On Saturday, April 27, Tri Delta initiated 146 founding members of Epsilon Phi Chapter at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These women have the unique opportunity to follow in our Founders’ footsteps as brave, bold and kind women who are creating something bigger than themselves as they lay the foundation for Tri Delta at Temple.
The women of Epsilon Phi Chapter are dynamic leaders: they serve on executive boards for other student organizations, they passionately support the north Philadelphia community, and – as founding members of their chapter – they are committed to creating a welcoming space on Temple’s campus that allows women to feel included and supported.
The weekend was full of celebration,with three separate Initiation ceremonies and an Installation Brunch, attended by Executive Board members, volunteers, university officials, Tri Delta staff and guests. In addition to the collegiate members, Epsilon Phi also welcomed an honor initiate into Tri Delta sisterhood: Ryan Stewart Taylor, Temple.
At the Installation Brunch Fraternity President Kimberlee Di Fede Sullivan, Pepperdine, told the founding members: “It is a special moment for me to be with you today as your Fraternity President. Just a few years ago I sat where you did, as a founding member of the Gamma Rho Chapter at Pepperdine University. While I only spent a short time as a collegiate member, my founding experience lead me to be the woman I am today. And I wish all the same for each of you!”
“Every single one of you is unique, loving,brave, bold, and kind, and that is what makes Temple Tri Delta special,” Collegiate Chapter President Bridie Ann MacCrory told her sisters, as she officially accepted the chapter’s charter. “From our philanthropy tabling to our many sisterhood events, our amazing PR, and the support of our Panhellenic sisters, we’ve made our mark on Temple University in such a short period of time. I have no doubt that we will continue to make a positive impact on Tri Delta, Temple and the Philadelphia community.”
During the Installation,Foundation Board Chair Tori Campbell, Wyoming, presented the Kathleen Davis Nye Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship awarded by the Tri Delta Foundation to one new member of the chapter. The scholarship is made possible through an endowment established in honor of past Fraternity President and Panhellenic leader Kathleen Davis Nye, Iowa. The scholarship was presented to Epsilon Phi member Kaitlin Wiercioch, a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in special education and elementary education.
The celebration also included a special Golden Circle Ceremony for Jacqualyn Jeanette James, Bucknell, who celebrated more than 50 years of membership in Tri Delta – a perfect example of lifetime membership for our newest members.
Jacqualyn had the following words to offer the newest members of Tri Delta: “When I was your age I could have never imagined this…I’m very proud to be here. I know you can’t imagine what’s going to happen to you in your life, but just remember this day you were chosen, and you’ll get here someday, too!”
Looking to the future of Epsilon Phi Chapter, Chapter Development Consultant Lexi Leggs, Millikin, told the women: “We look to you to build upon the foundation you’ve laid today…A lot of you joined Tri Delta hoping to be a part of something different. What you may not have realized is the responsibility to make Tri Delta something different lies within each of you. From this moment on, you will set the goals, you will fulfill the legacy, you will create the bonds of sisterhood and you will maintain a culture of welcoming hearts and open minds. It all begins with you.”
Congratulations to Tri Delta’s newest sisters of Epsilon Phi Chapter!