Alpha Phi - Michigan State University

The Ivy 3 Susan Brink Sherratt '77 at her son's wedding. Her daughter, Caroline Sherratt, Tau '12, on the far left. "W hen I joined Alpha Phi, I found unconditional support from the women in the chapter," Susan Brink Sherratt '77 said. "They encouraged me to apply for committees within the chapter, the Greek community, and on campus." That support from her sisters led Susan down a path of volunteering that continues today. Her volunteer resumé is extensive, as she is always helping wherever it is needed. "I had a fabulous experience as an undergraduate, which served as a springboard to my volunteer career in Alpha Phi," Susan said. "I have been fortunate to serve with so many alumnae members throughout the U.S. and Canada." Since 1986, Susan has served as a volunteer on the local, regional, and international levels. After graduation, she traveled for a year as an Educational Leadership Consultant, visiting 36 chapters. Susan has volunteered for Alpha Phi in several capacities for the past 36 years. She was elected to three terms as a Director on the International Executive Board (four years as Vice President) as well as nine years on the Alpha Phi Foundation, including four as Chairman. "When I was a newly elected Director on the Alpha Phi Foundation Board, I spearheaded the campaign for the Beta Beta 75th anniversary scholarship," Susan shared. "Although I live in California, supporting our chapter has always been a passion of mine." She is currently volunteering on the Centennial Celebration Steering Committee for the Beta Beta Centennial with Joy Sayed Murray '77, Lorie Fiesselmann Dietz '75, Conni Crittenden '71, Suzanne Stimson Leech '75, Samantha Zahrai '15, and Michelle Horne Tiderington '94. Susan serves as Co-Chairman of Alpha Phi's Extension Committee, a member of the House Corporation Board for Lambda chapter at UC- Berkeley, a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for The Quarterly, and one of six alumnae members on the Committee on Leadership. "During the past eight years, the Extension Committee has added 10 new chapters to the roll for a total of 174 collegiate chapters," Susan said. "It is so rewarding to bring the Alpha Phi experience to new campuses." Alpha Phi has always been an important part of Susan's life, and she is thrilled to share this with her family. One of Susan's favorite memories was surprising her daughter, Caroline Sherratt, Tau '12, at her initiation. The family legacy also includes Susan's sister Karen Brink Pauli '82 and nieces Heidi Sherratt Bogart, Beta Gamma '90 and Jennifer Sherratt Abrahamson, Epsilon Rho '92. You can connect with Susan and learn more about volunteering at sbsherratt@gmail.com. "F or all that I received from Alpha Phi, I felt that I had an obligation to give back to the organization," Constance "Conni" Goldsmith Crittenden '71 said. "The big push in the 1970s was not, 'I was an Alpha Phi,' but 'I am an Alpha Phi for life.'" Alpha Phi has been a significant part of Conni's life since 1970. She spent 27 years as the Chapter Advisor for Beta Beta, in which she had a fun and rewarding experience. "I felt a bond with the women of the chapter, and they seemed like part of my family," Conni said. "I was like a big sister, counselor, and role model." Conni has served in many other positions, including on the Regional Team, as a House Corporation Board member, as Ceremonies Advisor, and in leadership training. She is currently the Secretary of the House Corporation Board and on the Centennial Celebration Steering Committee "I felt that I could help the women of the chapter look at themselves as leaders and strong women," Conni said. "I wanted them to see that they were a part of a community; other sororities and fraternities looked to them, and so did the young women in the other communities they were a part of." Alpha Phi is not all that Conni has been involved with over the years—she is extremely passionate about education. She taught fourth and fifth grade for 47 years, and during that time, she mentored pre-service and in-service teachers, obtained grants for her school, was chosen as the McAuliffe Fellow for Michigan in 1995, a Presidential Awardee for science teaching, and received many other awards. She serves on state and national boards for math and science and was a shuttle commander at Space Camp! Conni met her husband at the MSU pool since they were both on the MSU swim teams and he was her term party date her senior year. They have been married for 50 years, have two sons, Evan and Stuart, and a 7-month-old Goldendoodle. Conni is retired and loves reading, cooking, eating great food, and enjoying a fine bottle of wine. She also loves doing cool science activities with kids and working at a summer camp as a program specialist. You can connect with Conni at crittec@gmail.com at to learn more about her teaching career and her experience serving Alpha Phi. A Lifetime of Gratitude Why Susan Brink Sherratt '77 Gives Back to Alpha Phi "I cannot count the women who have made an impact on my life, as the list is endless." Conni Goldsmith Crittenden '71 Devotes Her Time to Alpha Phi "Alpha Phi has done an incredible job developing leadership programs for their chapters, having women helping women through providing scholarships and financial support, and keeping current by changing gears when necessary to have strong chapters and strong women in the lead."

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