Dear Theta Phi Alphas,
One of my favorite volunteer roles for Theta Phi Alpha happened in the early 1990's when I was the Emerging Chapter Advisor for the Beta Chi chapter at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO. There are few things that are more exciting to me in Theta Phi Alpha than a new chapter! Being a part of that experience, from extension presentation to chapter installation, knowing I had helped the charter members along this journey, was a bucket-filling experience for me. This included a road trip to the 1992 National Convention with several of my Alpha Pi chapter sisters and Janette Hughes, the Emerging Chapter President.
I recently reconnected with Janette on Facebook. Beta Chi celebrated 30 years as a chapter on May 15, 2023. Thirteen of Beta Chi's charter members recently returned to campus for homecoming to celebrate this milestone. They rented a farmhouse outside town and spent time together, reminiscing about their college days. Many things have changed on campus since 1993. Theta Phi Alpha is now the only NPC sorority on campus. The university-provided house in the picture of Beta Chi members with their charter on installation day in 1993 is no longer standing. The chapter is now in a new university-provided house, and the charter members who returned to campus could add their handprints to a wall in the house.
Some things haven't changed..their love for each other and Theta Phi Alpha. Tiffany (Peters) Bergman summed up the weekend. "Beta Chi founders came together to celebrate the 30th year of Theta Phi Alpha. In just two short days, they celebrated life, love, and sisterhood. Proving that the true bonds of sisterhood never fade but grow and flower through the years as the white rose. The compass will always bring them together for the happy times and the sad, but through it all...Theta Phi Alpha is these ladies". Tiffany is a professor at Missouri Valley College and Beta Chi's chapter advisor. Janette Hughes shared, "After 30 years for most of us not seeing each other, it didn't feel like we'd ever been apart and picked up right where we left off. It was an amazing weekend and an experience I'm glad I could participate in, and I know everyone else felt the same."
It is always good to go home! Home to where you started your Theta Phi Alpha journey. Home to the place where you were welcomed and felt that you belonged. Home is a place to share the memories with the precious Theta Phi Alphas, who shared that journey with you.
Please enjoy the pictures of the Beta Chi chapter from the 1990's and today. Have you recently gone home, held a reunion, or spent time with the Theta Phi Alphas who shared your journey? We would love to see your photos! Please submit them here.
Yitbos,
Kristin Henkenius
National President
The following charter members of Beta Chi chapter were in attendance. Names are written as they appear on the chapter charter. Julie Anne Bailey, Jennifer Beuscher, Jennifer Emmer, Johnna Fosnow, Lee Franklin, Tonya Hockaday, Jennifer Howard, Janette Hughes, Michelle LaPlant, Christine McGinnis, Erica McIntyre, Tiffany Peters, and Renee Tettaton.