Phis Join Other Women From Mizzou at the Griffiths Society Conference in Columbia

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Omicron

In 2005, the Mizzou Alumni Association created the Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, a subgroup of the MAA devoted to lifelong learning, leadership development and mentoring. Membership is open to both current students and alumnae, and each student member is paired with an alum that shares a common bond, whether it’s a common field of business, a shared hometown, or even a familiar need to balance work and life.

In October, younger members like new alum Kelsey Kotur ’07 and current Mizzou student Sydney Ferleger ’09 got to mingle with and learn from older alumnae like Val Lawlor ’71 and Susan Chaffin Matthews ’69 at the Griffiths Society Fall Conference. The two-day session encouraged mentees and mentors to bond at breakfasts and dinners while organizing presentations on such topics as breaking the glass ceiling, women in science and politics, and establishing yourself as a brand.

Alpha Phis at the Griffiths Society Fall Conference in October 2011.

Val Lawlor '71, Kelsey Kotur '07, Sydney Ferleger '09, and Susan Chaffin Matthews '69 at the conference in October.

Kelsey has been a member of the organization since 2009 and says that each mentor she’s met through the program has been both inspiring and encouraging. She says, “I’ve met many empowering women and feel more confident as a graduate student [in the M.B.A. program at Mizzou] transitioning into full-time employment.”

Older alumnae enjoy connecting with promising young women at the University. Val has been a part of the Griffiths Society since its inception in 2005 and notes that she’s always enjoyed the programs at the conferences, “but it’s the relationships that really make Griffiths meaningful for me.”

Although the group limits its alumnae membership to 250 members at any given time, Omicron can be proud to count many women among its members. Here are a few of the Alpha Phis that have been initiated into the Society:

Susan Chaffin Matthews ’69	Monica Tenorio Lakin ’94
Janice Silverstein Rifkin ’78	Teresa Tenorio Walsh ’96
Robin Shapiro ’84	Lauren Ferrise ’08
Gema Tenorio Simmons, MD ’91	Jordan Olivier ’08
Elizabeth Tenorio Davis ’92	Sydney Ferleger ’09 (student member)
Joanna Russell Bliss ’92

To learn more about the Griffiths Society or to inquire about membership, you can visit their website at www.griffithsleadershipsociety.com.

AΦ 101: The Women of Omicron’s 101st Pledge Class

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Omicron

Mallory Smith

Hometown: Greenville, IL

Major: Journalism

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: Unbelievable excitement!

Favorite Movie: You’ve Got Mail

Two Interesting Facts About Mallory:

She can quote the entire movie Christmas Vacation.

She has snow skied since she was two.

Brittany Speckhart

Hometown: Quincy, IL

Major: Journalism

What event are you most looking forward to this year?: Ace of Hearts, and the Poker Tournament

Favorite Movie: Mean Girls

Two Interesting Facts About Brittany:

She went to Payson-Seymour High School and had thirty-two kids in her graduating class.

She wants to study abroad in London or Paris sometime during her time at Mizzou.

Alyssa Strickland

Hometown: Bartlett, IL

Major: Broadcast Journalism

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: It was my first choice, so I was very excited!

Favorite Movie: Despicable Me

Two Interesting Facts About Alyssa:

She is afraid of elevators.

She is obsessed with soup.

Alex Sturma

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Major: Textile & Apparel Management

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: Jumped up and down!

Favorite Movie: The Notebook

Two Interesting Facts About Alex:

She got her foot run over by a car with flip flops on.

She is a shopaholic.

Abbey Theban

Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Major: Strategic Communications

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: Whoa, baby!

Favorite Movie: She’s the Man

Two Interesting Facts About Abbey:

Spaghetti-o’s are her comfort food.

She is allergic to corn.

Emy Theodorakis

Hometown: Glenview, IL

Major: Journalism

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: Screamed.. was so excited!

Favorite Movie: Mean Girls

Two Interesting Facts About Emy:

She is Greek and spends her summers in Greece.

She has the cutest dog in the world named Sonny.

Cat Thompson

Hometown: Lake St. Louis, MO

Major: Nursing

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: Extremely excited!

Favorite Movie: Fox and the Hound

Two Interesting Facts About Cat:

She likes showering in the dark.

She used to have a three-legged cat named Blacky.

Fabulous Phi of the Week: Abbey Theban

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Omicron

This week, we would like to spotlight new member Abbey Theban as our Fabulous Phi of the Week! While many take time to adjust to college, Abbey has already made an impact here at Mizzou. She is always seen with a smile on her face and truly embodies the ideals of Alpha Phi. Keep up the good work, Abbey!

