We are proud to partner with another Delta Gamma School for Children with Visual Impairments for this Hope Serving program! Participants will travel to Los Angeles, California, June 9-15, for a week of hands-on service at the Blind Children's Center. The Blind Children's Center prepares infants, toddlers and preschoolers of all abilities to thrive through inclusive, family-focused early childhood education, with a specialized focus on children who are blind or visually impaired.
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 March 10, 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 Anne Hohenberger, Beta Eta-Texas, Foundation Director: Lectureships in Values and Ethics
Doing good every day seems easy enough, and I’d always thought it meant serving in a prescribed way, like helping raise money, driving awareness or giving my time. But what if doing good also means living by your values, and influencing others to be better versions of themselves, too?
As the newly appointed Foundation Director: Lectureships in Values and Ethics, I was eager to learn more about the various Lectureships at our chapters and hear from the carefully curated speakers, but my experience thus far has surpassed my expectations. Our Delta Gamma chapters have been fortunate to hear first-person stories from bold, grounded and successful women who have shared a message of setting high ideals, living up to high standards, advocating for themselves and others and treating all people with respect. These speakers also command our respect. I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on some of our Lectureship speakers’ messages and want to share what I’ve learned from these strong, accomplished women.
Princess Sarah Culberson, hosted by Beta Eta-Texas
Adopted and raised by a loving (white) family in West Virginia, a then young-adult Sarah Culberson learned that her birth father had been an international student who had returned to Sierra Leone after completing his studies in the U.S. So she traveled to meet him in 2004, where she discovered that she was related to African royalty, with the status of a princess.
As I sat in the student union ballroom on the University of Texas campus and heard Princess Sarah speak, I was captivated by the energy and enthusiasm she projected. While in Sierra Leone, Sarah saw first-hand the challenges impacting the daily lives of the Bumpe people. She emphasized feeling compelled to make things better for the community after connecting with her extended family. I couldn’t have imagined that reading at night could be a dangerous activity, but I learned from Sarah that kerosene lamps are a source of carbon monoxide poisoning in the Bumpe community.
With making a difference for others and doing good in mind, Sarah co-founded the non-profit Sierra Leone Rising. Today, the organization fosters quality education, supports female empowerment and ensures public health safety in that country. The mission has expanded, and more good continues with the community to implement a bicycle program, create a solar lamp program and launch a computer lab. Ultimately, Sarah challenged each of us to strive to be our best selves and to make a difference for others.
Aly Raisman, hosted by Beta Theta-Durham
Nina King, vice president and athletic director at Duke University, held an informal interview with Aly Raisman in Page Auditorium for the Beta Theta-Durham Lectureship event. After sharing her background, describing the rigorous training and discussing her experience as a competitive gymnast, Aly focused on her advocacy work. Aly is the author of the book, “Fierce.” In it, she describes her journey as a member of the ‘Fierce Five’ US women’s gymnastics team, the team that brought home the gold at the 2012 London Olympics, and how she began to recognize and adhere to her values. She also had an open Q&A with audience members.
Beta Theta junior Emily Robers, director of Lectureships shared, “Aly was phenomenal. Her message about empowerment was strong. She talked a lot about her advocacy, too”. Raisman has accomplished a lot, from speaking out about abuse to helping others.
Aly has become known as an advocate for mental health, body positivity and sexual abuse prevention.
Kendra Scott, hosted by Mu-Missouri
Kendra Scott, entrepreneur and jewelry designer, was selected as the speaker for the 27th Lectureship in Values and Ethics at the University of Missouri and was an excellent fit for the audience; she recently started the Kendra Scott Foundation, whose mission is “Shine Bright, Do Good.” Before the event, Kendra was welcomed to the Mu chapter house by the collegians, who then serenaded her with an enthusiastic “Hey, Look us Over” and seemed absolutely charmed. As she spoke, a cart with stacks of jewelry boxes was wheeled out into the foyer. Kendra had brought gifts, each wrapped in her signature yellow box with a white bow.
