Collegians and alumnae come together at Convention each biennium to conduct Fraternity business, learn about new ZTA programs and initiatives, be recognized for chapter and individual excellence, invest in their own personal development, and most importantly, strengthen the bonds of sisterhood! Subscribe to the #ZTAConvention blog for email updates
Throughout the week, we’ve celebrated many amazing ZTA sisters and chapters, but tonight we honored (as new National President Alicia Patten Williams put it) “the best of the best.” Sisters of all ages came dressed in their finest semiformal attire to celebrate 59 collegiate and alumnae chapters that have shown what being Ever Loyal to the Fraternity truly looks like. Check out the winners below, download pictures from this evening and watch the live-stream video from tonight’s Recognition Banquet. Congratulations to all our Silver Award recipients!
Silver Award Recipients 2016–2018
Becky Hainsworth Kirwan Chapter Improvement Award
Nu Chapter, The University of Alabama
Alumnae Improvement Award
Martin, TN Alumnae Chapter
Anne Winnes Redmond Service Award (Small Campus)
Zeta Gamma Chapter, Youngstown State University
Anne Winnes Redmond Service Award (Medium Campus)
Gamma Alpha Chapter, University of Miami
Anne Winnes Redmond Service Award (Large Campus)
Beta Omicron Chapter, University of South Carolina
Alumnae Service Award Second Runner-up
Toledo, OH Alumnae Chapter
Alumnae Service Award First Runner-up
Oklahoma City, OK Alumnae Chapter
Alumnae Service Award
Statesboro, GA Alumnae Chapter
Sherry Server Tilley Leadership Award
Zeta Xi Chapter, Georgia Southern University
Alumnae-Collegiate Relations (Collegiate)
Eta Tau Chapter, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Alumnae-Collegiate Relations (Alumnae)
Baton Rouge, LA Alumnae Chapter
Activities Award (Small Campus)
Mu Chapter, Drury University
Activities Award (Medium Campus)
Eta Rho Chapter, The University of North Alabama
Activities Award (Large Campus)
Gamma Kappa Chapter, James Madison University
Collegiate Public Relations Award Second Runner-up
Delta Gamma Chapter, High Point University
Collegiate Public Relations Award First Runner-up
Delta Psi Chapter, Samford University
Collegiate Public Relations Award
Lambda Gamma Chapter, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Alumnae Public Relations Award Second Runner-up
Greater Oxford, MS Alumnae Chapter
Alumnae Public Relations Award First Runner-up
Austin, TX Alumnae Chapter
Alumnae Public Relations Award
Youngstown, OH Alumnae Chapter
New Member Programming Award
Alpha Chapter, Longwood University
Vallera Clough Ross Panhellenic Award Second Runner-up
Eta Pi Chapter, Wright State University
Vallera Clough Ross Panhellenic Award First Runner-up
Theta Gamma Chapter, Texas A&M University
Vallera Clough Ross Panhellenic Award
Gamma Beta Chapter, Washington College
Alumnae Panhellenic Award Second Runner-up
Houston Northwest, TX Alumnae Chapter
Alumnae Panhellenic Award First Runner-up
St. Louis, MO Alumnae Chapter
Alumnae Panhellenic Award
Miami, FL Alumnae Chapter
National Council Special Recognition Award
Gamma Psi Chapter, Texas Christian University
National Council Special Recognition Award
Gamma Chi Chapter, Indiana State University
National Council Special Recognition Award
Alpha Psi Chapter, University of Missouri
National Council Special Recognition Award
Eta Zeta Chapter, Elon University
National Council Special Recognition Award
Zeta Beta Chapter, Thiel College
National Council Special Recognition Award
Iota Omega Chapter, University of Maryland
National Council Special Recognition Award
Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter
