Chris Giza, Kansas Beta, United States Navy

Raised overseas by a U.S. Army veteran and parents who later worked for the U.S. Department of State, Chris Giza grew up immersed in a culture of service and global perspective. After attending nine schools across multiple countries, she arrived at Kansas State University (K-State) with a dream of becoming a  veterinarian. 

Chris initially hadn’t planned on joining a sorority, but during recruitment, she felt a special connection to the Kansas Beta Chapter. “Every woman I spoke with made me feel comfortable, and each person felt like someone I’d enjoy being around on a regular basis,” she says. 

That sense of belonging became especially important when her plans began to change. Soon after starting classes, Chris realized she wouldn’t be able to pursue veterinary school as she had hoped. “I was devastated and lost,” she says. “Had it not been for my Pi Phi sisters who provided emotional support, I may not have finished school.”  

After graduation, Chris felt the same call to serve that had shaped her family’s legacy. She became one of the first women to attend Navy pilot training, ultimately serving more than 20 years as a Naval Aviator. “The values that attracted me to Pi Phi—Integrity, Lifelong Commitment, Honor and Respect—easily translated to many successes during my military service,” Chris says. 

One of her most cherished memories is her “winging” ceremony, when her father pinned on her gold Navy wings. It marked the beginning of an aviation career she considers her true calling. “There was never a day I couldn’t wait to get in the airplane and discover whatever adventure life would hold for me that day,” Chris says. 

Even decades later, Chris still credits Pi Phi with shaping her path. “Much like recruitment in 1968, on paper I don’t have a lot in common with my Pi Phi sisters—except the core values that draw us together and provide a bond that years and miles do nothing to diminish,” she says. This summer, she’ll return to K-State for a reunion with Pi Phi sisters, some she hasn’t seen in more than 50 years. 

Published May 1, 2026