On July 21, 2024, during the annual Norma Minch Andrisek Leadership Conference, the National Council announced the 2024 National Award recipients, recognizing outstanding collegiate and alumnae chapter and member excellence in overall community relations, philanthropic service and leadership and academic achievement.
ACHOTH AWARD
The Achoth Award came to Delta Zeta when we merged with Phi Omega Pi, and we have continued with this recognition ever since. This award shall be given to alumnae who have demonstrated long and faithful service by their continued loyalty to Delta Zeta particularly in their local communities. The criteria for this award states at least 15 years of dedicated service on the local level.
Award Winners:
- Jessica Merenich Baumgardner, Delta Tau Chapter, Temple University
- Gail Schmidt Beck, Beta Gamma Chapter, University of Louisville
- Karen Catechis, Epsilon Rho Chapter, Northwest Missouri State University
- Kara Hay Comte, Lambda Xi Chapter, Texas A&M University
- Alissa Zito Cruz, Xi Omicron Chapter, Loyola Marymount University
- Mary Lynda Campbell Ewen, Alpha Pi Chapter, Samford University
- Cindy Andrew Formica, Kappa Theta Chapter, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Linda Cater Heath, Epsilon Beta Chapter, Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Gina Smith McCarty, Beta Delta Chapter, University of South Carolina
- Sherron Summerville Mills, Lambda Gamma Chapter, Jacksonville State University
- Kathleen McClarty Morris, Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Alabama
- Shoshana Yudin Nakano, Delta Alpha Chapter, California State University/Long Beach
- Debbie Raziano, Kappa Alpha Chapter, Nicholls State University
ALICE C. HUENEFELD AWARD
The Alice C. Huenefeld Award, given by Margaret Huenefeld Pease in memory of her sister Alice, shall be presented annually to an outstanding College Chapter Director who has given long and dedicated service to her chapter. This year’s honoree’s chapter says that she “exemplifies the Delta Zeta value of empowerment through her interactions with our chapter. Her constant presence provides invaluable support, yet she refrains from imposing her own opinions or objectives on the chapter or the Executive Board. Instead, she observes and listens, offering thoughtful advice that enables us to reach our own conclusions.”
Award Winner:
- Sherron Summerville Mills, Lambda Gamma Chapter, Jacksonville State University, College Chapter Director for Zeta Pi Chapter, University of Georgia
FLORENCE HOOD MINER AWARD
The Florence Hood Miner Award was first introduced at the 1948 Convention in recognition of Mrs. Miner’s service as National Vice President, Editor of The LAMP of Delta Zeta, National Historian and other national offices. This award shall be given to members of Delta Zeta in their junior year who made the greatest contributions to their college, chapter and Delta Zeta through outstanding leadership on the campus while maintaining a good academic record.
Award Winners:
- Paris Brown, Zeta Phi Chapter, Slippery Rock University
- Ella Burrows, Delta Omega Chapter, Fort Hays State University
- Christine Chen, Delta Sigma Chapter, Truman State University
- Baylor McElhaney, Omicron Epsilon Chapter, Arkansas State University
- Emily OLeary, Beta Delta Chapter, University of South Carolina
- Paige Sawatzky, Alpha Beta Chapter, University of Illinois
GRACE MASON LUNDY AWARD
The Grace Mason Lundy Award was first presented at the 1948 Convention in recognition of her many years of service as a National President, Historian and in other national offices. It is presented annually to senior members of Delta Zeta who throughout their college years have given greatest evidence of loyalty, devotion and service to their chapters and to the Sorority.
Award Winners:
- Rachel Bringas, Xi Upsilon Chapter, Northeastern University
- Alaina Clement, Kappa Alpha Chapter, Nicholls State University
- Morgan Courtney, Epsilon Nu Chapter, Missouri State University
- Madison Cowart, Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Alabama
- Meghan Pierce, Pi Chi Chapter, Western Kentucky University
- MacKenon Tyrrell, Gamma Sigma Chapter, Eastern Michigan University
ALUMNAE CHAPTER EXCELLENCE AWARD
Award Winners (Small Chapters):
- Long Beach Alumnae Chapter
- Madison Area Alumnae Chapter
- Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter
- San Antonio Alumnae Chapter
- West Inland Empire Alumnae Chapter
Award Winners (Large Chapters):
- Columbia Alumnae Chapter
- Greater Nashville Alumnae Chapter
- Greater Seattle Alumnae Chapter
- Greenville Alumnae Chapter
- Huntsville Alumnae Chapter
- Louisville Alumnae Chapter
MARGARET HUENEFELD PEASE COUNCIL AWARD
The Margaret Huenefeld Pease Council Award was established in tribute to her service as National President, Editor of the LAMP of Delta Zeta and other national offices. This award shall be presented to an outstanding small alumnae chapter who has excelled in creating an outstanding chapter culture and member experience.
