Pi Beta Phi - Oklahoma State University

PAGE 3 we have our vision for the project, we know that project plans are subject to change pending construction and materials constraints, reaching our fundraising goals and securing necessary financing. Here are just a few of the features and amenities we look forward to: • A modern European design: timeless casual elegance with lovely interior moldings and trim. • Functional rooms to accommodate energetic groups. • Small niches for study and quiet times. • Beautiful landscaping for outdoor living and dining spaces. • And, of course, space for our signature hanging swing! We plan to break ground on a new Pi Phi home at 324 in May 2023, and the new house will be ready to welcome our sisters home by recruitment 2024. We know this may sound daunting, but CHC, the building committee, the campaign board and the undergraduate chapter have worked diligently for over a year. With your support, Oklahoma Beta can take on this challenge. Early commitments totaling $7,059,813 from 122 generous donors have kick-started the race to our $9.5 million campaign goal. It will take support from every sister to get us across the finish line. As you receive more details on the campaign over the next few weeks, I encourage you to reflect on why you joined Pi Beta Phi. Each of us committed to a lifetime membership during Initiation, finding Sincere Friendship far beyond those four formative years. Now it's on us to ensure Pi Phi membership still benefits collegians and alumnae alike. Here's to the next chapter in Oklahoma Beta's future—we invite you to join us in writing it! In Pi Phi, Beverly Cregg Schafer '65 Mary Revell Rykard '81 Campaign Co-Chair Campaign Co-Chair Colette Denny Buxton '82 CHC President A TOP-TIER HOME (Continued from page 1) L eslie Atkins Pritchard '74 felt at home the first time she stepped into the Pi Beta Phi house at Oklahoma State University. She visited during her senior year of high school and recalls how friendly the members were; she loved the women at the house and knew this was the place for her. Leslie created many wonderful memories during her time as a collegian. Some of her favorites include Cookie Shines, Spring Sings and a quartet that she, Lucia Miller O'Connor '74, Lisa Wiggins Clark '74 and Kim Hunter Merrill '74 started as a surprise for their Initiation luncheon. She also fondly recalls family-style dinners with the house boys and watching All My Children in front of the card room TV on weekdays at noon. One special memory occurred during Leslie's sophomore year when Pi Phi paired with the Betas for Spring Sing, and neither they nor the Chi Omega/Sigma Nu pairing made it. "David Littlefield, a Beta, decided that the two groups should perform our numbers as a charity event to benefit the American Heart Association called Straight to the Heart," she shared. "He found a venue, and we sold tickets for a one- night performance. It was a huge success, and we had a blast practicing and performing." Leslie and her sisters experienced many fun times together, including when they would get their "tans on" out on the sundeck. "We would work on the quickest way to get a tan by taking album covers and lining them with aluminum foil for the extra reflection of sunlight," she recalled. "We would apply baby oil, baby oil combined with iodine or just plain Crisco—so literally frying ourselves!" It was these special Pi Phi memories that motivated Leslie to support the Continuing Our Oklahoma Beta Sisterhood at 324 campaign in honor of the 1974 pledge class. In recognition of her gift, she earned naming rights to the new sundeck and called on her pledge sister, Sarah Buvinger Welch '74, for help in naming the deck. "Sarah's recommendation—she is so clever—was 'Baby Oil and Tin Foil.' I laughed so hard and commented, 'That is perfect.' Thank you, Sarah!" Leslie said. "I made a gift to the new house because Pi Phi has been a lasting and meaningful part of my adult life, not just college life," Leslie shared. "I wanted to contribute to the future of our incoming Pi Phis and the continued success of Oklahoma Beta Chapter." After graduating from OSU, Leslie became active in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Alumnae Club, and she remains involved today. Through the organization, she has made many new friends from other universities. She shares that many of her pledge sisters live in Tulsa, and one Pi Phi she became close with after graduation was even the Matron of Honor at her wedding. To reconnect with Leslie or to hear more about why she chose to support Oklahoma Beta's campaign, email her at lapritchard@cox.net. "Thank you to the many alumnae who have worked so hard to create the most attractive and functional new construction. I know lots of hard work and research have gone into making this project a reality. You are appreciated!" Honoring the Sisterhood Pi Phi Memories Inspire Leslie Atkins Pritchard to Support Oklahoma Beta "I wanted to contribute to the future of our incoming Pi Phis and the continued success of Oklahoma Beta Chapter."

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