2025 Alumnae Excellence Award Winners
Excellence in Alumnae Engagement
Small Club: Edmond, Oklahoma, Alumnae Club
The Edmond, Oklahoma, Alumnae Club cultivated an environment where every alumna feels a sense of belonging. From hosting high-visibility traditional events such as Founders’ Day and the annual ornament exchange, to smaller Special Interest Groups (SIG) which offered low-pressure, social-first environments for busy professionals, the alumnae club saw a marked increase in participation from “lost” alumnae who found a unique niche which fit their schedule and interests. The club also implemented the Angel Welcome protocol, where every newcomer was personally greeted, introduced to club leadership and paired with a SIG Ambassador who invited them to smaller group gatherings. This strategy successfully bridged the gap between first-time attendees and active club members.
Large Club: Atlanta, Georgia, Alumnae Club
With a spirit of openness and creativity, the Atlanta, Georgia, Alumnae Club prioritized outreach to graduating seniors across the Southeast and invited them to their fall kickoff meeting. The Vice President of Membership launched the Engaging Angels committee to personally welcome alumnae who were new, or returning, to the club. These efforts resulted in a 40% increase in dues-paying members. To expand opportunities for connection, a new young alumnae group hosted coffee and happy hours, while a monthly lunch bunch alternated every other month with Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae. The book club remained a cornerstone of engagement for the 19th year in a row. Dining Divas offered small-group dining experiences, while the Trivia and Active Angel groups provided additional engagement options.
Excellence in Fun & Friendship
Small Club: Manchester Area, Connecticut, Alumnae Club
Through thoughtfully planned social outings and intentional communication, the Manchester Area, Connecticut, Alumnae Club revitalized engagement and strengthened bonds among members, both new and returning. The club attended sports-related social events including a Yard Goats baseball game and a University of Connecticut basketball game where members traveled from all over. The spirit of fun and friendship was most evident at the club’s Angels and Arrow exchange, with 18 of the club’s 23 members in attendance. Monthly e-newsletters allowed members to connect on a deeper, more personal level, and the club shared content across social media, leading to additional Pi Phis outside the roster area requesting to join the club. By consistently sharing photos of events and highlighting the joy of time spent together—often alongside members’ children at kid-friendly events, the club showed Pi Phi sisterhood is inclusive, vibrant and full of fun!
Large Club: Nation’s Capital-D.C. Alumnae Club
Rather than simply hosting events, the Nation’s Capital-D.C. Alumnae Club focused on creating joyful, low-pressure spaces where members could relax, laugh and connect with one another. With more than 20 events throughout the year, the most successful gatherings were game nights, holiday parties and dinners hosted in members’ homes. What started as a casual evening of snacks and board games evolved into a series of in-home game nights which quickly became a favorite tradition. The Wine & Dine interest group continued to flourish with quarterly dinners exploring D.C’s restaurant scene, and spontaneous concerts, local events and pop-up experiences became a new way to connect. Several recent graduates who attended their first Founders’ Day this year are now among the most consistent attendees—even stepping into leadership roles.
Excellence in Lifelong Commitment
Small Club: Colorado Springs, Colorado, Alumnae Club
The Colorado Springs, Colorado, Alumnae Club intentionally engages members at every stage of alumnae life—from graduating seniors to Diamond Arrow members. Each year, the club hosts Founders' Day with the Colorado Epsilon Chapter, during which graduating seniors are recognized in a presentation and given a gift. Graduates are also invited to alumnae events following graduation and provided with interest group information, while young alumnae are welcomed through targeted, accessible programming. Events such as the late-summer dinner and miniature golf created relaxed environments where young alumnae built relationships with older members and interest groups such as Dining Divas, Moonlight Angels and evening book club continued to provide engagement for working professionals. The club also formally recognized milestone anniversaries by honoring Silver, Golden and Diamond Arrow members at Founders' Day, affirming the importance of continued involvement and commitment to Pi Beta Phi.
Large Club: Phoenix, Arizona, Alumnae Club
The Phoenix, Arizona, Alumnae Club engaged their diverse membership through formal and informal programming that fostered connection, service, leadership and lifelong sisterhood across all ages and stages. Each year, the club travels to the Arizona Gamma Chapter to support recruitment and attend the chapter’s Founders’ Day celebration. The club also attends Arizona Beta’s annual senior tea, where graduating seniors learn about the club’s activities, leadership opportunities, mentorship and community. These outreach efforts have directly increased young alumnae membership, with 36 members having graduated in the last 15 years. The club maintains a young alumnae interest group, hosts a Golden Arrow interest group and launched new groups to remain relevant this year including Mahjong, pickleball and young moms. Many members of the alumnae club join early, remain involved for decades, mentor young sisters, volunteer, assume leadership roles and continue to create a welcoming environment where every member feels valued and supported.
Excellence in Community Service (Non-Literacy)
Small Club: Glen Ellyn-Wheaton, Illinois, Alumnae Club
The Glen Ellyn-Wheaton, Illinois, Alumnae Club is committed to improving the well-being of their community through hands-on service and meaningful partnerships. This year, the club raised funds through their spring flower fundraiser and fall mum sale to donate to the Glen House Food Pantry and the People’s Resource Center. The club also purchased supplies and assembled more than 30 “Birthday Bags”, including cake mix, frosting, candles and party supplies for pantry clients. Many members from the club volunteer regularly at the Glen House Food Pantry, the People’s Resource Center and other local organizations.
Large Club: Nashville, Tennessee, Alumnae Club
The Nashville, Tennessee, Alumnae Club has supported and ran the Christmas Village, a four-day consumer show including 250 merchants and more than 33,000 shoppers, for the last 64 years. During the 2025 Village, more than 125 Pi Phi alumnae and nearly 80 Tennessee Betas logged more than 600 volunteer hours. This year, the club raised more than $770,000 at Christmas Village. Proceeds from Christmas Village support members from the Tennessee Beta Chapter with financial aid, as well as contribute to the Bill Wilkerson Center of Vanderbilt, including the Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute, assisting patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries. The proceeds from Christmas Village also support the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, providing arts outreach programs to schools in underprivileged areas in Appalachia and scholarships for aspiring artists.
Excellence in Literacy Initiatives
Small Club: Arrowhead-West Phoenix, Arizona, Alumnae Club
The Arrowhead–West Phoenix, Arizona, Alumnae Club continues to advance Pi Beta Phi's literacy initiatives through donations, hands-on service and community advocacy. Over the summer, members collected 100 children’s books with an intentional focus on Spanish-language and bilingual titles to reflect the needs of the community. Throughout the year, the club participated in literacy-focused events and book donations, distributing thousands of books to children in need and volunteering with A Mighty Change of Heart to create a special reading nook for children in foster care. The club continues to maintain and stock their five Little Free Libraries and is looking to install additional libraries for younger children and those with differing abilities.
Large Club: Richmond, Virginia, Alumnae Club
The Richmond, Virginia, Alumnae Club consistently provides donations to The Literacy Fund at Pi Beta Phi Foundation, while also supporting The Elizabeth Kates Foundation, created in 1942 by Pennsylvania Beta Elizabeth M. Kates. This small, volunteer organization helps thousands of incarcerated women in Virginia to improve their chances of a successful return to the community. Club members are active board members, contribute financially to the scholarship program and manage the Kates’ Readers book club. Through a Pi Beta Phi Literacy Grant, the alumnae club was also able to support the Chesterfield Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Program, allowing this underprivileged region to purchase 465 books in Spanish and English, and donated $500 to Woodville Elementary, allowing them to purchase books for each child.
Published May 26, 2026