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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michelle Snyder Ardern, Executive Director Phi Sigma Sigma Sister Killed While Visiting Childhood Friend Elkridge, Maryland (February 19, 2007)–A University of Maryland Phi Sigma Sigma sister was murdered on Sunday morning while visiting Arizona State University to celebrate her childhood friend’s birthday. Nicole Schiffman, 19, a sister of the Beta Alpha chapter at the University of Maryland-College Park, was killed when a gunman opened fire on her and a childhood friend, Carol Kestenbaum, 20. The women, who attended high school together in Bellmore, N.Y., had been celebrating Kestenbaum’s birthday in Tempe, Ariz., where Kestenbaum was a university student. Schiffman had flown there for the weekend, according to reports. “This senseless tragedy has drawn the entire Phi Sigma Sigma community to our sisters at the University of Maryland-College Park campus,” said Phi Sigma Sigma International President Sandy Grossman. “Our immediate concern is for the well-being of those coping with this terrible loss, and we extend our deepest, heart-felt sympathies to the families and friends of Nicole and Carol.” “Support from the University of Maryland Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the University Counseling Center has been extraordinary,” said Phi Sigma Sigma Executive Director Michelle Ardern. “The outpouring of warmth from other fraternity and sorority chapters on campus has been a source of great comfort for women in the chapter.” Sorority sisters remember Nicole, a sophomore journalism major, as an amazing friend with an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor. Her presence, beautiful personality and commitment to her chapter and sisters will be forever remembered. Jennifer Sims, a close friend and chapter sister shared, “Nicole valued her friendships and loved to have fun, yet knew how to balance it all as a successful student, loving sister and an amazing daughter. Nicole’s joy and warmth will be missed but certainly never forgotten.” Another sorority sister, Rebecca Stern, noted that “only Nicole would fly thousands of miles across the country to be there with one of her best friends to celebrate a birthday. She always had a smile on her face, she had a great sense of humor, she was funny, and most of all, she was a good friend.” The funeral will be held Wednesday morning, February 21 at the Gutterman’s Funeral Home, Rockville Center, N.Y. The chapter is establishing a fund in Nicole's memory through the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation. Donations marked "in memory of Nicole Schiffman" can be made online or can be sent to:
Condolences can be sent to the Beta Alpha Chapter:
Condolences to the family can be sent to Phi Sigma Sigma Headquarters to be forwarded to the Schiffman family:
Phi Sigma Sigma is an international women's fraternity founded in 1913 at Hunter College in New York City. Currently, Phi Sigma Sigma has over 55,000 initiated members worldwide, with 110 collegiate chapters and colonies and more than 100 alumnae groups across North America. More information about the organization can be found at www.phisigmasigma.org.
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 Nicole Schiffman |