Delta Zeta Announces 2025 Awards

(Oxford, Ohio) Are you ready to Truly Celebrate together? It’s time to apply for awards! Take part in our tradition of recognition and celebration to showcase the impact and talent of our members and chapters! Through our annual awards, we honor the dedication, leadership and philanthropic efforts that make a lasting difference in our communities and beyond.

What’s new this year? Region and area recognition! Celebrating locally will give even more collegiate members, college chapters, alumnae and alumnae chapters the chance to be recognized for their outstanding contributions. Our committed Area Alumnae Directors and Regional Collegiate Directors will select regional and area winners who will advance as finalists for the National Council to determine national honors. 

Use the awards guide below to see which awards are eligible for regional and area recognition. 

🎉 We’re also introducing two new awards: the Community Impact through Service and Community Impact through Philanthropy awards, celebrating both individuals and chapters that go above and beyond in making a difference through volunteering and philanthropy. Look for more information about these awards on the website! 

Region and Area Award winners will be announced in June 2025.

National finalists will be recognized at Everlasting Orlando/National Convention, July 31-August 3. 

This is your chance to shine, and we can’t wait to celebrate your remarkable achievements!

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HOW TO APPLY:

• Head to deltazeta.org/about-us/awards/. 
• Read through award descriptions and eligibility criteria. 
• Identify the awards your chapter and members should apply for. 
• Assign chapter award applications to a designated awards coordinator(s) for your college/alumnae chapter. 
• Share the awards website, and encourage your chapter members and other sisters in your network to consider applying for individual awards. 
• Apply by May 1st, 2025. This also includes the Florence Hood Miner Award and Grace Mason Lundy Award (the deadline has been extended).

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AWARDS GUIDE

Chapter Awards:

Adelaide See Loving Cup – Region Award/National Finalist

The Adelaide See Loving Cup shall be given to the chapter which has shown unusual improvement. This marked improvement in a key strategic area will be determined by National Council. Chapters may be recommended by National Council and Regional Collegiate Directors (RCDs).

Eligibility: collegiate chapters

Alumnae Chapter Excellence Award – Area Honorees

This award shall be presented to a chapter or chapters that have excelled in the areas of membership engagement, alumnae Panhellenics, collegiate relations, programming and philanthropy. 

Eligibility: alumnae chapters

Betty Heusch Agler President’s Award – National Finalist

This award shall be given to a chapter or chapters which have handled an unusual/critical situation in an exemplary manner.

Eligibility: collegiate chapters

Caryatides Award – Region Award/National Finalist

This award shall be presented to six chapters with an outstanding New Member Education Program.

Eligibility: collegiate chapters

Community Impact through Philanthropy, Chapter – Region/Area Award/National Finalist

This award recognizes a chapter that has shown exceptional commitment to Delta Zeta’s philanthropy, Hearing and Speech, our Global Philanthropy Partner, Starkey Hearing Foundation, and/or our Educational/Advocacy Partner, American Society for Deaf Children. Whether through large-scale awareness or educational campaigns, fundraising initiatives, personal philanthropy fundraising efforts done by members, or regular outreach, this chapter has set a high standard for selflessness and positive change. 

Eligibility: collegiate chapters and alumnae chapters

Community Impact through Service, Chapter – Region/Area Award/National Finalist 

This award recognizes a chapter that has shown exceptional commitment to service, embodying the mission and vision of Delta Zeta through its collective efforts. This award celebrates a chapter that demonstrates outstanding collaboration, dedication and impact on service to our Delta Zeta national partners and/or their local community partners. Whether through large-scale volunteer projects or regular outreach, this chapter has set a high standard for selflessness and positive change. Their work not only strengthens the bonds within the chapter but also makes a lasting difference in the lives of those they serve. 

Eligibility: collegiate chapters and alumnae chapters

Council Award – National Finalist (awarded by National Council)

This award shall be presented by National Council, when merited, to a chapter or chapters for six consecutive years of high achievement.

Eligibility: National Council determines the winners of this award. To be considered, chapters must have already been honored as Founders Award-winning chapters for their outstanding performance.

Crest Award – National Finalist

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.

Eligibility: collegiate chapters

Founders Award – National Finalist (awarded by National Council)

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. Eligible chapters shall be judged on membership, financial standing, cooperation, college programs, philanthropies and standing on campus.

