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Founders’ Day

It Was a Glad May Time

A portrait of Alpha Delta Pi founder Mary Evans GlassA Story from Mary Evans Glass

Adelphean founder Mary Evans Glass attended the first national convention of Alpha Delta Phi in 1906 in Macon, Georgia, and shared stories of Wesleyan in 1851. The excerpt below gives her perspective on the story of our founding.

In the Junior class of ’51 was Eugenia Tucker, a young woman who by reason of her many graces and gifts was easily an acknowledged leader. Studious, thoughtful, and ambitious, she saw the opening gateway for nobler development and higher culture than was provided in a regular college curriculum, and calling together sixteen girls of congenial tastes, social prestige, and genuine literary merit, she organized what was then known as the Adelphean Society.

It was a glad May time that marked the birthday of an illustrious mother’s eldest born—the fairest in face, the richest in promise—her noblest and her best.

The highest standard of scholarship was an open sesame to our ranks, and the basal principle was to find its loftiest expression in the self-forgetful ministry of our motto—We Live for Each Other.

Perhaps it seemed a small beginning when sixteen college girls banded themselves together for the highest culture and noblest development of womanhood, but today, following their multiform lines of usefulness, we see their luxurious lengths stretching away until they promise to girdle our great earthland with a very zone of light. Faith was the field glass which spied out the land, Hope the architect who drew the plan, but Love shall crown the work.

And so, my dear sisters, let us be true to our motto. It will sweeten the happy hopes of youth, enrich the deep, ripe joys of maturer years, and when the Autumn winds shall sweep, and the brown leaves flutter across life’s hurrying close, and Winter snows fall thick and fast, we will feel no fear, for there will be light in the evening time.

 

Download the 2023 Event Guide

Find the details for each event, check out our limited edition Founders’ Day merchandise, read about the history of music in Alpha Delta Pi, and much more. Click the cover image on the left to be taken to the PDF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Play BINGO!

Visit Alpha Delta Pi’s social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, give us a follow, and screenshot our Founders’ Day 2023 Bingo card on Wednesday, May 10. Check off the appropriate boxes before the end of Tuesday, May 16 and post your completed card with your Bingo and the hashtag #ADPiBingo before midnight on Wednesday, May 17 for a chance to win fabulous ADPi prizes!

If you prefer to participate offline, just save or print the card on this page, take a picture of or save it, and email it to alumnae@alphadeltapi.com.

 

 

 

Founders’ Day 2023 International Events

Sunday, May 7

10-year Ceremony and 25-year Ceremony    2 p.m. EDT    Register Here

50-year Ceremony and 60-year Ceremony    5 p.m. EDT  •  Register Here

Hosted by past Grand/International Presidents, these ceremonies will recognize our alumnae celebrating 10, 25, 50, and 60 years of membership in Alpha Delta Pi. All members are welcome to observe even if they are not participating in a ceremony.

 

Tuesday, May 9

Individual collegiate awards will be announced throughout the day on Alpha Delta Pi social media channels. Stay tuned to ADPi’s social media for the announcements of our individual collegiate member awards. We’ll be celebrating overall leadership with our Dorothy Shaw Leadership Award, Panhellenic achievement with the Ruth Pretty Palmer Award, and our up-and-coming sisters with the Emerging Leader Award. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

 

Tuesday, May 9

ADPi Cooking Club: Chicken Chop Suey   8 p.m. EDT   Register Here

Don’t be chicken – put it on your calendar! Join sister Melanie Glaze Knight for a spring cooking class and learn to make chicken chop suey – easy for a solo meal or a family. Class is free of charge, and all participants will receive recipes and a shopping list in advance. The class will be held over Zoom and recorded. Join solo or with sisters, friends or family.

 

Wednesday, May 10

Jewel Degree    8 p.m. EDT    Register Here

This ceremony was established as an alumna degree to complete our Alpha Delta Pi ritual. Hosted by Grand Council, the degree is conferred upon graduating seniors or initiated members who have assumed alumna status. You may attend even if you’ve already participated.

