The Trident - Fall 2025

in the of

Fall 2025 Building Belonging Era A.I.

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, algorithms and avatars, the need for real human connection has never been more urgent.

2025 Past Fraternity Presidents at the Volunteer Leadership Conference

Past Presidents

Seven past Fraternity Presidents joined then-President Elizabeth Howard DiMartino, Boston, for a very special panel at Volunteer Leadership Conference (VLC) 2025. They shared their wisdom, their wit and their Delta Love with all who were in attendance! But leaning on our past leaders for their support and advice isn’t a new phenomenon—we found photos in our archives of similar gatherings in 1946 and 1960.

Visit the Tri Delta channel (@tridelta) on YouTube to watch this special 2025 Past Presidents Panel.

1960

Past Fraternity Presidents at a gathering

1946 Past Fraternity Presidents at Convention

Fall 2025 Volume 135

EDITORIAL

CEO Editor-in-Chief

Mindy Tucker, Southern Methodist

VP of Brand Advancement

Meredith Fleming Bergquist, Texas/Arlington

Sr. Director of Marketing and Creative

Brandy Lane Darrow, Southern Methodist

Copywriter Lisa Feren

Copy Editor Julian Carter Design Tria Designs

The Trident of Delta Delta Delta is published annually and is $10 per issue by Delta Delta Delta, 14951 North Dallas Parkway, Ste. 500, Dallas, Texas 75254. Copyright ©2025 by Delta Delta Delta. All rights reserved.

MAILING POLICY:

The Fraternity respects the privacy of its members. Mailing lists are shared only with vendors of Executive Board-approved Fraternity programs. These vendors sign an agreement prohibiting the sale of the mailing list.

The Trident of Delta Delta Delta, the official publication of Tri Delta Fraternity, has been published continuously since 1891. Its mission is to reflect the lifetime membership experience while sharing the stories of our brave, bold and kind sisters. It also aims to provide a connection to Tri Delta for members of all ages, to bring the shared values of Tri Delta to life and to showcase Tri Delta as a premier women’s organization.

HOW TO RECEIVE THE TRIDENT Collegiate members receive

The Trident through payment of Fraternity dues to their chapters. Individual copies are mailed to each undergraduate member’s permanent address, and one copy is sent to each collegiate chapter president. Alumnae members receive

The Trident print edition through payment of annual dues to an alumnae chapter, by being an Active at-large member with Silver or Gold level benefits, or by being a Life Loyal member and adding Silver or Gold level benefits. All Golden Circle alumnae also receive The Trident print edition.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS

Visit TriDelta.org, log in to My Tri Delta and edit your personal information. You may also call (817) 633-8001 or send by mail to Delta Delta Delta, 14951 North Dallas Parkway, Ste. 500, Dallas, Texas 75254.

HOW TO SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITORIAL TEAM

We welcome your comments, both positive and negative, about The Trident. Send letters to the editorial team at Trident@TriDeltaEO.org or by mail. Please include your name, school and Initiation year.

The Trident reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.

HOW TO GET PUBLISHED

All Tri Deltas are encouraged to submit news and stories to The Trident. Tell us about your accomplishments, events and experiences, and please include photographs. Send stories and photos online through the Submit News tile on My Tri Delta or via email or mail. If submitting photos online or by email, please submit as high-resolution.

Dear Tri Delta sisters,

As I write these words, I am filled with gratitude for the journey that has brought us to this important moment in Tri Delta’s history. The past several months have seen transformational changes within our beloved sisterhood. I have been fortunate to serve over the last year as an Executive Board member alongside five outstanding and devoted sisters. Their unwavering dedication, visionary leadership and steadfast devotion have been truly inspiring. Now, as I step into the future and embrace the honor of serving as your Fraternity President, I feel both immense responsibility and hope for the path ahead.

Tri Delta has undergone significant restructuring in recent months as well, most notably with the transition of our esteemed former Fraternity President Elizabeth Howard DiMartino, Boston, who steps into the newly created Chief Engagement Officer role at Executive Office. This strategic evolution marks the beginning of our focused Fraternity Team, an initiative born from our resolve to foster belonging, provide comprehensive support and nurture growth for every member of our sisterhood, collegiate or alumna.

As you turn the pages in this issue of The Trident, I invite you to witness the evidence of our progress. You will discover news about two new collegiate chapter establishments, compelling data that illustrates the impact true belonging has on our collegians, and the continued achievements of Tri Delta’s Foundation and Tri Delta Housing. These three entities—our Fraternity, Foundation and Housing teams—form the unified force we proudly call One Tri Delta, bound in devoted service to our community.

The words of Sarah Ida Shaw resonate with me as I assume the role of Fraternity President. During her address on Tri Delta’s 50th anniversary, Sarah offered this charge: “To those of you who are now carrying on the magnificent work of Delta Delta Delta, it is my precious privilege to give you the charge that you are to pass on the torch, undimmed.” Today, I am humbled to receive that torch during what I believe to be one of the most promising chapters in our organization’s history.

I am deeply appreciative for the opportunity to collaborate with our remarkable members, our passionate volunteers and our exceptional staff. Working together, we will continue to empower our more than 250,000 Tri Delta sisters to lead with courage, unshakeable conviction and limitless kindness—the very qualities that define Tri Delta. The future beckons with infinite possibility. I am honored to walk this path alongside each of you.

With my Delta Love and heartfelt devotion,

Libby Leffler Hoaglin, California/Berkeley Fraternity President

We are digging into the numbers with three fast facts about Tri Delta today.

More than half of collegians pay all or some of their own sorority dues without parent or family support.

57% 57%

Our 20,000 collegians contribute more than 96% of Tri Delta’s dues revenue each year. Three

3.7% 3.7% 96.3% 96.3%

Our more than 230,000 alumnae contribute almost 4% of Tri Delta’s annual dues revenue each year.

Sylvia Sydow

Our 2025 Women of Achievement

Leadership. Service. Kindness. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the values that define our 2025 Women of Achievement. These trailblazers’ careers are as impressive as their commitment to making a difference. Their resumes speak volumes, but it’s the foundation they built in Tri Delta as collegians that continues to shape how they lead and serve today.

Kerrigan,

Southwestern, has a career that spans decades in the legal and energy sectors. After earning her law degree and clerking for a Texas Supreme Court justice, she entered the high-stakes world of international corporate and maritime law. At Marathon Oil, she spent 22 years rising to Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Her leadership has taken her across the globe, even serving on the United Nations Security Council’s Commission d’indemnisation in Geneva.

Yet throughout her career, Sylvia remained committed to mentorship and education. “The skills I learned in Tri Delta— navigating conflict, advocating for others, building consensus—show up every day in boardrooms and places you’d least expect them,” she shared. Now the Chief Legal Officer at Occidental Petroleum, she continues to uplift the next generation of legal and energy leaders, just as her Tri Delta sisters once encouraged her.

EP. 176

Karen Lynch Parkhill,

Southern Methodist, has dedicated her career to finance, healthcare and strategic leadership. As Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of HP Inc. (and former CFO of Medtronic), Karen has helped guide global organizations through periods of growth, innovation and change. Her roots in business go back to her dual degrees in finance and math from Southern Methodist University, where she also found a strong foundation of friendship and leadership in Tri Delta. “In Tri Delta, I learned to listen, work and lead with confidence and compassion,” she says. “Those skills from early on have served me through every budget cycle, meeting and personal interaction.”

Karen has also dedicated herself to giving back, serving on boards for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, YWCA and SMU’s Cox School of Business. Whether leading billion-dollar companies or mentoring future leaders, Karen exemplifies the power of purpose-driven leadership and reminds us that confidence and kindness are not mutually exclusive.

Jacqueline Reses,

Pennsylvania, is no stranger to being fearless. As co-founder and CEO of Lead Bank, a fintech platform for modern businesses, she’s at the forefront of shaping the future of banking and technology. Her resume includes transformative roles at Square (Block, Inc.), Yahoo and Goldman Sachs. A self-described disruptor and investor, Jackie has built her career by asking hard questions, pushing boundaries and investing in what matters.

She credits Tri Delta with helping shape her leadership instincts early on. “There’s something about the shared experience of sisterhood—of building something together— that stays with you,” she says. “It teaches you how to show up, how to lead with clarity and how to bring people together.”

A passionate advocate for entrepreneurs, Jackie co-authored “Self-Made Boss,” a guide for small business owners. She’s held leadership positions on economic councils and corporate boards and continues to pave the way for women in tech and finance.

To nominate a Tri Delta for this recognition, visit the “Distinguished Deltas” page on TriDelta.org.

ECHOES

EPSILON KAPPA, CALIFORNIA/MERCED

Congratulations to our lovely new members on getting initiated! We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will do in Tri Delta!

THETA MU, OREGON STATE

Dear Mindy and Sisters,

Thank you for keeping in touch. I have been an active alumna for many years, but at age 90, no longer drive. Still, a sister from nearby and I go to Theta Mu at Oregon State near Christmas to play and sing carols with the girls. They LOVE it; often other nearby alumnae come too. It’s a wonderful group at Oregon State University.

Loyally, Mary Jacq Jenks Burck, Oregon State

THETA ETA, WYOMING

Tri Delta isn’t just sisterhood— it’s forever ��⛪ this summer we got to celebrate our beautiful former president Brooke on her wedding day and our hearts are so full!!

Delilah Locke

WWhen Delilah Locke stepped onto the stage at Tri Delta’s 2025 Collegiate Leadership Conference, she wasn’t there to talk about herself—she was there to talk about the power of building something bigger than yourself. In doing so, she gave us a glimpse into why she was chosen as the recipient of our highest collegiate honor, the Sarah Ida Shaw Award.

Named after Tri Delta’s Founder, the Sarah Ida Shaw Award recognizes a collegiate member who exemplifies leadership, kindness and a commitment to Tri Delta’s Purpose. This year, that honor went to Delilah, a founding member of Tri Delta’s Epsilon Omega Chapter at Kenyon College, whose story reflects the same visionary spirit of our Founder.

A CHAPTER CREATED FROM PURPOSE

Sarah Ida Shaw Award 2025

Just two years ago, Delilah and three fellow students (Joy Carstanjen, Madison Buckwalter and Sydney May) set out to bring a new women’s organization to campus. At the time, nearly 60% of women participating in recruitment at Kenyon didn’t receive a bid—an eye-opening statistic that made it clear to Delilah that something needed to change.

“Tri Delta immediately stood out to us,” Delilah shared. “We loved the ‘kind alike to all’ motto, the values-based approach, the focus on community and philanthropy—it all just felt right.”

What began as a hopeful idea quickly became a mission. With determination, countless meetings and support from Tri Delta’s Executive Office, these students’ dream became a reality. In the spring of 2024, Epsilon Omega was officially installed, and Delilah and her chapter sisters were initiated into Tri Delta. “It was surreal,” Delilah said in a recent podcast interview. “We

EPSILON OMEGA, KENYON

Delilah Locke giving remarks to fellow collegiate officers at CLC 2025.

EP. 181

were just four women who believed in something bigger than ourselves. And now, we’ve created a home for so many others.”