Hometown: Tulsa, OK

Major: Journalism

Campus Involvement: Writer & Photographer for Her Campus Mizzou, member of Alpha Phi’s slating committee.

Words of Wisdom: Don’t take a single day for granted. Life is an adventure so what’s better than an adventure with sisters by your side? Live it up. But most of all, live it up with each other. Make memories & have a blast!

Random Facts: Spaghetti O’s are my comfort food. Porcupines can float in water. My biggest pet peeve is when people’s socks don’t match.

Favorite Moment as an APhi: Every heart-to-heart conversation, random sing-a-long session, and inside jokes during fun nights I’ve had with my sisters.

AΦ 101: The Women of Omicron’s 101st Pledge Class

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Omicron

Emma Reynolds

Hometown: Delafield, WI

Major: Journalism

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: Excited and surprised!

Favorite Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Two Interesting Facts About Emma:

She hasn’t has Christmas in the US in ten years.

She can wiggle her ears.

Renee Ribolzi

Hometown: Columbia, IL (next to St. Louis)

Major: Undecided Healthcare

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: Ecstatic!

Favorite Movie: Mean Girls

Two Interesting Facts About Renee:

She hates seafood.

She is obsessed with shopping; she feels like she always needs new clothes.

Kim Ring

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Major: Undecided

What event are you most looking forward to this year?: Greek Week!

Favorite Movie: Anchorman

Two Interesting Facts About Kim:

Her favorite color is glitter.

Belly buttons freak her out.

Melanie Saunders

Hometown: Fenton, MO

Major: Business

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: I was so excited to be a part of the Alpha Phi family!

Favorite Movie: Elf

Two Interesting Facts About Melanie:

Her favorite candy is Skittles.

She has been swimming with dolphins in Mexico.

Megan Schaefer

Hometown: Florissant, MO

Major: Nursing

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: I was so happy, you girls were my first pick!

Favorite Movie: Father of the Bride

Two Interesting Facts About Megan:

She is a dancer.

She loves to shop.

Ellen Sherman

Hometown: Blue Springs, MO

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: These girls are hilarious, I can’t wait to join!

Favorite Movie: Anchorman, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Horrible Bosses

Two Interesting Facts About Ellen:

She has an intense tear duct; she cries at everything, happy or sad.

One of her eyes is higher than the other so she turns her head to the left constantly.

Stephanie (Bella) Smart

Hometown: Downers Grove, IL

Major: Journalism

First reaction when you found out you were an Alpha Phi: Thrilled!

Favorite Movie: The Little Mermaid

Two Interesting Facts About Bella:

She can shower in under five minutes.

She doesn’t like writing in pencil.

The Legacy of Alpha Phi: Nicole Clark ’96

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Omicron

My grandmother, aunt, and two cousins were all Alpha Phi’s in the Omicron chapter before me, so I grew up with talk about the house. My aunt was the president of the house corporation board through my teenage years, and holidays included lots of talk about the current trials and triumphs of the chapter. I grew up listening to my family discuss memories of the house, and my aunt took me on a visit when I was in high school. It is easy for someplace to feel like home when you see family members in pictures on the wall.

Nicole, left, at the initiation of her little sister, Megan Clark ’03, with her grandmother Isabelle Napier Clark '34 , and other Phi family members Ann Clark Gafke '57, Marcia Gafke '84, and Marilynn Schellert Gafke ’89.

The impact of the house hit me as soon as I walked into the house each time. The bench that was in the hallway when I was an active in the chapter was the same bench that my grandfather would sit on to wait for dates with my grandmother when she was president of the chapter in 1936.

I sort of just accepted all of that history, and it was second nature that the connection was there between the house and my family and me. I never fully appreciated how special that bond was until my younger sister pledged, making her the sixth member of our family to be an Alpha Phi in Omicron chapter. Watching my grandmother pin her at initiation was very special.

This past year, my grandmother Isabelle Napier Clark, passed away at the age of 96. In her albums, I found a few photos of the house and her time in college, and it reminded me of our shared past and the memories we shared of the chapter in our respective eras.

I know it sounds pretty cheesy, but for me the ivy has always been a special symbol and I think of it connecting me with my sisters in the house, but even more so, I picture in my mind the ivy climbing up a wall, connecting the generations. My connection with family and with Omicron chapter will always be intertwined.

