Pi Beta Phi - University of Alabama

The Alabama Arrow 2 E ven the most independent, career savvy and driven women have a support network. for Jenny Bass '92, Pi Beta Phi provided her with such. Jenny made the decision to join Alabama Beta after meeting sorority sisters during recruitment. "The girls I met gave me such a rush," said Jenny, "and an authentic impression of the sorority." What really distinguished the chapter from other Greek organizations on campus were the measures they took to make new sisters feel comfortable. "I just got a good feeling whenever I came to the house," Jenny added. After becoming an initiated member, Jenny immersed herself in chapter affairs, becoming Head of Standards her junior year. She also opted to live with her sisters in the chapter house. "When I think back on my time with Alabama Beta, it's defined by my experience living in the house, which I did for two years," she shared. "Living there, making friends who also lived there, eating there, everything that we got to do there defined my experience," she recapped. Mystery formal was, by far, her favorite undergraduate event to attend. "We dressed formally and boarded a bus that had black paper concealing the windows," Jenny recalled. "We went to a mystery location and had our formal dance." Many of her sisters became mentors in addition to being Jenny's friends. Kasey Shelton Blankenship '89, who was Chapter President when Jenny first joined, was responsible for her recruitment and proved incredibly influential. Carrie Butler Thomas '91 became President in later years, and was also someone who Jenny says made a large impact on her collegiate experience. Another sister, who was recruited at the same time, rebecca Sizemore Sandberg '92, is Jenny's best friend to this day. "We both live in Atlanta and are extremely close," explained Jenny. Sisters were more than friends, mentors and college companions or tour guides, as Jenny eventually discovered. Sisters can make a profound difference on one's overall wellbeing and personal growth. "Pi Phi taught me the value of a support network," she stated. "I did other extracurricular things; I was a majorette in the school band, and my sisters supported and encouraged me to participate in everything, even activities outside of the sorority." Jenny attributes the majority of her positive memories of her undergraduate years as well as her academic success, to her sisterhood. She strongly urges members to embrace their sisters and encourages them to reach out to alumnae. "Alumnae want to help," she said. "They want to get to know and mentor undergraduates." Alabama Beta has played a significant role in preparing Jenny for post-graduation life and her career. "I am most proud of my independence," she stated. Jenny earned a master's degree in business from Wharton and now runs an Atlanta-based manufacturing company, which makes steel pipes for the construction industry. She enjoys listening to live music, snow skiing, reading and watching college football whenever feasible. She fondly shared she owes one more joy in her life to Alabama Beta, her new husband, Jamie Walker. "One of my pledge sisters introduced me to him." You can e-mail Jenny at jenny.bass@gmail.com. THE SiSTERHood NETwoRk Jenny Bass walker '92 on How Alabama Beta prepped Her for life and Career Jenny Bass '92, Rebecca Sizemore Sandberg '92, and Amanda Bicknell Peters '94 as active members in 1994. Jenny Bass '92 (top), Rebecca Sizemore Sandberg '92 (middle), Amanda Bicknell Peters '94 (bottom) reunite in a 2009 photo. Chapter Off icers Chapter President Cathleen Thomas '14 (205) 470-4661 albetapres@gmail.com Vice President of Member development Jacqueline Berg '15 Vice President of Fraternity development Molly Steiner '15 Vice President of Finance Caroline Babbin '15 Vice President of Housing Sarah Elizabeth Causey '14 Vice President of Membership Jordan Clark '15 Vice President of Administration MacKenzie Winters '15 Vice President of Philanthropy autumn Taylor '15 Vice President of Communications Madi niedfeldt '15 Vice President of event Planning Jaclyn verdina '14 Alabama Beta's 2017 Executive Council.

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