18, Eva Metz '18, Madison Haen '18, Sam Salmen '19 and Julia Bauer '17 at Stone Arch Bridge before recruitment. Panhellenic Council Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Madisen Rogers '18. Ava Ekman '20 created her own fashion magazine, Golden Magazine. Follow the magazine's Instagram account, goldenmagumn. Olivia Anderson '18 and Alexa Miketa '18. Jenna Damico '19, Alejandra Sosa '19, Mason Gilchrist '19, Grace Hobday '19, Jill Donerkiel '19, Nina Pitera '19, Rachel Koza '19 and Caroline Gosselin '19 before Open House Round of virtual recruitment.

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