Gamma Phi Beta - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

A SLICE OF PI 2 E ven with the excitement surrounding formal recruitment, the adrenaline of making such an important decision in a short meframe can feel overwhelming at mes. When Meredith Hovis '13 was going through recruitment, she was frequently told to be aware of how she felt in each chapter house and about the conversa ons she was having. As the week progressed, the women of Gamma Phi Beta made Meredith known and empowered. Everyone at Pi Chapter that Meredith spoke to wanted to talk with her, were excited to be with her, and helped her feel connected to Gamma Phi Beta. "The empowerment I felt during recruitment wasn't just a passing, feel-good experience. It was just the beginning of the impact of my experience as an ac ve member at Pi Chapter," Meredith said. "It took me a bit to catch up with the pace of college and to find my place amid much larger crowds. I was overwhelmed with how many choices I could make, who I could be friends with, how I could get involved—the list goes on! Once I had a more solid foo ng in Pi Chapter, I recognized how my membership could simplify my experience on campus." One thing that Meredith came to appreciate with all the friendships she forged in Pi Chapter was that, even though the sisterhood was comprised of women of many different backgrounds, they shared the same core values and desire to be involved in meaningful, purpose-driven ac vi es. Meredith will always be thankful for how her sisters quickly realized her poten al as a leader. "As they supported me in my growth as a leader, they simultaneously ins lled in me a great sense of confidence," Meredith said. "My experience in Gamma Phi Beta is, without a doubt, the founda on of some of my most powerful and useful quali es." From trips to The Cookie Company to cheering on the Huskers, Meredith made a mul tude of special memories with her Pi Chapter sisters during her me as an undergraduate. She saw the impact of Gamma Phi Beta on a greater scale during her junior year when she traveled to the University of Minnesota with several sisters to watch the Huskers play the Golden Gophers. The women of Kappa Chapter gave them a warm welcome to the Twin Ci es and allowed them to stay in the basement of their chapter house for the weekend. Whenever Meredith and other sisters needed to get away from their busy day, a walk to The Cookie Company was usually in order. Meredith first joined in on the cookie break tradi on with Annie McKeighan '11 and Molly Nelsen '11 before she found her very own cookie partner in Rachel Best '13. When Annie and Molly graduated, it became Meredith and Rachel's duty to gather other sisters for cookie breaks and document their trips on Instagram. Managing stress has found a whole new meaning for Meredith early on in her teaching career. She is star ng her third year of teaching math for Lincoln Public Schools, which has been anything but normal due to the pandemic. All unprecedented circumstances aside, Meredith has remembered the advice she received during recruitment eight years ago: monitor how she feels in each of her conversa ons with her students and colleagues. She has embraced the opportunity to empower others through Gamma Phi Beta's values. "Teaching brings me real joy," Meredith said. "The students at Park Middle School have expanded my heart and mind to see, understand, and feel in new ways. The people who I work with are also dedicated to suppor ng one another and our students to create a be er world." You can connect with Meredith at mehovis2@ gmail.com. EMPOWERED BY PI CHAPTER Meredith Hovis '13 Gives Thanks for Gamma Phi Beta Meredith Hovis '13 and several other Pi Chapter sisters a end the wedding of Alayna Stokes Spiers '13 in July. Front row (from le ): Emily Erikson '13, Kai e Cook Brink '13, Jaci John '13, Alayna, Hannah Chris anson '13, Ka e Warneke Blycker '13, Taylor Kuhlman Parmley '13, Becky Brooks '15, and Ella Seacrest '14. Back row: Rachel Best '13, Julie Olechoski '13, Janey Malcolm '13, Charlee Sindelar '15, Jordan Jones '13, Meredith, Molly Shane '12, Maggie Schneider '12, and Amanda Fevurly '12.

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