National Council Special Recognition Award
Nasa-Brazoria County, TX Alumnae Chapter
Martha C. Edens New Chapter Award
Alpha Zeta Chapter, The Ohio State University
Membership Selection Award (Small Campus)
Theta Theta Chapter, Arkansas Tech University
Membership Selection Award (Medium Campus)
Kappa Upsilon Chapter, Georgia College
Membership Selection Award (Large Campus)
Eta Phi Chapter, Illinois State University
Membership Selection Award (Large Campus)
Iota Delta Chapter, Towson University
Alumnae Chapter Programming Award Second Runner-up
Greater New Orleans, LA Alumnae Chapter
Alumnae Chapter Programming Award First Runner-up
Silver Spring, MD Alumnae Chapter
Alumnae Chapter Programming Award
Jacksonville, FL Alumnae Chapter
Membership Enrichment Award Second Runner-up
Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Michigan
Membership Enrichment Award First Runner-up
Iota Theta Chapter, Georgia Institute of Technology
Membership Enrichment Award
Theta Zeta Chapter, Wofford College
Betty McGehee Schuessler Award Second Runner-up
Columbus, OH Alumnae Chapter
Betty McGehee Schuessler Award First Runner-up
Greater Kansas City, MO Alumnae Chapter
Betty McGehee Schuessler Award
Memphis, TN Alumnae Chapter
Nan Barkley Boettcher Award Second Runner-up
San Diego, CA Alumnae Chapter
Nan Barkley Boettcher Award First Runner-up
Huntsville, AL Alumnae Chapter
Nan Barkley Boettcher Award
Collin County, TX Alumnae Chapter
Merit Award Second Runner-up
Iota Gamma Chapter, The College of New Jersey
Merit Award First Runner-up
Eta Theta Chapter, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Merit Award
Zeta Psi Chapter, Jacksonville State University
Nelly Galloway Shearer Achievement Award Second Runner-up
Lambda Iota Chapter, Vanderbilt University
Nelly Galloway Shearer Achievement Award First Runner-up
Theta Tau Chapter, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Nelly Galloway Shearer Achievement Award
Epsilon Chapter, University of Arkansas
Helen Margaret Harrison Award
Gamma Pi Chapter, The University of Georgia
Meet Convention Initiate, Kimberly Johnson Snyder!
Kimberly has a special tie to Zeta Tau Alpha. Through marriage, Kimberly is related to ZTA Founder Maud Jones Horner. Kimberly’s husband is the great-grandson of Maud’s brother, Plummer Jones, who was instrumental in the formation of Zeta Tau Alpha as he assisted Maud in writing our first Constitution and earliest rituals. Kimberly enjoyed learning more about Maud in the Historical Exhibit during Convention.
Kimberly was initiated into Gamma Phi Chapter (University of North Texas). She is pictured below (third from the left) with her new Gamma Phi sisters.
At Saturday’s Final Business Meeting, the Convention delegation elected the 2018–2020 National Council.
National Council 2018–2020
National President: Alicia Patten Williams
Vice President Collegiate I: Raechel Bennett Biggs
Vice President Collegiate II: Laura Moak Redman
Vice President Collegiate III: Shannon Ferguson
Vice President Alumnae I: Dana Brasington Atkinson
Vice President Alumnae II: Cheri White Armstrong
Secretary-Treasurer: Franlyna Barrett Charles
National Panhellenic Conference Delegate: Laura Ladewig Landers
Extension Director: Dolores Gonzales Gastineau
Two women stepped down from Council: Carolyn Hof Carpenter and Lynn Compton Chapman. Mrs. Landers shared a little about each woman and her time serving the Fraternity. “These two ladies came onto National Council together, and they are leaving it together,” Mrs. Landers said. “They will remain linked to each other by the special bond of National Council members. And they will remain linked to all Zetas by their contributions to the Fraternity.”
