ALUMNAE
Once an Alpha Phi, always an Alpha Phi. Our sisterhood extends beyond our four years at F&M. Without the alumnae of Zeta Sigma, we know we could not be where we are today as each sister helps to shape our chapter. The bonds one makes as an Alpha Phi are sure to extend well beyond their short four years on campus. Hear from some of our alumnae about their time...
"As I am now at a stage where my children are beginning to look at colleges, I am reminded of the amazing four years I spent at F&M. Yes, I did learn a lot academically, but it was the life lessons that I carry with me every day. I was not interested in pledging a sorority in my freshman year, but as I got to know many of the sisters, I felt an acceptance and sisterhood unlike any other. I know that pledging Alpha Phi was the best decision I had ever made.
In addition to making wonderful friends and sisters, I learned what it meant to be a leader, to be loyal, and to take time to listen and learn about people and develop a true respect for others. Being a leader, is not just about being the boss. It is having a strong sense of self, listening to the people around you, and making decisions that benefit the whole, not just part of a company or group. Alpha Phi was a true sisterhood, that every individual had a voice and there was a great deal of respect for each other regardless of your background. Everyone had something to contribute and I remember that each day. Sometimes is it frustrating, but regardless if I am running my business, or when I managed over 60 employees, or just managing my school PTA, I remember each person brings something unique and important to the table. As Rush Director, I learned how to speak in public and pass my passion to prospective sisters. I began to understand how to be a leader and manager and a parent, and carried both my successes and failures as learning experiences through my life.
Enjoy your years at F&M! Enjoy your years with Alpha Phi!
Be open to all the new experiences, friendships, and life
lessons (good and bad). Their impact is more far-reaching
that you can imagine!"
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-Lisa Donato-O'Keefe
Class of 1989
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"Alpha Phi-Zeta Sigma will always hold a special place in my heart. When I first got to F&M, I was shy and had convinced myself that Greek life was not for me. I was very devoted to my tennis team and my academics and never thought of myself as a sorority girl. I wasn't interested in t-shirts and chanting and thought I had all the friends I need between my teammates and my college house.
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As the first few months of my freshman year passed by, however, I had met some amazing girls that all seemed to have one thing in common-they were members of Alpha Phi. When it came time to sign up for recruitment, a few of the girls on my team encouraged me to give it a chance, telling me I could always drop out of recruitment if I did not like it. As it turns out, I could not be happier that I decided to join Alpha Phi. I met so many amazing women that came from all kinds of backgrounds and had different experiences to share. Being a part of the organization helped me to come out of my shell and be more outgoing
throughout my four years at F&M. I ended up being involved in the recruitment team and made so many life-long friends that I likely would never have met if it were not for Alpha Phi.
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I still love spending time catching up with sisters, even four years after college. I was recently on vacation in Hawaii and went to a luau with Amanda Loh and her husband while they were on their honeymoon. I also got to see some of my littles (Alexia Jacoby and Cat Johnson) at my engagement party a few weeks ago.
It is funny to think back to the beginning of my freshman
year when I never pictured myself in a sorority. Now, I can't
imagine my college experience or my life after college
without Alpha Phi's influence.
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-Dana Sleeper
Class of 2015
"When I think about why I chose Alpha Phi, I am reminded of the best advice that I received when going through recruitment. Someone told me my freshman year not to choose the place with the women who were like me, but the place with the women who I wanted to be like. This was what I noticed immediately when I went into the Alpha Phi recruitment room. Every single person made me feel so welcome and inspired me to be my best self.
Throughout my four years at F&M, Alpha Phi was my rock. Whenever I had a bad day, needed help on an assignment, or wanted to grab a coffee, I always had someone there for me. No matter what, my Alpha Phi sisters were around to encourage me and push me to step outside of my comfort zone. They helped me when I decided to raise a Seeing Eye puppy, they supported me when I ran for VP of Membership Recruitment, and, without them, I know that I would not be where I am today, working for Teach for America.
Alpha Phi provided me with invaluable leadership experience, and most important, friendships, that I would not trade for the world. I am so lucky to be able to call my Alpha Phi sisters family and to continue to work alongside one of the members of my pledge class, Kirsten Hellmuth, as we take on the "real world" together.
I know that I will always have a home at Alpha Phi, and I
cannot wait to come back and visit my sisters for years
to come!"
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-Caroline DeSantis
Class of 2019
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