Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) was a National Scholastic Honor society for freshmen founded at the University of Illinois in 1924. It was a member of the Association of College Honor societies, and it offered lifetime membership based on superior scholastic attainment during the first year of college. Students had to be taking 12 to 15 hours of study, with a minimum average of the grade between an A and a B (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) determined after one full curricular period (semester, trimester, etc.).

The purpose of ALD, as stated in Article II of their constitution, was “to encourage superior scholastic achievement among students in institutions of higher education, to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning, and to assist women and men in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in Society.”

$2,500 fellowships were offered to members, and they could apply for one at any time in their life. Senior certificates were honored to graduating members with the required GPA, and the Maria Leonard Book Award was presented annually to the senior member with the highest GPA. Offices were held by members in their sophomore year.

Membership at the University at Buffalo seemed to be composed solely of female students until 1977, when male names appear on the membership lists. The chapter’s activities included volunteering services for the Office of Services to the Handicapped, tutoring assistance, coffee conversations, dances, sponsoring receptions and contests, and organizing symposiums on the job market.

The Society was eliminated at the university in 1984 in order to just have one freshmen honor society (Phi Eta Sigma Fraternity). ALD members then became honorary PES members. ALD was a women’s society and Phi Eta Sigma was a men’s society until 1977.