Alpha Phi celebrates a century
The sorority has planned a series of events for October.
Published March 5, 2010
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Scholarship Committee Director Lauren Beard talks with the Chairwoman of Market Commitee Liz Drouin and International President Laura Malley-Schmitt during the Alpha Phi centennial celebration Thursday at the Reynolds Alumni Center. The Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi has been on MU's campus for 100 years.
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Alpha Phi celebrated its centennial anniversary Thursday with an alumnae dinner at the Reynolds Alumni Center.
"March 4 is the actual day that our chapter was founded," Alpha Phi President Jordan Olivier said. "We wanted to have the majority of the celebration in October so that we could include the pledge class of 2010 in the festivities but also wanted to celebrate our Founder's Day."
Alpha Phi Marketing Vice President Christen Heinsohn said the dinner included approximately 40 alumnae. Chapter members were invited to a dessert reception afterward. Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs and International Alpha Phi President Laura Malley-Schmitt both spoke at the event.
"The stuff in October is the biggest celebration," Heinsohn said.
Heinsohn said the October celebrations would include many events, such as an alumnae reception, a dedication ceremony and the Move Your Feet Heart Walk, benefiting the Alpha Phi Foundation.
"That will be when most of the alumni come back," Heinsohn said about the October events. "We're expecting over 300 alumnae to come back."
Most of the preparation for Thursday's dinner involved contacting alumnae and informing them about the event, Olivier said. Alpha Phi has a planning committee for the centennial celebration, similar to a steering committee.
"A lot of our help comes from our really involved alumnae," Heinsohn said. "You wouldn't think there were so many details."
Olivier said she credits Alpha Phi's longevity to their sisterhood.
"I could not be more excited to celebrate Alpha Phi's 100 years on Mizzou's campus and feel blessed to be a part of a chapter that has had such a long history of success," Olivier said. "This bond is what has makes our chapter prosper and is also what gives the women in our chapter the will to overcome any struggles we may face."
Olivier said she considers Alpha Phi 100 years young, and she is happy to be part of another century of Alpha Phi at MU.
"We were established in 1910, but overall, Alpha Phi was established in 1872 at Syracuse," Heinsohn said. "It was the first fraternity for women."
Alpha Phi has resided in two houses while at MU. It was re-colonized in the '90s but was only off campus for a year, Heinsohn said.
Comments (4)
9:29 a.m., March 6, 2010
Jayne Gebauer Kasten said:
Best wishes for the beginning of another successful century of Alpha Phi on the Mizzou campus. This is a proud Celebration, indeed!
11:51 a.m., March 6, 2010
Marianne Lowe Horned said:
I was thrilled to be back with my Alpha Phi sisters for the March 4th event, and honored to be one of 4 past presidents who spoke at the event. Although I was the oldest President attending ('56-'57), it was an opportunity to relive some wonderful memories of Alpha Phi and Mizzou. The event held at the University Center was on the site of The Shack (a frequent hangout)and across from Jesse Hall where I worked in the Admissions Dept. for a year or so after graduation. Hearing about the current Admission's computerized system was awesome. Although the campus has changed radically, it is still Mizzou...
2:54 p.m., March 6, 2010
Alice Jones Philpott said:
Congratulations on the 100th birthday of our chapter on the Mizzou campus. I was there for the 50th birthday in 1960 and am looking forward to the BIG party in October.
4:04 p.m., March 5, 2010
Val Lawlor said:
Congratulations to Alpha Phi's largest collegiate chapter! One century, one sisterhood.