Delta Gammas seek to do good every day! We pledged to do so when we accepted our bids to Delta Gamma. Our Fraternity letters were chosen in 1873 because they represent our motto and desire to do good.
During the week of October 9-16, Delta Gamma invites you to participate in our eleventh annual Do Good Week by doing good deeds, no matter how big or small. Anyone can participate, whether you are a sister, fraternal partner, friend, neighbor or simply a kind person hoping to make the world a little better.
This year, Do Good Week coincides with World Sight Day (October 10) and White Cane Day (October 15). Take advantage of this opportunity to learn, do and advocate for Service for Sight. Learn and raise awareness about vision-related topics and consider organizing a group-wide service event or doing something on your own. Resources can be found below.
Download Do Good Week Graphics Here
Service for Sight activities (for individuals and chapters)
We are proud to share that this January 5-11, Hope Serving will return to the Foundation for Blind Children (FBC)! Participants will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, for a week of hands-on service at FBC. As the only agency of its kind in Arizona, FBC serves as an essential resource to the blind and low-vision community. Their mission is to provide education, tools and services that enable all persons with vision loss to achieve greater independence.
Hope Serving is a service-learning experience that offers Delta Gammas the opportunity to develop as leaders on a local, regional and international level and encourages learning and critical thinking through hands-on service, community involvement, and civic and social justice education.
The Hope Serving program is open to all initiated Delta Gammas in good standing. Both alumnae and collegians are encouraged to apply. Apply by October 16, 2024. Late applications may not be accepted.
Participant selection criteria are:
Please note that you may be required to have a valid passport, complete a background check and/or fill out additional paperwork.
We hold high expectations for participants and ask them to have high expectations for themselves. If selected, you will be part of a group of Delta Gammas who will have the opportunity to participate in a remarkable service experience. Applicants should consider the following when applying:
As a result of the Hope Serving experience, each participant will be able to:
After successful completion of this program, participants will serve as Hope Serving Ambassadors and are expected to share their experiences with other Delta Gamma members. This includes delivering a presentation to their collegiate or alumnae chapter, and in-person or virtual presentations to their Regional Team and other chapters in the region (to be determined based on final participants).
All participants will receive 50 Do Good Service for Sight hours for completing the program.
The cost of the program, including travel, will be covered by Delta Gamma Fraternity and Delta Gamma Foundation. Any airfare and lodging will be paid for directly by Delta Gamma. Other items such as baggage fees, meals while traveling, etc. may be required to be paid for upfront by participants and subsequently reimbursed by Delta Gamma. Participants will be responsible for securing their own medical insurance coverage. Participants will also be responsible for any additional costs and expenses not covered by the program (including but not limited to snacks not covered by the Hope Serving program, social outings/gatherings, gifts, clothes, lost luggage, etc.).
Fees will be assessed if a participant resigns from the experience. See Cancellation Fee section below for additional details.
Due to limited space and funding, should a participant cancel after accepting a spot the cost of the trip, approximately $1,800, will be assessed back to the participant. The cause of cancellation shall be considered in determining the need for assessment. No replacements will be permitted.
See the Travel and Event Policy for more information regarding attendance, transportation and cancellations. The Travel and Event Policy applies to this event.
Hope Serving participants are expected to adhere to all state, local and service site health and safety guidelines. This may include wearing a mask while at the service site, providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination and/or providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to the trip. Further details will be provided during the interview process.
Questions?
Please contact Learning and Engagement Specialist Dylan Rowell at dylan.rowell@deltagamma.org.
By Janet Bergeron Vidrine, Gamma Zeta-Louisiana State
Raising a puppy to one day become a guide dog involves a lot of work from applications to training, but the result is worth the time and effort. In November 2023, Guide Dogs for the Blind gave a presentation at Gamma Phi-Arizona State about becoming guide dog raisers and puppy sitters. Many members were interested in participating in the program and filled out interest indicators which included answering questions about availability, current schedules in school, majors and GPA information. The chapter president met with Sandy and Becky from Guide Dogs for the Blind to help them find raisers in the chapter. They reviewed the applications and based on the information provided determined which members were qualified and able to raise dogs. Many chapter members were selected to be puppy raisers and puppy sitters.
