Alpha Gamma Delta - University of Alabama

SUMMER 2021 The Squirrel's Nest P S I C H A P T E R O F A L P H A G A M M A D E L T A A T T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F A L A B A M A N ow that the spring semester has come to an end, we're taking the time to reflect on each fond memory and impressive achievement from this past year. Through it all, our members remained focused, strengthened sisterly bonds, strove for excellence, and found joy in the little things. Despite the changes and limitations COVID-19 has brought, we initiated 112 new members in October, Psi Chapter earned top grades for fall 2020 for the fifth semester in a row, and our members have been selected and elected to more positions than we have ever seen before. PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS We have been creative in finding safe ways for us to serve the Tuscaloosa campus and community. We hosted percentage nights at Tuscaloosa restaurants and stores. We also donated 7,000 pounds of food to be distributed throughout the world through our Rise Against Hunger Day following our Week of Service. Our partnership with Meals on Wheels has flourished, as we have delivered meals to elderly residents in the community. Outside of our chapter philanthropy work, members have obtained leadership roles in B+, UA Dance Marathon, and Beat Auburn Beat Hunger with Olivia Hannum '18 serving as President. We also have sisters active in Freshman Forum, Best Buddies, and Al's Pals. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Psi Chapter is thrilled to announce that for the fifth consecutive semester, Alpha Gamma Delta earned the coveted number ONE all-sorority rank in grades! Psi Chapter's overall GPA was 3.82 for the fall 2020 term, putting us above the all-Panhellenic GPA of 3.57, all-Greek GPA of 3.45, and all-undergraduate GPA of 3.33. For the fall term, 185 members earned a spot on the President's List and 154 members were on the Dean's List. We have 80 members in the Honors College and six members who were selected for the Business Honors Program. We also have nine members in the University Fellows Experience, a prestigious academic organization with a focus on social innovation and leadership based in the Honors College. Alpha Gamma Delta has the most members involved in the University Fellows Experience than any other sorority. AWESOME ALPHA GAM ACTIVITIES Our Member Experience team worked to find safe and creative ways to engage members with fun events and delicious chapter snacks. We had tabs at local restaurants and campus food trucks, Chick-fil-A chicken minis, and Edgar's petit fours. Our head chef helped us in planning a virtual sushi making class, in which he and the staff prepared kits for members to take home and make together. The Member Experience team also hosted our annual achievement banquet, Alpha Grammys, and played a key role in planning a senior dinner and senior week for the women of the 2017 member class. The team wrote notes to each member both semesters and plans to mail letters and care packages for members throughout the summer. RECRUITMENT SUCCESS During our 99th year, Psi Chapter initiated all 112 new members in the fall 2020 class. The new member class of 2020 earned a fall 2020 GPA of 3.85. We are excited for a wonderful fall 2021 recruitment. Psi Chapter is ready to welcome home the 2021 new member class very soon! CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT We have seen more campus involvement than ever before from our sisters, with many members going above and beyond and obtaining leadership positions in various organizations. In February, three additional members were selected for Capstone Men & Women in Julia Stewart '19, Anna Kate Cavnar '20, and Betsy Chambers '20. Alpha Gamma Delta now has seven active Capstone Women, including Parker Grogan '18, who was elected as the 2021-2022 Capstone Men & Women President. Our returning and current Capstone Women are Katie Green '17, Parker Grogan '18, Victoria Morrison '18, and myself. Hannah Hale '19 was selected as Vice President of Administration for the Alabama Panhellenic Association and 19 members were selected for APA's Recruitment Team. In March, Sarah Mason Avery '20 and Izzy Talbert '20 were inaugurated into the SGA Senate. Numerous other Alpha Gams serve in directorship positions in all three branches. Olivia Davis '18 and Madison Moore '20 were selected into the Blackburn Institute. We are proud of our recently selected 11 Honors College Ambassadors, five Greek Ambassadors, four Student Alumni Ambassadors, three Capstone Agency members, 10 Student Recruitment Team members, and 18 University Stewards. We also want to congratulate Julia Steck '18 for serving as Vice President of Operations for University Stewards. Lauren Brown '18 was selected as a Culverhouse College of Business Ambassador. Emma Claire Dykes '19 was selected as an Arts & Sciences Ambassador. Patsy Elder '19 was selected as an Education Ambassador. Lillie Clark '20 was selected as an Engineering Ambassador. Melina Taddei '20 and Molly St. Clair '20 were selected as Capstone College of Nursing Ambassadors and eight members were selected as College of Communication and Information Science Ambassadors. Tori Scroggins '18 was elected as the College of Communication and Information Science President. Last, but certainly not least, Sarah Bittner '18 was recently selected as the SGA's Homecoming Executive Director. HONORS WEEK During Honors Week, our members were recognized for their achievements and academic successes by being inducted into the premier honor societies and programs at UA. Among the tappings were 12 members into Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, six members into ACCRUING ACCOLADES AT ALPHA GAM Psi Chapter Sets a High Standard for UA Sororities (Continued on page 2)

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