From the Heart: Barbara Bruns Smith

by Alpha Phi Foundation in Impact

Alpha Phi Foundation awards over $340,000 in scholarships annually to Alpha Phis pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. The Scholarship Program is a cornerstone of Alpha Phi and is made possible in part by our volunteer Scholarship Readers, who review and evaluate the hundreds of scholarship applications submitted each year.

Barbara Bruns Smith (Beta Chi-Bucknell) has been a volunteer with our Scholarship Program for the past 15 years! In that time, the total amount of scholarships awarded has grown from $100,000 to $343,140, and the submitted applications have grown significantly. Thank you, Barbara, for your service to Alpha Phi!

Her journey with Alpha Phi began over 60 years ago when she was initiated into the Beta Chi Chapter at Bucknell University. As Chapter President, she began her service to Alpha Phi and was able to see the breadth of our sisterhood when she attended the 1962 Convention in Chicago, IL. “Alpha Phi has always been an important part of my life,” says Barbara.

Throughout her life, she has demonstrated a passionate commitment to serving others, volunteering with national groups like the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America and with local efforts in refugee resettlement through her church and community.

She began volunteering with Alpha Phi Foundation in 2005 as a member of the Scholarship Committee and has served for the past 15 years, reviewing hundreds of scholarship applications. She has found her role as a Scholarship Reader to be interesting, at times challenging, and most of all, rewarding. Her favorite part has been getting to know so many Alpha Phi students and consistently being impressed with how involved and caring they are.

“It has been an honor for me to serve as a volunteer for the Alpha Phi Foundation,” Barbara told us. “I have cherished having the experience for so many years.”

The honor has been ours, Barbara! Thank you!

Learn More

Hundreds of Alpha Phi alumnae choose to give back by sharing their time and talent. Their commitment makes our mission of advancing women’s lives through the power of philanthropy possible.

Through the generosity of donors, Alpha Phi Foundation scholarships help undergraduate and graduate members pursue advanced degrees.

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