OSU Student Group Receives Prestigious Award

Thursday, August 18, 2016

The Oklahoma Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi® Fraternity for Women at Oklahoma State University has received the Fraternity’s highest and most prestigious honor, the Balfour Cup, for the 2015–2016 academic year. Of Pi Beta Phi’s more than 139 international collegiate chapters, Oklahoma Beta was one of 16 chapters ranked as Chapters of Excellence, a pool from which the Balfour Cup recipient is selected.

The Balfour Cup was introduced in 1921 and, today, is based on an evaluation of the chapter’s success and its quality of the Pi Beta Phi membership experience. This includes accomplishments in academics, philanthropy, finances, housing and Panhellenic and campus involvement. In addition to chapter operations, the Balfour Cup honors how well chapters develop members through Pi Beta Phi’s Leading with Values® program, which sets the stage for members to live the Fraternity’s core values, fulfilling leadership potential, serving others and achieving academic excellence.

The Oklahoma Beta Chapter members gave an average of 60 hours each of community service throughout the school year, totaling 13,000 hours overall. The chapter consistently ranks second among sororities on campus for their academic achievements. They are a top recruiter and celebrated a 100 percent member retention rate this past year.

The chapter holds annual goal setting sessions, which result in determining chapter-specific vision and mission statements, as well as a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. Results are shared with the entire chapter in order to gain buy in from the chapter and show each member has a part in helping reach the overall chapter goals.

In addition to the Balfour Cup, the chapter was recognized on campus for their service as well as other chapter and individual award winners. The Oklahoma Beta Chapter was chartered at Oklahoma State University in 1919.

“Receiving this incredible honor validates the many hours of hard work our chapter leaders, members and alumnae gave to make our chapter successful,” said Oklahoma Beta Chapter President Libby Schultz. “Pi Beta Phi is about leaving a legacy. We are fortunate to have an active and supportive alumnae network. The collegiate members seek to honor the traditions of the past while also establishing new practices supporting Pi Phi’s core values. As a sisterhood, we aim to build each other up, contribute to the Fraternity as a whole and enjoy fun events and friendship.”

PHOTO: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ostatenews/albums/72157671439936362.