Pi Beta Phi's Candle Light Vigil

Sorority and family honor a lost sister and friend

By: Maria Rettinger

Posted: 11/18/09

On Sunday, November 15, at 5:00 p.m., the Drury University chapter of Pi Beta Phi held a candle light vigil in memory of a deceased Drury student and sister of Pi Beta Phi, Andrea Newbold.

The members of the MO Gamma Chapter of Pi Beta Phi wished to begin their philanthropy week with the vigil around the tree planted in her honor on the lawn in front of Freeman Hall as a way to remember their beloved lost sister.

They tied ribbons in the Pi Beta Phi colors of wine and silver blue on the branches to commemorate the moving experience.

Andrea Newbold was a dedicated Pi Beta Phi and philanthropist until the day she died. When Andrea was a sophomore, she started an internship in which she worked with children with autism.

Through this experience, she developed a passion for raising awareness about autism. In December of 2001, her junior year, Andrea was killed by a drunk driver.

The candlelight vigil held in her honor is a testament to the pain that Pi Beta Phi still feels from its loss.

Andrea's family created a fund in her memory to support children with autism.

Soon after, the chapter decided to change its local philanthropy to instead support "The Andrea Newbold Fund for Children with Autism." Each year, "Puttin' on the Lips" (which will be held Wednesday, Nov 18, at 8:15p.m. in Clara Thompson Hall) gives the members of Pi Beta Phi the opportunity to raise money for that fund and give it to a child with autism so that he or she may attend a specialized school that provides an education tailored to his or her needs.

Senior Pi Beta Phi member Katie McWain said, "It really made our chapter feel more connected to our sister and even more committed to her passion for our new philanthropy."