Welcome to Michigan's Chapter of
Alpha Delta Pi!

We encourage you to explore our website and learn more about not only the sorority itself but also the ladies within the Beta Eta Chapter. But you're probably wondering...

Why love ADPi?

From age 4 I knew I wanted to "go Greek" because my entire family has always been affiliated with the Greek community- I just had no idea what house I wanted to be in! It wasn't clear until I started recruitment and realized that ADPi was the only house for me because I felt like the girls truly cared about who I am and what I had to say. My college experience so far wouldn't be the same without ADPi because it has given me a sense of genuine friendship and belonging that I wouldn't be able to find anywhere else.
Brooke Schaffer
College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Class of 2012

When I started high school, I knew at least half of my freshman class from middle school. Starting college was, obviously, a very different experience. I'm from Chicago, so only a few kids from my high school came of University of Michigan. I needed to find a way to get involved on campus and meet some people who had the same interests as me. Luckily, I found that at Alpha Delta Pi. In joining ADPi, I found that I am in a community of girls who have much of the same values that I do. Whenever anyone has a problem there is always a sister to help out. Not only have I found good sisters and friends, but I have also found excellent role models in ADPi. All of the members have proven to be good students and active in both ADPi and other organizations on campus. ADPi has also helped me to grow emotionally and made me the person I am today.
Beth Muller
College of Literature, Science and Arts
Class of 2011

In high school, I never had any intention to "Go Greek." I figured that
sorority girls were just like their stereotype: shallow, dumb, and catty.
But then I found out that my favorite teacher had been the president of her
sorority in college, and that convinced me to give ita try. While every
house on campus had amazing girls, I ended up joining ADPi, and it was the
best decision I made all year. There's nothing better than going to events with your sisters on Saturday nights and then spending Sunday mornings
laughing about the night's antics and watching a movie in your PJs. I
can't wait to spend the next three years with these girls, and I'm so lucky
to have such beautiful, hilarious, intelligent, lively, talented, and
extraordinary women to call my sisters.
Sarah Smith
College of Literature, Science and Arts, Honors Program
Class of 2012

Sisterhood

Sports and Athletics

Alpha Delta Pi sisters are very active and participate in many athletic activities. There is always an intermural sport to play from mini soccer to broomball. We choose whether to play on a co-ed team or all women's team. These women form lasting bonds through these heart-pumping activities. In addition to IM sports, we have many women involved in varsity sports and extracurricular athletics.

Greek Week The yearlong project known as Greek Week is a philanthropic event dedicated to the support and raising of funds for five charitable organizations that touch the lives of students, faculty, and the entire community. During Greek Week, UM Greek houses are paired into teams thatcompete for points by attending and excelling in various events. Events include a blood drive, Dance Marathon, Greek Olympics, Anchorsplash, Spelling Bee, Diag Day, State Street Day, Lip Jam, Sing and Variety, and many more. Our national charity has also received a portion of the funds raised throughout Greek Week.

This year we were paired with Triangle and the Multicultural Greek Council to form Team Green Lantern.

Dance Marathon Many ADPi sisters are actively involved as coordinators, volunteers and dancers in the Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan (DMUM). Dance Marathon involves hundreds of volunteers and brings the entire campus together with the common goal of making a difference in the lives of children in need of rehabilitation.

Funds generated by Dance Marathon are used to support different forms of physical and occupational rehabilitation, which would not be possible without this fundraising effort.

Relay for Life Along with DMUM, the ladies of ADPi are active in Relay for Life at the University of Michigan by being "relayers," coordinators, and volunteers. Relay is a life-changing event that gives everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at Palmer Field, and together celebrate Relay.

Our Philanthropy

Alpha Delta Pi has long been involved with philanthropies. Throughout the school year, we raise money for and volunteer at our national philanthropy: the Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC). One way we raise money for RMHC is by hosting the first event of University of Michigan's Greek Week, Mr. Greek Week.

The Ronald McDonald House provides a "home away from home" for children suffering from cancer and their families. Fortunately, there is a location right next to the Mary Markley Residence Hall by the University Hospital. Alpha Delta Pi was recognized by the RMHC in 1987 for having contributed over $2 million to the Ronald McDonald Houses. Our Greek Week victories in previous years help us continue contributing to Ronald McDonald House. To learn more about the Ronald McDonald House foundation visit their website at http://www.rmhc.com/.

Other Acts of Kindness

Throughout the year, women participate in other fundraising activities such as Dance Marathon, Relay For Life, Walk for Diabetes, and much more. Alpha Delta Pi Sisters actively donate time to hospital wards and other great organizations.

