Pi Beta Phi
The Illinois Beta-Delta chapter of Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ) is one of the three national sororities on Knox College's campus.
Recent Awards:
National Awards 2009
- Spirit Award
- Excellence in Servant Leadership
Greek Week 2009
- Excellence in New Member Programming
Greek Week 2008
- Alumni Relations Award
- Community Service:
- Advisor of the Year: Didi Drake
Contents
Mission Statement
The mission of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women is to promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential and enrich lives through community service.
The History of Pi Beta Phi
Pi Beta Phi was founded on April 28, 1867, becoming the first women's fraternity based on the men's Greek system. Initially named I.C. Sorosis, the organization initially consisted of 12 founders:
Emma Brownlee Kilgore, Clara Brownlee Hutchinson, Fannie Thomson, Libbie Brook Gaddis, Nancy Black Wallace, Jennie Nicol MD, Inez Smith Soule, Fannie Whitenack Libbey, Margaret Campbell, Rosa Moore, Ada Bruen Grier, and Jennie Horne Turnbull
The organization was founded at the Holt House on the campus of Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. Today the Holt House is used for small weddings, receptions, meetings and social gatherings. Nearby Pi Phi chapters and alumnae clubs use it for meetings, initiations and ceremonies. The Knox College chapter of Pi Beta Phi has the privilege of using the house for initiation and other events.
Pi Phi Firsts
- First Fraternity for Women (1867)
- First to have a national philanthropy, Settlement School (now the Arrowmont School for the Arts and Crafts)
- First to have a Canadian philanthropy, Northern Libraries Project (now Arrow in the Arctic)
- First to have an alumnae department
- First to form Alumnae Advisory Committees to support collegiate chapters
- One of seven founders of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
Philanthropy
National Philanthropies
- In 2007 Pi Beta Phi partnered with First Book, a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books.
- Settlement School and Arrowmont:
The Settlement School in Gatlinburg, TN was formed in 1912 to provide education, economic opportunity, and health care to rural areas. The school later began to adapt to the growing community by offering arts and crafts classes in an effort to preserve and promote the region's crafts tradition. The school came to take on the name of Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts which exists today as a world-renowned facility providing college and graduate level courses. Arrowmont continues to be a major philanthropic effort of Pi Phi. Arrowmont
- Arrow in the Arctic
- Champions are Readers (CAR)
- Fraternity Day of Service
Beta Delta Philanthropies
- Discovery Depot: Pi Phis volunteer monthly at the Discovery Depot in Galesburg, IL to take part in reading activities with children of the area. A story is usually read and then a related activity takes place afterwards.
- Cure-a-palooza: At Cure-a-palooza in February 2008, the Illinois Beta-Delta chapter of Pi Phi sponsored a night of fun and music in efforts to raise money for breast cancer research. The chapter raised over $400 in their efforts and pulled off a fun night for everyone.
- Polar Plunge:In March 2009, over a dozen Pi Phis participated in the annual Special Olympics of Illinois Polar Plunge. The chapter raised over $2,300 and braved the cold and snowy weather by plunging into a frozen Lake Storey.
- Pie A Pi Phi:On May 9th, 2009, Pi Phis were pied in the face with a whipped cream pie by their fellow students for a dollar. The money raised was donated to local literacy efforts. The event is an annual activity every Spring.
- Food Drive: Pi Phi organized a food drive in Spring Term to collect non-perishable items for Safe Harbor. Boxes were located in many residential halls and by the C-store and bookstore. A large amount of food was collected!
Knox Chapter
Knox College's Illinois Beta-Delta Chapter is the only dually chartered Pi Beta Phi Chapter in the world. The Illinois Beta was originally at Lombard University, and the Illinois Delta was at Knox. The Great Depression during the 1930s caused Lombard to close down and subsequently the two chapters combined in 1930.
Officers
- President: Rose VanGrinsven
- VP Member Development: Annie Carter
- VP Fraternity Development: Caitlin Sahm
- VP Membership: Mary Purrazzo
- VP Administration: Tricia Richert
- VP Communications: Clare Hines
- VP Event Planning: Nicki Bennett
- VP Finance: Nea Larson
- New Member Coordinator: Jordan Chalk
- Panhellenic Secretary/Treas.: Kimberly Anderson
- House Manager: Helen Reynolds
- Song Chair: Tara Orech
- Panhellenic Delegate: Clare Hines
Involvement
Besides the activities that members do within the sorority, many are part of other organizations on campus and serve as leaders in them as well. Members are part of organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Theatre, Circle K, SASS, IVCF, KARES, Cross Country, Water Polo, Track & Field, Volleyball, Student Senate, Knox Ambassadors, Admissions, Common Ground, Lacrosse, Union Board, Soccer, Hillel, Ed Studies Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Choir and many many more...
Pi Phi Fun
In addition to the leadership development and involvement that is a major part of Pi Phi, the sisters of the organization also like to share their bonds of sisterhood with each other and have fun! Fun activities in the past have included a trip to the skating rink, movie night, all night retreats, cookouts, game nights, a formal every spring, a chapter visit to Lake Storey to cook smores and learn songs, and of course everyday spontaneous fun that requires no planning at all.
Symbols
Pi Beta Phi's colors are wine and silver blue.
The symbol for Pi Beta Phi is the arrow, worn as a badge over member's hearts. The arrow reminds members to aim high, and aspire to achieve great things.
The official flower of Pi Beta Phi is the wine carnation.
Recruitment
For those interested in Pi Beta Phi:
- Informal Recruitment will take place in the Fall for those students who are above first-year standing and non-transfers.
- Formal Recruitment will take place in the Winter for all students interested in Greek life. Formal recruitment is inclusive of all three sororities. For more information visit the Knox College Panhellenic webpage. Panhel
