History

Delta Gamma was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi, at the Lewis School for Girls by three young women who were unable to go home for the Christmas break. Together, Anna Boyd, Mary Comfort and Eva Webb created a club of "mutual helpfulness."

They chose the Greek letters Delta and Gamma because of their desire to "Do Good." It remains Delta Gamma's motto today and a driving force in all we do. Delta Gamma is a sisterhood built on a commitment to making the world better through not only service, but also a deep appreciation for each individual.

What started with three women in Oxford, Mississippi, has since grown into an international Fraternity with 150 collegiate chapters and more than 215 alumnae groups. Delta Gamma's sisterhood continues to inspire women through the values that were built into our very first Constitution. Article II, written by our Founders in 1873, states:

"The objects of this Fraternity shall be to foster high ideals of friendship among women, to promote their educational and cultural interests, to create in them a true sense of social responsibility and to develop in them the best qualities of character."

While the Constitution spells out the values of a Delta Gamma woman in Article II, you can't tell the story of Delta Gamma without speaking of hope. The original pin of the Fraternity was the letter "H," which the Founders meant to stand for hope. A few years before she died, Founder Mary Comfort Leonard described the first pin:

"We went to a local jeweler and had our pin made-the letter 'H,' which stood for hope, for we hoped great results and have not been disappointed…" - The Shield

Delta Gamma Fraternity does not discriminate in its membership selection on the basis of race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, physical disability or other characteristics protected by state, provincial or federal law. Membership is open to all individuals who identify as women. Those selected for membership in Delta Gamma must have good scholarship, be of good character and standing, have an interest in activities that will enhance the academic atmosphere at the college or university, and have a sincere desire to contribute to the work of Delta Gamma.

All efforts are in place to guarantee those selected for membership in Delta Gamma have good scholarship, are of good character and standing, have an interest in activities which will enhance the academic atmosphere at the college, university or community, and have a sincere desire to contribute to the work of Delta Gamma. The Executive Offices will continue to work with the individual chapters to ensure that all policies and procedures are followed at all times.

For a complete list of our policies, please visit our library.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Delta Gamma alumnae chapter

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Delta Gamma alumnae chapter was established on February 10, 1970.

Alumnae Excellence Award fka The Five Stars to Alumnae Success

Each year, alumnae groups undergo an evaluation of the 12 Fraternity Standards. An overall score and associated color classification is given to each standard: below expectations (blue), meets expectations (pink), or exceeds expectations (bronze). Alumnae groups who receive an overall color classification of bronze are awarded the Alumnae Excellence Award to honor their success and achievement in each of the Fraternity standards.

2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2019

The Alumnae Hope for the Future Award

The Alumnae Chapter Hope for the Future Award recognizes an alumnae chapter that has made significant improvements to achieve success in the second year from the first year of the biennium.

2020

"The Maggie" Newsletter Award

Named for former Fraternity Executive Director and ANCHORA Editor Margaret “Maggie” Hess Watkins (Alpha Xi-West Virginia), "The Maggie" Newsletter Award serves to recognize an alumnae chapter/association who produces an outstanding newsletter in paper and/or electronic format.

2020

Outstanding Communications Region 5

Outstanding Communications is awarded to the chapter and/or association that communicates creatively and effectively with its members in print and/or electronically.

2020

Outstanding Alumnae Officer Region 5

Outstanding Alumnae Officer is awarded to the officer who has shown exceptional commitment and dedication to her position.

2014 | Katlyn Cornelius Seuntjens, Gamma Iota-DePauw

Previous Alumnae Chapter Presidents

1977-1979 | Jane Paulson Gregerson, Alpha Zeta-Lawrence
1979-1981 | Maryann Jorgensen Elkins, Kappa-Nebraska
1981-1983 | Mary Freeman Borgh, Alpha Zeta-Lawrence
1983-1985 | Paula Jean Ellwein, Alpha Lambda-Drake
1985-1987 | Sharon A. Murphy Garber, Lambda-Minnesota
1989-1991 | Wendy Uecker Born, Alpha Omicron-Miami (Ohio)
1993-1995 | Suzanne Coon Sorensen, Alpha Theta - North Dakota
1995-1997 | Monica Burrill Dawson, Lambda - Minnesota
1997-1999 | Kathleen M. Schakel-Carlson, Gamma Delta - Montana State
1999-2001 | Nancy Schlachter Nash, Lambda - Minnesota
2001 | Deana Gay Kinamon, Gamma Tau - Texas Christian
2002 | Victoria Stulgaitis-Cook Heinz, Lambda - Minnesota
2005-2007 | Jennifer Clement Schomaker, Lambda-Minnesota
2007-2009 | Jill Ewing Flynn, Beta Theta-Duke
2009-2011 | Rebecca J. Burns, Beta Chi-Denver
2011- 2013 | Trisha Starner Shomion, Gamma Iota-DePauw
2013-2015 | Katlyn Cornelius Seuntjens, Gamma Iota-DePauw
2015-2017 | Hoang-Uyen Nguyen, Lambda-Minnesota
2017-2019 | Lisa Luckenbach, Beta-Washington
2019-2021 | Joey Stuppnig, Omega-Wisconsin