August 1, 2024

 

Day One: Thursday, July 25

 

Welcome Bags

The convention kicked off on Thursday with registration where Members picked up their NC24 swag, including a gift bag generously donated by the Capital Alumni Chapter and a baseball cap sponsored by the one by one® grant from 4Imprint. The morning began with office hours led by Leadership Development Coordinators Natasha Carmichael, Victoria Mahle, and Lindsay Slater. This was a unique opportunity for attendees to engage directly with their contacts at the National Office and discuss various aspects of their Chapters and personal development.

 

two Members at Grand ChapterMembers attended the Gift of Life: Teaming up to Save Lives session to learn more about the life-saving potential of a simple swab test and how they could bring this initiative to their campuses. Since the start of Phi Sigma Pi’s partnership with Gift of Life, we have sponsored 2,423 total swabs, resulting in 38 matches and three transplants. 

 

Members in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. Monument

The afternoon featured the Grand Chapter meeting, where important discussions and decision-making took place. Once business concluded, the evening brought NC24 Kick-Off where Members engaged in service projects like bracelet making, played video and card games to support Extra Life, and got creative with painting.

 

To cap off the day, attendees could choose to explore Washington, D.C., with a guided tour of iconic monuments, memorials and other landmarks. This excursion offered picture-perfect moments and made for an unforgettable night in the nation's capital.

 

Day Two: Friday, July 26

 

Members at Bowlero

 

The momentum continued on Friday with another round of Grand Chapter sessions, focusing on key organizational decisions and initiatives. 

 

Members spent the evening at Bowlero, a retro-inspired bowling and arcade space. Attendees enjoyed bowling and arcade games, fostering an environment for building connections and having fun. 

 

 

 

Day Three: Saturday, July 27

 

The final day began with the annual Foundation Membership Meeting for Foundation members to learn more about the past and upcoming years for the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation. The 2024-2025 Board Members were also announced at the meeting. The 2024-2025 Foundation Board of Directors will be comprised of: 

Three Foundation Members

  • Colleen Donathan Arnett (Beta Omicron Chapter ‘97)
  • Sarah Cantwell (Beta Sigma Chapter ‘01)
  • Becky Chamberlain (Beta Rho Chapter ‘95)
  • Jeanette Gass (Epsilon Sigma Chapter ‘08)
  • Hillary Gelfand (Alpha Theta Chapter ‘07)
  • Natalie Mikkelson (Gamma Epsilon Chapter ‘02)
  • Luigi Nunez (Zeta Iota Chapter ‘14)

 

Jennifer Borrero

 

 

A keynote session by Jennifer Borrero provided inspiration and motivation. Borrero is the founder of Youth Housing Coalition, the nation's largest nonprofit organization that provides training in housing development to youth. She also serves as a Global Goals Ambassador for the United Nations Association. In her speech, Jennifer emphasized the importance of creating community across cultures and inspired students to realize their capability of creating change while still figuring out their journeys. 

 

 

 

The convention concluded with the annual banquet and award ceremony. Attendees celebrated the accomplishments of their fellow Members and Chapters throughout the 2023-2024 year. Congratulations to the following award recipients:

 

Chapter Awards

 

  • The Steven A. DiGuiseppe Excellence in Administration Award was awarded to the Alpha Kappa Chapter at the University of North Carolina and the Omicron Chapter at Shippensburg University.
  • The Jeffrey L. Johnson National Interchapter Fellowship Award was awarded to the Gamma Epsilon chapter at the University of Florida and the Gamma Eta Chapter at Florida State University.
  • The Sanders P. McComsey Most Improved Old Chapter Award was awarded to the Gamma Pi Chapter at Towson University.
  • The Clarence O. Williams Most Improved New Chapter Award was awarded to the Eta Omicron Chapter at Appalachian State University.
  • The Dr. Eldo L. Hendricks Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Torchia WinnersProgramming was awarded to the Gamma Psi Chapter at the College of William and Mary and the Beta Omega Chapter at Eastern Illinois University.
  • The C.H. McClure Single Service Award was awarded to the Zeta Iota Chapter at Saint Joseph’s University and the Alpha Eta Chapter at the University of Delaware.
  • The Claude A. Phillips Excellence in Fellowship Award was awarded to the Delta Chi Chapter at Lehigh University.
  • Most Outstanding Alumni Chapter was awarded to the Middle Tennessee Alumni Chapter (MTAC.)
  • The Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award was presented to the Alpha Kappa Chapter at the University of North Carolina, the Alpha Pi Chapter at Pennsylvania State University, the Alpha Theta Chapter at Rutgers University, the College of William and Mary, the Gamma Eta Chapter at Florida State University, the Gamma Psi Chapter at the College of William and Mary, and the Eta Pi Chapter at Christopher Newport University. 

 

Individual Awards

 

Colleen Donathan Arnett

  • The Dr. Jack W. Thornton Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award was awarded to Kim Johnson (Alpha Epsilon Chapter ‘90.)
  • The Volunteer of the Year Award was awarded to Desiree Brown (Epsilon Omicron Chapter ‘13)
  • The Alumni Tripod Excellence in Fellowship Award was awarded to Marie Burgess (Gamma Pi Chapter ‘05.)
  • The Alumni Tripod Excellence in Scholarship Award was awarded to Mbabndah Ndobegang (Beta Iota Chapter ‘05.)
  • The Alumni Tripod Excellence in Leadership Award was awarded to Adrianne Steichen (Gamma Tau Chapter ‘98.)
  • The Distinguished Service Key was awarded to Colleen Donathan Arnett (Beta Omicron Chapter '97.)

 

What’s Next?

 

From exploring the nation’s capital to setting the stage for the future of Phi Sigma Pi and all of the moments in between, the 2024 National Convention was an unforgettable event. We are thrilled to announce that Members will have the opportunity to come together again next year in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the 2025 National Convention! Save the date now!

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2025 Phi Sigma Pi National Convention | July 23-26, 2025 | Pittsburgh, PA