Once selected, the future raisers and babysitters attended an all-day training session where they learned all they needed to know about raising the puppy and the expectations. They also had practice with real guide dogs to get some first-hand experience with handling. Next came the home evaluations to make sure the raiser had the necessary space to raise a dog.
Caroline McGuire, Gamma Phi-Arizona State, co-raised Otto with another DG sister, Sophia Busch Isaksen, in their shared apartment for the first 10 months. When school started back up in August, Caroline moved into the chapter house and Otto split his time up between living in the house and with Sophia in her apartment. Every moment was an opportunity for Otto to learn and train, whether it was walking on the busy streets of Tempe or being able to sit and settle well during large sorority functions, Otto was always learning.
When Otto lived in the chapter house, he experienced living with 30 women. Several members in the house were also puppy sitters, so their knowledge of how to handle Otto came in handy. Through several presentations, the entire chapter learned everything about puppy etiquette to help them understand that these puppies were not your average dogs and that you could not treat them as such.
Some etiquette tips they learned included not talking to the puppies in a baby voice, always approaching the handler first and asking permission to pet, and to not distract the dog or touch them when they had their green vest on. It took some time for the members to remember all the rules, but they did learn and even helped teach others in the community these rules as well. Overall, the entire chapter had a very positive response to having the dogs at DG events and in the house, and everyone grew to love all the puppies. During family weekend members would show off their composites to their families and point out the guide dogs who had their own featured pictures.
Saying goodbye was difficult not only for the raisers but for all the members of the chapter. All the women living in the house got attached to Otto. They threw him a puppy graduation party where he got to “come” and get his diploma of kibble. All the women got a chance to take pictures with Otto in his graduation cap and say their goodbyes to him.
Flying Otto out to Oregon was very emotional for both Sophia and Caroline, but they were so proud of how far Otto had come and how well he did during his training. He did well through all the phases and made it to phase eight before they got news of his “career change.” Unfortunately, Otto was not going to be a guide dog due to some body sensitivity issues. He is now in New Jersey waiting for his next assignment.
In Caroline’s words, “Getting to raise Otto for my junior and senior year of college was the best decision I have ever made, and I would not change anything.”
If any chapter members are interested in raising a guide dog, please reach out to one of the many organizations looking for raisers. Members can live in Delta Gamma facilities while raising a puppy. Check the Delta Gamma Website Library for the housing waiver information that would need to be completed before becoming a puppy raiser.
For Immediate Release
Contact: media@deltagamma.org
Columbus, Ohio [July 15, 2024] — Delta Gamma Fraternity and Delta Gamma Foundation are pleased to announce the 2024-26 Fraternity Council and 2024-2025 Foundation Board of Trustees.
Elected and installed at the 71st Biennial Convention in Palm Desert, California, Delta Gamma Fraternity announces the following members of the Fraternity Council.
President | Dr. Amy R. Ayres, Alpha Iota-Oklahoma
Council Trustee: Collegians | Kristina Magovac, Delta Eta-Cal State, Sacramento
Council Trustee: Alumnae | Dr. Melissa Thompson, Gamma Zeta-Louisiana State
Council Trustee: Fraternity Programming | Shenea Stephenson Strader, Eta Iota-Nevada, Reno
Council Trustee: Membership | Natalie Cooper Grindle, Gamma Sigma-Houston
Council Trustee: Communications | Samantha Siffring, Epsilon Nu-James Madison
Treasurer | Susan Meyer Kornegay, Eta-Akron
"On behalf of the newly-elected Fraternity Council, we proudly and humbly assume the responsibility of leadership in Delta Gamma for the next biennium,” said Fraternity President Dr. Amy Ayres, Alpha Iota-Oklahoma. "We seek to think expansively and creatively about how our organization can best prepare for the collegians of tomorrow while also offering a rewarding and inclusive experience for all members of today.”
