By Abby Knight
News Bureau

November 6, 2002 -- Fall Oxford, Ohio 1902; Spring Jacksonville, Alabama 1977.

No similarities at first glance, but area Delta Zeta Sorority sisters understand the ties.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the national organization of Delta Zeta at Miami University, as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of Jacksonville State University's Lambda Gamma Chapter of DZ. Delta Zeta is one of nation's largest sororities, with 165 college chapters scattered across the U.S. and 250 alumnae chapters, which reach as far as the United Kingdom and Canada.

The sorority's purpose is "to unite its members in the bonds of sincere and lasting friendship, to stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge, to promote the moral and social culture of its members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action; objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose of associated effort." To that aim, the sorority engages its members and alumnae in activities which promote such growth. Additionally, the national sorority sponsors both graduate and undergraduate scholarship programs for its members to advance their academic pursuits.

Delta Zeta is not only focused on member development, but philanthropic efforts as well. DZ's official philanthropy is the support of national organizations and local projects designated for speech and hearing assistance, such as Gallaudet University, the House Ear Institute and the Better Hearing Institute.

On the local level, DZ's Lambda Gamma Collegiate Chapter is active on the Jacksonville State University campus with projects related to the national sorority's philanthropy of speech and hearing, such as all members learning the sign language alphabet and basic conversation signs, working with a local Girl Scout troop so they may earn badges on speech and hearing impairments and coordinating a "Turtle-Tug" fundraiser for the National Foundation's philanthropic efforts, with participants paying entry fees and losers falling into pools of green gelatin. Additionally, the local chapter also takes part in a variety of other philanthropic endeavors, including participating in the Adopt-a-Mile program, hosting "Girls' Time" for Mountain View foster children, and assisting in Earth Day events in conjunction with JSU and the Anniston Museum of Natural History.

Since the chartering of its Lambda Gamma chapter, over 600 sisters have been initiated into Delta Zeta at JSU. According to chapter president, Tavia McMunn, " It is exciting to be celebrating our 100th year Nationally and our 25th year locally. We are so proud to be a part of the Greek system at JSU and such a wonderful sorority with a fantastic sisterhood. Being a part of Delta Zeta has taught each one of us more than we ever imagined."

Delta Zeta's sisterhood does not end when its members graduate college. Alumnae remain in contact with each other as well as assist the collegiate chapter with its endeavors. Kim Dalesandro, president of DZ's JSU alumnae association, acknowledges, "The role of alumnae is to give back to the collegiate chapters some of what we gained in during our college years. The relationships we develop through the sorority last a lifetime, and part of our job is to communicate to the collegiate members the permanence of sisterhood. And, wherever our sisters find themselves after college, there will be DZ alumnae in that area willing to help with relocation information and job networking." As Delta Zeta's National Vice President of Membership Development Denise McCullars, an initiate of Auburn's collegiate chapter and former Collegiate Chapter Director of JSU's collegiate chapter, sums it up, "Delta Zeta is is a lifelong journey."

Reflecting proudly over its history, both locally and nationally, Delta Zeta sorority is making a difference not only in the lives of its collegiate members, but also in the lives of its alumnae and their communities.

More information on Delta Zeta is available online at http://www.deltazeta.org . Sorority graphics are available online at http://www.uah.edu/DZ/DeltaZetaGraphicsGreek.htm .