Awards
It’s time to Truly Celebrate! Through our annual awards, we celebrate our members and chapters by shining a light on their outstanding service, leadership and philanthropic efforts that support our communities and national philanthropies.
Applications for the 2026 Delta Zeta Awards are now open! Over the past year, we know that Delta Zeta sisters across the country have made a difference through leadership, service and philanthropy and now it’s time to celebrate those achievements.
Through Region, Area and National recognition, we celebrate the achievements of our collegiate members, college chapters, alumnae and alumnae chapters. Region and Area winners will move forward as finalists for the National Council to select our national honorees.
The Community Impact through Service and Community Impact through Philanthropy awards further honor individuals and chapters making a powerful difference through their commitment to community service and to Delta Zeta's philanthropy, Hearing and Speech.
National finalists will be announced June 2026. Region honorees and National recipients will be celebrated at the Norma Minch Andrisek Leadership Conference (NMALC), July 16–19, with National recipients also recognized virtually.
Apply today for your chance to share and celebrate the achievements and accomplishments happening across Delta Zeta!
The following awards are eligible for regional and area recognition: Adelaide See Loving Cup, Caryatides Award, Gertrude Houk Farris, Community Impact through Philanthropy - Chapter, Community Impact through Service - Chapter, Margaret Huenefeld Pease Council Award, Myrtle Graeter Hinkly Council Award, Florence Hood Miner Award, Grace Mason Lundy Award, Achoth Award, Alice C. Huenefeld Outstanding CCD.
Applications are due April 19, 2026.
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.
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
This award is not open for applications at this time.
Caryatides Award – Region Award/National Finalist
This award shall be presented to six chapters with an outstanding New Member Education Program.
Eligibility: collegiate chapters
This award is not open for applications at this time.
Community Impact through Philanthropy, Chapter – Region 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 local Hearing and Speech partner. 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 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
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
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.
This award is not open for applications at this time.
Gertrude Houk Fariss – Region 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
Individual Awards
Achoth Award – State 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 CCD – Region Award/National Finalist
This award shall be presented to an outstanding College Chapter Director.
Eligibility: College Chapter Directors
This award application will be made available to Regional Collegiate 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, 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
The 2026 application period for this award has ended.
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
The 2026 application period for this award has ended.
