Alpha Gamma Delta | |
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ΑΓΔ | |
Founded | May 30, 1904 Syracuse University, (Syracuse, New York) |
Type | Social |
Scope | International |
Vision statement | 'Live with Purpose' |
Colors | Red Buff Green |
Flower | Red and Buff Roses with Green asparagus plumosa ferns |
Jewel | Pearl |
Publication | The Quarterly |
Philanthropy | American Diabetes Association, Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, Hunger awareness, support and prevention |
Chapters | 190 (active & inactive) collegiate chapters= 112 active collegiate chapters across North America |
Members | 170,000+ collegiate |
Mascot | Squirrel |
Headquarters |
8710 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, Indiana USA |
Homepage | http://www.alphagammadelta.org/ |
Alpha Gamma Delta (ΑΓΔ) is an international fraternity, founded on May 30th,1904 at Syracuse University. The fraternity promotes academic excellence, philanthropic giving, ongoing leadership and personal development, and a spirit of loving sisterhood. Also known as "Alpha Gam", Alpha Gamma Delta's current membership exceeds 170,000. There are currently 182 collegiate chapters, and over 250 alumnae clubs. The longest running active collegiate chapter is Delta Chapter at the University of Minnesota. However, since recolonization in 2010, the oldest active collegiate chapter is the Alpha Chapter at Syracuse University. Alpha Gamma Delta is a member of the Syracuse Triad along with Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Phi.
Alpha Gamma Delta was officially founded on May 30, 1904 at the home of Dr. Wellesley Perry Coddington, a professor at Syracuse University who was instrumental in the early development of Alpha Gamma Delta. Each of the Fraternity's 11 founders were progressive women who selflessly contributed to the foundation and growth of Alpha Gamma Delta.These eleven female students were Marguerite Shepard, Estelle Shepard Beswick, Georgia Alberta Dickover, Jennie Titus Smith Morris, Ethel Evelyn Brown Distin, Grace Mosher Harter, Edith MacConnel Hickok, Mary Louise Snider, Georgia Otis Chipman, Emily Helen Butterfield and Flora Knight Mayer.
The organization's official designation as a "fraternity" rather than a "sorority" (often seen in the names of women's groups) derives from an early advisor, who noted that soror is a Latin word with no connection to the Greek traditions cited by many collegiate social groups like Alpha Gamma Delta. Many other Greek-letter organizations for women likewise refer to themselves as fraternities, though in the collective sense are generally called "sororities". The intent behind Alpha Gamma Delta's founding differed from other groups because it was founded to become a National Women's Fraternity rather than a local group or literary society.
Alpha Gamma Delta absorbed Theta Sigma Upsilon at the 22nd international convention of Alpha Gamma Delta at French Lick, Indiana on June 29, 1959.
While Alpha Gamma Delta does not have any official symbols, it does have official flowers, jewels, and colors. Alpha Gam's flowers are red and buff roses, with green asparagus plumosa fern. The jewel is the pearl. The colors are red, buff, and green. The armorial bearings of the fraternity was designed by founding member Emily Helen Butterfield in 1906.