Alumnae Initiate Stories | Shirley Kuykendall

Shirley Kuykendall, Delta Phi-UC Irvine, was initiated at Convention 2024. She was supported by her daughter, Annie Gladding, Delta Eta-Cal State, Sacramento, and her granddaughter, Katie Gladding, Eta Iota-Nevada, Reno, at the event, recalling the joy and sisterhood she was welcomed into that weekend.

I was an alumna initiate at the 2024 Convention in Palm Desert, California — what an exciting weekend! My daughter became a Delta Gamma at California State University, Sacramento in the 1990s, and it has remained an important part of her life ever since. Over the years, I attended many events with her and her DG sisters — Founders Day celebrations, Service for Sight events and more. Last year, my granddaughter graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, where she also became a Delta Gamma.

My girls and their DG sisters decided that it was time for me to become a Delta Gamma as well. I was amazed at how welcoming everyone was at Convention. I met so many wonderful women who went out of their way to include me.

I was concerned that I would be much older than most of the initiates, but that was not the case. I may have been the oldest, but not by much. I was so impressed with the professionalism of the initiation committee. They were exceptionally well prepared and guided all of us through the ceremony with such care. Initiation was heartwarming beyond words. I will never forget my granddaughter performing my Initiation while my daughter sang in the choir.

Before I even came down the stairs afterward, I was swarmed by my daughter and several of her DG sisters who had traveled from Northern and Southern California to be there that week.

We are now three generations of Delta Gammas, and we continue on our journey together. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is considering it.

Delta Gamma is proud to offer an invitation to membership to select women interested in joining our sisterhood after their collegiate years through our alumna initiate program. Now is your chance to invite a special friend or family member to join you in our sisterhood and celebrate them on stage at Convention. Candidates and their sponsors will need their own transportation to Dallas-Fort Worth, and the Initiation will be on Saturday, June 27. If you know a candidate who would be interested, have them complete this form.