Got a Diploma- left a legacy

 It is a simple concept, twenty-three women graduate today. What they did and who they are, however, is something way more elaborate than anyone could have thought. They are the last remnants of the MD Gamma Charter Class. Any words I will type out will never accurately illustrate the dedication and amazing feat that the Charter Class accomplished. What they did laid the foundation for hundreds of Hopkins women to follow. It was epic. It was awesome. And try as I might, I don't think I'll do them justice. Today Pi Phi loses some amazing women and on behalf of MD Gamma, I can only say, "Thank you."

(Check out the very first photo of MD Gamma!)

Three years ago a group of young women gathered at Johns Hopkins University to colonize Pi Beta Phi as the fourth sorority on campus. These strong and courageous women made up the charter class of MD Gamma for Pi Beta Phi. Since they colonized, they created the foundation for an amazing group of individuals who have dominated campus from the moment they gathered. Two weeks after they colonized they proved everyone wrong and won both Powderpuff and Greek week. 

The next year they did it again. 

I highly doubt that when the charter class gathered in a room in Charles Commons, they could have realized the lasting effects of what they accomplished. They went from around seventy to over one hundred and fifty strong and intellectual women. They pushed against every person who said they couldn't do it and proved them wrong again and again. 

Our latest class on Bid Night!

It's hard to believe that they went from that small class to a recruiting class of SIXTY women (our most recent class from Spring Recruitment 2013) in only three years. 

While not all of our graduating seniors where in the charter class, a large portion of the twenty-three women leaving were. And, of course, a farewell was in order. Two sundays ago, these women expressed their love and memories from their years as a Pi Phi and, in turn, had their littles (or closest sister) profess their love right back at them. Many tears where shed- I believe we all collectively used up several tissue boxes- and they were presented with their paddles, painted by their Pi Phi Family. 

Several matriarchs of their respective"Phamilies" gather for a picture! 

The Mission statement of Pi Beta Phi, as a Fraternity for Women, is to promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential and enrich lives through community service.

And I'll be darned if they didn't do just that.

Charter Class Out.

Reppin' Pi Phi at JHU

The last couple weeks have been crazy busy for MD Gamma. Spring semester always brings two major events: Spring Fair and Homecoming. During these weekends we show our spirit for both Pi Phi but also as students at Johns Hopkins. Whether we wear our letters while at a lacrosse game or while in line for deep fried oreos at Spring Fair (yes, they are as good as they sound), MD Gamma always shows how much we love what brought us all together.

During Spring Fair we promote our philanthropy Read. Lead. Achieve. through an event used around the world by Pi Phi chapters, Pie A Pi Phi. Just as the event sounds like, spectators have the chance to pie a Pi Phi sister through a donation made to Read. Lead. Achieve. We brought in professors and other JHU sorority and fraternity members to also be pied!

Homecoming put Pi Phi sisters front and center for the last home game with the Hopkins Men Lacrosse team! We cheered loud and proud for them while they faced another great Baltimore team, Loyola!


Let's find some Pi Phi's showing their support:

Spring Fair brings the whole Pham together!

Pi Phi's show their support for the home team!

MD Gamma says, "Go Hop!"

Cori has just been pied- wonder if she liked it?

Nothing says sisterly love like a pie to the face!

Additionally, there were many other events where Pi Phi represented. We hosted a wing challenge for our philanthropy- where we worked closely with a campus hang out to create the HOTTEST wings ever! And Dance Marathon, an all night dance festival in order to raise money for the JHU children's center, had many sisters attend.

Our Philanthropy chair, Shari, hangs out with the winner, Camille-also a Pi Phi!

A terrific showing at Dance Marathon!

Whether we're in different clubs or teams, Pi Phi's always come together to show their support for what they love the most: Pi Beta Phi and Johns Hopkins. So whenever there's an opportunity to celebrate both, you know there will be many Pi Phi's just around the corner. 

PPL & M,
Gaby