 

Monday, May 15

Day of Giving Begins    9 a.m. EDT    Learn More

Each year on May 15, our Foundation has celebrated Founders’ Day with our annual Day of Giving. Join ADPi sisters, friends, and family as we come together and combine our individual philanthropic power to help our sisters coast to coast by supporting emergency grant funds, scholarships, leadership education, hazing prevention, mental wellness programs, and historic preservation.

 

Founders’ Day Ceremony    1 p.m. EDT  •  Watch the Recording Here

A short ceremony will be hosted by International President Dawn Victor-Herring in a virtual recognition of May 15, 1851, the date of our founding. This celebration serves as an occasion to reunite Alpha Delta Pi members of all ages.

 

Tuesday, May 16

Day of Giving Ends    Noon EDT    Learn More

 

Traditional Latin American Mexican sauce guacamole, salsa, chips and ingredients on black table. Top view.

Wednesday, May 17

ADPi Cooking Club: Cinco de Sisterhood   8 p.m. EDT    Register Here

Join sister Karen Vestal Hays for a cooking class focused on easy recipes for May (Cinco de Mayo month) and all year-round. Salsa varieties, fried plantains and more – ole! Class is free of charge, and all participants will receive recipes and a shopping list. The class will be held over Zoom and recorded. Join solo or with sisters, friends or family.

 

 

 

Founders’ Day Merchandise

Check out The 1851 Shop’s limited edition items for Founders’ Day! With new t-shirts, a special blanket, hats, stickers, and more, you’re sure to find a thing (or two or three) to fit your taste!

 

 

 

 

Founders’ Day 2023 Local and Regional Events

Founders’ Day is a time to celebrate sisterhood and traditions, honor graduating seniors, welcome back alumnae, and enjoy being an ADPi. Alumnae remember their college experience, collegiate members share their experiences, and everyone can be included. Does your chapter or alumnae association have plans for Founders’ Day this year? Whether you are planning an in-person gathering, a virtual celebration, or something else with just a sister or two, we want you to celebrate. 

 

4/15/2023  •  Northwest Countryside Alumnae Association

Celebrating Sisters

Join us for our Celebrating Sisters Founders’ Day event in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois! You can learn more about our alumnae association, how to get involved, and help us to celebrate initiation anniversaries. We can’t wait to see some new faces, all are welcome! RSVP: email khristiekaplan@gmail.com to let us know you are coming and get the address!

 

5/2/2023  •  Lexington County South Carolina Alumnae Association

Dinner and Get-Together

The Lexington County Alumnae Association is celebrating Founders’ Day by having dinner together on May 2, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at Travinia’s in Lexington, South Carolina. If anyone is in the Lexington/Columbia area and would like to attend, please join us!

 

5/11/2023  •  North Kansas City and Greater Kansas City Alumnae Association

Hang Out with Us!

North Kansas City and Greater Kansas City Alumnae Associations are meeting up at Trezo Mare (4105 N Mulberry Drive, Kansas City, MO 64116) on May 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

 

5/13/2023  •  Charleston, South Carolina Alumnae Association

Founders’ Day Meeting

The Charleston Alumnae Association will gather from 10 a.m. to noon on May 13 at Palmetto Islands County Park, Tall Pines shelter. Festive blue and white attire with badge is encouraged! We’ll organize Philanthropy Sunshine Bags for RMHC, conduct our business meeting, and enjoy refreshments. Celebrating a 10- or 20-year anniversary of your ADPi initiation? Let us know so we can honor you! Click here to RSVP and learn more or contact President Amanda Castellone, adpicharlestonalum@gmail.com.

 

5/13/2023  •  Greater Macon Alumnae Association

Founders’ Day Brunch

Join us for brunch at The Backburner Resturant, 2242 Ingleside Drive in Macon, Georgia. Tickets are $40. RSVP and questions to 487-737-0100

 

5/15/2023  •  Grand Strand Alumnae Association

Drop-In Social

The Grand Strand Alumni Association (re-establishing association) is holding a drop-in social from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 15 at Bonfire Taqueria in Conway, South Carolina, in honor of Founders’ Day. The address is 951 2nd Ave, Conway, SC 29526. No RSVP is required, but it is appreciated; sisters can text Brandy Cloos, Association President at (843) 655-5186.