Today, Tri Delta’s Epsilon Omega Chapter is one of the largest sororities on campus, grounded in the values that Delilah and her sisters held true to from the beginning—truth, self-sacrifice, friendship, kindness and inclusion.

LEADING WITH HEART

Delilah’s leadership is quiet but powerful. She doesn’t aspire for recognition but is motivated purely out of love for her sisters and a desire to build a legacy at Kenyon. When given the opportunity to study abroad, she made the difficult decision to stay, choosing to support her chapter during its critical first year. “I knew I could travel later,” she said. “But this moment of laying the foundation for our chapter was something I could never get back. I wanted to be here for that.”

Delilah’s selflessness and commitment to others are what set her apart. In her acceptance speech, she didn’t focus on her own accomplishments. Instead, she turned the spotlight on her sisters, thanking them for their courage, support and shared vision. “We built this together,” she said. “And every single one of us has a hand in what Epsilon Omega has become.”

“We were just four women who believed in something bigger than ourselves. And now, we’ve created a home for so many others.”

A CHAPTER THAT FEELS LIKE HOME

From the beginning, Delilah envisioned a chapter where every member felt seen, supported and celebrated. She worked hard to create a culture of belonging where women lift each other up and cheer each other on. “I want everyone to have an amazing experience,” she said. “Opening the door to more women to be Tri Deltas is what drives me. It all comes back to the fact that we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves. We’re part of a sisterhood that is life-changing.”

A REFLECTION OF OUR FOUNDER

In many ways, Delilah’s story mirrors that of Sarah Ida Shaw. Just as Sarah and her friends founded Tri Delta in 1888 with a bold vision and a shared sense of purpose, Delilah and her sisters brought that same vision to Kenyon College. Her leadership and dedication to Tri Delta’s ideals make her a true reflection of our Founder’s legacy. As she accepted the Sarah Ida Shaw Award, Delilah reminded us all what’s possible when we lead with heart, work with our friends and believe in something bigger than ourselves.

Congratulations, Delilah, and thank you for showing us what it means to be brave, bold and kind.

Catching Up With a Past Winner

Jill Farha Mountain, Oklahoma, was selected as the 1988 Sarah Ida Shaw Award recipient during Tri Delta’s Centennial. “I was so honored and surprised,” she recalls. “I gave my acceptance speech in Boston, and I remember feeling overwhelmed and excited to see people of all ages still so connected with Tri Delta. It made a big impression on me!”

Jill earned her Master of Business Administration at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and built her career in brand management. Most recently, she led her late father’s specialty chemical business, successfully growing and selling it to a larger company. Today, Jill focuses on her four adult children and husband while giving back by tutoring kids in at-risk situations and feeding individuals facing food insecurity. Initially drawn to Tri Delta by the talented and sharp women she met, Jill says it was their authenticity and kindness that solidified her joining. “Tri Delta taught me the importance of authentic connections and unconditional support. Even after all these years, the friendships I've made continue to grow stronger, proving that the bonds we create are truly for a lifetime.”

Declining College Student Enrollment: Are Sororities in Trouble?

→ By Dawn Watkins Wiese, Ph.D., Virginia Tech

ith a title like that, you may think this is a “sky is falling!” type of article, but it’s not. It does intend to serve as a wake-up call to let you know that higher education is experiencing an enrollment cliff. The good news: Tri Delta is prepared, asking the right questions and determining solid strategic priorities to deal with the decline.

The Demographic Cliff

Sometimes called “the enrollment cliff,” the term “demographic cliff” was coined by economist Nathan D. Grawe. In “Demographics and the Demand for Higher Education,” he predicted a significant decline in both college-aged and college-going students beginning in 2025, based on a number of factors:

First, when fewer babies are born, there are fewer potential college students 18 years later! The Great Recession of 2007-09 led to a sharp decline in the number of babies born during that period. Plus, birth rates in the United States have been on a continual downward trend since 2007, with no sign of recovery.

Second, there are factors that have reliably predicted attendance in higher education for many years. Grawe used these factors to create the Higher Education Demand Index (HEDI) Factors such as education of the mother and immigration patterns figure into the HEDI.

Third, migration patterns influence institutional demand. Both the Northeast and the Midwest continue to contribute to declines in the general population.

Last, demand by institutional type enters the equation. Elite schools, flagship institutions and “big football” schools seem to experience the greatest demand for today’s college student. Did you know that almost 68% of students at the University of Alabama are from states where they weren’t necessarily taught “Roll Tide” from the moment they were born?

What’s Next?

Colleges are adapting to a new environment amid these significant challenges. So, are sororities and fraternities expected to experience the same pressures? Yes and no. Young people whose family members attended college and joined Greek life are more likely to do the same. But, again, we’re dealing with fewer students than before.

Fraternities and sororities—and Tri Delta is no exception—will face questions about the viability of different chapters across North America. Of our almost 140 chapters, what is Tri Delta’s footprint? Chapters at schools facing enrollment challenges may need additional strategies and support to remain sustainable. And Tri Delta is thinking ahead, crafting wellinformed and innovative growth strategies. “Mega chapters” (those with large memberships between 300 and 600+) likely aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, as many of today’s students LOVE the experience offered at the University of Arkansas, Ole Miss, University of Tennessee or University of South Carolina but may have less interest in a small, private, non-elite school.

I am grateful to belong to an organization that is transparent with its membership about the challenges it may face. As sisters, it’s time for us to keep ourselves both informed and supportive of our leadership as they work to keep Tri Delta relevant today and well into the future.

Dawn Watkins Wiese is the Chief Operating Officer of FRMT, Ltd. and adjunct faculty at the Virginia Military Institute. She is a former vice president for student affairs and a former member of Tri Delta’s NPC delegation. She earned a master’s degree at Virginia Tech and a doctorate at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, with additional graduate work at Harvard University.

EXTENSION NEWS

In September, we welcomed the founding members of our newest chapter—brave, bold and kind Huskies at the University of Connecticut! Welcome our Zeta Alpha Chapter sisters and follow along on Instagram (@uconntridelta) as they begin their Tri Delta sisterhood journey.

TRI DELTA LEADERSHIP

In September 2025, Libby Leffler Hoaglin, California/ Berkeley, was selected as Tri Delta’s Fraternity President for the remainder of the 2025-2026 biennium. She was nominated by the Leadership Cultivation and Selection Committee (LCSC) from the sitting Executive Board to fill the role vacated by Elizabeth Howard DiMartino, Boston Elizabeth resigned her position on the board and her role as Fraternity President in August and now serves Tri Delta on staff as the new Chief Engagement Officer.

Fall 2026 will mark our return to the University of Arizona. We are thrilled for the reopening of our Phi Beta Chapter—80 years after its founding!

Phi Beta Chapter Installation, 1946

The LCSC followed Tri Delta’s Bylaws in replacing the Fraternity President and will do the same in replacing the now vacant seat on the Executive Board. They will also replace three open board seats on Tri Delta’s Foundation Board of Trustees, made vacant due to unforeseen personal circumstances over the last few months. However, these new board member selections were not determined by the magazine print deadline.

To see Tri Delta’s full current board leadership, visit TriDelta.org.

ZETA ALPHA, CONNECTICUT

PHI BETA, ARIZONA

Past Perfect

→By Beth Dees Applebaum, Texas Christian Fraternity Archivist

A 1953 TRI DELTA PLEDGE MANUAL FEATURED

a letter from alumnae entitled “Dear Pledge,” welcoming our newest members and offering some sage advice for happiness and success during their college years and their Tri Delta experience. Although written over 70 years ago with language we don’t use today, their timeless message still rings true.

"We want to help you over some of the rough spots and take some of the hurdles with you.”

At a time when many women weren’t able to finish their college educations, Tri Delta’s earliest philanthropy focused on scholarships and loans, and even the smallest amounts assisted our members in earning their degrees. The Fraternity formalized its commitment by 1916, and during the Great Depression and World Wars I and II, Tri Delta’s funds allowed nearly 300 members to finish their degrees. Today, Tri Delta’s Foundation offers merit and need-based scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate sisters. Tri Delta also continues to lend a hand through the Crescent Fund. The fund has its roots in a group of alumnae from the 1940s who joined together to assist a member when serious illness

LEFT: 1915 new

member class of Tau

Chapter at Beloit |

MIDDLE: Minnesota chapter members

clown for the camera

| BELOW: 1972

Bid Day at Texas

Christian | 1987 at Stephen F. Austin

and lack of funds overwhelmed her. Today, the fund provides emergency financial aid to collegiate and alumnae members facing an unforeseen financial crisis.

“College education today should be education for living. Because of your Fraternity experience, that education should be more complete. It should prepare you for a full, happier, more successful life.”

Along with academic success, college provides training for skills that will guide members throughout their lives. The Tri Delta experience can also help with these skills, as members learn to carry their part of the load in group projects, understand other viewpoints and be part of a group with shared values and goals. Leadership training is also a valuable part of that skill set, and Tri Delta pioneered sorority leadership training, beginning with its Leadership School in 1955. Today’s Collegiate Leadership Conference and Volunteer Leadership Conference continue that tradition. Our educational initiatives enable a lifelong journey of development and growth for our members, from positive body image to salary negotiation techniques.

“Tri Delta’s heritage of ideals and standards that have stood the test of time will be passed on to you. These concepts will help you achieve a true sense of proportion, aiding you to set values to guide you now and after college.”

Our beloved Founders chose the foundational values of truth, self-sacrifice and friendship on which to build our organization. Today, these simple ideals are still relevant and continue to live on in the hearts of our sisters long after graduation.

Building Belonging Era A.I. in the of

→By Lisa Feren, Copywriter

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, algorithms and avatars, the need for real human connection has never been more urgent. Gen Z — today’s college students and young professionals — are growing up hyper-connected online, yet often feeling deeply isolated offline. As technology evolves, so do the ways we seek companionship and friendship. Enter AI companions — digital entities designed to listen, support and simulate friendships. But can artificial intelligence truly replace a shared laugh, a shoulder to cry on or the lifelong bonds formed through sisterhood? Experts say no. And sororities like Tri Delta are proving why.

From late-night talks in the chapter house to shared service projects and leadership retreats, the bonds formed in sisterhood are built on trust, vulnerability, shared values and shared experience. These aren’t just social perks — they protect against isolation and anxiety.

For readers older than Gen Z, forming emotional bonds with artificial intelligence, sometimes called “chatbots,” may feel foreign and even unsettling. How can a companion app replace a best friend? But for Gen Z (and Gen Alpha just behind them), who’ve grown up with smartphones and social media as second nature, the line between digital and emotional intimacy has blurred. Whether we understand it or not, this shift is happening. And if we want to protect and promote real human connection, we need to be aware of how loneliness is being redefined and how sororities can be part of the solution.

