Transforming Futures Through Leadership, Scholarship, and Sisterhood: The Beta Beta Centennial Leadership Fund

“The goal is to give our members a boost in the classroom, in choosing a career and to begin contributing faster to a work environment. To fund this, we established the Beta Beta Centennial Leadership Fund in partnership with the Alpha Phi Foundation to build something special — enriching leadership and increasing scholarship through an endowment that will benefit the Beta Beta Chapter.” Lorie Fiesselmann Dietz

In 2022, the Beta Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi at Michigan State University celebrated 100 years since its establishment as an official Alpha Phi Chapter in East Lansing. Initially founded as the Feronian Literacy Society in 1891, the roots of the Beta Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi and their commitment to empowerment run deep. As the first women’s organization on campus, these pioneering women focused their efforts on building a strong membership and fulfilling their commitments to campus activities and scholarship, cementing themselves as the leading women’s society on campus.

Today, the loyal Beta Beta Alumna take pride in continuing to empower and give women on campus a space to be themselves and seek support just as they have for more than 100 years. This dedication is a reflection of Alpha Phi’s strong commitment to providing leadership opportunities and education for Alpha Phi women in all stages of life. That loyalty shines brightly on campus but also through the Chapter’s strong alumnae presence. Led by Lorie Fiesselmann Dietz (’78), Joy Sayed Murray (’80), and Susan Brink Sherratt (’80),  the Beta Beta Centennial Leadership Fund was established as part of the chapter’s centennial celebration.

“These opportunities become the foundation for the establishment of a professional network of outstanding women who will provide a lifelong support system through graduation and beyond. The experience of being a leader in Alpha Phi allows our members to gain the confidence, support system, and skill set that goes far beyond graduation.“ *

By establishing the Centennial Leadership Fund, Beta Beta has ensured its legacy of leadership will last long into the future. It is through Alpha Phi’s signature traits of generosity, character, innovation, and sisterhood, that fundraising for this endowment has been supremely successful. With the goal of building women of impact through leadership skills and a robust membership experience, the Steering Committee and Beta Beta alumnae have solidified that these opportunities will be provided to empower future generations of women. The Beta Beta alumnae have reached their initial endowment goal and will proudly continue to raise funds in an effort to build and sustain the foundation of strong leadership they have built over the past 100 years. You can make a gift to the Centennial Leadership Fund here.

“As a women’s-only organization, we believe in empowering our members and giving them the training, environment, and opportunities to practice real-world leadership in a safe setting surrounded by sisters and under the mentorship of caring, alumna advisors. We embrace the qualities of femininity and harbor a setting that allows our members to connect, collaborate, empathize and communicate to work towards building something greater than themselves.” *

Learn More about Alpha Phi Foundation Chapter Leadership Funds!

Chapter Leadership Funds are set up as endowment funds administered by Alpha Phi Foundation. The grants are administered by Alpha Phi Foundation, and are awarded at least once a year, as needed by the chapter.

A Chapter Leadership Fund grant will fund leadership-centered activities, opportunities and events such as:

• All-chapter or new member class-specific leadership activities
• Facilitated sisterhood events
• Materials directly related to educational goals
• Room reservation fees for presentation space
• Fees and travel expenses for speakers, facilitators, or participants
• Leadership programming
• Cost of attendance for additional members at Fraternity Leadership events

Interested in learning more about Chapter Leadership Funds? Contact giving@alphaphifoundation.org for more information.

*From the Michigan State Alpha Phi website.