In an interview-style presentation, Scott focused on how her background shaped her business ethics. She shared that her stepfather had once told her: “The greatest thing you can do with your life is to use your talents to improve the lives of others,” and that despite the challenges she faced with being bullied as a child, her family had always been her greatest support. This is why, for Kendra, family comes first, every customer deserves a special experience, she empowers employees, gives back and makes philanthropy a core component of the Kendra Scott brand and mission.
As I listened to Kendra speak, I thought that despite the setbacks she has experienced, she sticks to her values and works to put more good into the world, just like our Delta Gamma sisterhood.
Cynt Marshall, hosted by Alpha Upsilon-Southern Methodist
Dallas Mavericks COO and Delta Gamma alumna Cynthia (Cynt) Marshall, Gamma-UC Berkeley, spoke to collegians and guests at Southern Methodist University on October 18, 2023, in an interview-style format. After “retiring” from a successful career at the highest echelons of corporate America, Cynt assumed she would unplug and enjoy time with her family. She is a trailblazer and an all-around genuine person. The first African American cheerleader at Berkeley. Multiple miscarriages. Stage 3 colon cancer. Nonetheless, she encourages others to “follow your dreams. Stick to your values.”
In 2018, Marshall received a call from Mavericks’ owner and entrepreneur Mark Cuban with an urgent plea to overhaul the operations at the NBA franchise in the wake of numerous systemic challenges. Since joining the company, Marshall has made tremendous strides in creating a safe environment (accounting for more than just physical safety) for all, promoting diversity and setting an example by leading with her values. Those values? Character, respect, authenticity, fairness, teamwork and safety. She is a firm believer that equity matters.
Regional Foundation Coordinator in Region 6, Tracey McElroy, Gamma Zeta-Louisiana State, attended the Lectureship. She reported, “Cynt Marshall gave a marvelous, motivating speech. I felt really good about it and Delta Gamma. I’m so proud to be a DG tonight.”
What wonderful words to hear.
Kristin Armstrong, hosted by Gamma Pi-Roanoke
On October 3, 2023, three-time Olympic gold medal cyclist Kristin Armstrong spoke to a crowded fieldhouse of students, alumni and guests at Roanoke College. The event was co-hosted by the Gamma Pi-Roanoke chapter with Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity and the Center for Leadership in Entrepreneurial Innovation at Roanoke College. Kristin’s message focused on resilience and grit in the face of challenges, with an emphasis on cultivating the traits needed to achieve excellence.
Looking to the future
And there is more to come. In November, Eta Gamma-Texas A&M hosted retired Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez. Welcoming speakers in 2024 are Alpha Iota-Oklahoma, Beta Iota-Purdue, Gamma Tau-Texas Christian and Gamma Zeta-Louisiana State. The Delta Gamma Lectureships in Values and Ethics continue to serve as a beacon for students, alumnae and guests in providing meaningful presentations and thought-provoking conversations. And as the Director of this remarkable endeavor, each Lectureship fills me with pride for the Do Good Sisterhood.
The Board of Trustees has limited the Lectureships in Values and Ethics to the 22 campuses where Lectureships are currently established.
Bottom Right: Aly Raisman, hosted by Beta Theta-Durham
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Jennifer Magro Algarotti, PhD, Director of Strategic Communications, (614) 487-5507
jennifer.magro.algarotti@deltagamma.org
Columbus, Ohio [July 20, 2023]- Delta Gamma Foundation voting members elect two Trustees to serve on the Board at the Foundation Annual Meeting, held during Delta Gamma's Officer Training Seminar in Memphis, Tennessee.
Lee C. Deadwyler, Gamma Iota-DePauw, has been elected by the Foundation voting members to serve as a Trustee for the 2023-2026 term. Lee previously served as a member of the Foundation staff from 2014-2016. Catherine (Kim) Schmoker Hunnewell, Alpha Upsilon-Southern Methodist, was re-elected to serve a second term as Trustee for 2023-2026. Both Lee and Kim have served previously in various volunteer positions for Delta Gamma.
