Pi Beta Phi
The Illinois Beta-Delta chapter of Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ) is one of the four national sororities on Knox College's campus in addition to Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Alpha Sigma Alpha (ATP).
Recent Awards: Greek Week 2007
- Campus Involvement Award
- Alumni Relations Award
- New Member Education Award
- Community Service:
- Most Service Hours Per Member: Honorable Mention
- Best Service Project: Cure-a-palooza
- Advisor of the Year: Jean Tulin
- Greek Woman of the Year: Casey Norton
Contents
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
- 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 2007, 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 2007, over a dozen Pi Phis participated in the annual Special Olympics of Illinois Polar Plunge. The chapter raised over $1,200 and braved the cold and snowy weather by plunging into a frozen Lake Storey.
- Pie A Pi Phi:On May 9th, 2007, 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 is currently organizing a drive for non perishable food items. Boxes are located in most residential buildings. Drop off any food you have to give!
Knox Chapter
Knox College's Illinois Beta-Delta Chapter is the only dually chartered Pi Beta Phi Chapter in the world. Illinois Beta was originally at Lombard University, and 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: Tanya Ferguson VP Member Development: Rose VanGrinsven VP Fraternity Development: Lexie Kamerman VP Membership: Sarah Carlin VP Administration: Jaclyn Anderson VP Communications: Maren Reisch VP Event Planning: Morgan Campbell VP Finance: Rianna Sprague New Member Coordinator: Hana Garner Panhellenic Vice-President: Elena Lahti House Manager: Carmen Knight
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.
