The Traveler

Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Eric Evridge (From right to left) Bekah Hale, 2007 president, Emily Tarr, grand president for Pi Beta Ph and Caitlin Simpson, 2006 president, received the Balfour Cup Sunday.

The members of the Alpha chapter of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority were recognized Sunday as the top international chapter in their organization for the 2006 school year.

"It is truly an honor to work with these women," said Susan Allison, a Pi Beta Phi alumna. "This award is just as much a shiny halo over the university as it is over our chapter."

About 500 people attended the event to see the Balfour Cup presented to the Alpha chapter. The last time the chapter received this award was in 1947.

"Being recognized as the best chapter internationally is a tremendous honor for the ladies of Pi Beta Phi," said Scott Walter, associate dean of students, in a UA press release. "It demonstrates the commitment and dedication it takes for the women to win the Balfour Cup and it speaks volumes to the state of our Greek community, especially for our sororities. The UA Greek community has increased by 800 student members in the past three years."

Chancellor John A. White spoke to recognize the organization's achievement.

Hard work, passion and achievement of excellence won this award, he said. "Congratulations, ladies. You did it and you deserve it," White said.

Emily Tarr, grand president of Pi Beta Phi, spoke after White and presented the Balfour Cup to the chapter presidents of 2006 and 2007.

"What this chapter has achieved has been through teamwork," Tarr said. "The efforts have all paid off."

The Balfour Cup was created by L.G. Balfour in honor of his wife, Tarr said.

"The Pi Phi's were the best when we got here. If we did anything, we polished a diamond," said Caitlin Simpson, president of the Alpha Chapter of Pi Beta Phi during the qualifying period.

"As with any organization, we set goals at the beginning of the year," Simpson said in a UA press release. "The key to our success was that every member worked to exceed expectations, not because of one award but the overall desire to be our best on a day-to-day basis. Pi Beta Phi chapters worldwide set high standards each year, so we are very honored to be the recipient of the prestigious Balfour Cup."

The chapter received recognition in many fields including the areas of fraternity programming, values based programming, community service and philanthropy, panhellenic participation, senior programming, legal programming and risk management.

There are more than 200 members in the Pi Beta Phi sorority at the UA.

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