Board of Trustees Chair Jennifer Stuart Ragusa, Zeta Lambda-UC Riverside, shares: “The Board of Trustees is thrilled to have Kim Schmoker Hunnewell serving in her second term. The addition of Lee Deadwyler is a great win for our Board. Their remarkable achievements, combined with their passion for the Delta Gamma Foundation, will be invaluable in driving our Board forward. I am confident that their contributions will greatly enhance our ability to make a positive impact in the coming year. We express our gratitude to our departing board member, Joan Workman Newman, Gamma-UC Berkeley for her invaluable service and dedication.”
Deadwyler and Hunnewell were elected and took their Oath of Office on June 29, 2023. Jill Elizabeth Roshto, Gamma Zeta-Louisiana State, will serve as Board Treasurer and Lynne C. Thieme, Beta Xi-Michigan Statewill continue to serve as Board Secretary.
Six elected Trustees and three ex-officio Trustees, who serve concurrently in the roles of Delta Gamma Fraternity President, Fraternity Treasurer and Council Trustee: Fraternity Programming serve on the Board to ensure the fulfillment of the Delta Gamma Foundation’s philanthropic mission.
About the Delta Gamma Foundation: Incorporated in 1951, the Delta Gamma Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed as a complement to the Delta Gamma Fraternity. 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 through three areas of support: Individual Member Support, Training and Programming, and Delta Gamma’s philanthropy, Service for Sight.
As long as Delta Gammas have been coming together, we have been focused on our motto to do good. In fact, our founders chose our motto “do good”, and our Greek letters Delta Gamma followed to signify our constant focus.
Although our motto has remained timeless and unchanged, our mission to do good has expanded over time. The Delta Gamma Foundation has been at the heart of this mission, looking for new ways to engage our collective sisterhood as we have grown. With Individual Member Support, Training and Programming, and Service for Sight as our three areas of focus, Delta Gamma remains an unstoppable force for good, not only focusing our efforts on each other but our wider communities.
One of the most exciting ways we come together is at our biennial Convention or Officer Training Seminar. If you have had the pleasure of gathering with your sisters at either of these events, you may have noticed the buzz around the Foundation’s giving area. The colors and logo may change, but the intention remains just as heartfelt – to make a tremendous impact, one sister at a time. From the early days of the Giving Tree, which grew into an entire Garden of Giving, and then transitioned to a highly spirited Regional Race competition between regions, our sisters show up time and time again through their overwhelming care and generosity.
The cream-colored rose, first adopted in 1885 as the Fraternity flower, is as timeless as our do good motto, making it the perfect representation of the Foundation’s newest giving opportunity, Cream Rose Tribute Giving. The chance to honor someone special with a virtual cream rose while making your Foundation gift creates a meaningful connection not only to one another but to our rich history. This treasured touch of friendship and affection is the perfect way to celebrate 150 years of steadfast sisterhood.
Cream Rose Tribute Giving, although new this year, continues this same important work of doing good while focusing on our future needs. Through the Foundation and Fraternity’s comprehensive campaign, Anchoring the Future: The Campaign for Delta Gamma, your Cream Rose Tribute Gift can ensure that the life-changing member experience you had remains available for our sisters for generations to come.
Sandy S. Kuespert, Gamma Theta-Florida, recently honored a sister with whom she has a special bond through a shared love of finance. As the Fraternity accountant at Executive Offices for 27 years, Eleanor Wagner Cary, Alpha Rho-Ohio Wesleyan, hired Sandy onto the finance team at Executive Offices prior to promoting her to fill her own role as accountant in 2004. Sandy, who still serves in this role, honored Eleanor’s memory after her recent passing with a Cream Rose Tribute gift. Sandy recalls Eleanor fondly: “Eleanor demonstrated all of the qualities of a Delta Gamma each day. She provided leadership, support and was a wonderful guide on how to do good in everyday tasks. She saw Delta Gamma as a way of life and a vision of the future for women in leadership. “
Eleanor even sponsored Sandy to become an alumna initiate member of Delta Gamma, sharing an even deeper bond.
As Delta Gammas, we strive to extend kindness and gratitude to all, but especially our sisters with whom we have shared meaningful connections. Taking time to share gratitude for a sister’s influence in your life is one of the most thoughtful expressions of sisterhood.