The What and Why of Companion Apps

AI companion apps use large language models to simulate human conversation. Sloan Thompson, Director of Training and Education of EndTAB | End TechnologyEnabled Abuse, educated us on chatbot apps. Some are designed for deep romantic or emotional connection (Replika, Kindroid, Nomi), some are intended for entertainment and role-playing (Talkie, Character.AI), some are designed to be overtly sexual (EVA.AI, Candy.AI), and some are designed to be AI “therapists” (Ash, Wysa). She reminds us that “these apps are always on and always responsive, designed to feel like a caring, attentive partner who never has bad days, never needs space and always centers the user.” Moreover, she sees students turn to these AI companions for various reasons, often driven by the stresses and loneliness inherent in transitional periods, such as their first year on campus or after a breakup.

“These apps offer judgment-free validation, providing a partner who never criticizes and always seems to understand. They also serve as a

safe space for exploration without risk, allowing users to try out flirtation, intimacy or conflict in a controlled environment. For some, AI companions offer an escape from academic or social pressures, while others provide a path to recovery, helping to rebuild trust or confidence after relationship trauma.”

This trend is further amplified by the cultural normalization of AI partners, promoted through social media, streaming series and fandom spaces, making them a mainstream phenomenon rather than a fringe concept.

“These apps offer judgmentfree validation, providing a partner who never criticizes and always seems to understand. They also serve as a safe space for exploration without risk."

—

Sloan Thompson, Director of Training and Education of EndTAB | End Technology-Enabled Abuse

There Are Benefits — and Risks

EndTAB, which aims to keep people safe in the digital age, cautions that AI companions carry inherent risks. They acknowledge a few benefits, especially with light or moderate engagement. For some, these apps may serve as a bridge, offering comfort or a sense of connection while an individual works to build real-world support systems. They can also provide a safe space for reflection on personal issues or to rehearse self-expression, boundaries or difficult conversations in a lowstakes environment. The aroundthe-clock availability of these

companions can be particularly appealing for students far from family or friends and seeking constant interaction.

However, the risks associated with heavy or long-term use of AI companions are significant. One primary concern is the phenomenon of “lovebombing” as a feature, not a red flag. AI companions are often programmed to shower users with attention, compliments and emotional validation, a tactic designed to increase engagement and spending. This is particularly concerning, given that mental health and loneliness are major issues among college students, with nearly two in three reporting feelings of loneliness and young women being especially affected. While AI companions might seem to offer a solution, the reality is that they don’t foster the genuine skills needed for real friendships. Research, including a study from the MIT Media Lab, indicates that heavy chatbot use can worsen loneliness, reduce face-to-face socializing and increase emotional reliance, especially when voice features are gendered and expressive.

WHY STUDENTS TURN TO AI COMPANIONSHIP

mutual care or genuine vulnerability — qualities that chatbots are inherently incapable of. The connection exists entirely within the app’s programming, designed primarily to keep the user engaged.

f Transition stress & loneliness: especially in the first year on campus or after a breakup

f J udgment-free validation: a partner who never criticizes and always “gets” you

f E xploration without risk: trying out flirtation, intimacy or conflict in a controlled space

f E scapism: retreating from academic or social pressures

f Recovery: for some, a way to rebuild trust or confidence after relationship trauma

f C ultural normalization: simply a mainstream activity

SOURCE: COMMON SENSE MEDIA

Relationships with AI partners can create an expectation of “love without the labor.” These simulated relationships remove the need to compromise, repair conflict or meet another’s needs, making genuine human relationships feel frustrating or like too much work. This leads to a form of captive intimacy, where the simulation of closeness with a chatbot feels real but lacks the foundational elements of empathy,

Another risk is the reinforcement of harmful stereotypes. Always-agreeable female-coded “girlfriends” or hyperattentive male-coded “boyfriends” can deepen unrealistic gender expectations. Finally, privacy risks are substantial, as everything shared with an AI platform, including sexual content or personal confessions, may be stored, analyzed and potentially sold.

Dangers of Disconnection

Psychiatrist Dr. Adriana Unger Stacey, Alabama, is the medical advisor for a national nonprofit, ScreenStrong, that works to prevent addiction to smartphones, tablets and video games. She warns, “The more time a kid spends on their phone, the higher the chance of mental health issues; some say the risk of depression increases up to 30%! The other problem you can see here with smartphones is that the draw into this ‘world’ is too strong for kids’ brains to resist. Rather than desiring to spend time with ‘real’ friends and family, the draw to this virtual world is hard to withstand. Teenagers need to spend time in real environments with real people — they need to have practice interacting and handling challenges in a real world, not a virtual one.” When kids start using technology too early, this disconnection from real life often follows them into

young adulthood. By the time they get to college, the habit of turning to screens over people can snowball — making it easier to seek out virtual substitutes like endless scrolling or even AI companions, rather than building the authentic relationships they need to thrive.

Growing chatbot relationships pose several dangers to campus life and the development of healthy social connections. One significant concern is social displacement, where some students may opt to skip events or limit their friendships because the chatbot feels safer, easier and more immediately rewarding. This can lead to a withdrawal from in-person activities and reduced engagement with the campus community.

Another issue is the emergence of expectation gaps. Students accustomed to the constant responsiveness and emotional catering from AI partners and friends may begin to expect the same from human relationships, leading to feelings of rejection or frustration when real-world interactions don’t meet these unrealistic standards. This can hinder the development of authentic connections that require patience, compromise and mutual effort.

These trends present new challenges for campus support systems. Counselors, peer mentors and student leaders will need to develop new language and strategies for discussing unhealthy chatbot use without shaming students. It’s crucial to approach these conversations with understanding and provide resources for those struggling to balance digital and real-world interactions.

Ultimately, the more time students spend in private AI relationships, the harder it becomes to build trust, empathy and belonging in shared campus spaces. This can erode community cohesion, making it more challenging to foster the vibrant, interconnected environments essential for student well-being and success.

By hosting inclusive events, partnering with other student groups and actively creating spaces for belonging, sororities can help shift campus culture toward real-world connection.

Protective Factors for Our Young Members

Sororities stand as a powerful solution to the growing challenges of disconnection and loneliness, acting not merely as social perks but as vital protective factors for young women. Speaking on the Science of Belonging at Tri Delta’s Volunteer Leadership Conference 2025, strategist, researcher, author and former university administrator Dawn Watkins Wiese, Virginia Tech, shares that two out of three college students report feeling lonely. Citing the work of social psychologists

Gillian Sandstrom and Elizabeth Dunn, Dawn highlights how even “weak” social ties — a simple smile, a greeting or a shared moment — can significantly boost feelings of connection and happiness. In a world where introversion is on the rise among younger generations, she challenges us all to rethink how we cultivate meaningful interactions and grow communities.

DIGITAL SAFETY BASICS:

f N ever share identifiable personal information or intimate images with an AI platform. Assume everything could be stored or shared.

f B e alert to sudden “pushes” into romantic or sexual territory. This isn’t spontaneous attraction; it’s manipulation by design.

The message: Small, intentional acts of connection are profoundly impactful as she advocates for building safe, purposedriven communities where members feel seen, valued and empowered. Tri Delta, by amplifying our existing efforts, can continue being a powerful source of belonging for generations to come, embodying the very principles Dawn describes.

SIGNS IT’S TIME TO GET HELP:

f Replacing friendships, academics or sleep with chatbot time

f D istress when having to put down the app or being unable to access the AI partner

f Using the AI relationship to avoid all human conflict or vulnerability

The next question Dawn poses is, “How can student leaders and advisors cultivate that sense of belonging?”

Author Daniel Coyle notes that the best leaders offer an environment where it is safe to both make mistakes and grow, create a space where people can be vulnerable with one another and have a shared purpose. Greek organizations are uniquely positioned to lead communitybuilding efforts, modeling what authentic, mutual, in-person connection truly looks like — both within their chapters and across their campuses. By hosting inclusive events, partnering with other student groups and actively creating spaces for belonging, sororities can help shift campus culture toward real-world connection. They serve as the first connection on campus for many new students, playing a role in assisting them to feel seen, valued and included during a vulnerable transition period, reiterates EndTAB’s Sloan Thompson. Offering genuine friendship early on can significantly reduce the appeal of turning to AI companionship to meet social and emotional needs.

When someone you know and love turns to an AI companion, it may be natural to feel hurt, resentful or even disappointed. Instead, try responding with curiosity, not judgment. This open approach fosters a safe environment for discussion and understanding. Sororities can also offer “Love With the Labor” experiences, planning activities that celebrate reciprocity and build essential skills for genuine connection — shared work, vulnerability and mutual care — the elements AI relationships cannot provide. These purposeful,

personalized events should appeal to and resonate with Gen Z and the generation that follows, given the insights from the recent Sorority Market & Persona Research, which found that when they feel seen, supported and connected, they stay.

Sororities can also reimagine wellness education to include AI companions in conversations about healthy relationships, boundaries and digital well-being. Chapter leaders and older sisters can model healthy boundaries, sharing strategies for balancing technology and human connection. It’s also essential to look for signs of overreliance on AI companions in our members, such as withdrawal from in-person activities, offline irritability or skipping responsibilities to spend more time with a chatbot. Finally, sororities can connect members to resources, offering to accompany them to counseling or peer support if they struggle to re-engage socially. This holistic approach ensures that sororities remain a vital support system, fostering genuine human connection in an increasingly digital world, according to Sloan Thompson.

Crossing Generational Divides

Understanding generational differences is crucial in fostering strong connections, especially in diverse communities like sororities.

Lindsay Boccardo, an expert in generational communication, highlights how childhood experiences, environmental conditioning and our evolving relationship with technology profoundly shape how each generation leads, communicates and connects. She emphasizes that “humans heal faster with compassion and connection,” urging us to remain curious, listen deeply and embrace the unique strengths that each generation brings to the table. This perspective is vital for building stronger bonds across age groups within sororities, from new members to alumnae.

For instance, while Gen Z has grown up hyper-connected online, older generations may have developed their social skills in more face-toface environments. Recognizing

these different foundational experiences allows for more empathetic communication and interaction. By understanding these nuances, sororities can create environments where intergenerational relationships flourish, offering mentorship, diverse perspectives and a richer sense of community that extends beyond graduation through volunteering and continued engagement. Lindsay perfectly states, “No matter what generation we come from, when we come together with purpose and compassion, we all — and Tri Delta — win!”

Sororities can lead the way in showing how human relationships, with all of their complexity and challenge, are still worth the investment.

Tri Delta in Action

Ask Tri Delta members what sisterhood means, and you’ll hear stories beyond shared letters and matching sweatshirts. You’ll hear about the friend who stayed up all night before a big test to offer encouragement. The advisor who helped navigate an internship decision. The spontaneous road trip that turned into a lifelong memory. These aren’t just feel-good moments; they’re the building blocks of healthy relationships.

most. And while most of us don’t interact face to face with collegiate friends and sisters on a regular basis, this is where the intersection of human relationship and technology shines. Reach out with a text to a sister from your new member class. FaceTime with a classmate. Or plan coffee with alumnae chapter sisters.

SUPPORTIVE RESOURCES:

 D igital safety education & resources at EndTAB.org

 Relationship support at LoveIsRespect. org

 Free 24/7 emotional support (in the U.S. only) from the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741

A quick check-in, a hug after a hard day, a shared laugh in the kitchen — these are the moments that remind members that they’re not alone. They’re part of something bigger. Tri Delta creates a culture where vulnerability is also met with grace, and hardship is met with support. It’s a place where women learn to lead, listen and lift each other up. And in a world that often feels disconnected, this is what we need.

