Wittenberg’s Chi chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (ADPi) was recently awarded the Golden Lion, while chapter president, Morgan White, class of 2023, was presented with the Alpha Delta Pi Dorothy Shaw Leadership Award.

This is the third time Wittenberg’s chapter, chartered in 1913, has received the Golden Lion award; however, it’s been 39 years since the last win in 1983. The Golden Lion Award is the highest award a chapter of Alpha Delta Pi can receive.

“The Chi Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi at Wittenberg University is one of the best organizations on our campus,” said Jade Jones, director of student involvement and fraternity & sorority life. “The chapter puts the sorority's values at the forefront of its decision-making. Also, if the women of Alpha Delta Pi take on a leadership position, they will already have goals ready for the first meeting. In fact, offices seek out these women because of their leadership skills, professionalism, and how they represent themselves in every situation.

“This positive representation is also seen in how well the chapter does with recruitment, ensuring that the chapter will have longevity. I truly believe this is because the chapter constantly makes genuine connections with all individuals its members meet. With this mentality, the chapter will continue to be successful.”

White, a biology major from Fisherville, Kentucky, and pursuing a minor in business and on the pre-veterinary track, remembers seeing a beautiful Golden Lion statue sitting on the mantle when she visited the ADPi house as a little girl with her mom during Wittenberg’s homecoming.

“My mom told me all about the history of the Golden Lion Award,” said White, who is highly engaged on the Wittenberg campus, serving as the Student Senate student body president, vice president of 4 Paws for Ability, a member of Beta Beta Beta, vice president of Omicron Delta Kappa, and as an intern and tour guide in the Office of Admission. “I always dreamed of being an ADPi member at Wittenberg and becoming the president that got to bring home another Golden Lion. That dream finally came true, and I could not be prouder of this extraordinary chapter! After 39 years, this amazing group of women has just made history. We can’t wait to win even more.”

White stated that in order to win a Golden Lion, a chapter has to be excellent in every area of chapter performance. Some of these areas focus on chapter scholarship, campus leadership and involvement, membership retention and recruitment, alumni relations, philanthropic relations, and finance.

“Our chapter has been the home to so many amazing women during their time at Wittenberg,” White added. “Over the years, we have had our ups and downs as a chapter, but the women of Chi have fought to rebuild our chapter to be the best it can be, to make our chapter a place that women are proud to call ‘home,’ and to be an authentic sisterhood where women can be surrounded by a support system and family. The women of our chapter are strong, driven, kind, genuine, and natural leaders. We all know exactly how special our chapter is, but it is so amazing to get recognized for our hard work and see that other people acknowledge how amazing this chapter is, too.”

As for the Dorothy Shaw Award, the highest honor an ADPi member can receive, White is certainly deserving. Award winners are passionate about continuing the work of ADPi through sisterhood, service, scholarship, and leadership; are committed to their campus communities; must maintain a 3.4 GPA; and believe in living out the creed of the sorority in every aspect of their college career. In addition to going above and beyond when it comes to serving their chapter and campus communities, winners also embody what it means to be a true ADPi member: being helpful, compassionate, empathic, intelligent, and above all else being a true friend to those around them.

“Similar to the Golden Lion, I dreamed of winning this award growing up,” White said. “Many people who know me, know that I eat, sleep, breathe, and live everything ADPi and Wittenberg. Alpha Delta Pi has given me so much. It has truly changed my life for the best. ADPi has given me an infinite support system, the opportunity to grow and thrive as a leader, confidence, and so much more. Even though awards aren’t everything, this award truly is such a blessing to me. It feels so good getting recognized for my work as a leader and for my love for ADPi and Wittenberg. It has been a huge encouragement to me to keep pursuing my dreams and a reminder that I can do anything that I set my mind to. I am so thankful for ADPi and Wittenberg for giving me endless opportunities to grow as a person and leader.”

Kenzie Hill, Wittenberg class of 2020, who served as president and executive vice president of ADPi during her time at Wittenberg, was the last student to be presented with the award in 2021. Shaw, who was initiated into the Rho chapter at Boston University in 1916 and later affiliated with Psi–California, Berkeley, began her service to the sorority in 1921 when she was elected as alumnae secretary. She continued to serve as registrar, historian, province president, convention marshal, and in numerous other positions until her untimely death in 1938.

After graduation, White is planning to attend veterinary school with hopes of becoming a veterinarian, so she can spread her optimism and bright light in the field. In fact, this summer she has been working as a full-time veterinary assistant.

“Choosing Wittenberg and joining Alpha Delta Pi were two of the best decisions I think I will probably ever make in my lifetime,” White said. “When you choose Wittenberg, and I mean really ‘choose’ Wittenberg, as in immersing yourself into the campus community and culture rather than just sitting in the dorm and then going to class, you will absolutely fall in love with this school.

“The idea that this will be my last year at Wittenberg is so surreal, and I know it will be bittersweet,” she continued. “I hope everyone will get to experience the same amazing opportunities that I have had at Witt and through ADPi, and that they are able to recognize the light within themselves and others to make this world a better one. I know I will forever be grateful for the opportunities that I have been given, for the relationships and memories that I have made, and for the confidence that I have gained from the two.”