“Sharing is caring, so a gift to the Foundation in honor or memory of a beloved sister says volumes about how we are connected to do good together. Partnering with the Foundation to impact lives provides enrichment for me and for others.” Sandy said when asked why she felt compelled to make a tribute gift.
We hope that you also feel connected to our do good spirit with those who recognize that the pursuit of doing good is never done and that together we can accomplish unimaginable possibilities.
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You can recognize the sister you thought of most when you read this story with a Cream Rose Tribute Gift. Each Cream Rose Tribute Honoree will receive a personalized tribute message from you and their name will be added to our virtual rose garden.
Questions about Cream Rose Tribute Giving? Email Samantha Mogab, Foundation Annual Giving Manager, at samantha@deltagamma.org
Advocating for equal access to outdoor recreation is core to the mission of the Adaptive Sports Center’s (ASC), one of our Service for Sight grant recipients. Since its inception, the ASC has offered adaptive adventures at a reduced rate. In January 2022, the ASC introduced the Adventure Equity Initiative (AEI), further reducing the price of a full-day lesson to $125. This initiative makes the ASC one of the most affordable, if not the most affordable professionally facilitated adaptive sports programs in the nation. For example, similar Colorado-based adaptive sport programs charge $265 to $550 per day.
The ASC recognizes that the cost to enjoy the outdoors is commonly a barrier for people with disabilities, including those living with blindness or other vision loss. ASC participants have access to state-of the-art equipment and fully accessible facilities, one-on-one attention from expert instructors, and many take lessons on an indefinite basis due to their need for adaptive services. Although these special considerations increase the cost of participation, the Adventure Equity Initiative helps break down barriers by subsidizing the cost to make participation more accessible.
ASC grants manager, Aimee Hoyt, shared, "We plan to offer our new AEI rate throughout the next year, enabling more participants with disabilities to access our life-changing programming. Our goal is to ensure the financial stability of the program and continue the new pricing structure indefinitely. The Delta Gamma Foundation’s Service for Sight grants have been instrumental in supporting our mission and enabling us to continue to offer programming that is affordable for our participants.
People living with disabilities are one of the most underserved populations in the U.S., and programs have historically been hard to find and expensive to participate in. Over three million Americans of all ages and backgrounds live with visual impairments, and research has shown that 'positive approaches to promoting health [for people with disabilities] are important because this population has a high rate of health problems, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression.' Additionally, COVID-19 has significantly impacted our world, and for people with visual impairments, recreating in the outdoors provides a crucial escape from the challenges of social isolation and much-needed opportunities for physical activity. Support from Delta Gamma members truly does make a difference in the lives of people living with visual impairments. Working for the Adaptive Sports Center, I talk to participants daily who describe the impact our programming has on their lives, and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without funders like the Delta Gamma Foundation and our extraordinary volunteers."
Good friend and long-time participant at ASC, Lonnie Bedwell, had the following to say about his experience with the ASC, their staff, volunteers and supporters:
“I love the Adaptive Sports Center because of the people. They’re more than friends to me, they’re family. I come out here and they embrace me. They make me feel like I’m important. I have value. I have purpose. Just being here sparks up my life. The people who do the programs, the people who support the programs, the participants, the caregivers, it takes us all to just join in and change this world and make it a wonderful place for us to live.”
"As a first-generation college student, I knew little about Greek life. I was embarking on a journey that was uniquely my own. During recruitment on Zoom, I was worried the virtual barrier would ruin my ability to get a sense of the dynamic of each house, but Delta Gamma's big personality still shined through my computer screen. When I was finally able to physically see the house and all my new sisters, I had no doubt in my mind that DG was the place for me. The relationships I have developed are so special to me, and I feel so lucky to know so many strong, creative individuals who inspire me every single day. Being a Delta Gamma means being selfless, passionate, and strong. I am reminded of my reasons each and every day when I walk through my chapter's red door.
I am thankful that Delta Gamma supports its members in many ways. One of those is the Sisters Helping Sisters: Need-Based Scholarship. I was encouraged to apply as it was a great opportunity to alleviate the financial burden my college education has placed on me and my family. I have taken out loans for my education and it is not a great feeling knowing I will have massive debt weighing on me. At times I felt discouraged to be in this position, but this scholarship re-ignited my spark to believe in myself and also to lean on Delta Gamma in times of need.
