Alpha Iota Chapter
Alpha Iota Chapter (Founded 25 March 1990) is located at Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. The chapter was founded by Elizabeth Bernal (née Schwartz) and is a member of the East Region.
Contents
Chapter History
Founding
Elizabeth Schwartz, a brother of Theta Chapter at Mansfield University, transferred to Montclair State College and was contacted by Nationals during the spring of 1990 about starting a chapter of Phi Sigma Pi at Montclair State College (now Montclair State University). She helped recruit and initiate 47 students as members in the Fraternity.
Early Years
2005 Growth
In spring 2005, the Chapter was down to approximately 15 members. With the help of the National Office and the Region Consultant at the time, the Chapter was able to pin 26 new Initiates for the Chapter's Alpha Zeta Class.
The Active Chapter
Due to Montclair State University regulations, the Alpha Iota Chapter is one of a handful of Phi Sigma Pi Chapters that are officially recognized as a Greek organization by Montclair State University's Greek Council. Phi Sigma Pi is classified as a "Professional Fraternity," along with similar honor or service fraternities chartered on campus. Alpha Iota Chapter's involvement with Greek Council has allowed the Chapter to be involved in campus-wide Greek social events, such as Greek Week.
Current Active Brothers
- Karen Torres, Kappa Class
- Daniela Peluso, Lambda Class
- Liz Braxton, Lambda Class
- Mandi Bean, Lambda Class
- Raquel Erwin, Mu Class
- Amanda Leslie, Nu Class
- Melissa Ferreira, Nu Class
- Kat Salcedo, Xi Class
- Danielle King, Xi Class
- Sarah Fenner, Xi Class
- Nicole Stolz, Omicron Class
- Gabrielle Quinones, Omicron Class
- Raina Girglani, Omicron Class
- Hila Lutz, Omicron Class
- Amanda Parker, Omicron Class
- Stephanie Mera, Omicron Class
- Zachary Ehrlich, Omicron Class
- Lauren Uckar, Omicron Class
- Nathalie Uriarte, Pi Class
- Michelle Duong, Pi Class
- Jessie Whelan, Pi Class
- Brynn Fitzgerald, Pi Class
- Emma Valdivieso, Pi Class
- Jasmine Irby, Pi Class
- Erica Russell, Pi Class
- Appiffanny Boston, Pi Class
- William Santiago, Pi Class
Current Executive Board
- President: Mandi Bean
- Vice President: Raina Girglani
- Secretary: Danielle King
- Treasurer: Sarah Fenner
- Initiation Advisor: Liz Braxton
- Parliamentarian: Zachary Ehrlich
- Historian: Nicole Stolz
- Faculty Advisor: Esmilda Abreu
Current Committee Chairs
- Rush and Initiation, Danielle King and Liz Braxton
- Service, Sarah Fenner
- Social and Recreational, Lauren Uckar
- Historian and Alumni Development, Nicole Stolz and Zachary Ehrlich
- Program and Public Relations, Karen Torres
- Fundraising, Hila Lutz
- Scholarship, Kat Salcedo
- Inter-Chapter Relations, Raina Girglani
- Standards Zachary Ehrlich
Past Executive Boards
Main Article: Alpha Iota Chapter Past Executive Boards
Initiate Classes
Main Article: List of Alpha Iota Chapter Initiate Classes
Families
Main Article: Alpha Iota Chapter Families
Chapter Events & Activities
Founder's Day Weekend
Alpha Iota celebrates the Chapter's founding with a Potluck Dinner on or around March 25. Brothers bring games, photo albums, videos, and more recently, a large model of the Alpha Iota family tree. Alumni are greatly encouraged to come to this event to remember and celebrate the past and future of the Alpha Iota Chapter.
Traditionally, the Chapter used to celebrate their annual formal on or around March 25, but in recent years, the Chapter moved the Formal to the end of the academic year to avoid conflicts such as Spring Break or mid-term exams. Since then, the Formal has been the de-facto Founder's Day celebration, although it is typically held late April.
Notable Alumni
- Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Member
- Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Member
- NYMAAC Founder
Honorary Members
Chapter Mascot
The Alpha Iota Chapter mascot is Siggy the Penguin. Siggy is actually a real-life penguin; the Chapter used to regularly adopt this penguin from the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, NJ, as part of its service programming every year. The Alpha Iota Chapter tries to incorporate its mascot into various public relations materials, including rush placards and flyers. The Chapter has also, in the past, gone to the Turtle Back Zoo to visit Siggy as part of various scholarship or service projects.
Chapter Honors and Awards
National Awards
- 2000 Sanders P. McComsey Most Improved Old Chapter Award
- 2001 Most Outstanding Chapter Award
University Awards
- Spring 1999 Overall Best Organization, awarded by the MSU Greek Council
- Spring 2005 Best Large Organization, awarded by the MSU Greek Council
Other Awards
- 2003 MSU Homecoming "A Fairy Tale" 3rd Place Float Design
- 2004 MSU Homecoming "The Eighties" 1st Place Float Design
- 2005 MSU Homecoming "Home is Where the Hawk Is" 2nd Place Float Design
- 2005 MSU Homecoming "Home is Where the Hawk Is" 2nd Place Overall Performance
- 2006 MSU Homecoming "Hooray for Rockywood!" 1st Place Float Design
- 2006 MSU Homecoming "Hooray for Rockywood!" 3rd Place Overall Performance
Further Resources