Before the new Council was elected and installed, Mrs. Carpenter offered a few final remarks as National President. “Serving as National President pushed and pulled and stretched me in ways I never imagined possible. And I have continued to grow,” she said. “Thank you for the opportunity to wear the purple of the Fraternity these past four years. It has truly been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
At brunch on Saturday, the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation presented the Outstanding Alumna Award to Dr. Kelly Smith (Gamma Pi Chapter, The University of Georgia). Kelly was recently named dean of The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy (effective Aug. 1, 2018); she will be the first woman to hold that position. Previously, she worked at University of Kentucky for 24 years, most recently serving as the associate dean of academic and student affairs for the College of Pharmacy. A nationally recognized leader in her field, Kelly was installed as president of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists in June.
In her remarks, Kelly shared her personal and professional story and highlighted ways ZTA has enriched her life. Born on Founders’ Day, Kelly said she was “born to be a Zeta Tau Alpha,” and she grew up attending recruitment workshops at Zeta Xi Chapter (Georgia Southern University) with her mother, former Province President Janice Alexander Smith (pictured on left below).
As she got older and was eventually initiated into Gamma Pi Chapter in January 1988, being in ZTA transformed her from a shy child to a woman who now confidently stands before hundreds. Kelly shared how the many experiences she’s had in ZTA over the years—from serving her collegiate chapter as Alumnae-Collegiate Relations Chairman and Ritual Chairman to serving on the national level as Province President and National Standards and Enrichment Chairman—led to career opportunities and success she would not have had otherwise. “ZTA helped me in my career, and I didn’t even realize it,” she said.
To close, Kelly asked attendees to take out their cell phones and turn the flashlights on. With hundreds of white lights lifted in the air, Kelly invited those gathered to look around to see the power of connecting with one another and how ZTA can impact their lives. “ZTA can help you find your voice,” she said. “I’ll always be appreciative of that.”
Friday night was all about celebrating our Ever Loyal alumnae! We all know Zeta Is Forever, and this evening’s awards honored those individuals who dedicate their time and energy to bettering the Fraternity and the alumnae chapters that achieved excellence in the areas of programming, fraternity operations, membership, finances and collegiate support throughout the biennium.
The room exploded with applause as 44 alumnae received their Honor Rings, the highest individual honor granted by the Fraternity for outstanding and sustained service and devotion to ZTA. As each woman made her way to the stage to the beat of her chosen hype music, more than 950 sisters and guests danced and cheered her on. Download Honor Ring pictures here.
The celebration continued with the Alumnae Louise Kettler Helper Award, which went to Dr. Darcy L. Russell (Sigma Chapter, Baker University). As National President Carolyn Hof Carpenter presented the award, she spoke of Darcy’s calm demeanor, National Panhellenic Conference leadership positions, RFM expertise and enthusiasm in tackling challenges. “She is greatly respected by all 26 NPC organizations,” Mrs. Carpenter said. In May, Darcy was also named Baker University’s dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Congratulations, Darcy!
To wrap up the awards, alumnae chapters got their chance to take the stage. Of the 136 alumnae chapters that earned Crown Chapter this biennium, 110 were present on Friday evening. Check out a full list of the recipients below and download pictures here.
After many congratulatory hugs and even more pictures, collegians and alumnae ended the evening hanging out with new friends by the pool. Check back Saturday as we celebrate the chapters that earn prestigious Silver Awards!
The JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes was covered in pink on Friday to celebrate the fantastic work of the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation and the generous donations from chapters and individuals that help make greatness happen.
During the ZTA Foundation Luncheon, ZTA Foundation Vice President of Scholarship Catherine G. Slaughter introduced the scholarship program and shared that the Foundation is awarding $800,000 in scholarships to 269 members for the 2018–2019 academic year.
To kick things off, Ashlee Taylor, President of Theta Tau Chapter (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), presented the new Carolyn Hof Carpenter Endowed Scholarship in honor of Mrs. Carpenter’s retirement from National Council. “We are beyond grateful for the service and dedication she has given to the Fraternity,” Ashlee said.
In a surprise twist, Mrs. Slaughter announced that Ashlee is the first recipient of the Carolyn Hof Carpenter Endowed Scholarship. She then presented scholarships to the other 48 recipients in attendance.