The Delta Gamma Foundation elected Trustees to serve on the Board at the Foundation Annual Meeting, held during Delta Gamma's 71st Biennial Convention in Palm Desert, California.
Jennifer (Jenn) Stuart Ragusa, Zeta Lambda-UC Riverside and Jennifer Surgalski, Zeta Sigma-Northern Kentucky, have been elected by the Foundation voting members to serve as Trustees for the 2024-2027 term.
Jenn Ragusa, continuing as Board of Trustees Chair, said of the new Trustee: “We are thrilled that Jennifer will be joining our Board of Trustees. With her stellar background, energy, and insights, Jennifer will be a tremendous addition to our team. Her business acumen will complement our talented group of trustees, and we are looking forward to a productive year focused on sisterhood and service. We are blessed to have such a deep and diverse set of skills on our Board of Trustees.”
Ragusa and Surgalski were elected and took their Oath of Office on June 28, 2024. Jill Elizabeth Roshto, Gamma Zeta-Louisiana State, will continue to serve as Treasurer and Lee C. Deadwyler, Gamma Iota-DePauw, will begin as Secretary. Catherine (Kim) Schmoker Hunnewell, Alpha Upsilon-Southern Methodist and Danielle Consentino D’Arcy, Gamma Pi-Roanoke continue their terms as Trustees.
Six elected members and three ex-officio members who serve concurrently in the roles of Delta Gamma Fraternity President, Fraternity Treasurer and Council Trustee: Fraternity Programming serve on the Foundation Board of Trustees to ensure the fulfillment of its philanthropic mission.
About Delta Gamma: Delta Gamma Fraternity was founded in 1873 at Lewis School in Oxford, Mississippi. The Fraternity’s primary purpose is to foster high ideals of friendship, promote educational and cultural interests, create a true sense of social responsibility and develop the best qualities of character. Delta Gamma has more than 260,000 initiated members, 149 collegiate chapters and more than 170 alumnae groups. Delta Gamma Fraternity Executive Offices is in Columbus, Ohio.
About Delta Gamma Foundation: Incorporated in 1951, the Delta Gamma Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization formed as a complement to the Delta Gamma Fraternity, creating a vehicle for members to promote the educational interests and social responsibility referenced in Article II of the Fraternity Constitution. The Delta Gamma Foundation fosters lifetime enrichment for members, promotes Service for Sight and partners with the Fraternity to ensure the future of our sisterhood.
This is the Delta Gamma Foundation's most prestigious award, given solely at the discretion of the Foundation Board of Trustees. Having only been awarded six times in the past 30 years, this recognition is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated, through major accomplishments, unequaled loyalty to the Delta Gamma Foundation. The recipient must fulfill the mission of the Delta Gamma Foundation in an extraordinary manner, that is unprecedented and lasting, and that leaves a significant impact on our Foundation and society.
Roxanne’s visionary leadership as Foundation executive director and as an advancement executive has changed the trajectory of the Foundation in profound and meaningful ways. While executive director, the Foundation embarked on its first-ever comprehensive campaign with a goal of $50 million. Roxanne’s work has made an unparalleled impact on generations of Delta Gammas and improved the lives of millions of people through Service for Sight. In her almost 16 years of service to Delta Gamma on staff, her contagiously positive attitude, adept relationship-and consensus-building skills, passion for Delta Gamma and deep belief in the mission of the Foundation and our philanthropy have distinguished her as exceedingly worthy of this recognition. From the time Roxanne was appointed executive director in 2014, to her transition to advancement executive in 2020, total Foundation assets grew 62%. The largest gift ever made to the Foundation, $5.5 million, was a direct result of Roxanne’s work. She has been and remains a role model to all who know her. Roxanne was presented this award at Convention in Palm Desert, CA. To view the photos used in a special slideshow during the award presentation click here. Congratulations to Roxanne on her retirement and an incredible career filled with service and sisterhood!