Activities Throughout the Year:

• Halloween bags for the Mott's Children's Hospital
• Several volunteers for Bookmarks - a program to help children
• Winner of the Greek Pumpkin Carving Contest supporting the Wildlife Support Fund
• Evans Scholars 5k Run
• Dance Marathon Volleyball Tournaments
• Walk for Diabetes
• Chrysler Arena clean ups
• Habitat for Humanity in Detroit
• Peace Neighborhood Tutoring

Meet Our Executive Board Members

Cara Swartout, President
Ross School of Business, Class of 2011
Cara works with all sisters to set the strategic goals of the chapter, acts as the chapter liason, and oversees the daily operations. She enjoys playing sports, reading the news, and is a member of Michigan Business Women.

Beth Muller, Executive Vice President
College of Literature, Science and the Arts, Class of 2011
Beth is responsible for a lot of behind-the-scences paperwork that keeps the Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi up and running. In her spare time she loves to read, run, play with her cat, and watch Arrested Development!

Alexa Lord, Member Education Vice President
College of Literature, Science and Arts, Class of 2011
Alexa organizes things like our Chapter Retreat, Initiation, Pride Groups, and certain education sessions. Most importantly, it's her job help you fall in love with ADPi by making sure that your experiences in it are fun and rewarding. She loves comedy, impersonations, NOT being a stereotype, and being a part of an a cappella group on campus called the Compulsive Lyres.

Lauren Hartstein, Recruitment Vice President
College of Literature, Science and Arts, Class of 2011
Lauren handles all marketing efforts for the Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi on Michigan's campus! She also leads the women in preparations for Formal Recruitment. She is majoring in Brain Behavior and Cognitive Science and minoring in Women's Studies Gender and Health. She loves to travel, run, and of course her home state of New York.

Beth Schroth, Finance Vice President
College of Engineering, Class of 2011
Biography coming...

Andrea D'Agostino, Director of Standards and Ethics
School of Nursing, Class of 2010
Andrea helps uphold the values of our sisterhood to maintain a reputable image among the rest of Greek Life. She loves being around anyone who makes her laugh and watching 'Friends' with her friends :)

Ashley Houle, Director of Social Enrichment
College of Literature, Science and the Arts, Class of 2011
Ashley maintains relations with campus groups and within the Greek Community. She enjoys all things UMDM, and plans to pursue a career in dentistry after undergrad.

Alicia Fuller, Panhellenic Representative
College of Literature, Science and the Arts, Class of 2011
She serves as a liason between the chapter of Alpha Delta Pi and the rest of the Panhellenic community by attending weekly meetings and related events. Her dream is to participate in Teach for America and eventually live in Barcelona, Spain. In her spare time she enjoys reading, meeting new people, and dancing.

Meet Our Alpha Delta Pi's

Beta Eta History

The Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor dates back to 1924 when nine young women formed a local sorority called Phi Gamma Mu. On September 23, 1929, this sorority was installed into Alpha Delta Pi.

In 1933, the Beta Eta Chapter purchased our current chapter house located at 722 South Forest from Dr. and Mrs. Smith. Additions were made in 1948, 1956, and 1962 to accommodate the expanding chapter. Among sisters, the chapter house is often referred to as the "Pi Palace."

The blue double doors of the Pi Palace welcome any women young or old into the comfort of our home. We have a workout room, study room, free laundry, chefs, and a cleaning service. In general, the Pi is a spacious place for anybody to relax or have fun.

The Beta Eta Chapter has demonstrated continual excellence in all facets of existence since its founding. We are actively involved in the University of Michigan Greek System through participation in the Panhellenic Association, Greek Leadership Conference, Greek Week, University activities and the larger Ann Arbor community. We also keep a full social calendar and have received several awards for scholarship.

In addition, we have received the "Diamond Four Point" award many times and are a two-time recipient of the "Golden Lion" award. These awards are bestowed to worthy chapters at the Alpha Delta Pi National Convention signifying chapter excellence in the areas of service, sisterhood, scholarship, and social activities. These are the values that are represented by our diamond shaped pin.

International History

Alpha Delta Pi holds the distinction of being the first secret society in the world for college women and is regarded as the "First and Finest." We were founded on May 15, 1851, at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Georgia. The original name of the sorority was the "Aldelphean Society." The word "Adelphean" is derived from the Greek word meaning sister.

The six original founders of the Adelphean Society were Eugenia Tucker Fitzgerald, Ella Pierce Turner, Octavia Andrew Rush, Mary Evans Class, Elizabeth Williams Mitchell, and Sophronia Woodruff Dews.

