Delta Delta Delta - University of Alabama

Delta Delta Delta page 3 S usan Hundley Waldrop '77 was from a small town, Dothan, when she went through recruitment in 1976. Beyond the general positive feeling she got while in the house, her selection of Tri Delta was greatly influenced by two primary things: which sorority had the most Christian girls, and what older girls from Dothan were in the Chapter already. The older Dothan girls that came before Susan were stellar, outstanding young women who she respected and who were held in high esteem in her community. These factors drove her decision, one that she has never regretted. Susan earned two bachelor of arts degrees— anthropology and geology. In 1996, she co-founded Larimer Waldrop & Associates (LWA), the first full-service fundraising and philanthropic consulting firm headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Since that time, LWA has provided its award-winning strategies and national and regional experience to dozens of nonprofit organizations. Examples include leading the fundraising efforts for the Virginia Samford Theatre, expansion of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Ronald McDonald House, the restoration of Vulcan Park and Museum, and much more. Tri Delta played a big part in Susan becoming who she is today. While in college, Tri Delta created an environment of opportunity and support. She was encouraged to get involved, take chances, and to seek and embrace leadership opportunities. "For me," Susan said, "a really important part of this was the Tri Delta big sis/little sis program. I had an outstanding Big in Anne Courtenay Davis '76. She and I are still very close friends. She was always there encouraging me, guiding me, teaching me, and making sure I was aware of opportunities. As a result, I was very involved in both Tri Delta and other Greek and non-Greek college activities. This diverse array of leadership experiences built a base of confidence which has transferred to both my professional career and my volunteer activities within the community. "I have always wanted to give back to Delta Mu because it meant so much to me. In 2006, circumstances provided that opportunity. That year a study was done to test the viability of a capital campaign for the Round House. Because of my professional career and experience in philanthropy, I was chosen as the volunteer chairman. In the process, we discovered that our Chapter lacked the level of alumnae support both in human and financial resources that a chapter of our size needed. There was very little connection between Delta Mu alumnae and the Chapter, which is not only a weak position from which to launch a capital campaign but also unhealthy for the Chapter in the long-term. "After speaking about this with Anne Davis, we decided we would both volunteer to assist Delta Mu in addressing this situation. We knew that dramatic changes were essential not only for the success of the proposed capital campaign, but also to change the culture in a way where the alumnae retained a connection and commitment to the Chapter, rather than riding into the sunset after their college experience. We totally reorganized the alumnae role in rush in a way that merged alumnae experience with the youth and energy of the actives. This vertical of multiple youth and generations of Delta Mu has excited and revitalized alumnae interest and involvement. After 12 years, I have now passed the mantle to new leadership. Throughout these many years, I cannot tell you how many alumnae have told us how much fun it was to come back to Delta Mu, to get to know the college girls, and to see how strong our Chapter continues to be. We often heard alumnae say with joy, "They are just like we were!" I will always cherish and am grateful for the opportunity to serve and proud to know that Delta Mu now has in place the structure and processes that will allow it to thrive both in recruitment and also through an established process that keeps our alumnae engaged in the Chapter. So we build the future with a living connection to our past." The future of Delta Mu is bright, and Susan hopes to see it thrive for years to come. The most important thing they can do is maintain Tri Delta's signature characteristic. "First and foremost, we must continue allowing every active member to develop into her authentic self and not feel as though she has to conform to any kind of stereotype. In 2006, when I returned to the Chapter to volunteer, I was so happy to see that this ideal was still vibrant and indeed transcended our Delta Mu Chapter. Equally important is ensuring that our sisterhood remains as it has the last 100 years, with our college years yielding true and lifelong friendships based upon empathy, compassion, support, and love for one another. Finally, I want our Chapter to continue to develop leaders and to be leaders throughout campus, including academics, civic involvement, philanthropic opportunities, and within student government. Our youth are our future, and Delta Mu can and should be at the forefront in empowering and producing the next generation of women of distinction." Susan and her husband, Glenn, live in Mountain Brook and have two daughters, Audrey and Mary Glenn '14. During Delta Mu's capital campaign, Susan's donation qualified her for a commemorative, so she chose one of the Sisterhood Suites on second floor (room 201). At that point, Mary Glenn had not finalized where she would attend college. Much to Susan's delight, she chose UA and joined Tri Delta. Because Mary Glenn served as an officer, she had the privilege to live in the house for two years. Her senior year she was assigned to live in room 201, the same room that Susan had named for both her daughters and her deceased younger sister, Jane, who died from leukemia before she was able to attend college. "Mary Glenn living in that room was incredibly emotional and special for both of us. Jane was treated for her leukemia and went into remission at St. Jude Cancer Research Hospital. I was her bone marrow donor. At that time St. Jude was not Tri Delta's national philanthropy like it is today. I loved sharing this story with the girls in the Chapter. It made the mission and importance of St. Jude resonate in a more personal way." Connect with Susan at susanwaldrop12@aol.com. Susan Hundley Waldrop '77 Commits to a Lifetime of Service with Delta Mu

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