MSU Foundation and Aretias Graduate Chapter renames scholarship in honor of Danielle Smith

This past September our organization was deeply affected by the loss of our beloved sister Danielle N. Smith who became a sister of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. in Spring 1993. She pledged as a first year student at the Amazona Chapter at Rutger’s University New Brunswick where she later earned her Bachelor of Arts in History.  As an Undergraduate, Danielle served as Co-Cacique in Fall 1994 and Cacique in Spring 1995. It was during this time where she created lifelong friendships with sisters like Doris Alcivar, Marlenne Dominguez, Irahisa Disla, and many others who remained close through distance and time.

Fun Fact: Danielle loved to tell the story about how she was actually born on campus at Rutger’s University while her parents attended school there!

Throughout her 25 years as a sister of Mu Sigma Upsilon she was extremely active at all levels. In June 2004, a committee led by Danielle wrote a proposal to merge the Alumnae Association with the Graduate Chapter and create what we now know today as the Aretias Graduate Chapter. She researched the name and ultimately chose the name Aretias because of it’s deep ties to the history and symbolism of MSU. She played an integral part in the establishment and the development of the chapter and was extremely proud of what it had become and its potential to grow.

Danielle was always a go-getter who was determined to reach her goals. In 2008 Danielle earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio and she went on to practice law at Stanley L. Hill & Associates and Hudson Law in Chicago, IL concentrating her time in probate and family law practices. In 2014 she gifted MSU with her knowledge and expertise by joining the National Governing Council and serving as the Officer of Risk Management where she was directly involved with assisting undergraduate chapters including being vital in the team dedicated to reviving the Amazona Chapter in 2016.

Danielle was extremely proud of her Trinidadian heritage in addition to being a huge fan of Star Trek and Incubus. A world traveler, she often gathered groups of family and friends to attend Trinidad Carnival. She was intelligent, engaging, and the life of the party! NGC board members fondly nicknamed her our pitbull for the fierce way she defended what she cared about. She will be remembered for her dedication and loyalty to her family, friends, and Mu Sigma Upsilon.

Danielle will continue to live on in our hearts and in our memories. Mu Sigma Upsilon Foundation Inc. along with the Aretias Graduate Chapter of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. would like to honor her significant contributions to our organization by renaming the Aretias Graduate Scholarship to the Danielle N. Smith Aretias Graduate Scholarship. This scholarship in the amount of $500 is funded by the Aretias Graduate Chapter awarded to an Aretias sister and is determined through nominations. Scholarship nominees must demonstrate commitment to their studies, academic discipline, university and community leadership, integrity in action, and strength of character and must be enrolled in a master’s program with a minimum grade point average of 3.50. Scholarships applications will open each year on December 15th and must be submitted by March 15th.