Because when members feel connected, they stay. And when they stay, they thrive. That’s the power of sisterhood. That’s the promise of Tri Delta.

82%

Percentage of the respondents to our 2025 collegiate membership survey who feel a sense of belonging — support, acceptance, community and respect — in Tri Delta

Leadership opportunities, philanthropy events and chapter traditions all play a role, but it’s the everyday interactions that matter

The Power of Choosing Human Connection in a Digital World

AI companions are both a threat to and an opportunity for sorority life. These relationships may provide temporary comfort, but they are no match for the growth, challenge and true reciprocity that comes with real connection. The good news is that Greek organizations like Tri Delta are better at building these kinds of connections than anyone. We are uniquely positioned to offer belonging, mutual support and the opportunity to give and receive care.

Suppose we understand the appeal of digital relationships but make

the case for what only a human connection can provide. In that case, Greek Life can remain a significant protective factor against isolation and loneliness. This choice is not just individual; it’s cultural. As we navigate an increasingly digital world, sororities can lead the way in showing how human relationships, with all of their complexity and challenge, are still worth the investment. In this effort, every little moment of connection matters. Every gesture of support counts. Every chance we take to reach for human interaction over digital convenience helps build the kind of communities that support each of us as individuals and contribute to healthier, more connected campus cultures overall.

The loneliness epidemic is real, and AI companions are a symptom, not a solution. Sororities like Tri Delta aren’t just offering an alternative — we’re offering the cure.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This article was made possible thanks to the insight, knowledge and data shared by:

 L indsay Boccardo, nationally recognized generational expert

 C ulturati Research & Consulting, funded through the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence’s Amplifying Sorority Campaign

 S loan Thompson, Director of Training and Education, EndTAB

 D awn Watkins Wiese, PhD, Virginia Tech, COO of FRMT, Ltd

We are deeply grateful for their time, expertise and willingness to share. Their partnership enriched this piece and helps us continue building meaningful resources for our members.

SOURCES

Coyle, D. (2018). The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups. Bantam Books: NY.

Sandstrom, G. and Dunn, E. (July 2014). Social Interactions and Well-Being: The Surprising Power of Weak Ties. Personality and Social Psychology Science. 40(7) pp. 910-922.

NU, OHIO STATE

Genuine Sisterhood in the Pages of a Notebook

u Chapter’s Hero Book is so much more than it seems at first glance (a simple blue leather-bound notebook).

It’s the key to how these Tri Delta collegians keep our Purpose and our values at the forefront of their lives. It’s their way of cementing connections beyond member classes and documenting a tangible history of almost two decades of friendship and kindness action.

Around 15 years ago (no one can recall exactly how or when it started), Tri Delta’s Nu Chapter at Ohio State University added a new tradition to their weekly chapter meetings—the Hero Book. Chapter officers have long endeavored to make their chapter an interactive experience, with such fun and celebratory practices as Senior of the Week, St. Jude Fun Fact of the Week and Delta Kisses (big or small shoutouts). But the Hero Book, passed each week from one member to her hero and so on, is something different, something deeper and something special.

Each chapter meeting, a hero is announced, who then has the honor of choosing her own chapter hero, writing about her in the Hero Book and sharing at the next week’s chapter meeting. She cannot select someone in her member class or year in school. She has to look beyond her group of friends, and she can’t choose her big or little sister. The hero’s identity is revealed with the words, “For all those reasons and more, [insert name here] is my Tri Delta hero.”

Collegiate Chapter President Rayna Handis says, “Some people are amazing writers and do four or five pages, and everyone’s hysterical. And some things are shorter and very sweet, but they’re all so nice and special.”

“Some people are amazing writers and do four or five pages, and everyone’s hysterical. And some things are shorter and very sweet, but they’re all so nice and special.”

It’s an emotional, exciting, warm and fuzzy way to end chapter on a high note—and one of the best, most values-centered ways to build genuine sisterhood across a chapter.

50 50

Celebration at Sea

Where was the most unusual location for a Tri Delta Golden Circle ceremony? On a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean! Twenty-seven Tri Delta alumnae from our Kappa Chapter took a five-day trip to celebrate more than 50 years of sisterhood. Between walking on the sandy beaches, singing at the piano bar, lounging by the pools and playing cards, they paused to reflect on their enduring friendships and to receive their Golden Circle pins.

Back-to-Back Excellence

It was a repeat for our Beta Omicron Chapter at Illinois State University’s Sorority and Fraternity Life Gala! They were awarded the Chapter Excellence Cup (the highest award of the evening) for the second year in a row, along with the Excellence in Academics Award and two individual awards—CPC Executive Member of the Year (Riley Sitterly) and CPC Chapter President of the Year (Brooke Trentman).

They’ve Got the Beat

Sarah Bills, Union, and Alison Hillhouse, Virginia, aren’t just Tri Delta sisters and next-door neighbors— they are the founders of Mom Band, six women who play covers of female artists, ranging from Alanis Morissette to Chappell Roan. Follow these talented musicians on Instagram (@themomband) and check out their first

Who Wore It Better?

At our 2025 Volunteer Leadership Conference, most attendees at the Delta Decades Party leaned into the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. But Tri Delta’s Panhellenic Coordinators chose a decade from the early 1900s, recreating this famous pic from our archives. We think they pulled off the look!

BETA OMICRON, ILLINOIS STATE

EP. 183

BENEATH THE PINES

Meet us Beneath the Pines for deep connections and all the Tri Delta adventures you can handle! Join us for Tri Delta's 62nd Biennial Convention

June 26–29, 2026

Denver, Colorado

DELTA DADS! CELEBRATING

By Lisa Feren, Copywriter

Emeril Lagasse Q&A with daughter Meril Lagasse, Mississippi, during a Parents’ Weekend fundraiser for St. Jude

Theta Gamma Dad’s Day 1962, Judith Dees Lieberman, Oklahoma, and her father, D.B. Dees, Sr.

BEHIND EVERY TRI DELTA, there’s usually a father, grandfather, stepdad or father figure who has helped shape the woman that she is. Though often less visible than the mothers and other women in our lives, these men are just as vital. It’s time we celebrate them—our Delta Dads—and all the special ways they commit to and champion their daughters.

Even famous dads—like renowned chef, restaurateur and author Emeril Lagasse, father to Meril Lagasse, Mississippi—find ways to support their Delta daughters. Our dads stand by their Tri Deltas through college and beyond, contributing to their experience and positively influencing their chapters and sisters. Delta Dad moments may start on the sidelines with their daughters’ exciting decision to join Tri Delta, but they quickly move to attending chapter events, contributing to philanthropic efforts, offering advice from home, joining Dad’s Weekends and providing financial and emotional support.

We also recognize that not every Tri Delta woman has a father figure in her life and may find support in uncles, mentors, coaches or close family friends who have stepped into that role. No matter the makeup of your family, what matters most is the love and encouragement you receive. At its heart, this celebration of Delta Dads honors all those who show up, support and help shape the women of Tri Delta.

Paul Sheldon Dad to Lauren Sheldon McLaughlin

EPSILON THETA, TEXAS/DALLAS

Paul has watched his daughter Lauren thrive through her Tri Delta experience, both as a collegiate member and now as a professional on staff at Executive Office. Tri Delta allowed her to step into leadership roles, navigate challenges and develop responsibility, conflict resolution and organizational skills—preparing her for life beyond college. Paul’s pride peaked when they hosted a Tri Delta event at their home, with Lauren leading the meeting at just 20 years old.

He was deeply involved throughout her college years, supporting her participation in events like Delta House of Pancakes (DHOP), affirming her decisions and sharing in the joy of her friendships and accomplishments. His favorite memory is seeing Lauren and her mother (Tamara Lee Sheldon, Texas Christian) connect over sorority experiences, creating lasting family bonds while celebrating Tri Delta’s culture of leadership and sisterhood. “Tri Delta has been more than a sorority for Lauren—it’s taken her from college to career, giving her the skills, confidence and community to succeed and thrive.”

Joey Floyd Dad to Roxie Floyd

DELTA SIGMA, TENNESSEE

Joey, an alumnus of The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, had “zero knowledge” of Greek life before his daughter Roxie joined Tri Delta’s Delta Sigma Chapter at the University of Tennessee. He (and his wife) provided emotional support and guidance during recruitment and thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Roxie’s excitement from afar. Joey says he’s impressed by Roxie’s Tri Delta sisters and believes the experience provides Roxie with a smaller community of friends and a network of high achievers. “Tri Delta is most definitely my daughter’s enjoyment. I think it is a wonderful addition to her life. To get the most out of a college experience, like many things in life, you must find a way to get involved in small groups and build your community. Tri Delta is a great way to have that smaller community of friends that enables you to have shared experiences and shared good times, all of which should eventually become some of your ‘core memories' from college.”

Thom Koenigs Dad to Mary Devall Koenigs

GAMMA XI, FURMAN

Thom appreciates how Tri Delta has shaped his daughter socially, emotionally and professionally. Greek life pushed her out of her shell, encouraged philanthropy and provided meaningful responsibilities that helped her grow into a confident, capable leader. During her two years traveling for Tri Delta as a chapter development consultant, Mary Devall honed organizational, problem-solving and leadership skills, gaining hands-on experience that translates directly into the real world. Thom enjoyed guiding her while watching her navigate challenges like recruitment, witnessing her selfless attitude and growth firsthand.

He values how Tri Delta combines structure and culture with energy, offering members a home away from home and equipping them with lifelong skills. Thom hopes Mary Devall always remains selfless, stays close with her sisters and continues giving back through organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He also credits Tri Delta for providing a safe environment for learning and growth, which allowed her to make mistakes, face setbacks and navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence, knowing that everything will be okay. “Tri Delta’s structure and culture have been phenomenal—it’s not just kids partying; it’s a path for growth, leadership and lifelong commitment.”

Wade Mullins Dad to Abby Mullins

GAMMA KAPPA, WAKE FOREST

Wade has watched his daughter Abby, the baby of four children, grow into a confident and capable young woman through her experience in Tri Delta’s Gamma Kappa Chapter. With a family history in Greek life, Wade understood the benefits but didn’t push Abby. He encouraged thoughtful consideration so she could choose the best fit for herself. Tri Delta’s strong culture of leadership, philanthropy and sisterhood allowed Abby to develop socially and professionally, surrounded by supportive peers who helped her thrive. He shares, “What matters most as a dad is seeing your daughter happy, confident and supported. Tri Delta has been a key part of that journey.”

Wade has enjoyed being an involved dad, attending Parents’ Weekends that helped raise $30,000 for St. Jude. “Parents’ Weekend is one of my favorite memories. It’s a perfect mix of fun and connection. Getting to know the parents of the women she has grown close with and witnessing the joy and camaraderie among them is

A Trio of Dads, of Course

Most childhood friendships begin with parents—through playdates, introductions or coaching sports teams. But this story is different. These dads were brought together through their Tri Delta connection via their daughters. Joey, Thom and Wade, already loosely connected by work and soccer, formed a weekly running group where conversations often circle back to all things Tri Delta. Though their daughters are in different years and stages of membership, they’ve leaned on each other for support during recruitment, shared advice on navigating the collegiate experience and, most of all, enjoyed the camaraderie of being Delta Dads.

