Sorority sisters are like family. This is especially true for the Neuburger family! Ann Neuburger, is an alumna of the Epsilon Iota chapter at The State University of New York College of Geneseo, initiated both of her daughters through the alumnae initiate program. Daughter, Erica, was initiated at the 2018 International Leadership Forum in Buffalo NY. Ann’s second daughter, Melissa, was initiated virtually this Fall virtually!
The alumnae initiate program is an opportunity for sisters to share the gift of sisterhood with a daughter, mother, sister, cousin or friend that did not have the opportunity to join DPhiE through traditional collegiate recruitment. These members embody the values and ideals of DPhiE and have all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of alumnae members. Members can choose to sponsor someone who embodies these values and ideals, they serve as a mentor throughout the training process.
Melissa participated in the Spring 2020 training program which was modified to accommodate a completely virtual program. Each week, the alumnae initiate class received a podcast episode focused on the areas of sisterhood, scholarship, social, service and self. They connected each week to go over the training and participate in an activity to reinforce the training process.
While the plan was for Melissa to be initiated at the International Leadership Forum in Disney world, with ILF canceled we opted for a virtual initiation ceremony! To make the ceremony special, Ann invited her chapter sisters to attend. While she did not know how many would be able to attend, she was blown away by the support her chapter sisters showed. 43 members attended Melissa’s virtual initiation ceremony to welcome her with open arms into Delta Phi Epsilon.
Now more than ever we see that sisterhood is for a lifetime and that DPhiE sisters will always come together to spread Justice, Sisterhood and Love. Congratulations on your initiation Melissa!