Receiving the Sisters Helping Sisters: Need-Based Scholarship has inspired a greater sense of confidence in myself and my future. I am motivated to keep pushing and to keep myself grounded. I was reminded that I am worth taking a chance on and that feeling in itself keeps me going. I am doing this for my family, myself, and Delta Gamma now. My gratefulness goes beyond words, and I can't wait to keep growing as a student, sister, and individual moving forward.
Delta Gamma attracts such amazing individuals. I hope that these programs will continue to exist because we should always looking for ways to help each other. The message and foundation of Delta Gamma are shown through these programs, and I feel it is important to keep these traditions because they remind members of the true meaning of joining this organization."
"I graduated from the University of Tulsa with my degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2021 and have just finished my first year as a graduate student from the University of Oklahoma in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. My time in Gamma Beta chapter was incredibly special as I was surrounded by incredible and inspiring women who gave me wonderful memories that I continue to cherish. I served a multitude of positions such as vp: communications, which gave me even more experiences and opportunities to grow as a leader. Gamma Beta taught me more about fostering meaningful relationships and being a champion for others,
which inspires me every day in the work that I do in the mental health field. My goals are to bring mental health access to the people in my community despite any barriers they may face.
Being a Delta Gamma member means being a person of integrity, strength, and community. I work to do good in all my endeavors, true to the principles that Delta Gamma has meaningfully instilled in me. Being a Delta Gamma sister means that I carry with me an unconditional positive regard for others, and practice which Delta Gamma fosters in all its members.
Receiving a Delta Gamma Merit-Based Graduate Fellowship will impact my life in various ways. It brings financial relief as I fund my education myself while also balancing my work and internships. It also brings peace because I can focus further on my studies with the reduced financial pressure for the upcoming semester. Most importantly, it brings me incredible honor because I know that others believe in me and my ability, and my vision to Do Good for my community as I work to make an impact in Tulsa’s mental health access.
When I finish my graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I will take my exams and placements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Oklahoma. This degree will grant me the ability to pursue my dreams in the mental health field where I will continue to work to bring mental health access to my community despite financial, geographical, or stigmatizing barriers. I plan to continue working in community mental health centers to connect with members of my community and bring a pillar to hope to the people I learn from and treasure every single day.
It is so incredibly important for donors to continue ensuring programs like the Merit- Based Graduate Fellowship Program because it proves to members that Delta Gamma continues to care for its sisters even beyond the undergraduate experience. I still remember learning about these scholarship and fellowship programs during Recruitment, and the devoted support that Delta Gamma gave its sisters throughout their academic careers and personal lives is what truly resonated with me and made me want to be a part of a sisterhood so sincere and true. I know the financial and personal impact this award has given me, and I now vow to myself to pay it forward one day when I can give support to my DG sisters who wish to further their education because of how much it means to me."
Delta Gamma Recognized at Fraternity Communication Association Annual Conference
By Assistant Director for Communications Caitlin Soltesz
In May, Delta Gamma’s Fraternity and Foundation marketing and communications staff attended the Fraternity Communication Association (FCA) Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. During the conference, staff members had the opportunity to attend educational programming, roundtable discussions, networking events and the awards banquet at the conclusion of the week.
Delta Gamma received four awards at the Recognition Banquet for work in 2022.
First Place | Critics’ Choice – Logo Design
Sesquicentennial Logo
Entries should have originality, attractiveness and relevance to the intended audience and purpose. This is one of only four awards that FCA members will judge. View the sesquicentennial logo here.
Second Place | William C. Levere Award for Total Communication
Sesquicentennial Launch
This award honors the best communication program by an organization directed to members and/or an outside audience for a single purpose, such as a membership campaign, Convention or other. The submissions include several types of printed and digital materials. An organization can only win this award once in a three-year period.
Second Place | Annual Report
Delta Gamma Foundation 2021-2022 Annual Impact Report
This award honors outstanding efforts in presenting material for an annual/biennial report. Entries should display organization, attractiveness, relevance to the intended audience, and purpose. View the Foundation 2021-2022 Annual Impact Report here.
