Phi Beta Psi Sorority recently held its 109th Annual National Convention, “Fiesta to Siesta” in Albuquerque, N.M. Eight states were represented by delegates from 40 chapters. Attending from local chapters were Bonnie Colson, Theta Delta Chapter, Tipton and Suzanne Walton and Vicki Cooper, Delta Chapter, Arcadia. Other chapters locally are in Noblesville and Sheridan.
Vicki Cooper, National President, conducted the business meeting and reported to the delegation that the amount to be given in grants for cancer research was larger than ever before, partly because of a bequest from a friend of the Batesville chapter. She left the chapter $175,000 in her will to be used for cancer research. The total amount given to nine different doctors was $499,749. The grants went to University of Chicago, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Penn State College of Medicine, Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Mich., Ohio State University, Northwestern University, University of New Mexico and USC Norris Cancer Center. These grants represent research for various different cancers. Since 1941 when Phi Beta Psi chose cancer research as its national project, a total of $9,470,038 has been given.
Phi Beta Psi Sorority is a non-academic, civic and charitable organization founded in February of 1904 by six high school girls in Columbus, Ohio. There are currently 77 chapters in 10 states with 1,293 members. The 110th National Convention will be held in July in Milwaukee, Wis., “Cooking Up a Cure.” For more information regarding Phi Beta Psi check the website at www.phibetapsi.org.