Fabulous Phi of the Week: Lauren Walker

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Omicron

This week, we would like to spotlight Lauren Walker (’08), who recently cheered for the last time at Farout Field. She has been extremely dedicated to both Omicron and Mizzou’s cheerleading program since her freshman year. We are so proud of Lauren for all of her hard work!

Hometown: Liberty, MO

Major: Audiology

Campus Involvement: Alpha Phi, Mizzou Cheerleading & campus test proctor.

Words of Wisdom: Get your schoolwork done early in the day so you can relax each night or be with friends- let yourself have fun!

Random Facts: I’m a horrible driver, I’m addicted to dark chocolate and I’m definitely a shopaholic!

Favorite Moment as an APhi: Moving into the house sophomore year- I’ve now lived with that roommate for 3 perfect years.

Favorite Cheerleading Memory: On the 14 hour bus trip home from the Baylor game this year, the cheerleaders, equipment staff and trainers ended up having a dance & karaoke party for the first two hours!

The Alpha Phi Creed

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Omicron

As we approach Thanksgiving next week, be thankful for the friendships formed through Alpha Phi. Friendships formed in the springtime of your youth can take you far throughout your life.

The Alpha Phi Crest

I believe in my Fraternity.

I believe in the friendships formed
in the springtime of my youth.

I believe in its high ideals
which lift me up beyond myself.

I believe in its earnest drive for good scholarship,
moral character, and genuine culture.

I believe in it as a shrine of
international sisterhood wherein
I may find love and loyalty,
sympathy and understanding, inspiration
and opportunity.

I believe in it as a creator of good citizenship,
helping me to do my work well,
to live in harmony with others, and
to serve my country and to trust in God.

I believe in my Fraternity.
I believe in Alpha Phi.

— Annette Holt Hitchcock, (Pi – North Dakota) 1912

Fabulous Phi of the Week: Tori Stepanek

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Omicron

Tori Stepanek (’10) is our Fabulous Phi of the Week! Since joining Alpha Phi last fall, Tori has taken it upon herself to attend almost all chapter events and has taken multiple positions in the house. She has put her previous singing and acting talents to use in various skits, and recently placed 2nd while singing in a Greek-wide competition with Caitlin Downs (’10). Keep up the hard work, Tori!

Hometown: St. Peters, MO

Major: Atmospheric Science (Meteorology)

Campus Involvement: Alpha Phi Director of Alumni Relations, Assistant Skit Director, & recruitment assistant party day head. Mizzou Meteorology Club, KOMU Weather Intern, & works at Pacific Beach Tan.

Random Facts: I have performed at the Muny. I’m obsessed with energy drinks. My favorite movie is Phantom of the Opera.

Favorite Moment as an APhi: Being able to be pinned at Initation by both my real mom and pledge mom!!

Initiation 2011

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Omicron

On Sunday, November 6, Omicron initiated 89 new members into Alpha Phi. This was the 101st pledge class to be initiated into Alpha Phi at Mizzou! Prior to initiation, the New Members and their Bigs completed two other ceremonies- the Flower Ceremony and Court of Ivy.

Bigs play a very important role in guiding the new member through the process and are eventually the ones who pin them for the first time after they are initiated. After the ceremony on Sunday, pledge families returned to the house to give a basket of gifts to their new little. Initiation baskets often include monogramed blankets, dorm decorations, a paddle and lavalier, as well as an envelope full of letters from older members.

Many pledge families went to dinner or out for ice cream afterwards to continue bonding. Initiated and new members alike enjoy the rituals of Initiation Week as they serve as a reminder of the cherished history and values that Alpha Phi was founded upon. Alpha Phi would like to thank the parents and alumnae who attended initiation or sent flowers to their newly initiated daughter. Most importantly, congratulations to the 101st pledge class of Omicron!

Phi Selected for Greek Week Steering Committee

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Omicron

Nora Baker (’08) was recently selected for the 2012 Greek Week Steering Committee! After a very competitive application and interview process, the tri-directors selected roughly 30 Mizzou Greeks to plan next semester’s events. Contrary to its name, Greek Week is a three week period in which fraternities and sororities participate in various events highlighting the talents of the community. Last year, Greek Week raised over $145,000 for 14 beneficiaries. Greeks also completed 3,300 community service hours and collected over 27,000 pounds of food. With the addition of Nora to this steering committee, Alpha Phi has been represented on all five major steering committees for the 2011-2012 school year!