ALPHA DELTA PI

Founded on May 15, 1851, at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, Alpha Delta Pi holds the distinction of being the world's first secret society for college women. As the mother of today's sorority system, it is only fitting that our founding took place at the world's first college chartered to grant degrees to women. The qualifications for membership have remained unchanged through the years: scholarship, high principles of behavior, and true friendships. On November 13, 1937, the Beta Sigma chapter was the first national sorority chartered at Mercer University. The 10 founding members included our first Panhellenic president, Helen Glenn. Our university's town of Macon, Georgia, is rich with ADPi history - especially since the sorority was founded just down the street from Mercer's campus! Beta Sigma members regularly visit or represent the sorority at ADPi's historic treasures in Macon.

Open Motto: "We live for each other."

Official Colors: Azure Blue and White. Blue is symbolic of friendship and the basic spirit upon which Alpha Delta Pi is founded. White symbolizes sincerity and truth. Alpha Delta Pi seeks sincerity and truthfulness in all of its members.

Mascot: The Lion. As a symbol of beauty and strength, the lion serves as Alpha Delta Pi’s mascot. This strength is apparent within each member as she strides confidently forward in pursuit of her goals. She possesses both strength of mind and strength of character.

Official Flower: The Woodland Violet. While the woodland violet is Alpha Delta Pi’s official flower, due to its rarity, we often use the African violet. These flowers are everlasting and endure through difficult times, as do the sisters of Alpha Delta Pi.

Gem: The Diamond. The diamond represents purity, with the four points symbolizing the symmetry of a balanced life. Like a precious jewel, every member is unique, sparkling and shining within our chapter.

Coat of Arms: Elizabeth Moseley Coles, who was elected national president at the first grand convention, was responsible for having the coat of arms designed. Another sister of Alpha chapter, Agnes Chapman, is given credit for the actual design of our coat of arms. Symbolism from our ritual and our Alpha pin were combined in the coat of arms, and the design originally had a background of violets. In 1919, the convention body voted to make changes and the present design was accepted.