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History & Information
"To covet beauty in
environment, manner, word, and thought."
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Alpha Gamma Delta was founded
at Syracuse University , Syracuse , New York on May 30, 19 04 .
When
Alpha Gamma Delta was founded at Syracuse there were many professors of
great reputation, but none more widely known than Dr. Wellesley Perry
Coddington, head of the department of philosophy and psychology. Dr.
Coddington graduated from Wesleyan University in 1860 and was a member
of Eclectic Fraternity, Phi Nu Theta and Phi Beta Kappa. He taught
Greek, Latin and German at old Genesee College and became one of the
first five members of Syracuse University 's faculty when Genesee became
a part of Syracuse in 1871.
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"Fraternity life must have
meant much to him in his undergraduate days," wrote Georgia Dickover,
Founder. "Over a half a century in a college community as student and
professor, he remained as enthusiastic as a recent initiate."
From
1900-1905, however, enrollment at Syracuse doubled. This is what led Dr.
Coddington to discuss the need for more organizations with Marguerite
Shepard, class of 1905.
Because
Marguerite was ending her junior year and would soon be graduating, she
shared Dr. Coddington's idea with her younger sister, Estelle, a member
of the class of 1908. Estelle saw the chance to make college friendships
deeper and more permanent and discussed the possibility with her close
friend, Georgia Dickover. These three women embraced the idea and made a
list of other women to consider for membership. With Marguerite,
Estelle and Georgia's approval, Dr. Coddington spoke with Jennie Titus,
a member of his ethics class about the opportunity. She joined the group
at their second meeting and became an energetic and eager worker.
On May 30th,
1904 , 11 pioneering women came together to form Alpha Gamma Delta.
Today Alpha Gamma Delta has grown to be an international organization
with 179 collegiate chapters and 250 alumnae chapters, clubs and Junior
Circles.
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