SLU Phi Mu Fraternity named top U.S. chapter

Photo provided by TONYA LOWENTRITT -- Southeastern Louisiana University's Chapter of Phi Mu received the Carnation Cup, Phi Mu's highest honor, at the 52nd National Phi Mu Convention in San Antonio earlier this month. From left are alumna members of Phi Mu's Alpha Psi chapter April Field, of Amite; Lorraine Favre Peppo, of Hammond; Ashley Hebert McDaniel, of Baton Rouge; current Chapter President Lauren Gonzalez, of Covington; and Chapter Phi Director Chelsea Benoit, of Hammond.

Advocate staff report

The Alpha Psi chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity at Southeastern Louisiana University was honored as the organization’s top chapter at the 52nd National Phi Mu Convention held recently in San Antonio, Texas.

The highest honor a collegiate chapter can win is the Carnation Cup, which is awarded to the chapter that is exceptional in all areas and maintains high standards in chapter operations, programming and public relations.

“The Alpha Psi chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity is honored to have been recognized as the recipient of the Carnation Cup at national convention,” said Lauren Gonzalez of Covington, Alpha Psi chapter president. “This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of every chapter member.”

In addition to the Carnation Cup, the collegiate chapter also received the Zenobia Wooten Keller Chapter Development Award, the Philomathean Society Award and Outstanding Collegiate Newsletter Award for their efforts throughout the last two years.

Also, Phi Mu alumna and SLU graduate Ashley Hebert McDaniel, of Baton Rouge, was re-elected to Phi Mu’s National Council as vice president of Collegiate Operations during the convention. McDaniel is the assistant principal of St. Thomas More Catholic School in Baton Rouge.

Prior to the convention, the Alpha Psi chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary of the organization’s founding at SLU. More than 200 alumnae members, as well as 75 current chapter members, attended a luncheon hosted at Twelve Oaks on campus. In celebration of the anniversary, collegiate and alumnae members were able to raise enough funds to endow a scholarship in honor of Patricia Catlett, the chapter’s first adviser.

Founded in 1852, Phi Mu is a woman’s organization, which provides personal and academic development, service to others, commitment to excellence and lifelong friendships through a shared tradition, members said. Phi Mu promotes vibrant living encouraging members to achieve their personal best, they said.

For more information on the Alpha Psi chapter at SLU, please visit http://selu.phimu.org. For more information on Phi Mu Fraternity, visit http://www.phimu.org.