Junior Kensea Myers, Indiana Theta, has some deep roots in her Pi Phi family. Along with her grandma, Indiana Beta Shirley King Myers, and two aunts, Indiana Zeta Ginny Myers Shaffer and Indiana Epsilon Elizabeth Myers Plymate Kensea also has five cousins who are Pi Phis at various chapters. They all talked about the special experiences Pi Phi and Greek life bring to college, so it was definitely an opportunity Kensea wanted to have as well.

Kensea joined Pi Beta Phi at the University of Alabama. Her aunts and grandma traveled to attend her initiation, and she cherishes the moment her grandma pinned her. She now has an additional connection to these family members that a lot of other people in their family do not understand. And being a member definitely enhanced her experience as a first year student. So it was a difficult decision when Kensea decided to transfer schools for her sophomore year to be closer to home.

Although hesitant about leaving her Alabama Beta sisters, she knew her new school, Valparaiso University (VU), also had a Pi Phi chapter. So, Kensea participated in the affiliation process at VU. The university requires women to wait a full semester before affiliating with the chapter, so she attended events during the fall semester to meet the women of Indiana Theta in hopes it would be a good fit for her and the chapter. In December, she affiliated as a member of Indiana Theta.

At Indiana Theta, Kensea once again found a home and a true Pi Phi connection. Kensea is living in the brand new chapter house that opened this year. She loves that they are able to cook meals side by side enjoying casual talk with one another. Members hang out in the living and get ready in their shared bathrooms — the stuff that Kensea believes allowed her to become especially close to her sisters. “It’s the stuff that makes it a home with friends.”