Difference between revisions of "Beta Alpha Chapter"

From PhiSigmaPiWiki
(added Magiera family)
m
Line 181: Line 181:
 
   | colspan=1 align=center style="background:lightgray;border:1px solid gray;"|
 
   | colspan=1 align=center style="background:lightgray;border:1px solid gray;"|
 
|}
 
|}
 +
  
 
{|  style="border-collapse:collapse;background:white;" cellpadding=5px align=center width=70%
 
{|  style="border-collapse:collapse;background:white;" cellpadding=5px align=center width=70%

Revision as of 14:43, 10 March 2009

Beta Alpha Chapter (Founded 30 September 1992) is located at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Chapter was founded when 104 members were inducted into the fraternity. Beta Alpha is a member of the Great Lakes Region.

Chapter History

Founding

Phi Sigma Pi came to the University of Michigan in 1992 when all students who were eligible for membership were sent letters and invited to a "Meet Phi Sigma Pi Night." At the next meeting, they wrote the constitution and on September 30, the Beta Alpha Chapter was formed when 104 people were initiated into the fraternity.

Early Years

In its first few years, the chapter was extremely successful. Some of the first year highlights were a toy run for Toys for Tots, a food drive, Habitat for Humanity, and a Founders Day dance with Alpha Phi at (Eastern Michigan University). The second term of the first year saw seven newly inducted members.

The second year Beta Alpha initiated thirteen people at fall rush and one person during winter rush. That year the chapter handed out its first chapter awards to the most dedicated, most enthusiastic, and most outstanding leaders. Some of the highlights from that year were BA's first formal at the Heidleberg, ushering for the Honors Convocation, Habitat for Humanity, children's parties at Motts Children's Hospital, reading for the blind, happy hour at Touchdown Cafe, Founders Day dance, chocolate rose sale for Valentine's Day, and intermural basketball. That year the Chapter was honored by receiving Project Serve's Service Organization Award.

The third year, 1994-1995, Beta Alpha initiated about twenty-five people at both Fall and Winter Rush. That year the Chapter continued its dedication to community service by volunteering at the Humane society and the American Cancer Society.

In 1995-1996, Beta Alpha initiated eight members. Some of its first semester highlights were a Bowl-A-Thon, weekly happy hours at area coffee shops, Nectarine night, comedy night, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, and Semi-Formal which was held in the Michigan Union. Second semester, Beta Alpha initiated about thirty new members.

Unfortunately, at the beginning of the 21st century, Beta Alpha headed downhill. Its membership decreased to a meager 10 members, and event planning slowed to a halt. The chapter was dangerously close to dying out completely. Fortunately, due to a great group of extremely motivated brothers (among those: Yuliya Polyachenko, Monica Magiera, Megan Eaton, Claire Montana and Sarah Roffman), the chapter gathered the energy and strength to keep itself alive. It went through a large restructuring effort, including a revamp of the initiation program, and a huge rush and PR effort,

The Active Chapter

The current chapter is doing extremely well. In the last two years, the chapter has shown a complete turn around and is now moving forward with renewed momentum, great ideas, and enthusiastic new members.

At the August 2007 National Convention in New Orleans, Beta Alpha received three National Awards: the Steven A. DiGuiseppe Administrative Award, the Sanders P. McComsey Most Improved Old Chapter Award, and the Top in Region Award for the Great Lakes Region.

Among the chapter's 2007-2008 events and accomplishments:

  • First year with both the Public Relations and Alumni Committees.
  • The Membership Development Committee converted to the Scholarship Committee.
  • First-ever Semi-Formal at the Michigan League.
  • Off-campus Formal at Reddeman Farms Country Club.
  • Participated in the second-ever campus-wide Professional Week, featuring fund-raisers, tournaments, a powderpuff game, and the Mr. Professional Pageant won by Phi Sigma Pi Brother.
  • Held a 5K Walk/Run at Gallup Park, benefiting the student organization UMStars, a contributor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
  • Raised funds by conducting Crisler Arena clean-ups.
  • Tailgates with Eastern Michigan and Michigan State Chapters.

