[als463]

As a Phi Mu, I'm proud of our beginning and I look forward to our future.

Philanthropy
I take much pride in the fact that we are the first NPC group to establish a National Philanthropy Day. Annually, Phi Mus gather and dedicate themselves to "hands on" local community service on the third Monday in October.

I also take pride in the fact that my collegiate chapter raises the most of all the other Phi Mu chapters, in regards to Children's Miracle Network (our national philanthropy).

THON
Though this is special only to Penn State, we have a major philanthropy (the largest student-run philanthropy in the WORLD) where we raise money for Pediatric Cancer. Want to guess who started it? That's right-the Greeks! Also, want to guess who usually earns the most money for it? You're right-if you guessed Greeks, again! Every member of the Greek community (even if they don't attend Penn State) can take pride in the fact that their brothers and sisters are doing something worthwhile for a cause. It truly makes you proud to be a Greek!

Home Away from hFMe
When I graduated from college, I moved to a totally different state. It was foreign to me. Oddly enough, one of the sisters from my other alumna chapter (that I joined straight out of undergrad) had moved 'back' to the same city I was moving to. She is now one of my best friends. I know that, should I get into a certain degree program in another state, I will have sisters waiting for me (with open arms).


Honoring Those We have Loved and Lost
When I graduated, I was devastated to hear that one of my pledge sisters had passed away. It was such horrible news. The sisters from my chapter returned to Penn State and had a memorial service for her with the brothers of another fraternity (which we used to party with, while in school-who knew her). Sisters came from all over the U.S. to show how much she meant to us. We then sent her family flowers and I think we dedicated a brick at Headquarters to her. I bought one of those wooden cutouts of the HQ building, while at Convention, and I sent it to her family to show them where their brick for their daughter was laid to rest. It meant so much to me to see how incredible the collegians were when they invited us back to our suite and how much the Alumnae really cared about her. We also dedicated something to this sister, which now hangs in the suite back at PSU. The chapter even mentioned this sister on their webpage (and it may still be up). It really shows you that this is for a LIFETIME and NOT just 4 years.

Also, Penn State uses your Greek affiliation when mentioning you in the section of Alums doing great things. They also place your Greek affiliation next to your name in the memory section. Both of these things are usually in the back of the "Penn Stater" our Alumni magazine. It's obviously important to so many people.

Scholarship
We give so much money back to our sisters in scholarships. In fact, I was just awarded a scholarship for the 2011-2012 school year, from my sorority. I'm so thankful to be a member of such an incredible organization that cares about me doing well and living my dreams! Many other Greek Letter Organizations (GLOs) care about this and it's great to see so many Greek members doing well in school!

Homecoming
I LOVE to go home for Homecoming to see what float my chapter did and who they chose to pair with. It's great! Even though I am no longer in college, pomping floats, I still love to see my sisters have fun on their floats!

I could go on and on, for days. I love meeting so many people that are Greek. It's a great conversation-starter. I also love wearing my badge and representing my sorority. I wouldn't change my choice to go Greek, for the world!