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In late January 2002, the beginning of the spring semester of her freshman
year, Linda decided to rush all four Pan Hellenic sororities at Johns Hopkins
University. After a week of parties and meeting sisters in each sorority,
Linda chose to join Alpha Phi. Called "pledges", Linda and the other
new members of Alpha Phi had weekly meetings where they learned about the
sisters and the sorority, past and present. Linda always kept herself busy
and
was often juggling numerous responsibilities. The meetings often conflicted
with her volleyball practices or BME meetings, but she still made time to
learn about the history of Alpha Phi, participate in philanthropic events
and
attend Alpha Phi’s numerous social events. In the beginning of March, she went
to her first formal dance called Poison Ivy.
Around that time, Linda made a list of the top ten sophomores whom she wanted to become her big sister. The eligible
sisters made a similar list for the pledges. Many sisters had Linda first on their list. They took her out to coffee,
brought her lunch, doing everything they could so Linda would become their little sister. Ultimately, Sarah Hwang became
Linda's big sister. In April of 2002, Linda was initiated as an official member of Alpha Phi's Zeta Omicron Deuteron chapter.
As a sister, Linda attended weekly chapter meetings and participated in various
philanthropy activities, such as volunteering at a nearby church making
sandwiches for people with HIV/AIDS. The sisters attended formal and semi-formal
parties
approximately four times each year. In the fall of her sophomore year, Linda
decided to run for Director of Finance. She met with one of her close friends
who was also an older sister, Ning Chan. Ning held that position and they
discussed the
details and requirements of being Director of Finance. Liking what she heard,
Linda ran for the position and was easily elected. She was the Director
of Finance from spring of her sophomore year to fall of her junior year.
As Director of Finance,
Linda sat on the executive board of Alpha Phi. She was in charge of getting
everyone to pay their dues on time, allotting funds for each VP and their
subsequent sub-groups, and was also responsible for making payment plans
for the girls that wanted them.
She also kept the chapter’s roster up to date so that each member was covered
insurance-wise, working closely with Alpha Phi International.
By the end of her term as Director of Finance, Linda had developed a deep
passion for Alpha Phi and wanted to make a difference in the direction it
was taking. She decided that the best way to do so would be to run for president
of the sorority.
She was elected Lady Superior of Alpha Phi in the fall of her junior year.
In charge of the executive board meetings that she sat on the year before,
Linda served as the figurehead of the sorority and was someone to whom all
of the sisters looked up;
she provided support and guidance whenever necessary. She continued to keep
in close contact with Alpha Phi International, monitoring the growth of
Alpha Phi at Johns Hopkins University.
Her positions, while a significant part of her experience with Alpha Phi, were nothing compared to the experiences and bonds
she shared with her fellow sisters. The warmth she always exuded was returned enthusiastically; their shared times
were full of laughs and smiles.
 Alpha
Phi 2002-2003
Alpha Phi Gallery
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