Tricia Bonfrisco participated in history as a chapter delegate in the 2001 Grand Chapter Congress, where Kathy Jahnke was the first woman elected Grand President. Tricia had no way of knowing that 16 years later, she would also break barriers as the second woman elected Grand President. We sat down with Brother Bonfrisco to hear her story.

Tricia Bonfrisco was initiated into Theta Kappa Chapter at Akron University in 2000. As a student she served as Vice President-Pledge Education and then President of her chapter, which was a big leap from when she first joined the Fraternity.

What does Delta Sigma Pi mean to you?

“When I first joined, I was quite shy - I still remember giving a class presentation and barely being able to speak because I was so nervous. Looking back on how far I’ve come, I realize that much of my growth came from my experiences, serving in various leadership roles, and observing and learning from the leaders who came before me. I truly am where I am today because of the Fraternity.

In my first job after college, I vividly remember the president of the organization telling me, ‘Your teamwork skills are far beyond what we typically see from new hires your age.’ Everything I learned as a chapter officer laid the foundation for that. Delta Sigma Pi gave me the opportunity to develop and practice professional skills in a supportive environment—skills that I was then able to carry into and build upon throughout my career.”

After graduation, Tricia served as District Director for Akron (OH), Steel Valley Regional Vice President, Northeastern Provincial Vice President, and on multiple national task forces and committees. From 2017-2020, Tricia served as the Fraternity’s thirty-seventh Grand President, followed by Board service as Past Grand President.

This year marks the 50-year anniversary of women being initiated into the Fraternity. How does that make you reflect on being the second woman elected Grand President?

“I never thought I would volunteer after college, let alone take on leadership roles. I felt so honored to be elected, to be able to serve as Grand President, and have that opportunity to give back to the Fraternity. I was a delegate for my chapter at the 2001 Grand Chapter Congress where Kathy Jahnke and Beth Keith ran for Grand President. As a student, I was able to vote on the first female Grand President, and then years later I submitted my application to run as the second female Grand President. It was an unbelievable feeling. When I think about the 50-year anniversary, it’s surreal. What will our new members bring forth? I can't wait to see what’s next.”

During her term as Grand President, she led the Fraternity through the COVID-19 global pandemic. This was an unprecedented time, but through exceptional leadership skills and strength, the Fraternity came out the other side intact.

What was your primary goal for the Fraternity during the pandemic?

“We were all in the same place, navigating new waters, struggling, and we were all able to come together to reach our goal…Our focus was making sure we came out on the other side. We wanted to still have passionate brothers, successful staff, and be able to continue operations. We wanted to give members comfort and leadership in a violate world.”

What were some of your main takeaways from that time?

“It was a lot of change, and change can be difficult for an organization that’s over 100 years old. It’s easy to get stuck in, ‘this is how we do it, and it works, so we should keep doing it that way.’ The pandemic challenged us to find new and innovative ways to achieve our goals and encouraged us to explore approaches we might not have considered before. It taught us to view our processes through a new lens and to continuously look for ways to improve and adapt for both that period of time and the future.”

What are some other memorable moments from your time as Grand President?

Under Tricia’s leadership, the first Presidents’ Academy was launched in 2019 to train chapter presidents in their roles and offer opportunities to network with other presidents throughout the country. 

“I previously served on the Board when we voted to create the Presidents’ Academy, and I remember the significant effort and collaboration it took to bring that decision and the first event to life. When I stepped into the role of Grand President and witnessed firsthand the excitement of our chapter leaders and the lasting impact Presidents’ Academy had on them, it was truly rewarding. Knowing how we were able to make a difference for our members and our future leaders is exactly why I volunteer and continue to give back.”

Tricia also led the charge in the 2019 initiation ritual change. The Board approved a single initiation ceremony in place of the previous two-part version, which eliminated Part 1 of Initiation, and the oral examination of pledges.

“Since the beginning of Delta Sigma Pi, our rituals have continued to evolve—just as the world around us has. As an organization, we’ve had many meaningful discussions about how to preserve the integrity and historical significance of our ritual while ensuring it remains relevant for today’s members.

Over time, both the Board and Grand Chapter Congress considered both small and significant changes to our Initiation Ceremony. In 2019, when the Board ultimately made the decision using emergency powers to create a single ceremony, we knew it would be challenging and would receive pushbacks. But leadership is also about having the courage to make the right decision at the right time—even when it’s not the easiest path forward. If there’s one thing, I am most proud of from my time as Grand President, it’s knowing that we made decisions rooted in what was best for the Fraternity’s future.”

This is a historic time in Deltasig history, what do you hope for the future of the Fraternity?

“As brothers of Delta Sigma Pi, we are part of something greater than ourselves. We all took the same oath, and it’s important we don’t lose sight of that shared commitment. My hope for our future is that we continue to lead with respect and purpose, working together with positivity and unity through any challenges that arise. To grow stronger as brothers and as an organization, we must be willing to evolve and focus on how we can collaborate to achieve our goals and advance our shared mission.”

As a member of Delta Sigma Pi, Tricia has made her mark on the Fraternity in more ways than one. Her younger self would have never guessed she would be the second woman elected Grand President and then go on to lead the Fraternity through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, a major Ritual change, and so much more. As a leader, she knows the importance of making the necessary choices to ensure a better future, because only through collaboration can the Fraternity continue to progress and reach new heights. 

To honor this monumental anniversary, Delta Sigma Pi is providing informational and historical profiles about some of the dedicated Deltasigs of our organization— all throughout the year. Stay up to date for new updates every week! 

One of Tricia’s favorite parts of being Grand President was meeting and celebrating brothers of Delta Sigma Pi! View these photos from events, banquets and more during her time as GP. Check back next week to hear about more amazing women in Delta Sigma Pi as we celebrate 50 years of women being initiated into Delta Sigma Pi.