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: 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 Lake Forest Elementary’s Family Literacy Night. Members also began tutoring students, supporting classrooms with personalized book donations and nominating Lake 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