This summer at Convention, we had the opportunity to hear from one of our Phi Mu Foundation Scholarship Recipients, Dr. Jennifer Rhatigan, Alpha Nu, on how her scholarship helped her accomplish her academic and career goals. Dr. Rhatigan joined Phi Mu at the University of Florida and later received her Master’s Degree from North Carolina State University with the help of a Phi Mu Foundation Scholarship. When she graduated from N.C. State, NASA was hiring engineers to design and build the International Space Station, and she had the incredible opportunity to be part of that team. If you happen to look up and see the Space Station in the night sky, remember that a Phi Mu helped build it!

“In 1987, I was pursuing a Master’s Degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University. As a scholarship recipient, Phi Mu Foundation believed in me at a time when women were openly discouraged from pursuing engineering degrees, much less advanced degrees in engineering.”

In addition to her amazing career in mechanical and aerospace engineering, Dr. Rhatigan also serves as Chapter Adviser for the Eta Sigma Chapter at University of California-Merced and is a member of the Legacy League annual giving program.  Thank you, Dr. Rhatigan, for giving back to Phi Mu and inspiring all of us to reach for the stars (quite literally)!

During the Foundation Business Session this summer, members elected five women to the Phi Mu Foundation Board of Trustees for the 2018-2022 term, rounding out the 12-member board of volunteers who guide the Foundation forward. These women joined the sitting Trustees in electing Foundation President Pamela Gaines, ΕΑ, and Corporate Secretary/Treasurer Jennifer Chapman Joyner, ΑΙ. Also appointed to the board were Fraternity National President and Foundation Chairman of the Board Andie Burchett Kash, ΔΗ, and Fraternity National Vice President Beth Denney Ward, ΔΗ.

Together, these women have served Phi Mu Fraternity in nearly every volunteer capacity possible, including as National Presidents and National Council members, Area Membership Directors, Chapter Advisers, Chapter Association Presidents, Chapter Consultants, Graduate Counselors and so much more! Their incredible experience is marked by the decades of servant leadership they have provided to Phi Mu members and now bring with them to the Foundation. This group of talented and driven women is prepared to take the Foundation to new heights over the next biennium, and we want to take the opportunity over the next several weeks to introduce each of them to you.

Join us as we celebrate “Trustee Tuesdays” and feature one Trustee each week on our website and social media, beginning next Tuesday, November 13. In the meantime, make sure you’re following us @PhiMuFoundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so that you don’t miss a thing!

Thank you for joining Phi Mu women, families and friends for the second annual 18 Hours & 52 Minutes of Giving!

Your gift helps to ensure this sisterhood and the Foundation’s impact will continue to grow and empower women for generations to come. Phi Mu Foundation Staff and Board of Trustees sends our immense gratitude and sincere appreciation to you for investing in the Phi Mu experience and our sisters with your generous support.