At the end of her freshmen year at the University of Nebraska, Meredith Burroughs returned to her hometown of Oakton, Virginia, with every intention of transferring schools. She had completed applications to both the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. “Being 1,400 miles away from home was so hard for me,” Meredith said. Even though she had relatives close by in Omaha, the homesickness was overwhelming.

That summer, when word got out about her plans to transfer, she was flooded with text messages and phone calls from chapter members, especially sisters from her New Member class. They sent encouraging messages of support letting Meredith know Nebraska Beta was her family. Her sisters loved her unconditionally, even if she did decided to return to Virginia. “That’s when I felt Pi Phi at Nebraska was my home.”

Meredith returned to the University of Nebraska that August and moved into the chapter house for her sophomore year. During spirit week Meredith was overwhelmed with the welcome back she received. “Girls from every grade came up to me and told me how happy they were that I was back on campus.”

Looking back now, Meredith realized Pi Phi feels like home no matter where she is. Her childhood best friend is even a member of the Wisconsin Alpha Chapter. Meredith visited her last year for a football game and stayed overnight in the chapter house. A drive through Lexington, Kentucky, allowed Meredith the opportunity to knock on Kentucky Beta’s door. “They were in the middle of finals week and still took the time to give me a tour of their house.”

No matter where Meredith ends up after graduation (her dream is to work in sports, and she’s willing to travel just about anywhere to do so), she hopes there will be a chapter nearby so she can stay involved as a volunteer. “Pi Phi has become my home away from home in every sense of the word.”