This award is sponsored by the Theta chapter to honor beloved Theta alumna Patricia Peterson Danielson, in appreciation of her deep commitment to and leadership within the Theta chapter, Delta Gamma, Indiana University and her community. The award honors a Delta Gamma collegian that has made and continues to make a significant leadership contribution to their campus, community, place of worship, state/province, nation or world in an area of philanthropy or philanthropic service.
Nominated by: Kelly Brown, Zeta-Albion, ATC
Kearney Miller joined the Zeta chapter of Delta Gamma in the spring of 2021. Throughout her time, she has served as the director of social awareness, vice president: social standards, and vice president: member education. She has also served two terms on Albion College’s Panhellenic Council as the vice president of service and philanthropy. On campus, she is a captain of the softball team, a member of the Student Volunteer Bureau, and a part of the Ford Institute for Public Policy and Service. She will graduate in May of 2025 with a B.A. in political science and history, intending on entering the nonprofit sphere focusing primarily on public spaces and community-based programming. She has spent two summers in Detroit as an intern for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing and maintaining the five-mile long riverwalk in the heart of the city. Supporting both the development and programming teams, she gets to work with fundraising and donor relations, but also directly with Detroit residents through public events. In her free time, Kearney enjoys birdwatching, weightlifting, and spending time with loved ones.
This award is sponsored by James and Helen Catherine (H.K.) Davis Stuart, Kappa-Nebraska to recognize their daughter’s commitment to Delta Gamma, her alma mater, her community and her church. The award honors a Delta Gamma alumna who has made, and continues to make, a significant leadership contribution to their community, place of worship, state/province, nation or world in an area of philanthropic service.
Nominated by: Tampa alumnae chapter
Dr. Dae Sheridan is a proud 1991 initiate of Delta Kappa-South Florida. She is a licensed mental health counselor, board certified clinical sexologist and a certified rehabilitation counselor in private practice who returned to her alma mater, where she taught for 15 years in the department of child and family studies.
As an activist and advocate for quality mental health services and sexuality education for all, Dae provides pro-bono counseling services to those in need and regularly presents her research and participates as a featured expert for various professional organizations and media outlets, worldwide.
As a first-generation college student, it was in Delta Gamma that she first learned the word “philanthropy” and vowed to find ways to continue to do good throughout her life. Dae is known as a consummate volunteer, educator, mentor, leader, joiner, helper, do-er, fund-raiser, friend-raiser and party-thrower!
For the last 3 decades, Dae has supported countless non-profit organizations throughout her community, and has been recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as a “Healthcare Hero.” Since 2014, she has dedicated her time as an active member of the board of directors at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
No stranger to the financial struggle many face during their student years, upon her retirement from the University of South Florida, Dae was particularly inspired by the phrase “First you learn, then you earn, then you return.” She has since established two distinct need-based scholarship funds at USF which reflect her own journey:
The Dr. Dae Sheridan Endowed Scholarship which provides financial assistance each semester to a graduate student in the Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program, and the “DUE Good” Scholarship which pays dues for dedicated USF Delta Gamma collegians who otherwise wouldn’t be able to remain active.
A recent Cable Award recipient, Dae has served on the Delta Kappa Chapter Advisory team as rituals, honor board, alumnae relations, and programming advisor, is an active member of the Tampa alumnae chapter and is thrilled to host various fabulous DG events at her home throughout the year.
She happily spends her free time with her GDI husband of 26 years, and her two amazing children.
