Alpha Phi - Michigan State University

BETA BETA CHAPTER of ALPHA PHI at MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Spring 2021 The Ivy The Ivy T his new year is a great time to put 2020 in the rearview mirror! I am only thinking positively about 2021, especially with all the wonderful things happening at Alpha Phi despite the ongoing pandemic. Speaking of the pandemic, we are acutely aware that our individual and collective mental health is really being tested by this season of isolation and quarantine. Luckily, at Alpha Phi we have wonderful sources of assistance we can draw upon. From our International offices, the housing team provided a number of resources to House Corporation Board members, advisors, and active leadership. One of the main focal points has been mental health and ways to incorporate healthy support, resources, and outlets to our collegians. Early in the fall, the HCB began brainstorming ways to help our sisters stay healthy in mind, body, and spirit. We gathered some wonderful alumnae for a panel discussion via Zoom about preparing for the job market. Our panelists were Brigitte Neumayr '08, Jesica McCullough '09, and Taylor Rogers '12. HCB member Alex Miller '11 and Chapter Advisor Mollie Balmer Bort helped bring this event together to provide mentorship and networking advice to the women following their chapter meeting. We cannot thank Brigette, Jesica, and Taylor enough for setting a great example as well as giving expertise to members about jobs, internships, and real-life advice to consider in the years leading up to graduation. We are continuing our theme of healthy support into 2021 with a couple of mental health support events. HCB member Melissa "Missy" Wagasy '99 brought her fitness and spiritual training to provide a couple evenings of yoga for active members. Missy works for Michigan State University during the day but has gained a yoga certification on her own time. In the days before the pandemic, her yoga instruction could be found on campus as well as around Southeastern Michigan. Members enjoyed the instruction and the much-needed spiritual break that yoga offers. The HCB is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy home for our active members. Especially during this pandemic, we are looking for innovative ways to help foster alumnae relationships while offering support. If you are reading this, you are probably in a unique position to offer your support in some way––perhaps you have a skill or job that would be great to discuss with members. Perhaps you have an interesting story about the ways your major did or did not support the job you now have. Please email me to let me know how you can help. Our members are ready and eager to hear your story! In many ways, we are all learning more positive strategies for thriving in an isolated environment. Think of Alpha Phi as a way to connect and expand with like-minded women with a great thread of commonality and sisterhood. AOE, Joy Sayed Murray '77 House Corporation Board President ejoymurray@gmail.com NEW OPPORTUNITIES ARISING Alpha Phi Looks to Foster Alumnae Relationships to Support Active Members Kelly DeSteiger Hunnicutt '96 and her daughter, Ella, visit the Beta Beta Chapter house. Carly Signorello Eichenlaud '11 celebrates her wedding in Bay Harbor, Mich., with her sisters. Members of the 2011 class gather to celebrate their sister's wedding.

• Cover