Tim Mallad

Dad to Meredith Mallad

GAMMA ALPHA, TEXAS A&M

Growing up in Detroit, Tim lost his father as a teenager and worked his way through college without the support of a Greek community. So, when his daughter Meredith began preparing for recruitment at Texas A&M, he admits he didn’t quite understand it. “I thought, ‘Why so many outfits? What are you doing?’” he laughs. But he supported her wholeheartedly when he saw how prepared and determined she was.

That support was rewarded almost instantly. In a huge place like Texas A&M University, Tim worried how his daughter would find her people, but Meredith knew immediately. “She was confident she had found where she needed to be. She’s in the presence of incredible young women. There’s a sense of fun but also values and caring that give me confidence as her dad.”

Tri Delta has given Meredith sisterhood and a launchpad for growth. Tim has watched her confidence soar as she’s navigated the journey from childhood to adulthood. The instant network of friends and mentors in Tri Delta gave her both belonging and support, especially during

Marco De Freitas

Dad to Natalia De Freitas

IOTA, MICHIGAN

difficult moments. “They take care of each other,” he says, “and that’s what every parent hopes for.”

For Tim, Tri Delta has also been a gift of connection. He proudly recalls Dad’s Weekend at A&M, where the fathers bonded just as much as the daughters.

“We had so much fun. The dads got along instantly, and we’ve had a Tri Delta dads group text going for over a year now. I’m looking forward to even more friendships because of it.”

Above all, Tim cherishes the way Tri Delta has strengthened his bond with Meredith.

“I talk to her more now than when she lived at home. I’m meeting her as an adult, and I really like who she is becoming.”

When he reflects on what it means to watch her thrive in Tri Delta, Tim says, “Meredith takes me through the moments, and it makes me smile every time.”

Marco, originally from Brazil, admits that Greek life was a foreign concept to him before Natalia, a sophomore at the University of Michigan, joined Tri Delta. Since then, Marco has watched his daughter thrive. Tri Delta has pushed Natalia into leadership roles, where she’s developed a natural ability to communicate, organize and solve challenges—from housing logistics and ensuring a safe environment to practicing negotiation skills. She’s also grown through activities like fundraising, which encourages her to engage deeply in something outside of academics. He’s especially proud of how Tri Delta has connected Natalia with women ahead of her on the pre-med track—sisters who pass down their knowledge, share advice and help her find her way in a challenging field. Reflecting on the impact, he says, “This is just the beginning of her journey, filled with hopes and dreams. The knowledge and experiences she’s gaining now will stay with her for life, preparing her for an independent, happy and successful career.”

Larry Gould

Dad to Macy Gould

DELTA IOTA, ARKANSAS

Larry describes himself as an older, single dad who has always had to play the role of both mom and dad. After experiencing a deep family tragedy, he admits to becoming overprotective of his daughters, especially Macy, whose send-off to college was one of the hardest things he’s ever done. But the moment Macy found her place in our Delta Iota Chapter at the University of Arkansas, Larry felt a sense of relief knowing she had found a community that embraced her, supported her and helped her grow. Larry has practiced dentistry in Mountain Home, Arkansas, since 1980, and he beams with pride when he shares that Macy now wants to follow in his footsteps, carrying on the family legacy. “For the first many years of her

life, it was just me,” Larry says. “I gave her all the advice and guidance I could, but it wasn’t until she joined Tri Delta that I watched her blossom.”

He credits Tri Delta for transforming Macy from shy and full of potential to a confident, grounded student with strong friendships, mentors and role models. “The sisterhood has given her freedom, confidence and a sense of belonging I could never have given her. As a dad, that’s humbling and beautiful to see.”

Larry’s favorite memories with Tri Delta come from Parents’ Weekend, where he saw Macy shine with her sisters, proudly introducing him to the women who had become her family away from home. He recalls the joy of watching her laugh, host events and step into her own with a confidence that reassured him that she was precisely where she was meant to be. Larry says he’ll never forget the bonding he’s witnessed among Macy and her sisters— friendships so strong that, as he describes, “they’d fly across the world to be there for each other.” For him, Tri Delta has been more than a sorority for his daughter; it’s been peace of mind, reassurance and a reminder that Macy is surrounded by people who share her values and will walk beside her through life.

Kris Stone Dad to Audrey Stone and Lydia Stone

DELTA IOTA, ARKANSAS

Kris just gets it. As a dad to two Tri Deltas—Audrey, a senior in Delta Iota Chapter, and Lydia, a recent graduate—he has always made it a priority to be present in his daughters’ lives, and Tri Delta gave him the chance to stay involved, even during college. From Bid Day and Dad’s Day to football games, move-ins and sisterhood events, Kris never wanted to miss a moment. “I wanted to be part of their lives in every season, and Tri Delta made that possible,” he shares.

For Kris, Tri Delta has been more than just his daughters’ sorority; it’s been a community for his entire family. He’s built connections with other dads (they even have a text chat going) and families who share similar values, and he appreciates how Tri Delta mirrors the lessons he and his wife have instilled at home—friendship, truth, self-sacrifice and a commitment to giving back. The organization’s focus on philanthropy, primarily our partnership with St. Jude, resonates deeply with him.

Watching his daughters grow through Tri Delta has been one of his proudest experiences as a parent. He credits our sisterhood with helping Audrey find her voice and confidence, giving her a true sense of belonging and a support system that carried her through challenges. Both daughters served as Tri Delta Housing interns, but for Lydia, that opportunity became a launching pad. Her Tri Delta experience led directly to her current role at Fannie Mae, where she continues to build on the skills and confidence she developed in the chapter. “Tri Delta has given my daughters confidence, community and purpose, and it’s given me the gift of sharing in those moments. It’s not just their sorority but part of our family.”

→By Mindy Tucker, Southern Methodist, CEO

The Power of the Tri Delta Network

IN JUST ABOUT EVERY INTERVIEW

on our podcast there is a common thread. Each Tri Delta recalls how a sister once encouraged her to do something she didn’t think she could do. As sisters we see potential in others they often don’t see in themselves.

Curious how to make the most of the Tri Delta network? Here are a few tips:

 Add Tri Delta to your LinkedIn profile. Your leadership experience from your collegiate years, your service as a volunteer or simply your membership can be a point of connection for others.

 Join your local Tri Delta alumnae chapter. You may be surprised by the opportunities that come your way when you build these inperson relationships.

 Looking for expertise in a specific area or wanting to connect and meet Tri Deltas in your area? Reach out to Tri Delta’s new Connection and Belonging Manager Alyson Lenz at alenz@TriDeltaEO.org. Her role is to help connect Tri Deltas to each other!

Reliance on a trusted mentor or friend is critical to our forward progress. I have to believe it was a part of what Sarah Ida Shaw envisioned when she called out friendship as one of our core values. As a network of more than 250,000 women worldwide, Tri Delta has no shortage of women who can lift you up, encourage you, offer advice and give you that nudge to do something you never imagined yourself doing.

“WHO BELIEVED IN YOU”

In her new book, which she co-authored with her husband, Dina Powell McCormick, Texas, explores how mentorship can impact the world. Dina shares her personal story of the many women (and men) who offered her mentorship and advice as she navigated a career serving in the administration for the U.S. president and leading a groundbreaking women’s initiative for Goldman Sachs. One of my favorite parts of her book speaks to the value of sharing success. She promotes the idea that an important part of our success is to see the legacy we leave, through the women we mentor and support over time.

I asked Dina if she, too, had a Tri Delta who believed in her. Katie Boes, Texas, was a strong mentor to her—and that relationship has now come full circle as Dina paid it forward when Katie’s daughter interned for her this past summer.

TIMELY MENTORSHIP

Recently, Executive Board Director Catherine Hernandez-Blades, Louisiana/Lafayette, told me her story of timely mentorship. Catherine was a candidate for the position of Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at AFLAC. As she was preparing for her interview, she learned that Betty Johnson Hudson, Georgia,

was a member of AFLAC’s board of directors. Catherine shared that “being able to speak with a trusted friend and sister who was intimately involved with the company while going through the interview process gave me fantastic perspective.” Catherine won the job and served for there for seven years.

And of course, I have my own stories of sisterly support. Last year, I found myself in the role of Tri Delta’s interim CEO. Former Executive Board member Sandy Beach Lin, Toledo, came alongside me to offer support and advice and help me prepare to interview for the permanent role. Sandy’s many years of executive and corporate board experience were, and still are, invaluable to me as a brand-new chief executive. There were days when her belief in my abilities outweighed my own. We all have those days. And those are the days when those who mentor and guide us can make all the difference.

A unique blend of grace and brilliance.

She prioritized the happiness of her friends and family.

Adelaide Gonzalez Few

ALPHA PSI, FLORIDA

Adelaide served both as Tampa Alumnae Chapter president and as a trustee on Tri Delta’s Foundation board. She will be remembered as a woman of intellect, dedication to service and “a unique blend of grace and brilliance.”

At the University of Florida, Adelaide was involved in student government, earned the titles of Miss University of Florida and Orange Bowl Queen, and was proud to be a lifelong member of Phi Beta Kappa. She later earned a master’s degree in special education and became a teacher and devoted homemaker. After raising her children, Adelaide’s intellectual curiosity led her back to academia, where she ranked among the top five of her class at

Stetson University College of Law. As an attorney, she combined her sharp legal mind with a deep sense of justice, serving as an Assistant State Attorney, where she led the sex crimes division, and later as an Assistant U.S. Attorney

Adelaide’s pioneering spirit and commitment to public service were hallmarks of her life. Her active community involvement and leadership included the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation, the Girl Scouts, the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. Adelaide leaves a lasting legacy among her family members, with her Tri Delta sisters and in the Tampa community.

Paula White Huffman

ALPHA PHI, PENNSYLVANIA STATE

Paula spent over 50 years in willing service to our sisterhood, including leadership roles in her beloved alumnae chapter, volunteering with collegiate chapters as a collegiate district officer/ collegiate chapter coordinator and as a member of Tri Delta’s Foundation Board of Trustees. She frequently remarked that joining Tri Delta was one of the best decisions she ever made, as she cherished the lifelong friendships she made and the opportunities it afforded her.

Paula always prioritized the happiness of her friends and family and was often the organizer of get-togethers and fun trips. She will be greatly missed by

those who had the good fortune to have benefited from her cheerful and giving nature.

Alumna Linda Wolf McLinden, Pittsburgh, shared, “Paula had a contagious love for everything Tri Delta and she was the first example for me of lifelong friendship and membership in our sisterhood. She encouraged me to get involved as a volunteer, and it changed the trajectory of my life. I was blessed to have decades of making memories with her and there are too many to mention here. I will never forget the impact she had in my life.”

A constant advocate for Tri Psi.