The H.K. Stuart Spirit of Service Award is reserved for collegiate chapters and alumnae groups that exhibit the dedication and service exemplified in the life of Helen (H.K.) Davis Stuart, Kappa-Nebraska. This award was endowed by H.K.’s daughter Catherine Stuart Schmoker and her husband Richard.
Alumnae Group Applicants
Boulder alumnae chapter
Greater Naples alumnae chapter
Jackson alumnae chapter
Pittsburgh South Hills alumnae chapter
Louisville alumnae chapter
Tampa alumnae chapter
Collegiate Chapter Applicants
Zeta-Albion
Nu-Idaho
Alpha Lambda-Drake
Beta Psi-Alabama
Gamma Zeta-Louisiana State
Gamma Phi-Arizona State
Delta Iota-Georgia
Delta Lambda-Mississippi State
Epsilon Epsilon-Tennessee Tech
Epsilon Sigma-San Diego State
Zeta Alpha-Villanova
Zeta Gamma-Richmond
Zeta Iota-Chapman
Eta Eta-Spring Hill
Theta Zeta-Florida Gulf Coast
This award is given at each Convention and honors a local organization that has done exceptional work enhancing the lives of those with vision loss.
For over 75 years, Collegiate Development Consultants (CDCs) have been an integral part in the growth and development of the Do Good Sisterhood. In recognition of the character and quality of CDCs, two awards are given each year through the Delta Gamma Foundation. The Stuart Award was established by Helen Catherine (H.K.) Davis Stuart, Kappa-Nebraska, in 1995, for the CDC with the highest interview score. The Baynard Award, created by Mildred Moyer Baynard, Kappa-Nebraska, recognizes the CDC who will work with Delta Gamma's newest chapter.
The 2023-24 recipients of these awards were announced last summer:
As the academic year comes to an end, Brianna and Josephine shared personal reflections about their experiences and memories that will remain close to their hearts forever.
"As I reflect on my year as a CDC, I can truly say it was one of the most fulfilling years of my time as a Delta Gamma woman. I faced many challenges on the road that helped me get out of my comfort zone and grow as a person. I also made memories that will last me a lifetime!
Some of my favorite memories include facilitating the Collegiate Leadership Collective with the other women on the team and getting to visit Canada for the first time!
I can say with confidence that this experience has introduced me to friends for life and helped me grow to my fullest potential. Without the CDC program I would not be the woman I am today. “
"Serving as a CDC this past year has truly been the opportunity of a lifetime. Every chapter brought new experiences and allowed me to witness the remarkable growth and development of countless women across North America.
This year, I was able to work closely with Epsilon Kappa-Clemson. They were my first chapter visit back in August, and I was able to return this semester as well. Seeing the growth and transformation their chapter has undergone this year has been one of the best experiences within this job. Sightseeing and hanging out with collegiate women in 19 different states and Canada wasn’t too bad either!
I would be amiss if I didn’t give my CDC team or Taylor Mierendorf, our amazing team manager, a shout out as well. They have truly been the best support system and have helped to deepen my appreciation for Delta Gamma. Traveling to almost 30 chapters in one year is not for the faint of heart, but I am so thankful for this opportunity and will not soon forget the late nights spent in Arizona recruitments, the Buc-ee’s runs in Texas, or the countless laughs and memories shared with every chapter in between.”
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The Delta Gamma Foundation proudly funds Training and Programming opportunities through generous gifts to the Foundation, in the areas of social responsibility, health and well-being, and leadership. This includes the Collegiate Development Consultant program, which is funded in part by the Foundation.
In May, Delta Gamma’s Fraternity marketing and communications staff attended the Fraternity Communications Association (FCA) Annual Conference in Memphis, Tennessee. During the conference, staff members attended educational programming, roundtable discussions, networking events and the awards banquet at the conclusion of the week.
Delta Gamma received five awards at the Recognition Banquet for work in 2023.
First Place | Excellence in Digital Integrated Marketing
Homecoming Celebration Weekend
This category judges one specific campaign managed by headquarters staff or volunteers. The campaign must include social media or digital components. Tangible data, such as insights and engagement are included. An organization can only win this award once in a three-year period.
