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Alpha Lambda Delta records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 53

Scope and Contents

The Alpha Lambda Delta records, 1941-1977, contains meeting minutes, membership lists, initiation materials, financial records, and photocopies of newspaper articles featuring "Toppers" initiates.

Dates

  • Creation: 1941-1977

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.

Historical Note

Alpha Lambda Delta was a national honors society founded at the University of Illinois in 1923. Initially, it was open only to high-achieving women since its brother organization, Phi Eta Sigma, accepted only male participants. Both organizations became co-educational in the mid-1970s. The Augustana chapter, first called the Freshman Women's Honor Group and later nicknamed "Toppers," was formed in 1940. According to its constitution, the group tried to "promote intelligent living and a higher standard of learning and to encourage superior scholastic attainment among the freshman women." In the 1977-1978 academic year, the Toppers merged with Akros, the Augustana chapter of the men's honor society, to form Aristeia.

Extent

0.4 Cubic Feet (/ 2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Alpha Lambda Delta was a national honors society founded at the University of Illinois in 1923. Initially, it was open only to high-achieving women since its brother organization, Phi Eta Sigma, accepted only male participants. Both organizations became co-educational in the mid-1970s. The Augustana chapter, first called the Freshman Women's Honor Group and later nicknamed "Toppers," was formed in 1940. According to its constitution, the group tried to "promote intelligent living and a higher standard of learning and to encourage superior scholastic attainment among the freshman women." In the 1977-1978 academic year, the Toppers merged with Akros, the Augustana chapter of the men's honor society, to form Aristeia. The Alpha Lambda Delta records, 1941-1977, contains meeting minutes, membership lists, initiation materials, financial records, and photocopies of newspaper articles featuring "Toppers" initiates.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Immediate source of acquisition unknown.

Processing Information

Processed by Allison James, 2008. Revised by Atticus Garrison, June 2016.

Title
Alpha Lambda Delta records, 1941-1977.
Status
In Progress
Author
Atticus Garrison
Date
June 2016
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 Augustana College Special Collections Repository

Contact:
639 38th Street
Thomas Tredway Library
Rock Island Illinois 61201 United States