Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Winter 2025 3 SAIs In The News S igma Alpha Iota announces the appointment of Christine D. Bruns as its new Executive Director. Christine succeeds Ruth Sieber Johnson, who has retired after thirty-two years of service. Bruns is an initiate of the Epsilon Chapter at Ithaca College, where she studied oboe and earned both her BM and MM in Music Education. She taught public and private music for over twenty years in New York, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington. She was also a writer for Korea Ye, a blog for military families living overseas in South Korea. As a performer, Christine was a member of the Ithaca Concert Band, Atlanta's Tara Winds, Bel Air (MD) Community Band, Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble, Colorado Springs Chorale (soprano), and a guest oboist with the 4th Infantry Division Band at Ft. Carson, CO and America's First Corps Army Band at JBLM, WA. From 2023–24, she served as Musical Director for the SHAPE Performing Arts Centre in Mons, Belgium. Christine has been affiliated with the Ithaca, International, Baltimore, Raleigh/Durham, Colorado Springs, and Tacoma Alumnae Chapters. She served Sigma Alpha Iota as a Province Officer in Eta B and Tau A Provinces, was the first Region VI Regional Officer, and was NVP Collegiate Chapters from 2009–2013. As a Province Officer, Christine helped create a version of the MIT training program and chaired the committee to develop an Officer Training Manual. In 2008, she led the Weave II Leadership Seminar in Greenville, SC. She has led convention workshops on recruitment and multi-tasking chapter activities, and was chair of the National Objectives Committee for the 2009 and 2012 National Conventions. She served SAI as Editor of PAN PIPES (2015–2024), was Director of the SAI Composers Bureau (2020–2023), and was chair of the committee for the 2023 edition of the SAI Songbook. She accepted the position of Assistant Executive Director in 2023. Christine is a recipient of the SAI College Honor Award, Scholastic Award, Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, Wreath of Achievement, Rose of Dedication, and Ring of Excellence. Christine is married to CW3 Robert Bruns, US Army (Ret.), a former Band Master for the US Army and an SAI Friend of the Arts. They have one son, Michael. Christine Bruns Named Executive Director In its first century, Sigma Alpha Iota has had only three Executive Directors: Mildred Odell Sale (served 1931–56) Mildred was an initiate of the Mu chapter at Wesley College (now the University of North Dakota). While still in college, she acted as secretary at the National Convention in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She was then appointed National Editor and edited PAN PIPES from 1923–35. It was during this time she became National Executive Secretary, and the Executive Office was in her home in Oklahoma City. When Mildred and her husband moved to Dallas, Texas, the Executive Office moved with them. Mildred was a recipient of the Sword of Honor and the Ring of Excellence. Dorothy Cooke Whinery (served 1956–92) Dorothy was an initiate of the Pi chapter at Drake University, where she served as secretary and president. She affiliated with the Des Moines Alumnae Chapter after graduation, serving as secretary, president, and scholarship chair. Dorothy was also Epsilon Province vice president for four years. Dorothy was appointed National Executive Secretary in 1956, and the Executive Office moved to the basement of her home. As the fraternity's needs grew, SAI moved to its first standalone office in 1967 in her hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. Dorothy was a recipient of the Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, and Ring of Excellence. In 1990, she was honored with the Special Leadership Award that was later named for her: The Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award. Ruth Sieber Johnson (served 1992–2024) Ruth is an initiate of the reactivated Epsilon Tau chapter at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She served the chapter as chaplain, and was editor and membership advisor the year after graduation. Ruth was a charter member of the Little Rock Alumnae Chapter and served as Mu Province Officer. After moving to Asheville, North Carolina, in 1988, she served as National Newsletter Director and Editor of Tempo!, plus Tau B Province Officer. She resigned from both positions when appointed National Executive Secretary in 1992. The Executive Office was moved to 34 Wall Street in Asheville, where it was officially named "National Headquarters." In 2005, National Headquarters moved to its permanent location at One Tunnel Road. Ruth is a recipient of the Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, and Ring of Excellence. Sigma Alpha Iota had no central office until 1926 when the National President set up an administrative office in her home. A National Executive Office was formally established by the fraternity in 1931, and the "Executive Secretary" position was added to the roster of national officers... In 2002, the "National Executive Secretary" position was renamed "Executive Director." Only the title of the position was changed; the responsibilities and duties of the position remain the same. — From Sigma Alpha Iota: A History, by K. Marie Stolba

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