She remembers walking in to the Chicago hotel’s lobby to see a cake that seemed to touch the ceiling. It was 1967 and the centennial convention for Pi Beta Phi Fraternity; the first convention for Mississippi Alpha Kathryn Lewis. It was at this convention that Kathryn realized the universality of Pi Phi and felt extremely connected to Pi Phi. Since that first convention as a collegian, Kathryn has attended nearly 10 conventions.
To say she has been active in Pi Phi is an understatement. Kathryn served as Alumnae Province President, Alumnae Advisory Committee member, Chapter Housing Corporation member, and is often seen at the Mississippi Alpha Chapter house or around the University of Southern Mississippi campus in support of her alma mater.
Today, Kathryn has another special gift to give to the chapter. She was recently named a winner of the Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg Crest Award for her outstanding community service. At the Ring Ching Roadshow event, Kathryn donated her award, a glass jar with her name engraved in the front, back to the chapter so that they may display it in the chapter house.
Kathryn was instrumental in bringing the Ring Ching Roadshow to University of Southern Mississippi this past February. It was extremely important to her; along with the fraternity’s 150th celebration, she too was hitting a milestone, 50 years since initiating into Pi Beta Phi Fraternity.
Of the 27 women in her New Member class, nine returned to Hattiesburg this weekend to enjoy the fellowship with one another. Mississippi Alpha Barbara Ross hosted the women at her house for lunch where they talked all day. That evening, the group went to dinner and ordered a cake for Pi Phi’s 150th. The server asked, “Who’s birthday are we celebrating?” they answered “Pi Phi!” Finally, at the chapter house the next day, in front of the collegians and other local alumnae, these nine women received their Golden Arrow pins and were then serenaded with the Pi Phi song “One, Two, Three words.”
Kathryn continues to give back to the chapter that has given her so much, but she claims it is easy because she has had a blessed life. “Family, sorority, college, work, and passion for children have given more to me than I can give back,” she said.