Eligibility: collegiate chapters

Genevieve Schmitt Memorial Plaque – National Finalist

This plaque shall be given to the college chapter with the most well-rounded academic program supporting all chapter members in a positive manner. 

Eligibility: collegiate chapters – Chapter GPAs must be submitted in Chapter Inc. by June 1, 2025 to be considered.

Gertrude Houk Fariss – Region/Area Award/National Finalist

This award shall be presented to a collegiate and alumnae chapter for outstanding joint programming.

Eligibility: alumnae and collegiate chapters who jointly have programming

Heritage Cup – National Finalist

The Heritage Cup shall be presented to the individual, chapter (collegiate or alumnae) who has made a significant impact on the Delta Zeta Foundation. The impact could be educational, a meaningful donation, volunteer service, etc.

Eligibility: alumnae and collegiate chapters

Margaret Huenefeld Pease Council Award (Small) – National Finalist

This award shall be presented to an outstanding small alumnae chapter who has excelled in creating an outstanding chapter culture and member experience. Award recipients shall be determined from Alumnae Chapter Excellence Award honorees.

Eligibility: small alumnae chapters

Myrtle Graeter Hinkly Council Award (Large) – National Finalist 

This award shall be presented to an outstanding large alumnae chapter that has excelled in creating an outstanding chapter culture and member experience. Award recipients shall be determined from Alumnae Chapter Excellence Award honorees.

Eligibility: large alumnae chapters

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Individual Awards:

Achoth Award – Area Award/National Finalist 

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.

Eligibility: alumnae who have volunteered with Delta Zeta for a minimum of 15 years after graduating college

Alice C. Huenefeld Outstanding College Chapter Director – Region Award/National Finalist 

This award shall be presented to an outstanding College Chapter Director.

Eligibility: College Chapter Directors

Community Impact through Philanthropy, Individual – National Finalist

The Individual Community Impact through Philanthropy Award recognizes an outstanding member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and philanthropic efforts within their chapter and the community. This award honors the individual who consistently goes above and beyond in supporting the Sorority’s six core values and contributes to Delta Zeta’s philanthropy, Hearing and Speech, our Global Philanthropy Partner, Starkey Hearing Foundation, our Educational/Advocacy Partner, American Society for Deaf Children, and/or local Hearing and Speech partnerships. Whether through fundraising, raising awareness, educating the community about Hearing and Speech and our partnerships, volunteering, leadership or behind-the-scenes work, the recipient has made a significant impact and exemplifies the values of sisterhood, service and selflessness. 

Eligibility: all members

Community Impact through Service, Individual – National Finalist 

This award recognizes an outstanding member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to service within their chapter and the community. This award honors the individual who consistently goes above and beyond in supporting the Sorority’s six core values, fosters positive relationships with community stakeholders and contributes to both local and national partners. Whether through volunteering, leadership or behind-the-scenes work, the recipient has made a significant impact and exemplifies the values of sisterhood, service and selflessness. 

Eligibility: all members 

Florence Hood Miner Award – Region Award/National Finalist 

The award shall be given to members of Delta Zeta who in their junior year made the greatest contribution to their college, chapter and Delta Zeta through outstanding leadership on the campus, while maintaining a good academic record.

Eligibility: collegiate members in their junior year

Grace Mason Lundy Award – Region Award/National Finalist

This award shall be presented 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.

Eligibility: collegiate members in their senior year

About Delta Zeta 

Delta Zeta Sorority is a global women’s organization whose shared values support a vision to truly inspire action and impact lives through leadership, service and philanthropy. Founded on Miami University’s campus in Oxford, Ohio in 1902, the Sorority has more than 300,000 members in the United States and Canada. The Delta Zeta Foundation, a non-profit organization, makes possible gifts and support for scholarships, leadership, philanthropy and education. The Delta Zeta National Housing Corporation provides safe housing and chapter facilities for more than 2,000 collegiate students on more than 70 campuses. Learn more about our mission at deltazeta.org. For more information about the Delta Zeta Foundation, visit deltazeta.org/foundation.  
 
For more information, please contact Cindy Menges, Chief Executive Officer, at [email protected].