Next, ZTA Foundation President Becky Hainsworth Kirwan announced and thanked members of the Founders Club, which honors individuals and chapters that donated $10,000 or more during the biennium. For a complete list of honorees, check out page 40 of the summer issue of Themis.
At the end of lunch, members of the ZTA Foundation board presented a tribute to Mrs. Kirwan in honor of her retirement. She served as Foundation President for 20 years. Among the many things Mrs. Kirwan has contributed over the years, Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy Sherry Server Tilley shared that she appreciated Mrs. Kirwan’s energy, enthusiasm and “boundless passion.”
Foundation Director Nora Nell Hardy Jackson spoke for all of ZTA when she said to Mrs. Kirwan: “Thank you for all the hugs and for creating such a strong and vital Foundation.”
How far will Zetas travel to celebrate sisterhood? The limit does not exist!
This year’s Attendance Award winners are (from top to bottom): collegians from Theta Phi Chapter (California State University, Fullerton), who traveled 9,976 combined miles, and alumnae from the Long Beach, CA Chapter, who traveled a combined 12,595 miles to get to Orlando, Florida. We’re so glad they made the trip!
The JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes was abuzz Thursday night as the Convention body gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of our collegiate chapters and the wonderful women who support them.
To kick off the celebration, National President Carolyn Hof Carpenter presented the Vivian Ulmer Smith Recruitment Award to alumna Stephanie Arnette Powell (Gamma Pi Chapter, The University of Georgia) for her contributions toward increasing membership in the Fraternity throughout the biennium.
Next, four women received Outstanding Advisor Awards for their service to the chapters they work with: Yuriko Beaman, General Advisor for Kappa Psi Chapter (Kutztown University of Pennsylvania); Kery Reinkemyer Webb, General Advisor for Gamma Pi Chapter (The University of Georgia); Becky Koltonski Gleason, General Advisor for Lambda Epsilon Chapter (Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis); and Elisabeth Smith Marriott, General Advisor for Upsilon Chapter (University of California, Berkeley).
The final individual award was the Collegiate Louise Kettler Helper Award, which goes to the collegian whose service and achievements made notable contributions to the progress of the Fraternity and the fraternal world. This year’s winner was Kimberly Brochocki (Beta Delta Chapter, Miami University). Kimberly was recognized for her leadership during a challenging time for her chapter.
The celebrations continued as 115 collegiate chapters received Crown Chapter for excellence in activities, finance, fraternity operations, membership and programming. See a full list of the chapters that took the stage below and download pictures from the evening here.
The night ended with a special surprise: fireworks by the lake! Sisters oohed and aahed as music played and the skies filled with lights. It was the perfect way to end the first full day of Convention. Stay tuned tomorrow for more sisterhood and fun.
Collegiate Crown Chapter Recipients 2017–2018
Alpha Chapter, Longwood University
Epsilon Chapter, University of Arkansas
Zeta Chapter, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Kappa Chapter, The University of Texas at Austin
Lambda Chapter, Southwestern University
Mu Chapter, Drury University
Nu Chapter, The University of Alabama
Sigma Chapter, Baker University
Phi Chapter, Duke University
Alpha Beta Chapter, University of Pennsylvania
Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Michigan
Alpha Zeta Chapter, The Ohio State University
Alpha Theta Chapter, Purdue University
Alpha Nu Chapter, Birmingham-Southern College
Alpha Omicron Chapter, The University of Iowa
Alpha Psi Chapter, University of Missouri
Beta Gamma Chapter, Florida State University
Beta Delta Chapter, Miami University
Beta Theta Chapter, Franklin College
Beta Lambda Chapter, University of Louisville
Beta Nu Chapter, New Mexico State University
Beta Omicron Chapter, University of South Carolina
Beta Upsilon Chapter, Kansas State University
Beta Phi Chapter, Michigan State University
Beta Omega Chapter, Union University
