Texas Eta

Installing Officer:
Grand President
Jean Wirths Scott, Pennsylvania Beta 

Philanthropy Event:
Dodge the Arrow and Pi Phi Picnic

Installation at Texas Eta

The chapter was installed on April 20, 1985. The first night of installation weekend was on Friday, April 19, and consisted of one of Pi Phi’s oldest traditions, the Cookie Shine. The New Members were announced and they all sang the Cookie Shine song and mingled with others. The Seven Gifts Ceremony and the returning of the Beta pins then followed. Saturday, April 20, was the Initiation Ceremony, which took place at the Community Center. Later that night a celebratory banquet took place at the Aggieland Hotel, where there were pictures, food and fun. The last day of installation weekend was Sunday, April 21. On this day, there was a formal chapter meeting at 10 a.m. at Aggieland Hotel and then a reception to follow at Bryan Woman’s Club. All family members were welcome to attend this reception and the newly initiated members ended the weekend celebrating the beginning of the Texas Eta chapter of Pi Beta Phi and their new roles as collegiate members of the chapter. During the weekend, the chapter received many gifts, including an angel doll.

Living at Texas Eta

Texas Eta's home was built in 1988 and is a special place where members can relax together and have fun. The chapter's house is located at 1601 Munson Avenue and is a two-story red brick building. There is a porte-cochere where cars can pull under and drop others off close to the door, which is unique to Texas Eta Pi Phi because no other house at Texas A&M has this convenient amenity. The downstairs includes an office, bathrooms, a cozy meeting room, an entry way, parlor and living room, as well as a dining area. There is a large-sized chapter room as well as a small workout gym. The house has two kitchens; one big kitchen for the chapter's cook and a smaller kitchen, which the chapter members call the “mini kitchen.” The mini kitchen is where all the women who live in the house store their personal groceries and food, and it serves as a great hangout space. In fact, most Pi Phis agree that the best late-night conversations occur in the mini kitchen, and some strong friendships are even formed there. Upstairs consists of around 22 rooms and two community sized bathrooms. There is also a common room in the middle of the hall where the women can watch TV or do homework together. Close to 50 members live in the house every year and make some of their most fond and special memories here.  

Texas Eta was lucky enough to receive a full interior makeover about a year ago. New furniture was purchased for the living room, parlor, entry way and mini kitchen. Although there are some new pieces of furniture, the chapter has kept around items and furniture that were donated by Pi Phi alumnae. They also have a beautiful picture of Barbara Bush, who is an alumna initiate of Texas Eta. 

Panhellenic Groups on Campus

Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi and Zeta Tau Alpha

Philanthropic Service

This chapter’s main philanthropy events are Dodge the Arrow, which is a dodgeball tournament in the spring, and Pi Phi Picnic, which is a cookout at the Pi Phi house in the fall. Both events raise money to put toward their philanthropy, along with raising awareness around campus. 

Notable Alumnae

• Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the United States