Delta Zeta Sorority Announces 2024 National Awards

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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