It’s been half a century since the female Alva Gordon Sink Alumnae group first formed to give out scholarships to create more opportunities for women to attend University of Michigan - and on Monday, about 50 members gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

The Ann Arbor Alumnae Club - Alva Gordon Sink Group gathered at the Ann Arbor City Club between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday for a celebratory reception and luncheon. Rhea Olivacce, who is from the Island of Dominica and completed her doctorate this spring from the U-M in vocal performance, performed “Give me Jesus,” a Negro spiritual, at the luncheon. She has received Sink scholarships since 2008.

The Sink Group was founded in the fall of 1959 by Alva Gordon Sink. It was the fourth female alumnae group established at the U-M and was started by former members of the Sara Browne Smith Scholarship group, including Alva Sink, who had been that group’s first president.

The Sink Group’s mission is to give scholarships to current U-M female students. The scholarships are awarded on a need-based level to students who fulfill the group’s academic standard. “Sinkers” raise funds through various events including coffee hours, babysitting during sporting events, gourmet dish tasting parties and personal donations as well as baked goods, cookbook, wrapping paper, poinsettia and garage sales.

In addition the group supported graduating female athletes in the early 1980s by hosting potluck luncheons in their honor. One of its most famous early fundraisers was selling hand-sewn Michigan flags for $10. The flags became so popular that local bookstores and apparel shops soon started selling their own version, members of the group said.

A Sink Michigan flag was presented to the Apollo 15 astronauts at the Michigan-Navy game in 1971.

“There has been a lot of wonderful memories,” said Marie Panchuk, one of the Sinkers, when reflecting upon her time in the group. When she joined Sink after being a member of the Sara Browne Smith Group she said the Sinkers were very welcoming.

Panchuk shared memories of social events, highlighting when the U-M women’s basketball coach came and gave a private lecture on how to preserve their knees and when a fellow member taught them all how to be bee-keepers. One of her earliest memories is going to Mr. and Mrs. Sink’s birthday parties. Alva Sink’s husband, Charles Sink, was president of the University Musical Society.

Alva Sink was inpired to start the group in order to create more opportunities for women at the U-M. The group rapidly grew and held its first formal meeting in 1960 with about 30 members. Currently, there are 50 active members who meet monthly at members’ homes. Each meeting they discuss potential scholarship recipients, plan fundraising events and enjoy social gatherings. Each October the group participates in its annual “cake tradition.”

The cake tradition was started by Alva Sink at the first meeting. In October she would prepare three cakes: Vermont Maple Cake, Bittersweet 3 Layer Cake and German’s Sweet Chocolate Cake. The cakes have since become a tradition, favorite memory and essential element of the Sink Group membership.

Pauline Walters joined the ‘Sinkers’ in 1928, when it was the Sara Browne Smith group, and was the oldest member present at Monday’s luncheon. She volunteers daily at the Bentley Historical Library of U-M and is on the board of the Washtenaw County Historical Society.

Walters received The Ann Arbor Sink Alumnae Club - Outstanding Service Award. Peggy Eibler received the U-M Alumnae Council - Service Citation Award. “When you go to peoples’ homes and you hear them talking, you think it’ll be boring,” said Kendall Flowers, the youngest ‘Sinker’ at the luncheon and president of the group in 2005-2006. “But all the ladies are so interesting.”

Alva Sink died in February 1998 at the age of 102. In her will, she donated $100,000 to the Sink Group. Her donation is now awarded in through a handful of $5,000 to $6,000 Sink scholarships each year.

Katherine Axelsen is a Senior at the University of Michigan double majoring in English and Comparative Religion. She covers U-M campus, Faith and neighborhood stories for AnnArbor.com. For further questions, email her at katherine.axelsen@gmail.com.