The Adelphean Society flourished through the years and in 1904 the members voted to become national. In 1905, the name was changed to Alpha Delta Phi, but because of continued confusion with a men's fraternity of the same name, the name was changed once again to Alpha Delta Pi in 1913.

The qualifications for membership have remained unchanged through the years: scholarship, high principles of behavior, and true friendships. The basic principles and rituals are also much the same as those that our founders developed.

On May 15, 2001, Alpha Delta Pi became the first sorority in the world to turn 150 years old. This historic event was celebrated locally by all chapters, as well as a 150th Anniversary Convention held in downtown Atlanta.

Fun Facts about ADPi

Our Motto

"We Live for Each Other" is the open motto of Alpha Delta Pi.

Official Colors Azure Blue and White are the official colors of Alpha Delta Pi. Blue is symbolic of friendship, the basic spirit upon which Alpha Delta Pi is founded. White symbolizes sincerity and truth. Alpha Delta Pi seeks sincerity and truthfulness in all its members.

Mascot The lion is the mascot of Alpha Delta Pi. Our mascot is called "Alphie."

Our Flower The woodland violet, which grows wild, is the official flower of Alpha Delta Pi. Because it is unavailable for purchase, African violets are often used to symbolize the woodland violet.

The Coat of Arms The original Coat of Arms was designed by Elizabeth Moseley Coles and Agnes Chapman. Symbolism from our ritual and our Alpha pin were combined in the Coat of Arms and the design originally had a background of violets. In 1919 the Convention body voted to make changes and the present design was accepted. Alpha members are not permitted to wear the sorority Coat of Arms in any form, or to have any articles bearing it; only initiated members are entitled to this privilege.

Official Magazine

The Adelphean is the official magazine of Alpha Delta Pi, and is received quarterly by Delta and Pi members.

Prides

One goal of every Alpha Delta Pi chapter is to develop and maintain close personal relationships. Prides are small groups of sisters from different classes, major fields of study, hometowns, ages, personalities, and points of view. The name was chosen because our mascot, the lion, lives in small units called prides. These small groups enable members to get to know many of her sisters well while forming new friendships and making memories. Beta Eta Pride activities include getting together to study, going out to dinner or a movie, attending campus workshops or speakers, ice skating at Yost, watching a fellow sister in a sport or performance, or cooking dinner for our national philanthropy, the Ronald McDonald House.

Alpha Sister Women who accept a bid, or invitation to accept membership in a sorority, from Alpha Delta Pi but are not yet initiated members are called Alpha Members.

Diamond Sister A Diamond Sister is a special friend who is assigned as a sponsor to an Alpha member. She acts as a role model and assists with understanding Alpha Delta Pi membership responsibilities and privileges, gives advice, and helps the Alpha member become more comfortable with her new sisters.

Alpha Pin

The official Alpha Pin of Alpha Delta Pi is a bar of gold bearing the Greek letters "Beta Upsilon Alpha" surmounted by the lion head. The gold is a symbol of purity, the lion symbolizes strength of character, and the Greek letters are symbolic of the old Greek phrase "Boetheia Uper Allelon"..."We Live for Each Other."

Badge

The first badge was worn by the Adelpheans in 1851. It was satin riband with ribbon streamers; the name "Adelphean" appeared on one end with a design of clasped hands at the other end. In the center was the Open Motto -- "We Live for Each Other."

The second year after organization, a diamond-shaped silver pin was adopted. Stars were not included on this first badge, but it did have a monogram of the Wesleyan pin attached to the badge by a link chain, thus forming a guard. In 1854, the stars were added, but it was not until 1874 that the stars and the clasped hands were raised.

This design remained with only slight modifications until 1906 when, at Alpha Delta Pi's first convention, Nanaline King presented a new design for the pin. Her design was a smaller gold badge with a black enamel center which pictured the clasped hands, the two stars, and the Greek letters, "Alpha Delta Phi." This design was adopted by the convention and is the same pin we have today, with "Alpha Delta Phi" being changed to "Alpha Delta Pi" at the 1913 convention.

 

Alumnae

There are many opportunities for alumnae involvement and we appreciate the guidance and memories that our alumnae can provide. Levels of involvement vary from serving as an adviser to helping during Recruitment to attending events.

Please contact either the Chapter President, Cara Swartout or the Chapter Alumnae Relations Chair Jennie Bander if you wish to get involved. We look forward to hearing from you!

Contacts

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