Tess Holcomb

PHI BETA, ARIZONA

Tess was a lifelong champion of sisterhood, service and scholarship. She served Tri Psi, the sorority for mothers of Tri Deltas, with heart and vision as International President. She was a constant advocate for Tri Psi and one of its most dedicated champions. Tess poured her energy into helping the organization grow, organizing scholarships, planning conventions and mentoring members with quiet determination. Her steady leadership and tireless commitment helped ensure that Tri Psi could continue uplifting Tri Delta members for years to come.

Her daughter, Alixe Holcomb, Arizona , wrote, “Our mom was truly one of a kind. She had a beautiful way of connecting with everyone she met

through laughter, kindness and her warm, generous spirit.”

Tess joined Tri Delta later in life. After 10 years of volunteering with the collegians of our Phi Beta Chapter, Tess became an alumna initiate and continued her connection and service to both Tri Delta and Tri Psi. Before her passing, she shared, “When people ask me why I chose Tri Delta, I always say it was because my daughter chose it. She had such a positive experience, and I wanted to be a part of that as well. As an alumna initiate, I may not have had the same collegiate experience as my daughter, but I have seen firsthand the growth and positive impact that Tri Delta has on its members.”

Adelaide Fiscus

GAMMA BETA, VILLANOVA

Addie passed away during her sophomore year at Villanova University. Her chapter sisters shared, “Those who knew Addie were lucky enough to experience all of the light and love she brought to every moment. Addie had an infectious laugh and a kind heart and was loved so deeply by all in our chapter.”

She was an active member of Villanova LEVEL, who posted in her memory: “Addie’s radiant smile, gentle spirit, and unwavering sweetness brought light to everyone she met and every room she entered. Her kindness and joy touched our hearts deeply, and her presence will be profoundly missed.”

Gigi Ambrosio

GAMMA BETA, VILLANOVA

Gigi, a collegian in our Gamma Beta Chapter, served as an ambassador for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation in high school. Her chapter sisters shared, “Gigi was such a light to everyone around her. She had one of the kindest hearts, which truly touched all of

us. Gigi brought such immense joy, strength and bravery into each of our lives and was loved so deeply by our chapter.”

“Tri Delta’s Foundation allowed a firstgeneration student who had no idea what she was doing to keep her dreams alive and put everything I had toward my future.”

– Parker Van Dam, Idaho

In Her Hardest Season, Sisterhood Helped Parker Stay

→By Lauren Sheldon McLaughlin, Texas/Dallas Director of Engagement, Belonging

arker Van Dam, Idaho, never imagined that the word “home” would one day mean seven girls in a small Tri Delta room with no windows, a sleeping porch she still raves about, and the kind of friendships and support that carry you through the hardest moments of your life.

Growing up in Boise as a firstgeneration college student, Parker had big dreams but few roadmaps. She desperately wanted to go to the University of Utah, but the cost made it impossible. She ended up at the University of Idaho, nervous, homesick and unsure if she even wanted to join Greek Life. On previous visits to the campus, two women she had met in passing had gone out of their way to make her feel seen. On her first day on campus, they helped her move in, showed her where her classes were and made sure she felt welcome. Those women, Renee York and Addison Thompson, were Tri Deltas. Parker was not even a member yet and had chosen not to sign up for primary recruitment, but from the moment she stepped foot in the chapter house, she felt like she belonged.

Parker joined Tri Delta at the end of her first semester through year-round

recruitment. She remembers calling her mom after receiving bids from other sororities, but deep down, she knew her heart was set on Tri Delta. Those early days as a new member became some of her happiest memories at Idaho. She loved dressing in her formal Monday wear, walking to chapter meetings in the Idaho cold and instantly connecting with the women in the room. That entire season felt like one long hug filled with laughter, movie nights and genuine connection. “One specific thing about Tri Delta at Idaho is that we are great at bringing in women. You never feel like an outsider for even a second. We are always in the community bringing new members into Greek Life and into Tri Delta, which I think is important. A lot of our members joined that way. I remember being a sophomore at my first formal Bid Day, and my friends had forgotten I had not been there the year before.”

By her sophomore year, Parker had been drawn into chapter leadership as the external philanthropy chair. Her chapter and community knew that if any organization was hosting a philanthropy event on campus, Parker would be there

ready to participate and give back. She ended up logging the most philanthropy hours in her chapter. Before long, she received a call asking if she would step into the role of collegiate chapter president for her junior year, despite having never held a formal leadership position. “I immediately called my dad to ask if I should say yes. He just said, ‘Why would you not?’” Parker

“You do not have to be the loudest voice in the room to be someone that people trust.”

– Parker Van Dam, Idaho

sometimes felt like she was learning to walk while being asked to run, but she discovered her leadership style was rooted in kindness and compassion, not volume. “You do not have to be the loudest voice in the room to be someone that people trust,” she explains.

The most defining part of her presidency, however, was not the title but the people who held her up when life fell apart.

During a Tri Delta Homecoming event, Parker received a call that her dad had been in a devastating motorcycle accident. Her immediate instinct was to go home and be with her family, even considering leaving school altogether. But her family and Tri Delta sisters encouraged her to stay. “One thing that kept me going was realizing I had support around me. My sisters took me to coffee, stayed up with me and made sure I was not alone. If something bad were to happen in my life, I was in the best place to have that support.”

Soon after, her family faced surgeries, medical uncertainty and financial strain that made paying her Tri Delta bills impossible. Parker worried she might not be able to remain a member or pay her chapter house bill, despite working long hours. That is when Ann Marie McGee, Idaho, one of her chapter advisors, connected her to Tri Delta’s Crescent Fund, and the relief was immediate. “It allowed me to keep going, to stay in school, to stay in the chapter, to put my energy where it actually mattered.”

Above: Parker Van Dam, Idaho, (right) and a sister show Delta Love outside the Theta Tau chapter house during recruitment. Left: Parker and a chapter sister

Parker went on to receive both the Tri Psi academic scholarship and Theta Tau’s Katherine Groggett Scholarship. For the first time, she could participate in philanthropies on Saturday mornings instead of working extra hours and focus on the things that built her up and made her feel good in her community. “Tri Delta’s Foundation allowed a first-generation student who had no idea what she was doing to keep her dreams alive and put everything I had toward my future.”

That support changed everything. She was able to raise her GPA, use her time studying for the MCAT and step into another leadership role as Idaho’s Panhellenic president her senior year. Because of her experience with Tri Delta’s Foundation and her chapter’s scholarship, she began connecting other Panhellenic women to resources in their own organizations. “Even now there are women in my chapter and on Idaho’s campus who face similar financial challenges. I love connecting them to resources in their organizations, through the university or through the state of Idaho so they can find their way. I am good at finding resources and joke that I always have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Today, Parker has moved back home to be with her family and take a gap year before medical school. She works as a nursing assistant in women’s health at St. Luke’s Clinic and is applying to medical school with a deep passion for obstetrics and patient care. She hopes to eventually serve in Idaho, where she has observed that women’s healthcare is scarce. “There is something so special about watching a baby take its first breath. That baby is a person who is going to have a first birthday, a first everything. It is a new life. I want to help women feel safe and supported in that moment. You can really see how the mental affects the physical.”

For donors who make Crescent Fund grants and scholarships possible, Parker has two simple words: thank you. “Thank you for allowing my dreams to become reality and for allowing me to become a person that can give back to my community.”

Parker still watches Theta Tau’s recruitment and sisterhood events from afar, cheering on them from Instagram and keeping up with her little sister and friends. While her family does not know if her father will ever fully recover from his accident, she is deeply grateful to be home with him, supporting him and cherishing every moment together. “If my experience with Tri Delta’s Foundation helps someone else stay in Tri Delta or stay in school, then that means everything to me.”

A young woman who once doubted if she could stay now spends her days helping bring new life into the world, because her Tri Delta sisters and the Foundation gave her the space to breathe, grow and belong.

TUESDAY, NOV. 11

Day of Giving

2025

Be a part of kindness in action! Make a gift of any size to continue the mission of Tri Delta’s Foundation of sisters helping sisters. Visit TriDelta.org/DayOfGiving.

YOUR LEGACY IS POWERFUL. LET’S CONTINUE TO BUILD TOWARDS THE FUTURE — TOGETHER.

For more than 25 years, Tri Delta has stood beside the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,® raising more than $100 million to support lifesaving treatment and groundbreaking research. Because of you, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.

Now, we look ahead. With your continued kindness and commitment, we’re working toward a new goal: $100 million by 2038!

St. Jude patient Kinsley Kinsley

Stars & Crescent Society

Tri Delta’s Stars & Crescent Society is comprised of 377 loyal members and generous donors who invested in our sisterhood with gifts of $1,000 or more to Tri Delta’s Annual Fund in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. By joining the Stars & Crescent Society, you are providing sisters with essential support for educational programming, scholarship and leadership development.

Tri Delta would like to recognize these members with a sincere and heartfelt thank you. We are sisters helping sisters!