As of Fall 2008, Beta Alpha Chapter has 33 active Brothers with 11 initiates on the way, and progress has already been made:

  • The Service and Social Committees, following Scholarship's lead last semester, have been re-termed the Leadership and Fellowship Committees, respectively.
  • Intramural Sports are now one method of further fostering fellowship, and the Chapter aims to play in as many Co-Recreational leagues as possible.
  • Two large-scale fundraisers have already been conducted, one being with Target and the other with Cedar Point.
  • The Scholarship Committee held an event in which Brothers learned how to best survive in the wild.

In the next year, Beta Alpha is planning to involve itself more with Teach For America by holding a black tie charity gala, from which all proceeds will be donated to Teach For America. Beta Alpha also aims to involve itself further with other Phi Sigma Pi Chapters, as well as other student organizations on the University of Michigan campus.

Beta Alpha is extremely excited to continue forward and make itself even stronger, with many more large and significant events already planned.

Executive Board & Committee Chairs

Past Chapter Presidents

Big/Little Family Trees

Eaton Family
Megan Eaton
Sarah Roffman Michelle Morath Jessica Ordonez Erin Pianelli
Dana Harlan Tristan Layfield (inactive) Moustafa Moustafa (inactive) Jamie O'Malley Tanya Nikam
Christine Altermatt Richard Fernandez Scott Ambers Muyanwi Lum
Rachel Fletcher Adam McFarland Elise Woznicki Ayanna Gouch


O'Brien Family
Michelle O'Brien
Allie Davido
George Jensen Matt Gray
SheShe He Sarah Frankel
Christine Belzyt


Masters Family
Jeni Masters
Melissa Wieman
Chris Welch Jon Adams Jennifer Hartsell
Hailey Mcdonald Justin Bonebrake
Mark Yang
Tamar Shrikian David Fuller
Kelly Roy Sam Greenberg


Montana Family
Claire Montana
Leigha Chang Christina Spallina
Chantal Cotton Zach Rable
Alice Liu Jeff Kendall
Kerry Traub Andrew Delikat-Hinze
Andy Cipa


Magiera Family
Monica Magiera
Emily Vogel
Kimberly Hack Melanie Neumeyer
Sara Stevenson Erika Branch

Initiate Classes

Main Article: List of Beta Alpha Chapter Initiate Classes

Chapter Events & Activities

Founder's Weekend

Beta Alpha is hosting its 1st Annual Founder's Weekend event on Sunday, February 15th, 2009. The event will celebrate Big/Little family trees, and will be called 'Family Olympics'.

Families will be broken up into teams, given team colors, and will compete in a series of events, such as pie eating contests, relay races and team pride.

Alums of Beta Alpha are encouraged to attend, and IC teams are also welcome!

Check out the Family Olympics promotion video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip13TRwfl9k

'Easy as Pi' 5K Run/Walk

On Saturday, March 15th, 2008 Beta Alpha hosted its 4th Annual 5K ‘Easy as Pi’ Walk/Run! Over $2000 in proceeds from this event were donated to the Ann Arbor Make-A-Wish Foundation.

At this event, not only did Beta Alpha recruit nearly 100 runners and walkers, but they also had almost 40 volunteers! They plan on continuing to develop this event and are looking forward to their 5th Annual 'Easy as Pi' Walk/Run in Spring 2009 (date TBA).

Beta Alpha wants to take this opportunity to invite you and everyone you know to this event. There will be snacks, refreshments, t-shirts, and prizes for first place runner and raffle winners. Of course, all proceeds will again be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Registration information is available on the Beta Alpha website. The $20 registration fee ($15 if you register and submit payment online prior to the event date) includes a t-shirt (as available) and your donation to Make-A-Wish. All participants who submit registration forms before race day are guaranteed t-shirts. All other shirts will go on a first come, first serve basis.

For those unable to attend this event, personal donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Please visit the contacts section of the Beta Alpha website for more information. For a donation of $75 or more, your family will be listed as a sponsor on the official 5K t-shirt and on publicity materials!

Other Event or Activity

This activity is...

Notable Alumni

  • Name (Chapter year)
Founding Member
  • Name (Chapter year)
DSK year
  • Name (Chapter year)
Office Held (year-year)


Chapter Honors and Awards

National Awards

University Awards

  • Project Serve's Service Organization Award, 1994

Other Awards

  • year AwardName
  • None to date

Further Resources

Retrieved from "https://wiki.phisigmapi.org/pspwiki/index.php?title=Beta_Alpha_Chapter&oldid=27739"