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Alpha Lambda Delta records

 Collection
Identifier: 9-5-1305

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of Alpha Lambda Delta documents and memorabilia. Included in this collection are two booklets: a biographical booklet of the Dean Maria Leonard, the society’s founder, and a booklet commemorating the 50th anniversary of Alpha Lambda Delta. The collection also includes clippings of The Spectrum, Buffalo Evening News, and Reporter as well as records created during the regular activities of Alpha Lambda Delta.

Dates

  • 1937-1991

Creator

Terms of Access and use

The Alpha Lambda Delta records, 1937-1991 is open for research.

Copyright

Copyright is held by the State University of New York at Buffalo, University Archives. Copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the University Archives before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Historical Note

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.

Extent

.63 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box and 1 half manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Booklets, documents, and memorabilia of the Alpha Lambda Delta society.

Arrangement

Folders are arranged in the order in which they were received by the University Archives.

Acquisition Information

Alpha Lambda Delta records, 1957-1986 was donated by Ann Hicks, Associate Coordinator of Student Activities, and Liaison Administrator of Alpha Lambda Delta SUNY AB Chapter.

Processing Information

Processed by Jordon Krivonos, March 2018.

Source

Title
Finding Aid for Alpha Lambda Delta records
Status
Completed
Author
Finding Aid prepared by Jordan Krivonos
Date
March 2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives Repository

Contact:
420 Capen Hall
Buffalo New York 14260-1674 US
716-645-2916
716-645-3714 (Fax)