Alpha Rho Chapter Endowment Fund
The Alpha Rho Chapter Endowment Fund (chartered 27 October 2007) is the official endowment fund of Alpha Rho Chapter. It was established in 2007 by a group of Alpha Rho alumni, led by Mike & Carrie Owen. Soon after the events of April 16, 2007, the Owens shared their vision to establish an endowed scholarship in remembrance of the victims, and out of that desire grew the vision for the endowment fund. After months of research, planning and organization by the Owens, Herb Higginbotham, Tim Howland, and the 2007-08 Alpha Rho Alumni Advisory Board, the Alpha Rho Chapter Endowment Fund was officially chartered in late October 2007, becoming the first Chapter level endowment established with the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation.
Contents
About the Fund
The Alpha Rho Chapter Endowment Fund is managed by the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation. The usage of the endowment is closely monitored and managed by a Board of Trustees composed of Alpha Rho Alumni who span a broad range of the Chapter's history.
At the time the Endowment Fund was chartered on October 27, 2007, the Board of Trustees created an initial Fund Goal of $100,000 within 10 years. As of Spring 2009, the Endowment crossed the $20,000 threshold, making it officially endowed, and by the end of the year, the Endowment had exceeded $25,000.
Vision of the Fund
The intent of the Alpha Rho Chapter Endowment is to fund scholarships and eventually other programming for Alpha Rho Chapter. The initial usage of the funds will be as follows:
4/16/07 Memorial Scholarship - An annual scholarship in memory of the 32 victims of April 16th is awarded each spring to an Alpha Rho Brother who exemplifies the spirit of the University's motto Ut Prosim - That I May Serve. The initial scholarship was awarded in April 2008 in the amount of $1,416.32, with the amount serving as a tribute to the date and victims of the tragedy.
See also: List of 4/16/07 Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Erin N. Peterson New Brother Grant - This grant program is in honor of Erin Peterson, who was among the victims of April 16th. Erin was tragically killed after completing all membership requirements, just days before her scheduled induction. In recognition that each and every new Brother is cherished, this grant program will fund national dues for each Alpha Rho Brother in his/her first semester as a Brother. The grant program was started for the Fall 2010, paying for national dues from the Spring 2010 Alpha Nu Initiate Class.
As the fund grows in size, additional uses for the fund will be determined at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, in communication with Alpha Rho Chapter.
Board of Trustees
Oversight for the Endowment is provided by a Board of Trustees composed of five members/couples. The current Board of Trustees was installed on January 1, 2010 and will serve until December 31, 2011:
See also: List of Alpha Rho Chapter Endowment Fund Board of Trustees
Notable Campaign Drives
April 16, 2009
On the two year anniversary of the April 16th tragedy, the Endowment held a one day fund drive with a goal of 416 donors making a donation of $5 or more. The e-campaign was entirely run through Facebook, with actual one day results totaling 64 donors and $3,370 in donations. This represented the highest one day donation total in the history of the fund.
18th Founder's Day
In the month leading up to Alpha Rho's 18th Founder's Day on November 3, 2009, the Endowment held a fund drive with a goal of 195 donors making a donation of $5 or more. The goal of 195 was symbolic in that it equaled the number of founding members of the Chapter. The e-campaign was run through Facebook and email, with actual results totaling 50 donors and $1,991 in donations.
April 16, 2010
On the third anniversary of the April 16th tragedy, the Endowment held a one day fund drive with a goal of $5,000 in order to begin funding the Erin N. Peterson New Brother Grant in the Fall 2010 semester. The drive was advertised via Facebook and the National Listserves, and to further encourage donations, an Alpha Rho alum pledged to match $5 per unique donor. The campaign was a huge success, receiving 94 donations. Including the pledge match, the campaign raised $9,029, far surpassing its goal and establishing it as one of the most successful fundraisers in fraternity history.
Further Resources
