UC women get a piece of the Pi

UC women get a piece of the PiJune 06, 2006SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

Eta Pi Epsilon has commemorated its 50th year with the announcement of an endowed scholarship established by the Class of 1956. This scholarship is part of the larger Eta Pi Upsilon fund, the purpose of which is to support women studying part time at University College.

The annual Eta Pi Upsilon reunion luncheon was held Friday, June 2, at Drumlins Restaurant. Twenty-two undergraduate and four graduate students were awarded scholarships based on high academic standing and financial need. Eta Pi Upsilon, which is University College’s largest donor, established a scholarship fund in 1966 specifically for women studying part time. Through the generosity and support of its members, the Eta Pi Upsilon Scholarship Fund has grown steadily over the years and is now close to $1 million. More than 220 women have been awarded three-credit scholarships since the fund was established.

Founded in 1898 at Syracuse University, Eta Pi Upsilon was the first university-based senior women’s honorary society in the United States. For more than 100 years, the society has bound SU women together through scholarship, leadership, service and loyalty. In 1913, Eta Pi initiated a campus-wide vote on a resolution implementing the honor system at SU. Eta Pi solicited its first contributions for a women’s building on campus in 1919. The project came to fruition in 1948, when the building was completed and dedicated.

“Eta Pi Upsilon is different from any other honorary organization by its active leadership in the social and academic mission of the University and long-standing support of women,” says Wendy Harris, senior director of development at University College. “They support the most vulnerable women who are trying to balance work, school and family, often as single parents, while earning a degree.”

University College offers a wide variety of SU degree programs in formats tailored to the busy schedules of part-time students. For more information on part-time programs, visit the UC website at www.yesu.syr.edu.