Gamma Alpha Chapter, University of Miami
Gamma Beta Chapter, Washington College
Gamma Gamma Chapter, The University of Texas at El Paso
Gamma Epsilon Chapter, Pennsylvania State University
Gamma Zeta Chapter, Mississippi State University
Gamma Iota Chapter, University of Florida
Gamma Pi Chapter, The University of Georgia
Gamma Kappa Chapter, James Madison University
Gamma Xi Chapter, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Gamma Omicron Chapter, Central Michigan University
Gamma Rho Chapter, Auburn University
Gamma Nu Chapter, University of Virginia
Gamma Chi Chapter, Indiana State University
Gamma Psi Chapter, Texas Christian University
Delta Beta Chapter, Florida Southern College
Delta Gamma Chapter, High Point University
Delta Delta Chapter, Baldwin Wallace University
Delta Kappa Chapter, Louisiana State University
Delta Iota Chapter, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Delta Lambda Chapter, Georgia State University
Delta Omicron Chapter, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Delta Upsilon Chapter, West Virginia Wesleyan College
Delta Chi Chapter, William Jewell College
Delta Psi Chapter, Samford University
Delta Omega Chapter, Westminster College
Zeta Alpha Chapter, University of Evansville
Zeta Beta Chapter, Thiel College
Zeta Gamma Chapter, Youngstown State University
Zeta Theta Chapter, East Central University
Zeta Xi Chapter, Georgia Southern University
Zeta Psi Chapter, Jacksonville State University
Zeta Upsilon Chapter, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Eta Gamma Chapter, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Zeta Omega Chapter, Ferris State University
Eta Beta Chapter, Duquesne University
Eta Zeta Chapter, Elon University
Eta Kappa Chapter, University of Central Florida
Eta Lambda Chapter, College of Charleston
Eta Nu Chapter, Radford University
Eta Xi Chapter, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Eta Rho Chapter, The University of North Alabama
Eta Theta Chapter, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Eta Pi Chapter, Wright State University
Eta Tau Chapter, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Eta Phi Chapter, Illinois State University
Eta Upsilon Chapter, Missouri Southern State University
Eta Chi Chapter, Francis Marion University
Theta Gamma Chapter, Texas A&M University
Theta Delta Chapter, Salisbury University
Theta Theta Chapter, Arkansas Tech University
Theta Kappa Chapter, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Theta Omicron Chapter, Baylor University
Theta Zeta Chapter, Wofford College
Theta Xi Chapter, Rutgers University
Theta Nu Chapter, Auburn University at Montgomery
Theta Sigma Chapter, Winthrop University
Theta Tau Chapter, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Theta Phi Chapter, California State University, Fullerton
Iota Alpha Chapter, Robert Morris University
Theta Omega Chapter, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Iota Gamma Chapter, The College of New Jersey
Iota Delta Chapter, Towson University
Iota Theta Chapter, Georgia Institute of Technology
Iota Iota Chapter, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Iota Nu Chapter, Susquehanna University
Iota Omicron Chapter, Lander University
Iota Pi Chapter, University of Dayton
Iota Rho Chapter, East Carolina University
Iota Phi Chapter, North Carolina State University
Iota Psi Chapter, Rochester Institute of Technology
Iota Omega Chapter, University of Maryland
Kappa Zeta Chapter, Clemson University
Kappa Iota Chapter, Moravian College
Kappa Mu Chapter, Linfield College
Kappa Xi Chapter, Stockton University
Kappa Omicron Chapter, Merrimack College
Kappa Sigma Chapter, University of South Florida
Kappa Tau Chapter, Florida Gulf Coast University
Kappa Upsilon Chapter, Georgia College
Kappa Psi Chapter, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kappa Omega Chapter, Saint Louis University
Lambda Gamma Chapter, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Lambda Epsilon Chapter, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Lambda Zeta Chapter, Lehigh University
Lambda Theta Chapter, New York University
Lambda Iota Chapter, Vanderbilt University
Lambda Lambda Chapter, Kennesaw State University
Lambda Mu Chapter, University of South Carolina Beaufort
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