Third Place | Excellence in Digital Integrated Marketing
Sesquicentennial Launch
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.
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.
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 2022 recipients of these awards were announced last summer:
Lexie and Ella were featured in the Foundation's 2021-2022 Annual Impact Report, where we learned what they were looking forward to and what they intended to accomplish during their year on the road.
As the academic year comes to an end, Lexie and Ella shared personal reflections about their experiences and memories that will remain close to their hearts forever.
“This past year as a CDC has truly been a year of challenges, growth and new experiences. From assisting Epsilon Kappa-Clemson with their first formal recruitment to watching Bachelor in Paradise with the women of Beta Gamma-Utah, this job is anything but boring! I simply hope that I have made an impact on the women who have made such an impact on my life!
One of my favorite memories this year was serving as a facilitator at Anchor Academy in Seattle. It was wonderful seeing and meeting other staff members, alumnae volunteers and Friends of the Anchor while exploring a new city! Another one of my favorite memories is playing sardines with the other CDCs while staying at EO for training! In case you were wondering, there are so many great hiding spots at Executive Offices!
I'm so thankful that the CDC program has given me such an amazing team of women who truly support each other on both personal and professional levels. They inspire me to be the best version of myself each and every day, and I hope these friendships will last a lifetime!"
“As we approach the 150-year celebration, I can’t help but reflect on the many incredible leaders of our fraternity and all those to come. I feel blessed and honored that I was chosen to be one of them. My year as a CDC is one that I will never forget. Time and time again, I am inspired by the courage, ambition, joy, love and passion our collegians have for life in and outside of Delta Gamma.
Additionally, I feel so fortunate to have met the most genuine and kind-hearted advisers, regional volunteers and alumnae who welcomed me with open arms and reminded me how much of a treat and privilege it is to be part of this sisterhood.
Of all the memories, I am most thankful for those spent making genuine connections and getting to know women for who they truly are. From deep talks about life passions while grabbing sushi, to late-night chats about alumnae life over hot tea, to hiking while telling funny childhood stories, to all the times in between, these are moments I will never forget. Thank you to the many sisters who have made my year as a consultant so special. I am forever grateful for you.”
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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.
This is the story of Ed and Sully, a perfect partnership that was made possible by a Service for Sight grant from the Delta Gamma Foundation to Southeastern Guide Dogs. Ed and Sully are an inspiring pair and are proud to share their story with you.
Ed Burton is a U.S. Navy veteran and operating engineer mechanic, who was unable to continue serving due to vision loss. Having lost his sense of purpose in a sighted world, Ed felt adrift and isolated. But Sully, a four-legged firecracker full of energy, nicknamed his "Alfa Romeo sports car" wouldn’t let Ed give up. Now, these two are living life to the fullest, side by side, ready for any adventure.
Before receiving his first guide dog, Ed was using only a cane. Although the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs kept telling Ed he should consider getting a guide dog to aid mobility and independence, Ed was not interested at the time. For the most part, he managed to get around without too much trouble, except one day when he crossed the street while jogging with his cane. He didn’t hear anyone coming, so he proceeded into the crosswalk. A car quickly approached and turned right without stopping and hit him on his left side. It became apparent to Ed that he needed a guide dog as a result of the accident.
The process of being matched with a guide dog is extensive. The applicant completes a detailed questionnaire and phone screening about their lifestyle, where they live, what they like to do, and anything else that might help them find their perfect partner. The puppy raisers also take notes about the dogs they are raising through the process. Using all the information collected, the center determines which dog will best suit the recipient. There is typically a backup dog in case the first match doesn’t work – sometimes it is just a matter of trial and error.
For Ed, once he was matched with Sully, he attended a puppy boot camp for 26 days where he lived on campus and learned how to work with his new companion. His favorite moments with Sully during that first month were recalled by Ed: “My favorite part of the training was about the second week in, as you’re bonding. I was with Sully and told her to sit and stay with the trainers. They then took me and sat me down in a chair in a different section of the hallway and I called to her. She came running and launched herself and hit me in the chest.”