Award Winner:
- San Antonio Alumnae Chapter
MYRTLE GRAETER HINKLY COUNCIL AWARD
The Myrtle Graeter Hinkly Council Award, a gift from Texas Delta Zetas, was established in tribute to her years of service, two different periods as National President and two different periods as National Treasurer. This award shall be presented to an outstanding large alumnae chapter that has excelled in creating an outstanding chapter culture and member experience.
Award Winner:
- Greater Seattle Alumnae Chapter
ADELAIDE SEE LOVING CUP
The Adelaide See Loving Cup shall be given to a chapter or chapters which have shown unusual improvement. This marked improvement in a key strategic area will be determined by National Council. The first honoree has made incredible strides at growing their chapter’s membership. A small chapter, they have grown leaps and bounds adding members to create a stronger Delta Zeta experience on the campus. The second honoree called itself “The little chapter that could!” and was empowered and created a successful formal recruitment. They made quota plus for the last two years and had a successful COB which led them to be the largest chapter on campus in 2023.
Award Winners:
- Epsilon Delta Chapter, Concord University
- Lambda Omicron Chapter, Angelo State University
BETTY HEUSCH AGLER PRESIDENT’S AWARD
The Betty Heusch Agler President’s Award shall be given to a chapter or chapters which have handled an unusual/critical situation in an exemplary manner. This year’s award-winning chapter overcame a critical chapter situation that could have torn them apart. However, they came together and finished the year with a successful new member program and created a healthier chapter environment for all members.
Award Winner:
- Lambda Lambda Chapter, The College of New Jersey
CARYATIDES AWARD
The Caryatides Award shall be presented to six chapters with an outstanding New Member Education Program. Each of the chapters honored this year have gone above and beyond the basic new member education program and created a personalized experience for their chapter members.
Award Winners:
- Beta Delta Chapter, University of South Carolina
- Kappa Alpha Chapter, Nicholls State University
- Kappa Phi Chapter, University of North Carolina/Charlotte
- Omicron Epsilon Chapter, Arkansas State University
- Sigma Chapter, Louisiana State University
- Zeta Pi Chapter, University of Georgia
CREST AWARD
This award shall be presented to an outstanding chapter or chapters that have excelled in creating an outstanding chapter culture and member experience beyond the standard requirements.
Award Winners:
- Delta Xi Chapter, University of Northern Colorado
- Gamma Delta Chapter, Pennsylvania State University
- Kappa Alpha Chapter, Nicholls State University
- Omicron Zeta Chapter, Randolph-Macon College
- Xi Phi Chapter, University of Missouri/Kansas City
- Zeta Phi Chapter, Slippery Rock University
FOUNDERS AWARD
This award shall be given to the chapter or chapters with a high record of achievement over the previous two-year period. This award or awards shall be given by National Council when merited.
Award Winners:
- Gamma Delta Chapter, Pennsylvania State University
- Kappa Alpha Chapter, Nicholls State University
COUNCIL AWARD
The Council award shall be presented by National Council, when merited, to a chapter or chapters for six consecutive years of high achievement.
Award Winner:
- Gamma Delta Chapter, Pennsylvania State University
GENEVIEVE SCHMITT MEMORIAL PLAQUE
The Genevieve Schmitt Memorial Plaque shall be given to the college chapter with the highest academic rating. This year’s honoree had a Spring 2023 GPA of 3.79 and Fall 2024 of 4.00, for an average of 3.895. They were above the All Women’s and Sorority Average both semesters.
Award Winner:
- Beta Tau Chapter, Nebraska Wesleyan University
GERTRUDE HOUK FARISS AWARD
The Gertrude Houk Fariss Award was established in her name in recognition of her many years of service to Delta Zeta, as National President and as a Panhellenic leader. This award recognizes a collegiate and alumnae chapter for outstanding joint programming. The committee heard the voice of the collegiate chapter and their perspective on working with the alumnae chapter. They have built a tremendous working relationship not only from a volunteer/mentor standpoint but also from simply having fun together.
Award Winners:
- Omicron Alpha Chapter, St. Mary’s University
- San Antonio Alumnae Chapter
HERITAGE CUP AWARD
The Heritage Cup Award is given in recognition of the collegiate or alumnae chapter who has given the most to the Museum Fund in the biennium from funds raised. The honoree this year gave more than $1,950 to support Delta Zeta’s heritage through the Museum Fund.
Award Winner:
- Beta Gamma Chapter, University of Louisville
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