The 2024 National Convention was a celebration of scholarship, leadership, and fellowship, bringing together Members from across the country to Arlington, VA. Here’s a look back at the highlights from this unforgettable event!

Day One: Thursday, July 25

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.

Members 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. 

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

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: 

• 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)

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 Programming 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

• The Dr. Jack W. Thornton Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award was awarded to Kim Johnson (Sigma 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!

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

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In just over a year since partnering with Gift of Life, Phi Sigma Pi Members have swabbed over 1,000 people during tabling events and donor drives on their campuses, and have identified seven matches. During the 2022-2023 school year, the Epsilon Xi Chapter at East Tennessee State University has hosted two donor drives where almost 200 students were swabbed. Abbie Chase (ETSU ‘21), a senior biology major and the Chapter’s Recruitment Advisor, has served as the Drive Coordinator for both events. 

“Planning and setting up was a relatively easy process. Once I started meeting with Joceyln Messer, our Recruitment Specialist from Gift of Life, all we had to do was set dates for our drive and watch a training video,” Abbie says. “The tabling supplies were sent about two weeks before the event, so we were well-prepared and able to decorate our booth with various informational pamphlets and free things to hand out.”

Abbie was inspired to support the mission of Gift of Life after attending Gift of Life’s information session at the 2022 National Convention. She learned more about how the Epsilon Xi Chapter could collaborate with them and was dedicated to spreading their mission. 

“It feels wonderful to know that our chapter is helping to make a difference. During our first drive, we used every single swab kit sent, and at the second drive, we used approximately 80% of the kits,” Abbie said. “I am so proud of our accomplishments and also our fraternity as a whole.”

Chapter President Megan Walker (ETSU ‘20) is also proud of the Epsilon Xi Chapter’s Members and praised the group effort that went into educating their community through tabling and social media and swabbing each student.

“The entire chapter believes that this is such a great way to get involved with the community and spread awareness for the registry, as well as share Gift of Life’s

mission,” Walker said. “I am very fortunate to be a part of such a great, hardworking, and active chapter.”

Interested in hosting a donor drive on your campus? Abbie says that the most important part is stepping out of your comfort zone to approach people and influence them to swab. Asking people if they want to save a life can take some initial courage, but it’s a great conversation starter to get people curious about Gift of Life. The Chapter also recommends inviting friends directly to visit the table, playing music, and creating a welcoming environment for people to learn more.

“I am so glad these drives helped open the door and spark conversation about something that isn’t talked about enough,” Abbie said. “I realized that many people, at least on my campus, have limited knowledge of what a marrow registry is and what they can do to help, so it was rewarding to educate them so that they, too, can spread Gift of Life’s mission.

About Gift of Life Marrow Registry

Gift of Life Marrow Registry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla. Established in 1991, Gift of Life Marrow Registry is dedicated to saving lives by facilitating blood stem cell and bone marrow transplants for patients battling leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell, inherited immune disorders, and other blood-related diseases. To learn more about Gift of Life Marrow Registry, visit www.giftoflife.org. 

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