ADELPHI

Lyn Geikie-Rice

Eileen Murtagh Lueder

ALABAMA

Milla Kennamer Averett

Faye Alexander

Stockard

Mary Dunson Terrell

April Mathis Voris

ARIZONA

Alex Jonessa Gibson

Tess Holcomb*

Lucinda Weller Marcello

ARIZONA STATE

Ferne Osman Burney

Lisa Farrell

ARKANSAS

Stephanie McLemore Morris

Carolyn Meek Nelson

ARKANSAS/ LITTLE ROCK

Michelle Bates Spangler

AUBURN

Lori Sims Baxter

Dottie Wilkinson

Hankins

Lori Sharpe Peck

Laura Helen-Marie

Tarne

Gwenn Smith Wynn

BAKER

Marilyn Biggerstaff

Susanne Richardson

Teel

Bonnie DeMoss Tumino

Elizabeth Hankins Wendorff

CALIFORNIA/IRVINE

Thia Christensen Cochran

CALIFORNIA/ LOS ANGELES

Maddy Alfano

Sandy Jacobson

Suzy Kennedy Keller

Pam Williams Stearns

CALIFORNIA/SANTA BARBARA

Jenny Beckman Curzan

CARNEGIE MELLON

Christi Guzik

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Beth Anne Branch Cuda

Cindy Cook Hornbaker

Kim Mikol Strong

CENTRE

Melissa Booth Hall

CINCINNATI

Lauri Deubell Hart

Lenora Oeters

BALL STATE

Debbie Adams

BAYLOR

Jana Earnshaw

McCarver

Jenni Stork Oaks

BOSTON

Marcia Copenhaver Barrere

Elizabeth Howard DiMartino

Janice Parker

Barbara Stanwood*

BUTLER

Beth Sargent*

Tracy Berg Teich

CAL POLY

Erica Roa Walton

CAL STATE/ LONG BEACH

Ashley Baskerville

Crystal White Blaylock

Deborah Rowe

CAL STATE/ NORTHRIDGE

Carol Chapman Benson

Agnes Sapa Foos

Denise Welvang

CALIFORNIA/ BERKELEY

Pamela Hawkins

Casaudoumecq

Libby Leffler Hoaglin

CALIFORNIA/DAVIS

Heidi Uhrig Guest

Gaby Jackson Renstrom

Kate Gundlach Roberts

Karen Dent Scarborough

Michelle Popp

Shimberg

Jill Neppl Weinstein

FLORIDA STATE

Cecelia Bonifay

Laura Krueger Brock

Virginia Newsom Collar

Nancy McDonald Griggs

Nan Casper Hillis

Jill Holler Rogers

Gale Waldon

FURMAN

Christine Caputo Winn

GEORGIA

Lynne Noetzel Charbonneau

Regina Stamm Miano

Seslee Smith

Jane Elliott Walcott

Karen Hughes White

IDAHO

Sandra Shook Fery

Kathy Wright Schear

COE

Johanna Josephson

Abernathy

Laura Ege Walsten

COLORADO

Julie Belden

Karen Metzger Parry

Nancy Reisher

COLORADO STATE

Barbara Peterson Bull

CORNELL

Judy Barth

Risé LeBlanc Wilson

DELTA STATE

Jeanna Wilkes

DENISON

Kristi Anderson Horner

DEPAUW

Liz Purdy Porter

DRURY

Libby Gammon Dunn

Sherry Ryder Stewart

DUKE

Karen Cato Doran

EMORY

Cary Jehl Broussard

Janie Hicks Jeter

Ginger Hicks Smith

Julie Rubon Wasserman

FLORIDA

Helen Alford

Nikki Weller Ferrell

Emily Retherford Lisska

Terrie Weller Mitchell

Dolly Rairigh Glass

Melanie Morgan

Kala Musick

Ann Perry Parker

Danielle Roussel

Joyce Neaderhiser Thompson

KANSAS STATE

Ann Vanderlip Beedles

Beth Wilson Bird

Marlene Lindell Cowan

Marcia Rinkel

KENTUCKY

Susan Wells Beard

Britt Miller Castellini

Lisa Anneken Collins

KNOX

Francés Jones

Pamela Berra Swafford

LOUISIANA/ LAFAYETTE

Annie Fuselier Barnes

Mary Gross Cherry

Catherine HernandezBlades

LOUISIANA STATE

Lorilee Hoalst Jones

Ann Marie Johnson McGee

Janet Hawkins Morris

Jill Linehan Rinaldi

ILLINOIS

Lynn Heinemann*

Joan Kalmanek

Dotti Ann Keagy

Peggy Young Rishe

Nancy Mueller Sims

ILLINOIS STATE

Mary Maher Frazier

Janet Schockey Schwarzentraub

Connie Fako Shoemake

IOWA

Marcia Rodwell Ficeli

Kristin Lee

Pat Shepherd Mynatt

IOWA STATE

Pam Laird Allen

Carolyn McIntyre Andersen

Joyce Snodgrass Carleton

Mary Ann Shriner Lillie

Beth Shriner Thompson

Connie Peterson Worley

JACKSONVILLE

Marianne Zimmermann Palmer

JAMES MADISON

Caroline Chin Goldwater

KANSAS

Deborah Massie Boschert

Janet Medina Long

Kathy Osborne Davi

Lisa Noe Deane

Ouida Prewitt Gernentz

Lisa Lalande Heath

Rachel Huenefeld

Lee Lewis Munson

MAINE

Laurie Dionne Babcock

MARYLAND

Debbie Shure Collins

Wendi Wickland Davies

Julia Cobey Gluck

Sandy Michaels

Milly Bland Miller*

MIAMI/FLORIDA

Carole Fewell

Elizabeth Kovachevich

Joan Kelly Sanz

MIAMI/OHIO

Sarah Coons Lindsay

MICHIGAN

Judy Warnke Istock

Jenny Wight Keil

Bonny Horldt

Montanari

Jody Turin

Sue Malloure Whitaker

MICHIGAN STATE

Sue Snell Gorman

Jeri Sedlar

Heidi Tester

MILLIKIN

Carol Knoche Helmus

Emily Musser

MILLSAPS

Amanda Mayo Bennett

Megan Shaw James

MINNESOTA

Kathy Salisbury Massie

Carolyn Liska Pierce

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Kelley Famularo

Ellen Guion Kempner

Lou Ellen Dennis

Latham

Rebecca Bramlett

Moriarty

Helen Spelzhaus Siedell

Beth Welch Towles

MISSOURI

Nancy Stough Hillhouse

Teresa Keith McKinney

Pam Coldren Oberdiek

Tia Trump Odom

Katherine Bush

Ruberton

Martha Kuhn Schroeder

Laura Smith

NEBRASKA

Sharon Egger DeWulf*

Ellen Dein Dortch

Suzanne Semmler Spilker

NEVADA

Patricia Fagan Huber

Deborah Johnson

Maria Martin

NEW MEXICO

Joanne Stevens Dalton

Susan Frank Holder

Geneva Jahnke

Nina Vitagliano

NORTHERN ARIZONA

Colleen McKim Ragland

NORTHWESTERN

Sharon Carroll Eklund

Eleanor Applebee Lorig

OHIO STATE

Kat Ternes Berdanie

Yvonne Gardner

Newhouse

Mary Kay Linzell Palmer

OHIO WESLEYAN

Cynthia Wyman Kohl

Marilyn McConnell

Patrick

Diane Petersen

OKLAHOMA

Kim David Campbell

Karla Shadid Cohlmia

Mindy Corporon

Maria Samaras

Dominguez

Cindy Faulkner Eckman

Ann Heard-Sakhaee

OKLAHOMA STATE

Marianne Cooley

Kim Lampman

Mary Loosley Lindaman

Kelly Clarkson Loy

Jennifer Bodine

Settlemyer

Susanne Wasson

OREGON STATE

Claire Madalyn Brunck

Normita Ellis Error

Kari Dunham Rosson

OTTAWA

Leah Clelland Jochim

Simi Wilhelm Shah

PACIFIC

Sophia Spearman

Hansen

Amy Larner Schoen

PENNSYLVANIA

Leanne Pyott Huebner

Gayle JenningsO’Byrne

PEPPERDINE

Kimberlee Di Fede Sullivan

PITTSBURGH

Amy Karpinski Allinson

Linda Wolf McLinden

Kathy McClain Zack

PUGET SOUND

Barbie AndersonGonzalez

Lora Snow White

PURDUE

Elizabeth Matthews

RANDOLPH-MACON

Adelaide Gonzalez Few*

Anne Sterne Flight*

RHODES

Emily Greer

Rebecca Wynn Weiler

RICHMOND

Lynne Hampton Biscay

SIMPSON

Ann Wagner Dieleman

Arlette Marow Kuehl

Sue Malmberg

Lucy Avis Morlan

Lillian Rydel Reed

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

STATE

Tina Kuhengel Horvath

SOUTH FLORIDA

Jenny Parrish Black

Michelle Davis Garis

Diane Kulas Hurtak

Meg Bock Severino

SOUTHERN

CALIFORNIA

Jennie Matsler McCarl

SOUTHERN METHODIST

Betsy Vogel Boze

Stacey Dickenson Cox

Carol Beauchamp De la

Torre

Lisa Burke Ellis-James

Elizabeth Baier

Emerson

Liz Burrow Farley

Phyllis Durbin Grissom

Katie Cooper Matthews

Karen Lynch Parkhill

Kari Pfeifer

Eve Woods Riley

Mary Martha Gibson

Stinnett

Mindy Tucker

Dr. Myra Nicol Williams

Annell Haughton

Williams

Amy Zimmer

SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Bethany Kent Horner

Lisa Long Whitney

SOUTHWESTERN

Eileen Barlow

Patricia Riley Chandler

Carol Chapman Reding

Barbara Brewer Sheldon

SPRING HILL

Courtney Pike Templin

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

Barbara Jean Lauratis Fisher

STETSON

Nancy Coleman

Edmunds

Lisa Lubach Schigiel

ST. LAWRENCE

Peggy Nungesser

Kellermeyer

TENNESSEE

Midge Orr Ayres

Katie Schweinfest

McCay

Judy Mills

TEXAS A&M

Julie Coffman Doss

Rosella Garcia

Shanna Dinwiddie

Jones

Barbara Derr Thomas

TEXAS/ARLINGTON

Jackye Brown Clark

Alicia Schroeder

TEXAS/EL PASO

Diana Druley*

Betty Moor MacGuire*

TEXAS CHRISTIAN

Beth Dees Applebaum

Jineen McIver Bessire

Maribess Lehmann

Miller

Sally Estill Muhlbach

Jean Wiggin Roach

Lynn Tate Teel

TEXAS TECH

Sue Simmonds Baldwin

Angela Fick Braly

Jan McCaleb Elliott

Jamie Stehley Hall

Arlene Caraway Matthews

TOLEDO

Lisa Diskin

Sandy Beach Lin

Janet Miller

Connie Huber Schmidt

TRANSYLVANIA

Timi Parke May

Patsy Elliott, Laura Rechter Harper

TULSA

Kellie Pine Harlan

Rebecca D’Arcy Wyatt

UTAH

Laura Wise Althoff

Hilarie Long Benedetto

Rebecca Chavez-Houck

Kathi Sjoberg

Amanda Young Stewart

UTAH STATE

Linda Pilgrim

VANDERBILT

Sandra Murray Polk

Katie Tipermas Stull

VALPARAISO

Laura Hamilton Cole

VERMONT

Susan Marchand

Higgins

Cassi Stellos-Malvers

VILLANOVA

LuAnn Riegl Daniel

VIRGINIA TECH

Kim Dunkle Cox

Dawn Watkins Wiese

WAKE FOREST

Adrienne Myer

Bohannon

Beth Burkes, Kristine Kaufman Lewis

Gayle Fisher Parker

Kate Davis Shasha

Tycely Williams

WASHINGTON

Bobbe Chaback Bridge

Dawnell Dean Lamb*

WASHINGTON STATE

Steph Caron Drewnowski

WEST GEORGIA

Tracy Rolfe Noland

Honey Hubbell

Shackelford

WESTMINSTER

Emily Alexander Harper

WHITMAN

Chandra Carlisle

Deborah Grubb Moskovitz

WICHITA STATE

Naomi Hall Anderson

Deanna Nelson Harvey

Melissa Hunter Muller

Beverly Ross

Mandy Conte Tyler

WILLIAM & MARY

Amy Holt Davis

Page Seckman Herman

Celia Williams Jacoby

Susan Cory Kase

Susan Rosar Sheehan

Jeanne Wilkinson Shuler

Marty Ison Webb

Mary Ann Heyser Wright

WISCONSIN

Barbara Nowicki Frenzel

Cathleen Garman

Elizabeth Roob Ireland

Nathalie Podrabsky Schmicker

Mary Sue Goodspeed

Shannon

WYOMING

Tori Campbell

Maureen Hand

Mary Michie Logasa

Bailey Richeson

Revae Stuart

FRIENDS OF TRI DELTA

Jack Allin

Elizabeth & Dean Brown

Elizabeth Buchan

Beth Conder Cline

David Crawford

Dena & Gary Dodson

College Fresh

Larry Gould

L.J. Johnson

Tim Miller

John Murdock

Richard Noll

Paige and Bob Russey

Jihyun Sparrow

CHAPTER GIVING

California Central Coast Alumnae Chapter

Chicago NW Suburban Alumnae Chapter

Stars & Crescent Philanthropies

Lyn Moore Livingston

Kathy Meek

Ali Szallai Hurt

Nicole Hughes

*Deceased

Gamma Alpha’sIn-tent-ional Recruitment

→By Avery Sadler Hill, Mississippi Housing Development Manager

CHANTS OF “TRI DELTA!” ECHO FROM Olympia Way. Turning the corner, however, there is only a patch of dirt on which a giant white tent has been erected. But this is no ordinary tent. It features a not-quite-life-size mural of the future Gamma Alpha chapter house, and it’s the site where the chapter held recruitment in the summer of 2025 while their new home has been under construction! Our Gamma Alpha Chapter at Texas A&M University embraced the unusual setting—turf floors, vinyl walls and all—and hosted a successful recruitment, welcoming 90 new members into Tri Delta’s sisterhood.