Second Place | Publication Improvement
Chapter Management Team (CMT) Planning Tool
This award honors outstanding efforts to improve an existing printed material other than a magazine. The piece must have undergone significant change during the calendar year of 2023 and may not be a magazine. View the CMT Planning Tool here.
Second Place | Video Presentation, Short
Homecoming Celebration Weekend
This award honors outstanding efforts in video production. Entries should be no longer than three minutes in total length. Presentations can be on any topic and should demonstrate creativity, originality, and inventiveness. Watch the video here.
Second Place | Specific Purpose Website
Convention 2024 Website
This award honors outstanding efforts in communication for a specific purpose through a website. These might include the organization’s site for its Foundation, convention, fundraising campaign, etc. Entries should display excellence in overall content, design, creativity, and navigation. Visit the website at convention.deltagamma.org.
Second Place | Alumnae Engagement Effort
Delta Gamma Foundation Anchoring the Future Campaign
The submission can be a printed or digital resource or channel specifically aimed to inform, educate, solicit, or engage alumni/alumnae members. Learn more about the campaign here.
What is the Fraternity Communications Association?
FCA exists to enhance fraternity communications through the exchange of ideas, experiences and information. As a professional association, FCA is composed of fraternities and sororities, affiliates and associate partners. The 100-year-old organization is unique within the fraternity movement in that the organization, not the individual editor, holds membership. Learn more at their website.
We are excited to announce the collegiate members who have been awarded full-ride scholarships to attend the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV) Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI) this summer! Brittney Bentz, Gamma Beta-Tulsa, Lauren Conway, Epsilon Kappa-Clemson, and Maggie Schatz, Gamma Zeta-Louisiana State will represent Delta Gamma at UIFI (Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute).
UIFI is a four-day, three-night, immersive leadership experience where fraternity/sorority students come together to challenge conventional wisdom, discover new solutions to critical problems and accelerate progress in their fraternity/sorority communities.
We are excited for these dedicated women to represent Delta Gamma at this interfraternal leadership event. Thank you to the Delta Gamma Foundation for funding this opportunity for Panhellenic leadership development.
Prevent Blindness, a national organization that the Delta Gamma Foundation supports through Service for Sight grants, has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month. According to the National Eye Institute, two out of every three people living with blindness or vision problems are women. This important initiative aims to increase awareness about eye diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect women.
Why are women at higher risk?
For some women, fluctuations in hormones due to pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause can bring on such changes. For postmenopausal women, dry eye syndrome can increase twofold according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Other eye related disorders that can afflict women on a large scale are age related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, thyroid eye disease and refractive error.
In regard to eye safety, it is important to understand and implement safe usage of contact lenses, cosmetics and UV protection precautions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that two-thirds of the 45 million Americans who wear contact lenses are women.
Early detection is key.
Early detection is essential in preventing or treating eye concerns which is why Prevent Blindness recommends regular eye exams for all adults, especially if you have a chronic health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Learn more from Prevent Blindness and how to support your eye health here.
UIFI (Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute) is a four-day, three-night, immersive leadership experience where fraternity/sorority students come together to challenge conventional wisdom, discover new solutions to critical problems and accelerate progress in their fraternity/sorority communities. Delta Gamma Fraternity and Foundation are offering two scholarships for collegiate members to cover the entire cost of attending UIFI (travel, registration, etc.).
Please complete the scholarship application by March 25, 2024, to receive priority consideration for this experience. All collegiate Delta Gammas in good standing with their chapter and the Fraternity are eligible to apply.
Learn more about UIFI, program dates and more, at the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV) website here. If you have questions about the Delta Gamma member scholarship, please contact Kollin Fitzpatrick, assistant director for health and well-being, at kollin.fitzpatrick@deltagamma.org.
