2024 Alumnae Excellence Award Winners
Excellence in Alumnae Engagement
Small: Glen Ellyn-Wheaton, Illinois, Alumnae Club
The Glen Ellyn-Wheaton, Illinois, Alumnae Club encouraged alumnae engagement through personalized outreach, varied programming and inclusive opportunities for connection. New collegians in the area received handwritten cards and small gifts, while recent graduates were invited to participate in club events such as a taco fiesta. The club offered educational sessions, community service projects and social gatherings to appeal to a wide range of interests. Members also connected through two interest groups: Angel Corps and Book Babes. The club’s “Share the Spirit” fundraiser supported the People's Resource Center and brought members together in a shared philanthropic effort.
Large: Nations Capital-D.C. Alumnae Club
Diverse programming, consistent communication and inclusive experiences helped the Nation’s Capital-D.C. Alumnae Club foster alumnae engagement. Members connected through signature events, casual “mingles” across Washington, D.C., and interest groups such as Wine & Dine and the Bordeaux & Books book club. “Angel Spotlight” features in the club’s weekly digests introduced members to one another and celebrated lifelong sisterhood. The club’s outreach included personalized invitations to signature events, an active social media presence and a regular newsletter. Their partnership with Everybody Wins DC (EWDC), and their role in helping EWDC be selected for a Pi Phi Literacy Grant reflected the club’s commitment to impactful alumnae engagement.
Excellence in Fun & Friendship
Small:Arrowhead West-Phoenix, Arizona, Alumnae Club
The Arrowhead West-Phoenix, Arizona, Alumnae Club made fun and Sincere Friendship central to its programming through engaging traditions and opportunities for connection. A first-ever leadership retreat used personality tests and goal setting to help club leaders strengthen bonds with other members. Interactive activities at club meetings encouraged connection, including a birthplace lineup that sparked conversation—especially when members discovered two sisters had both been born in Germany. New members are welcomed and introduced to interest groups by leaders wearing themed headbands, making connection easy and approachable. The club also rallied around several members facing personal loss, offering meals, calls and companionship.
Large: Richardson-Plano, Texas, Alumnae Club
The Richardson-Plano, Texas, Alumnae Club celebrated its 60th anniversary with a yearlong “Friendship True” theme through creative and inclusive programming. Monthly “Birthday Burgers” gatherings offered personalized birthday celebrations, playful traditions and flexible scheduling to connect members of all ages. Club meetings with themes such as “Galentines & Best Friends Forever,” “Friendship Fiesta” and “Cheers to 60 Years” fostered excitement and camaraderie. A new “Cares and Concerns” feature in the club’s Member Engagement Memo kept members connected through life’s challenges. When a member was the victim of a hit and run accident, the club sprang into action with an outpouring of love, support and meals as she recovered.
Excellence in Lifelong Commitment
Small: Arrowhead West-Phoenix, Arizona, Alumnae Club
By engaging members across generations, the Arrowhead West-Phoenix, Arizona, Alumnae Club demonstrated a commitment to lifelong sisterhood. Young alumnae were welcomed to the club through direct outreach and flexible programming. Collegians were invited to join many annual traditions such as the Bear Hugs Luncheon and Founders’ Day, fostering connections with alumnae. The club’s tech support initiative paired tech-savvy members with those needing help navigating digital tools—bridging generational gaps and promoting inclusion. Members’ 10- and 65-year anniversaries were honored with personalized poems and gifts to celebrate their lifelong dedication to Pi Phi.
Large: Seattle, Washington, Alumnae Club
The Seattle, Washington, Alumnae Club strengthened bonds across all stages of membership. The club hosted a career networking event for seniors at Washington Gamma and joined the Washington Alpha Chapter for Founders’ Day brunch. Young alumnae received discounted dues and invitations to interest group activities like symphony outings, happy hours and hikes. Golden Arrows were celebrated at the annual “Tea Time” event, while traditions such as “Cookie Shine and Wine” and the 25-year running Angel Brunch united members of all generations in fun and tradition.
Excellence in Community Service (Non-Literacy)
Small: Cypress Creek-Northwest Houston, Texas, Alumnae Club
The Cypress Creek-Northwest Houston, Texas, Alumnae Club fostered a commitment to community service through impactful service projects. Members assembled 450 Thanksgiving food boxes and wrapped 450 holiday gifts for local students in partnership with Bundles of Hope. Through Crafting for a Cause, members created 45 baby blankets for CareNet Pregnancy Center, raising funds for both new mothers and Pi Beta Phi Foundation. Nearly half the club supported a Panhellenic Bingo night, raising $6,000 in scholarships for collegians. Members wore custom Pi Phi shirts at each event, showing unity and pride in their efforts.
Large: Richardson-Plano, Texas, Alumnae Club
The Richardson-Plano, Texas, Alumnae Club strengthened its community ties through a mix of long-standing traditions and new service initiatives. Members decorated Christmas trees at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital for the 32nd year in Dallas and the 6th year in Frisco, contributing 43 hours in total to brighten the season for pediatric patients. The club also collected more than 450 hygiene items and donated $250 to Refresh North Texas to support local children in need. And in honor of its 60th anniversary, the club gifted $5,000 to the Richardson Adult Literacy Center to fund workforce readiness and ESL programs for adult learners.
Excellence in Literacy Initiatives
Small: Greenville, South Carolina, Alumnae Club
The Greenville, South Carolina, Alumnae Club expanded its literacy impact through hands-on service and strategic partnerships. Over the past year, the club donated 479 books to a rural book fair in coordination with South Carolina Beta and provided 200 new books at Lakeside Elementary’s Family Literacy Night. Members also began tutoring students, supporting classrooms with personalized book donations and nominating Forest Elementary for a Pi Beta Phi Literacy Grant. With ongoing efforts such as book drives, volunteer reading and curriculum-aligned support, the club is working to promote literacy in its community.
Large: Bostonian, Massachusetts, Alumnae Club
The Bostonian, Massachusetts, Alumnae Club launched a long-term partnership with the Elizabeth Peabody House to establish a lending library serving low-income children in Somerville, Massachusetts. Members scanned and catalogued nearly 4,000 books during “Scan-a-Thon" events, “Books and Brews” socials and drop-in work sessions. They helped transition the collection to a digital checkout system and supported literacy programming, with initiatives such as a children’s book club, lending library and preschool read-a-louds in the works. The club also secured a Pi Phi Literacy Grant for the Elizabeth Peabody House to expand the library’s offerings. Members have spent nearly 100 hours on this hands-on initiative.
These exceptional clubs will be recognized at Pi Phi's 75th Biennial Convention. All Fraternity award winners will be announced during convention celebrations.
Published May 26, 2025