In April 2024, members of Tri Delta’s staff joined Housing Board Chair Nicole Hughes, Washington State, and Housing Board Director Lisa Lalande Heath, Louisiana State, at a Monday night chapter meeting, where Nicole announced that Gamma Alpha would receive a brand-new home. The room erupted with cheers as members caught a glimpse of their exciting future. Over the year that followed, our collegians and alumnae cherished their last moments in the

original house, built in 1984 and home to more than 1,800 women over the years.

The house at 1503 Olympia Way was demolished in May of this year, leaving Gamma Alpha with a blank slate of opportunity and many logistics to account for. Planning primary recruitment is no easy feat, especially with more than 250 chapter members and more than 1,000 potential new members. But this year, there was no playbook, no copy-paste of the year before. The recruitment team had to write the entire plan from scratch.

Although this wasn’t the first time a Texas A&M sorority that was under construction had to recruit from a temporary space, Tri Delta Housing aimed to provide our chapter with a premier experience. Outfitted with chandeliers and string lights, air conditioning (after all, it was

Texas in August) and a full facade of the new house across the front, our Tri Delta tent was ready for recruitment action! Multiple spacious rooms provided places to host the parties and for members to retreat to freshen up and grab a snack during the long days.

What truly made this experience special was the creativity and determination that transformed a construction site into a welcoming space. Gamma Alpha showed potential new members that, at its heart, the Tri Delta house is more than its walls—it’s about the women inside them. Tri Delta Housing showed our collegians that we’re here to support and assist them in every possible way, well above and beyond simply renovating a facility or building a new house.

Now that primary recruitment is over and Bid Day has been celebrated, the tent has come down. During this

1. A rendering of Gamma Alpha’s new home; 2. Gamma Alpha’s chapter home since 1984; 3. A full facade of the new house across the front of our Tri Delta tent; 4. The tent was outfitted with chandeliers, string lights and air conditioning; 5. Philanthropy round setup in our tent; 6. Ready to host potential new members.

construction year, a majority of the sophomore class has chosen to live in the same apartment complex to stay close to each other and keep their sisterhood strong! The chapter will continue to hold its weekly meetings in the Innovative Learning Classroom Building (ILCB) on campus.

When the doors of the new home open in the fall of 2026, collegians, alumnae and guests will have the opportunity to celebrate their new home with a ribbon cutting and house dedication. It will be the culmination of years of planning and hard work by Tri Delta Housing, generous donors, volunteers and collegiate members alike, giving Gamma Alpha a welcoming space to call home for generations to come.

Outfitted with chandeliers and string lights, air conditioning (after all, it was Texas in August) and a full facade of the new house across the front, our Tri Delta tent was ready for recruitment action!

A Year of Growth for Tri Delta Housing

→By Lisa Feren, Copywriter

hen a collegiate chapter has a home or space of their own, Bid Day often begins right out front, with excited new members snapping photos by giant wooden deltas with the chapter house in the background. To them, it’s where they might someday live, attend chapter meetings and, if they're lucky, score a coveted parking spot. What they don’t realize yet is how that house will come to mean so much more. Over time, the building becomes more than bricks and mortar; the term “chapter house” transforms into something deeper. Some may call it sisterhood, but it’s really a feeling of calm, comfort and the quiet assurance that they belong in this space.

Behind every welcoming front door there’s a team working to make our Tri Delta houses feel like home. Tri Delta Housing is the arm of Tri Delta dedicated to caring for our spaces and the members who live in them. As a not-for-profit entity, Tri Delta Housing manages, operates and, in many cases, owns the homes where our members build friendships, hold meetings and make lifelong memories. Beyond property management, Tri Delta Housing also provides guidance, resources and training to the volunteers and officers who help keep our chapter homes running smoothly.

The stories held within our Tri Delta homes are the foundation of so many memories. Within these walls, members have laughed, built lifelong friendships, shared in Ritual and, for many, lived together under one roof. These homes and spaces have evolved across generations, outlasting some of our members’ lifetimes.

Each summer, Tri Delta Housing works diligently to keep our homes safe and competitive through capital improvements. Today, we are shining the spotlight on two of our summer 2025 projects.

137 Tri Delta Collegiate Chapters

f 82% have some type of housing

f 55% enjoy a residential home

f 41% are in a universityor collegeowned space

f 4% are in a lodge

Behind every welcoming front door there’s a team working to make our Tri Delta houses feel like home.

University of Nebraska

Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Kappa chapter house is a 14,714-square-foot residential home, which accommodates 51 residents. It was built in 1923 for Kappa Chapter by local Lincoln architects Jesse Boas Miller and Fritz Craig, along with nine other chapter houses in the University of Nebraska’s Greek Row, making them the most prolific designs of the historic district. The house retains an exceptional degree of integrity and is a focal point in the National Register District. Tri Delta Housing was excited to welcome Kappa Chapter to the TDH portfolio this spring. Immediate projects and planning have begun to preserve and update this historic home.

Tri Delta Housing kicked off updates to the facility with a big goal in mind: to restore the iconic historic fence around their home, originally donated by General John J. Pershing! But that’s not all—the first-floor common spaces got a stunning makeover, and each bedroom got fresh sets of brand-new furniture.

Syracuse University

Tri Delta’s Omicron chapter house located in Syracuse, New York, is a 9,976-square-foot residential home, which accommodates 32 residents. Built in 1890, Tri Delta first called it home in 1922. The home’s interior includes many of its original historic features, such as its four fireplaces. The home’s exterior was remodeled in 1939 with the large white columns you see today. While the third floor once held a ballroom, it has since been transformed into additional living space.

Omicron Chapter joined Tri Delta Housing in fall 2024, and this summer its home got a major refresh of the first floor with new flooring, furniture, lighting and decor; a new TV room and new study room in previously lightly–used basement spaces; a redesigned meeting room in the former TV lounge; and a new serving area added to the dining room. These major updates were completed in a way that is congruent and appropriate for this grand historic home. This fall, Omicron members are enjoying the cozy spots to gather, study and relax together.

OMICRON CHAPTER

KAPPA CHAPTER

Brave, Bold & Kind

Diane Petersen

DELTA UPSILON, OHIO WESLEYAN

Since 2020, Diane has been an integral part of the work of Tri Delta’s Foundation and their mission of sisters helping sisters. She now serves as chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees, and she recently shared some of the sentiments she holds most dear about her time in Tri Delta.

Q: What is your favorite Tri Delta college

My favorite Tri Delta memory must be my Initiation. On that day, kindness and love prevailed. Every sister in the room had fought so intensely, against tremendous odds, to make this moment possible: my becoming one of the first Black women actually initiated into Tri Delta. As one of my

SILVER, GOLD OR BLUE?

All the shades of Tri Delta blue

BRAVE, BOLD OR KIND? Bold

PLANE, TRAIN OR AUTOMOBILE? Plane

CHOCOLATE, VANILLA OR STRAWBERRY?

Dark, rich chocolate, especially with whipped cream

BEACH, MOUNTAINS OR CITY? A beautiful coastline or walking by the beach

chapter sisters so perfectly expressed, “Today we are a real sisterhood.” That was the day they lovingly bestowed on me the enduring gift of sisterhood, a treasure for which I am forever grateful.

Q: What has been your favorite Tri Delta volunteer experience?

Without question, my current role as a Foundation Board Trustee is my favorite. I have the privilege of engaging with our generous donors, building meaningful relationships and being inspired by their remarkable stories of sisterhood. In turn, I help connect their philanthropy to the programs that truly change lives. This role is the embodiment of our oath—to love Tri Delta members, assist them in every possible way and live out our belief that kindness changes lives.

Q: What is your favorite Tri Delta symbol?

As a jewelry lover, I am especially drawn to the pearl. I love it for its rarity, its uniqueness and the intricate way it forms. My nickname used to be “Pearl Girl” because I wore pearls constantly, even with my scrubs on the way to the operating room. The pansy also holds

special meaning for me, as my mother had a deep affection for pansies. She always said pansies are like people: so diverse, each with its own unique beauty.

Q: Who is the Tri Delta Founder you most identify with?

I identify with Eleanor Dorcas Pond most because her path resonates with me in a profound way. She became a physician, which was an extraordinary achievement for a woman of her time. She applied to

My nickname used to be “Pearl Girl” because I wore pearls constantly, even with my scrubs on the way to the operating room.

medical school three times, not for lack of merit, but because she was a woman. She practiced in Chicago, New York City and New York State, occasionally providing free medical care to those in need, often serving immigrant communities. As someone who became a surgeon in the 1970s, I understand the discipline and resilience it takes to succeed in medicine, and I can only imagine the barriers Eleanor faced a century earlier.

BUTTON

Accessorize effortlessly with this patchwork button. What a fun way to show your Tri Delta pride! every mood! $22.95

Deltas Everywhere!

In July’s Let’s Talk Tri Delta email newsletter, we asked what you prefer on your merch. And the response was clear! Visit ShopTriDelta.com to find these ΔΔΔ items and many more to give

CREWNECK

When you customize this cozy sweatshirt with white seersucker letters, you’re sure to get your new fall favorite look.

$52.00

NECKLACE

Elevate your look with this delicate gold necklace featuring blue enamel bead accents and signature Delta charms.

$36.00

A must-have for every sister, this chic makeup bag with glittering chenille Deltas is perfect for everyday essentials.

$29.99

PHONE WALLET

Add a pop of fun and Tri Delta spirit to your phone with this colorful confetti wallet! $12.00

sparkle to any outfit with this claw clip. $16.00

A. Forever Ring, #001BS

B. Snake Chain, 18”, #snake

C. Diamond Delta Pendant, #2406

D. Kendra Scott | Davis Pendant Necklace, #DAVISPEN

E. Kendra Scott | Elisa Necklace, #ELISA

F. Kendra Scott | Davie Pendant Necklace, #DAVIEPEN

G. Kendra Scott | Davis Station Necklace, #DAVISSTN

H. Kendra Scott | Davis Stud Earrings, #DAVISEAR

I. Kendra Scott | Davis Stretch Bracelet, #DAVISB

J. Kendra Scott | Station Anklet, #ANKLET NEW!

K. Kendra Scott | Elisa Ring, #ELISA

J. New anklet!