Tampa Bay Alumnae Chapter
Our 66th Year!
Our Chapter was chartered as the St. Petersburg - Clearwater Chapter of the Alpha Phi International Fraternity on December 5th, 1957 and has been continuously active since then. In 1998 we merged with the Tampa Chapter to become the Tampa Bay Alumnae Chapter. There are over 450 Alpha Phis in the Tampa Bay area, the majority of them having come from other states, and from universities and colleges all over the United States.
Alumnae member, Ilah Winter Grant, was appointed governor of District 111 and went on to become International Vice President. Ernestine Reeser served as governor of Florida alumnae. The first International Convention to be held in Florida was in 1960 in Miami Beach. Local Phis helped with decorations. We continue that tradition of involvement : serving as local hostesses and volunteers for Conventions in the area, Anne Stout McIntyre served, in the 80-90's, as District Alumnae Coordinator, Debra Myer served as the first Southeast Regionional Manager, and Sandy Donelan served as Alpha Phi Southeast Region Foundation Representative. Each bienium our Chapter sends a delegate to the Alpha Phi Convention.
Alumnae member, Ilah Winter Grant, was appointed governor of District 111 and went on to become International Vice President. Ernestine Reeser served as governor of Florida alumnae. The first International Convention to be held in Florida was in 1960 in Miami Beach. Local Phis helped with decorations. We continue that tradition of involvement : serving as local hostesses and volunteers for Conventions in the area, Anne Stout McIntyre served, in the 80-90's, as District Alumnae Coordinator, Debra Myer served as the first Southeast Regionional Manager, and Sandy Donelan served as Alpha Phi Southeast Region Foundation Representative. Each bienium our Chapter sends a delegate to the Alpha Phi Convention.
Woman of the Year Presently Kristen Penna
Many members have been honored by the International Fraternity for service not only to Alpha Phi but also to the community and excellence in their careers. The Michaelanean Award is awarded to women who excel at the local level. Those receiving this award from this alumnae chapter are: Karen Thomas Carroll, Sandra Willis Donelan, Jo Flower, Anne Stout McIntyre, Margaret Horcher Penny, Marjorie Fraser Prickett, Caryl Frauenhoff Rohol, Patricia Leslie, and Beth Tangeman Swain. Receiving the Ursa Major Award for career excellence and dedication to Alpha Phi was Sandra Willis Donelan. This chapter has received multiple International Awards for outstanding alumnae chapter, for outstanding cardiac aid projects, for excellent programming, for membership growth, and for its outstanding newsletter.
Each year the Tampa Bay Alumnae honor one of its own members as Woman of the Year for giving her dedication of time, effort, talent, and hard work to our Chapter, and who has displayed the qualities of Alpha Phi not only to her own chapter but among those of Panhellenic. The medallion, a silver ivy leaf mounted on a gold disc was designed and donated in 19898 by Claire Woltman Michie, Beta Mu, University of Alabama.
We support the functions of three Panhellenic organizations in our area: Tampa Panhellenic, Clearwater Panhellenic, and St. Petersburg Panhellenic. Our group has a representative to each Panhellenic and our members support the actiities of each group. We have had officers in the groups, participated in the Clearwater officer rotation, have the St. Petersburg web master, and have several Panhellenic Woman of the Year and Achievement Award winners.
Each year the Tampa Bay Alumnae honor one of its own members as Woman of the Year for giving her dedication of time, effort, talent, and hard work to our Chapter, and who has displayed the qualities of Alpha Phi not only to her own chapter but among those of Panhellenic. The medallion, a silver ivy leaf mounted on a gold disc was designed and donated in 19898 by Claire Woltman Michie, Beta Mu, University of Alabama.
We support the functions of three Panhellenic organizations in our area: Tampa Panhellenic, Clearwater Panhellenic, and St. Petersburg Panhellenic. Our group has a representative to each Panhellenic and our members support the actiities of each group. We have had officers in the groups, participated in the Clearwater officer rotation, have the St. Petersburg web master, and have several Panhellenic Woman of the Year and Achievement Award winners.
Silverware for the Theta Zeta house at FIT
When established in the fifties, our group held rush parties for area freshman collegians. Much support was given to the Gamma Phi chapter at Florida State which was chartered in 1959. Alumnae and husbands traveled from St. Petersburg to Tallahassee often to help with maintenance inside and outside the new house. Members also gave support to Rollins College in Winter Park helping with rush and assisting whenever they could.
Our group supports our collegiate chapters at Florida Tech in Melbourne, Florida State in Tallahassee, and University of Florida in Gainesville. Even though they are a distance from us, we thoroughly enjoy doing things with them and finding ways we can support their chapters. The FIT gals have been so kind to us to invite our special friends to be initiated with their girls. It is wonderful to be able to add alumnae initiates to our group and to have done so in the beautiful ceremony conducted by the Theta Zetas.
Our group supports our collegiate chapters at Florida Tech in Melbourne, Florida State in Tallahassee, and University of Florida in Gainesville. Even though they are a distance from us, we thoroughly enjoy doing things with them and finding ways we can support their chapters. The FIT gals have been so kind to us to invite our special friends to be initiated with their girls. It is wonderful to be able to add alumnae initiates to our group and to have done so in the beautiful ceremony conducted by the Theta Zetas.
|
Philanthropy has always been an important part of our alumnae group. Bazaars were held in the 60's to raise money for cardiac aid. Several of the most successful items for sale were ceramic pieces and Christmas cards handmade by the members. In the 70's we sold Alpha Phi lollipops to help “Lick Heart Disease” and to support heart research. In recent years the Tampa Bay chapter has sold poinsettias and pecans to support Alpha Phi Foundation and aid to local hospitals supporting women’s cardiac health issues and projects.
|
Philanthropy donation to Morton Plant Mease Cardiac Rehab
|
Meet and Greet at the Food Court in the Mall
After 50 years, the Tampa Bay Alumnae Chapter continues to be active and strong not only at a local level but nationally and in the within our community. We plan a calendar full of social events each year meeting in homes, restaurants, historical sites; at a museum, the ball park, or the zoo. Our most popular events are our Founders' Day Luncheon and an annual Holiday Brunch in December. In addition to many varied fun and relaxing events, we just enjoy being together and celebrating close friendships. We believe we are an outstanding chapter because of continued loyalty to our fraternity and the joy of sisterhood.
Panhellenic Collegiate Scholarships
- There are three Alumnae Panhellenic groups in Tampa Bay. Each group gives annual scholarships to Greek collegians whose permanent residence is in Pinellas or Hillsborough County. Click on the group name for further information on these scholarships:
St. Petersburg Alumnae Panhellenic Due by April 15, 2024
Clearwater Alumnae Panhellenic Due by April 1, 2024
Tampa Alumnae Panhellenic Due by March 24, 2024
