WELCOME ALPHA PSI CLASS!

On Saturday, December 5 the Alpha Omega chapter inducted 20 initiates of the Alpha Psi class to become brothers of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity! Congratulations to the brand new brothers of Phi Sigma Pi:

Amanda Miller

Brandon Myggra

Casey Abramson

Chloe Ghirardi

Dmigno Narava

James Jin

Jess Duffy

Jorge Garcia

Katie Quinn Kristin Olsen

Madeline Seitz

Neil Fadia

Rachel Fraiser

Ryan Reichardt

Sam Stevens

Samantha Alba

Sarah Grudza

Sierra Smith

Tiffany McGinnis

Zack Miller

Check out the Initiate Newsletter to see the recap of the Alpha Psi's initiate semester:

PINNING

The pinning ceremony for the newest class of initiates, the Alpha Psi class, was held Sunday, September 27. A total of 21 outstanding students were accepted into the program of the Alpha Omega Chapter and will work to complete the requirements for induction. Requirements include interviewing current brothers of the fraternity, attending study hours, other events, and social gatherings. The initiate process is a commitment and initiates are encouraged to start working on requirements immediately. Big little matches were also revealed at this event; the bigs help their littles complete their initiate requirements.

CLASS OFFICERS

Initiate study hours are held each week on Thursday

from 9-11pm. Study hours are used for the initiate to plan out events and spend time together. During study hours on Thursday October 1, the initiates held elections for class officer positions.

(from left to right) Secretary: Tiffany McGinnis, Service Chair: Kristin Olsen,

Media Relations: Jessica Duffy, Philanthropy Chair: Katie Quinn, President: Rachel Frasier, Scholarship Chair: Jorge Garcia, Fundraising Chair: Ryan Reichardt, Social Chair: Brandon Myrga

DEEP CREEK

Each year, there is a fall formal held for brothers and initiates of Phi Sigma Pi. The formal event is held in Deep Creek, Maryland, a few hours from Pitt’s campus. This year 17 of the initiates attended the formal held during the weekend of October 23-25. The theme for Saturday night was the roaring 20’s. Attendees enjoyed dressing flapper girls and dapper gentlemen. It was a great event that allowed the initiates to spend an appreciable amount of time with each other and the brothers. The formal was a delightful weekend for all who attended and the initiates are looking forward to the event next year already!

SERVICE

The initiates organized their own service event on November 1st. The service event was held in the Cathedral, where brothers and initiates gathered to spend their time giving to others. They were able to make cards that will be given to Children’s Hospital, where they will be distributed to the patients. Most participant made at least 3 cards. Initiate and Class Service Chair said this of the event: “It was awesome to see such a large amount of brothers come out and help the kids in the community. We all had a lot of fun while making cards for a great cause.” Other initiates agreed, saying the event was a great success and one of the many ways that initiates had a chance to bond with Brothers.

PHILANTHROPY

The initiate Philanthropy event, a food drive for the Pitt Pantry, was held during the week of November 9-13. The Pitt Pantry helps students who are facing food shortage. Initiate and Philanthropy Chair, Katie Quinn, had her reasons for deciding to support the Pitt Pantry for the event. She said “Some people are going through a tough time financially and it makes me proud to donate something that could reduce a little bit of stress from their lives. I think it’s really important for us to support our brothers and sisters in the Pitt family.” The drive received donations of not only food, but also hygiene items and paper products. The products will make an impactful donation to the Pitt Pantry and Pitt Community.

INITIATE RETREAT

The Initiate Retreat was held on the evening of Monday, November 2 in Squirrel Hill. The initiates traveled to the home of Alumni Becka Mennies to enjoy pizza, soda, and other snacks. It was a great opportunity for the initiates to bond, which they definitely did not pass up. The night consisted of games, many laughs, and late night talking.

SCHOLARSHIP

The initiate scholarship event was held on November 8th at the Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art. The challenge at hand was a scavenger hunt through the museum. Initiates, brothers, and alumni attended the event. Teams raced against the clock and the winners received a prize. The winning team of Sarah Grudza, Kristin Olsen, Caitlynn Verzino, Sara Christy, and Jess Duffy finished in just over 30 minutes and received candy as a prize. The event was successful in getting everyone to explore the museum and learn about new parts of history. The initiates were able to take advantage of the museums proximity to campus to organize a great scholarship event.

BIG LITTLE SPOTLIGHT

Rachel & Natalija

Rachel describes her big, Natalija, as sassy and says her favorite memory together was after pinning when they went to Natalija’s apartment and got to know each other by gossiping and online shopping for three hours. They both love shopping and musicals! Natalija, a phi and a junior at says her favorite memory was when Rachel turned around to find our she was her big. Their funniest memory together was convincing Rachel’s boyfriend she starred in an adult film.

Sarah & Sierra

Sarah Lee, a member of the phi class, has Sierra as her little. She says their funniest memory together was for suuuuure the night they stewed around Oakland saying for suuuuure every other second. However, her favorite memory was being anxious about taking Sierra to the Chinese buffet and finding out shes just as gross as her. People might not know that they give excellent life advice. Give them a call!

Jessica & Sarah

Jessica says her favorite memory with her big, Sarah Ebner, is turning around at pinning to find out they were matched together. They share the same favorite color, pink. Sarah says they secretly are Fetty Wap and Lil Dicky. Sarah, a member of the Upsilon class of the Pi, describes her little as “perf.” Her favorite memory together is their big little sleepover where they stayed up talking and their shopping trips together.

Jake & Jorge

Jake describes his little, Jorge, as energetic. His favorite memory of them together is dinner at Perkins on the way to fall formal. Jake, a member of the Chi class, thinks that every interaction between them is funny, especially when it involves Michael, who is Jorge’s grand big. Jorge says Jake is bomb and his favorite memory was being together at Deep Creek. They both have a profound love for sports and science.