Beta Tau Forever Alpha Phi friendships truly last a lifetime. Just ask Sharon Kobus Michael , who joined Alpha Phi at Beta Tau-Indiana in 1981. More than four decades later, the bonds she formed as a collegian remain among the most meaningful relationships in her life. In August 2025, Sharon and 40 of her Beta Tau sisters from the graduating classes of 1983-85 returned to Bloomington, Indiana, for a weekend to remember. The group stayed at The Grant Street Inn, a charming historic boutique hotel just down the street from Indiana University.
Beta Tau Chapter initaites from 1983-85 graduating classes in front of their chapter facility.
Throughout the weekend, the sisters shared dinners, swapped stories and old photos and visited their chapter house. In the 1980s, members were required to live in the house for three years. Because of this, Sharon and her sisters became very close. When the sisters opened the door to their chapter facility, it felt as though no time had passed. “The rush of memories and being with everyone — so much laughter and so many stories,” Sharon recalls. “It was fun to explore the bedrooms and reminisce about our roommates each semester in those rooms.” This reunion was just one of many for the group. The first took place in 2012, with Sharon, Amy O'Donnell Kesmodel, Lisa Branstetter Wickes and Jill Nikirk Goodmon coordinating a reunion to simply to reconnect. By the end of that weekend, they had made a decision: they would meet every three years moving forward. True to their word, reunions followed in 2015, 2018 and early 2024 (a planned 2021 gathering was canceled due to COVID-19). By November 2024, planning was already well underway for the 2025 reunion. This time, the weekend was scheduled a bit earlier than usual in hopes of encouraging even more sisters to attend, and it worked. “There were a few sisters that we hadn’t seen since graduation,” Sharon shares, “and one who traveled from England, whom the group hadn’t seen since the 2012 reunion.” Sure enough, the group has already committed to another reunion in 2028 in Bloomington. Sharon is especially looking forward to reconnecting with even more sisters and serving on the reunion planning committee to help make it another weekend for the books. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to help plan such a meaningful weekend, surrounded by women who have become more than friends — they’re family,” Sharon says. “Beyond our college memories, our bond continues to grow as we share in each other’s lives, celebrate milestones and support one another through every chapter. Our sisterhood is timeless, and this reunion reminded me just how lucky we are to have one another, even more than 40 years later.” Are you a Beta Tau sister who graduating in the early ‘80s interested in joining the 2028 reunion? Contact Sharon Kobus Michael at sharon.michael1984@gmail.com for more information.
We Want to Hear From You! We love sharing chapter updates in the Quarterly , highlighting both our alumnae and collegiate members. But to do this, we need your involvement! We rely on you — our members and readers — to submit newsworthy content that helps us amplify all voices within Alpha Phi. Submissions of interest include:
• Philanthropy events • Formal and informal gatherings • Students studying abroad • Recruitment activities and Bid Days • Vacations and sister trips
• Living-in stories with sisters • Campus life • Member achievements …and much more!
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