Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority names CMU alumna national president

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One CMU alumna may never had dreamed of becoming the national president of a sorority, yet she is well qualified for it.
Marianne Busch Bullock, a 1978 graduate of CMU, was selected at the end of June to serve as the new national president of Alpha Sigma Alpha, a non-profit membership organization, during the national Continental Convention last month in Richmond, Va.
Bullock said Alpha Sigma Alpha is a womens’ organization that exists to promote high ideals and standards for its members throughout their lives by emphasizing balance among the four aims of intellectual, physical, spiritual and social development.
The highest governing body for the sorority is the national convention which convenes every two years to elect officers and consider changes to the national bylaws, she said.
“In the interim, the sorority is led by its elected officials, the National Council,” she said.
Bullock said the body consists of seven members who are responsible for vision direction, fiscal security and general oversight of the sorority.
She said the process of nominating new officers began last fall and the nomination committee, which is comprised of sorority members throughout the country, reviewed various qualified candidates before the final decision was made.
“I am so glad to be elected as one of the National Council members during its centennial convention,” she said.
The organization was established about 100 years ago with the purpose of cultivating friendship among its members, creating pure and elevating sentiments and molding opinions that will elevate and ennoble womanhood in the world, Bullock said.
“The organization has undergone dramatic changes since then.
“As the new president of it, it is my responsibility to help members go through these changes and try to make the organization stronger than before,” she said.
Bullock said her term lasts two years, during which she plans to change campus demographics by increasing diversity on campus and addressing the issue of retaining members.
“I will look over all areas of organization and implement some internal operations such as how and what type of services we shall provide.
“I may further develop the organizational structure, making it more localized and better supporting our chapter,” she said.
Bullock said good communication and leadership skills, an ability to focus on the big picture and a sense of humor helped her qualify for this position.
“A sense of humor is very important for anyone in leadership positions,” she said.
Bullock said she has the ability to work with diverse groups of people and is willing to listen and understand the Greek sorority community.
People will find enough opportunities in Alpha Sigma Alpha to keep them involved for a lifetime, she said. Joining an alumnae chapter is a great way to get involved with Alpha Sigma Alpha and the benefits are numerous.
“You will meet new sisters, enjoy the company of alumnae from across the country and develop leadership skills which are ultimately advantageous in the work place,” she said.
Bullock said as a member of Beta Theta at CMU, she served the chapter as editor, and served as secretary, treasurer and president for the Houston Alumnae chapter.
“My major tasks in Central’s chapter are to submit stories to “Phoenix,” a national sorority magazine and to keep track of chapter history,” she said.
Bullock received her bachelor of science in business administration from CMU and her MBA from the University of Houston. Currently, she works as a product manager and technical sales representative for H.M. Royal of California Inc., a national chemical distributor.
She was chairman of the Alpha Sigma Alpha national scholarship committee from 1986-1990, served as a Leadership Development Institute member in 1989, national vice president of alumnae from 1990-1996, national vice president of communications from 1996-1998.
She speaks frequently for professional, association and business groups and has conducted workshops on time management, leadership and delegation.
In addition, she serves on the board of directors of the Energy Rubber Group and has written several articles for publication in trade.
Bullock said she still cherishes her experiences at and memories of CMU.
“I have learned lifetime leadership skills through programming and involvement in the chapter,” she said.
“Our chapter had a Halloween party in a nursing home once and it was lots of fun,” she said.
Bullock said her chapter also got involved in philanthropy and community service, helping out at events such as the Special Olympics.
“Those are some of my favorite sorority memories and they are very vivid as if (they) just happened yesterday,” she said.
Bullock said she received a very good education from CMU and enjoyed its friendly campus and people.
“I feel that CMU is just like my own home and I will have no regret having that in my education.”
“I miss Central and hope to get back to visit it soon,” she said.