Pi Beta Phi - Texas A&M University

S tarting a new chapter of Pi Beta Phi at Texas A&M was a defining experience for its founding members. Read on to find out how the Texas Eta Chapter has continued to shape Susie Baird Learmont '85 and Marlene Kotzur Norman '85 beyond college. WHAT DREW YOU TO PI BETA PHI? Susie Baird Learmont: My grandmother passed away a few days before I graduated high school, and some of her last words were that she was sorry she couldn't write me a RIF for Pi Phi. A family member learned the sorority was coming to A&M and completed my information. During Christmas my freshman year, I was told I'd be going through recruitment. It turned out to be the best decision my family ever made for me! Marlene Kotzur Norman: I was drawn to Pi Phi because a dear friend who was Vice President Panhellenic told me to look into it. They were recruiting in the spring of 1985 and were a top national sorority. I loved the idea of helping to start something new! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM YOUR DAYS AS A CHARTER MEMBER? Susie: During our first recruitment, I made fast friends with Kim Read '85. We sat in the back doing each other's hair and laughing until our sides hurt. We got reprimanded, but it was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Marlene: Our first recruitment was held at the College Station Community Center since we had no house. Although I couldn't recruit that year as Panhellenic Delegate, I attended the summer workshop to learn about the process and songs. WHAT MADE THE FIRST INITIATION SPECIAL? Susie: Jean Wirths Scott, Pennsylvania Beta '53, the Grand President, and Grand Vice President Annette Mitchell Mills, Alabama Alpha '36 initiated us at the Aggieland Hotel. Seeing the other sisters in person after studying them on paper was unforgettable! Marlene: It felt magical to become a true Pi Phi. Seeing the alumnae who worked so hard to bring Pi Phi to A&M— Betty Westbrook Trant, Texas Alpha '44, Pam Adkins Porter, Texas Alpha '65, Nancy Joe Dyer, Texas Gamma '61, Annette Adams Peters, Texas Zeta '77 and others—made it even more meaningful. HOW HAS YOUR PI PHI EXPERIENCE SHAPED YOU? Susie: Pi Phi was the first place where I felt confident enough to become a leader. It gave me lifelong skills and the courage to take on challenges. It was truly life changing. Marlene: The summer before recruitment my college boyfriend broke my heart. Candy Crossman Marek '85 and two Vice Presidents, Joyce Schumacher Sandweiss '85 and Sheryl Rankin Shafer '85, picked me up, and we stayed up late talking and crying. The next day, my lifelong friendship with Anice Shelton '85 was sealed when I left the circle, early and teary- eyed, and she noticed. She and other Charter Class sisters rushed in to hug me. We saw each other through good and bad times, truly bound by the Wine and Blue! Aggie Arrow PAGE 4 From left: Pi Beta Phi Grand President Jean Wirths Scott, Pennsylvania Beta '53, Candyce Crossman Marek '85 and Cathy Shuler Fulton '85 receive the chapter's charter at Pi Beta Phi Convention. F O U N D I N G T E X A S E T A Two Charter Members Share Their Stories

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