Pi Beta Phi - University of Mississippi

The MS Beta Post PAGE 2 Bonnie McNew Brenkert '79 shares, "My husband, Eric, is fully retired from USAF after nearly 28 years. We celebrated our 40 th wedding anniversary in June 2023. We have three amazing grandchildren. We're enjoying country living, and I am trying to enjoy gardening. It's hard work!" The couple lives in Holland, Ark. Email: bonniebrenkert@gmail.com Tracey Caperton Murtha '84 is a physical therapist, but she has been working as a real estate investor since 2013. She volunteers with a ministry/nonprofit called Both Hands: One for the Widow, One for the Orphan. She also volunteers with Empart, a humanitarian organization serving India. Tracey resides in Brentwood, Tenn. Email: traceymurtha@mac.com Caroline French Morrison '88 has four children and three grandchildren! She is a realtor in the Greater Houston area and volunteers at Hope's Path, a program for young men who have aged out of the foster program. She is an avid runner and Peloton bike rider as well as a big dog lover. She lives in Spring, Texas. Email: caroline.morrison4@gmail.com Laura Redfearn Yancey '06 married Jey and has two kids, Lilly Jane (8) and Harrison (4). She is still very close to several of her Pi Phi sisters; they meet up at least once a year. She is a registered dental hygienist in Mount Pleasant, Texas, and volunteers for Cypress Basin Hospice to help raise funds for care. She's also very involved with her daughter's elementary school as treasurer of the parent committee and teaches dental education at her son's preschool. Email: laurac3244@gmail.com Hanora Gail Cunnion Gonzales '12 is teaching special education kindergarten in Houston, Texas! Email: hanora.cunnion@yahoo.com CONNECTIONS BEYOND CAMPUS Sarah Brooke Gober Bishop '99 Talks Volunteering and Steadfast Sisterhood ALUMNAE NEWS A s a freshman, Sarah Brooke Gober Bishop '99 was primarily interested in fraternity/sorority life for the social aspect. As an undergraduate, she served on several committees but never held an executive position or leadership role. After college, however, Sarah Brooke's relationship with Pi Phi gained a new significance. Sarah Brooke graduated from Ole Miss with a bachelor's degree in graphic design but didn't have any specific plans for a career. Her lease in Oxford wasn't up until the end of the summer, so she started looking for a job. "Cheryl Caffey Hayward '85 approached me about nannying her children through the summer," she recalled. "I was excited to discover she was a fellow Pi Phi!" When summer ended, Sarah Brooke found a position in the media industry, but she stayed in touch with the Haywards. In 2011, after forming a Pi Phi Alumnae Club in Oxford, CJ Smith Patton, Mississippi Alpha '71 was in need of a local alumna to help maintain the group. Sarah Brooke volunteered and began organizing the club's communication and events. Her efforts attracted the attention of chapter advisors. "In 2014, they asked if I would be interested in serving as an Advisor," Sarah Brooke shared. For the next 10 years, she served on Mississippi Beta's Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) as the Event Planning Advisor, Recruitment Advisor and finally AAC Chair before retiring this past December. "I watched as the chapter size doubled and participated in the expansion of the house, so it was a very exciting time to be involved!" As the years passed, Sarah Brooke's connection to Cheryl continued to influence her life. Both of the Hayward daughters, whom she had nannied, joined Pi Phi while Sarah Brooke was serving as Chapter Advisor. Cheryl's youngest daughter, Mary Clark Hayward Hill '18, taught Sarah Brooke's daughter in pre-K. In 2021, Sarah Brooke learned about a job opportunity working with the father of the family (Keith). "He told me they were hiring a director of communication and marketing. I got the job and now work for North East Power and NE SPARC." Back in 2003, Sarah Brooke could never have anticipated how influential her sorority connection with Cheryl would turn out to be. "It all started with taking kids to the pool and ended with lifelong friendships, professional contacts and countless memories." Sarah Brooke and her husband, Jeb, have been married for 12 years, and they have one daughter, Marion (7). "She loves visiting the Pi Phi house," Sarah Brooke said. "Especially on Bid Day!" The family enjoys attending Ole Miss football and baseball games, where Marion cheers on the Rebels, just like her parents. If you'd like to connect with Sarah Brooke, you can send an email to sbgober@gmail.com. My Life as a Chapter Advisor The highlight of my experience was the relationships I formed with the officers, some of whom have become dear friends. The first officer I worked with, Molly Harris-Stevens '12, asked my daughter to be the flower girl in her wedding! That kind of close relationship and special bond has meant so much throughout my life. I especially want to thank my fellow AAC members who served with me. There are many times I would not have been as successful in my role if it were not for their guidance, knowledge and support. SEE MORE ALUMNAE NEWS ON PAGE 4!

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