Pi Beta Phi Chapter at Willamette University Closes
With great sadness, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women announces the closure of its Oregon Gamma Chapter at Willamette University, effective June 30, 2021, following a vote of collegiate chapter members affirming the chapter’s desire to close. The vote came after ongoing conversation regarding the chapter’s viability and concerns voiced by chapter members as to balancing operational obligations while maintaining a positive chapter experience.
The Oregon Gamma Chapter has received support from the Fraternity over recent years, including assistance through the closure of its chapter facility earlier this year. Ongoing chapter resignations unfortunately led to an increased level of responsibility falling to too few members. Although the chapter effectively transitioned their experience after the facility closed, maintaining a chapter experience with fewer members and operating on a scaled leadership model this spring has been difficult. Despite these challenges, Oregon Gamma members have remained committed to the bonds of sisterhood and continue to value the Sincere Friendships made in Pi Beta Phi.
“A positive membership experience is an essential cornerstone of Pi Beta Phi and starts with a chapter membership roster capable of sustaining chapter operations,” Grand President Marla Neelly Wulf said. “We understand the burden the women of Oregon Gamma have taken on this year and commend our sisters for making a difficult and courageous decision to act in the best interest of their chapter. We welcome our Oregon Gamma collegians into alumnae life and look forward to their continued involvement with the Fraternity. The closure of a chapter is always disheartening, however the sisterhood built through Oregon Gamma will forever be an important part of Pi Beta Phi’s story." The Oregon Gamma Chapter was founded in 1944, and more than 1,800 women have been initiated into Pi Beta Phi through the chapter.
Founded in 1867 at Monmouth College in Illinois, Pi Beta Phi has installed 204 collegiate chapters and nearly 300 alumnae organizations worldwide. Pi Beta Phi promotes friendship, develops women of intellect and integrity, cultivates leadership potential and enriches the lives of members and their communities. The Fraternity believes in the power of reading and through its philanthropy, Read > Lead > Achieve®, promotes a lifelong love of reading that can unlock true potential. For more information, visit pibetaphi.org or follow Pi Phi on Facebook and Twitter.
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For more information, please contact:
TG Livak
Marketing and Communications Director
(636) 256–0680
tlivak@pibetaphi.org
The Oregon Gamma Chapter has received support from the Fraternity over recent years, including assistance through the closure of its chapter facility earlier this year. Ongoing chapter resignations unfortunately led to an increased level of responsibility falling to too few members. Although the chapter effectively transitioned their experience after the facility closed, maintaining a chapter experience with fewer members and operating on a scaled leadership model this spring has been difficult. Despite these challenges, Oregon Gamma members have remained committed to the bonds of sisterhood and continue to value the Sincere Friendships made in Pi Beta Phi.
“A positive membership experience is an essential cornerstone of Pi Beta Phi and starts with a chapter membership roster capable of sustaining chapter operations,” Grand President Marla Neelly Wulf said. “We understand the burden the women of Oregon Gamma have taken on this year and commend our sisters for making a difficult and courageous decision to act in the best interest of their chapter. We welcome our Oregon Gamma collegians into alumnae life and look forward to their continued involvement with the Fraternity. The closure of a chapter is always disheartening, however the sisterhood built through Oregon Gamma will forever be an important part of Pi Beta Phi’s story." The Oregon Gamma Chapter was founded in 1944, and more than 1,800 women have been initiated into Pi Beta Phi through the chapter.
Founded in 1867 at Monmouth College in Illinois, Pi Beta Phi has installed 204 collegiate chapters and nearly 300 alumnae organizations worldwide. Pi Beta Phi promotes friendship, develops women of intellect and integrity, cultivates leadership potential and enriches the lives of members and their communities. The Fraternity believes in the power of reading and through its philanthropy, Read > Lead > Achieve®, promotes a lifelong love of reading that can unlock true potential. For more information, visit pibetaphi.org or follow Pi Phi on Facebook and Twitter.
###
For more information, please contact:
TG Livak
Marketing and Communications Director
(636) 256–0680
tlivak@pibetaphi.org
Published April 20, 2021