Now, one year later, Ed is living an independent life. He is passionate about sharing his story and how receiving a guide dog changed his life. “I trust my life with this dog. She keeps me from falling into holes, running into tree limbs, and so much more. She has literally saved my life twice. It’s amazing the work they do. And the dogs just seem to know who needs them.”
And the story gets even sweeter – Sully’s puppy-raiser is a Delta Gamma! Cheryl Hoffman Zsido Poage, Gamma Upsilon-Wichita State, was integral in Sully’s fundamental training, bringing this do good story full circle.
Cheryl shared, “I began raising puppies for Southeastern Guide Dogs in 2015 as a part of a service learning project with my students. I have raised six puppies for Southeastern Guide Dogs, including Sully. We received Sully at 8 weeks old, and we worked with her until she was 18 months old. As a puppy-raiser, we are responsible for teaching our pups basic cues and socialization, and Southeastern Guide Dogs provides the puppy raisers with all the resources needed to successfully raise the pups. Once the puppy reaches anywhere from 14-18 months they are called back to Southeastern Guide Dogs to begin formal training. This is done by professional trainers, and this is where the puppies begin training for various careers, including Guide Dogs, Veteran Service Dogs or a handful of other careers. Once the puppy graduates, the match process begins, and the puppy will be placed with its handler.
Sully was a fun pup to raise. She was very smart and loved to work. When she saw her coat, she knew it was time to go out and practice her cues — nothing made her happier than that. When she was off work, she was a silly girl just like any other lab puppy you might meet. My favorite things about raising Sully were her can-do attitude and confidence. She was always up for the next challenge whether it was canine fitness, working on distractions, or fine-tuning basic cues. When we turned Sully back over to Southeastern Guide Dogs, she never once looked back. It was almost as if she was saying, ‘I’ve got this!’”
Southeastern Guide Dogs reaches a variety of people in need and offers guide dogs to adults and teens with vision loss, as well as service dogs to veterans with PTSD and other disabilities, all at no charge to the recipient. They also provide skilled companion dogs, facility therapy dogs and Gold Star Family Dogs to individuals and families facing emotional hardships, such as depression or the loss of a loved one in the military. If you are interested in becoming a puppy raiser or would like more information on the services Southeastern Guide Dogs provides, please visit www.guidedogs.org.
The Delta Gamma Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that share our mission of Service for Sight. In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the Foundation awarded 63 Service for Sight grants totaling $400,000 to national organizations to fund programs benefiting people living with blindness or low vision.
From the Archives: National Panhellenic Council Badge
The history of women’s fraternities/sororities in the United States of America goes back to 1851 when Alpha Delta Pi was founded at Wesleyan College (at the time called Wesleyan Female College). These spaces would have been a haven for women to support each other during a time when very few of them were able to access higher education or pursue a career. This is clearly seen in the founding of Delta Gamma which was envisioned by our Founders as a society of mutual helpfulness. The number of these organizations grew significantly over the next few decades.
By the 1890s there was an effort to form an inter-sorority consortium. A meeting among several organizations took place in Boston in 1891 to discuss this possibility. But it was not until 1902 when Alpha Phi invited eight other institutions (including Delta Gamma) to a meeting in Chicago that such an organization was officially formed. The purpose was to, “assist collegiate and alumnae chapters of the NPC member organizations in cooperating with colleges and universities and to foster interfraternal relationships.” Today, the National Panhellenic Conference consists of 26 sororities.
Just two years after its formation Grace Telling, Sigma-Northwestern served as the second Chairman of NPC. Three more Delta Gamma’s who hold this role over the years, Marguerite Lake, Psi-Goucher in 1911, Helen Byers, Mu-Missouri in 1953, and Martha Brown Gamma Nu-North Texas in 2003. This medallion was created using a badge from 1893 that belonged to Mary Halstead, Sigma-Northwestern for Marth Brown during her chairmanship. Halstead served as an NPC delegate from 1928–1932.
This object serves as a reminder of how Delta Gammas have sought to be leaders not just within our own organization but also in the wider community.
