University of Florida | Gamma Iota
Alpha Delta Pi
National History
First.
Alpha Delta Pi holds the distinction for being the first society founded for college women. It was chartered at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia in 1851, which is appropriately the first college chartered to grant degrees to women. Alpha Delta Pi was originally named “The Adelphean Society,” originating from the Greek word “Adelphean” meaning “sister.”
Finest.
Across the nation, ADPis are bright, fun, and classy young women who share the special bond of sisterhood. The qualifications for membership have remained unchanged throughout the years: scholarship, high principles, and true friendship. Here at the University of Florida, our chapter was the first sorority invited to join the Panhellenic community. Since 1948, Alpha Delta Pi has been representing UF with pride and has recently received awards for one of the top five ADPi chapters in the nation and the best chapter in Florida.
Forever.
The principles established by our founders in 1851 are enduring standards exemplifying the highest ideals of Christian womanhood. Our creed states that Alpha Delta Pi is more than a ritual and more than a symbol: that it is a way of life. Alpha Delta Pi is something you are, not just something you become. What Alpha Delta Pi represents at the University of Florida, and what we symbolize throughout North American chapters since 1851 will keep us the first and finest… forever.
Timeline
1836: Wesleyan Female College was founded as Georgia Female College in Macon, Georgia, as the first college in the world to grant degrees to women.
1851: Alpha Delta Pi was founded by Eugenia Tucker on May 15th as the Adelphean Society, making it the first secret society for women.
1852: The Philomathean Society (later Phi Mu) was founded on March 4th at Wesleyan Female College.
1905: The Adelphean Society changed its name to Alpha Delta Phi and became a national organization. Beta Chapter was established at Salem College in Winston-Salem.
1906: Gamma Chapter was founded at Mary Baldwin Seminary. The first National Convention was held in Macon, Georgia.
1907: The first The Adelphean of Alpha Delta Pi magazine was published.
1909: Alpha Delta Phi joined the National Panhellenic Conference.
1911: Elizabeth Moseley Coles was elected the first National President.
1913: The Convention body changed the name of the organization to Alpha Delta Pi, adopted a recognition pin, and appointed a standardization committee. The trustees at Wesleyan Female College voted to abolish sororities.
1915: The coat of arms was modified to include a lion rampart with a background of violets and the English version of the open motto: “We live for each other.”
1929: Beta Zeta was installed at the University of Toronto, making ADPi an international organization.
1979: Alpha Delta Pi adopted the Ronald McDonald House as the national philanthropy.
1983: The Alpha Delta Pi Foundation was established.
1999: Alpha Delta Pi ushers in the digital age by launching its first website.
2001: Alpha Delta Pi celebrated its 150th Anniversary.
2003: The new Executive Office building was completed.
2005: Memorial Headquarters renovation was completed.
2011: Alpha Delta Pi becomes the first sorority to celebrate 160 years of sisterhood.