On behalf of Alex and Amanda Baker, Rho Alpha, we are honored to announce the establishment of the Amanda Baker Scholarship Fund through Phi Mu Foundation. Amanda is a long-time Phi Mu volunteer, dedicating her efforts as a member of the Rho Alpha Advisory Council and most recently serving as president of the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter. Together with her husband Alex, Amanda wishes to create a legacy of empowering women to change the world through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Once fully endowed, the Amanda Baker Scholarship Fund will grant funds to eligible Phi Mu women pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a STEM-related field.  Amanda and Alex are passionate about helping women pursue their education without the financial burden that can come from rising college tuition costs. Please consider joining them today in making a gift to the Amanda Baker Scholarship Fund and lend a helping hand to Phi Mu women across the country who are ready to make a difference. To show your support, visit www.phimufoundation.org/give and select the Amanda Baker Scholarship Fund from the drop-down menu.

Phi Mu Fraternity and Phi Mu Foundation have a shared vision to develop confident, vibrant women. Investing in leadership and educational programs such as the Phi Mu Officer Academy challenges our members to think big; to be confident in their abilities to solve tough problems and lead others to find solutions in a complex environment.

In February, more than 800  executive committee officers from every collegiate chapter traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the 2019 Phi Mu Officer Academy. Officers spent the weekend immersed in role-specific leadership training facilitated by Phi Mu staff and experienced volunteer officers, and spent time sharing ideas and best practices with other chapter leaders.

The opening session of the academy was sponsored in part by the Betty Wilkinson Lecture Series Fund (Betty and her husband pictured above.) and featured alumnae Sarah Stewart Holland, Delta Theta, and Beth Silvers, Delta Theta, of the popular podcast Pantsuit Politics. Sarah and Beth shared lessons learned from their time in Phi Mu at Transylvania University and how leaders can handle conflict while maintaining respect for each other and our sisterhood!

There is a special group of sisters and friends – better known as the Fidelity Society – who are helping to secure Phi Mu’s bright future through planned gifts to the Foundation. Members of the Fidelity Society have made long-term plans to support our sisterhood by naming the Foundation as a beneficiary through a bequest from a will, life insurance policy, annuity or trust. While the Foundation does not usually receive a planned gift right away, its impact is felt immediately.

At the end of 2018, we received a gift from the Grahl Family Trust in honor of Dorothy Erbe Grahl, who was initiated at Epsilon Gamma, University of Tulsa and later transferred to Iota Sigma, University of Southern California. Dorothy was a member of the Fidelity Society for many years and a faithful donor until her passing in 2013. With Dorothy’s planned gift to the Foundation, we are able to invest in the future of Phi Mu women through efforts like academic scholarships, Fraternity leadership programs and emergency assistance for members in need.

If you would like to learn more about how you can leave a legacy in Phi Mu through a planned gift, please visit the Planned Giving tab on our website or contact Director of Major Gifts Mandi Young at myoung@phimu.org