# Alpha Delta (recognition)

Alpha Delta (ΑΔ) was an American journalism honor fraternity or recognition society. It formed on December 28, 1929, at Rock Island, Illinois. It merged into Alpha Phi Gamma in 1957.

## History

Alpha Delta was formed on December 28, 1929, at Rock Island, Illinois by students who were leaders within the Illinois College Press Association and the editor-in-chiefs or business managers of campus newspapers. Its founders included:
* Robert Aykens, Illinois Wesleyan Argus
* Oliver W. Connett, The Bradley Tech
* Newell H. Dailey, Augustana Observer
* Howard Dunker, The Bradley Tech
* Edward V. Hanh, Illinois Wesleyan Argus
* Floyd F. Johnston, Augustana Observer
The purpose of Alpha Delta was as a journalism recognition society for both men and women; it was also called an honorary fraternity.It was chartered by the State of Illinois as a non-profit organization on February 7, 1930. It was governed by a national council elected at a national convention that included two representatives of each chapter.
The Illinois Alpha chapter at Augustana College was installed in March 1930. This was followed by chapters at Bradley University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Parsons College, and Brenau University that same year. The society grew to include nineteen chapters in nine chapters between 1930 and 1957. It sponsored a national competition for college journalism excellence, presenting keys to the winners. The chapters' activities included hosting speakers and organizing educational conferences for high school journalists.
In the spring of 1957 (after February 21 and before May 10), Alpha Delta merged into Alpha Phi Gamma, a larger journalism honor society.

## Symbols

The Alpha Delta badge was a key with concave corners, decorated with a quill, scroll, and hourglass above the Greek letters ΑΔ. Its colors were blue and silver.

## Membership

Membership in Alpha Delta was open to men and women. Potential members were required to demonstrate proficiency in journalism by having served one year on the staff of a college newspaper or in the study of journalism. The fraternity also initiated honorary members, including faculty.

## Chapters

Following is a list of Alpha Delta chapters in 1957, at the time of the merger into Alpha Phi Gamma: Inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.
| Chapter | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status |
| Illinois Alpha | March 8, 1930 | Augustana College | Rock Island, Illinois | Inactive |
| Illinois Beta | 1930 | Bradley University | Peoria, Illinois | Inactive |
| Illinois Gamma | 1930–1932 | Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, Illinois | Inactive |
| Iowa Alpha | 1930–1931 | Parsons College | Fairfield, Iowa | Inactive |
| Georgia Alpha | 1930 | Brenau University | Gainesville, Georgia | Inactive |
| Illinois Delta | 1933–1950 | Wheaton College | Wheaton, Illinois | Inactive |
| Georgia Beta | 1937–1941 | Georgia State Women's College | Valdosta, Georgia | Inactive |
| Colorado Alpha | 1939 | Colorado State College | Greeley, Colorado | Inactive |
| Wisconsin Alpha | 1941 | St. Norbert College | De Pere, Wisconsin | Inactive |
| Illinois Epsilon | 1941 | Western Illinois University | Macomb, Illinois | Inactive |
| Illinois Zeta | 1942–1957 | Northern Illinois University | DeKalb, Illinois | Merged (ΑΦΓ) |
| Michigan Alpha | 1947–1957 | Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Merged (ΑΦΓ) |
| Illinois Eta | 1949 | Knox College | Galesburg, Illinois | Inactive |
| Oklahoma Alpha | 1950–1952 ?; 1954 | East Central University | Ada, Oklahoma | Inactive |
| South Dakota Alpha | 1950 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | Rapid City, South Dakota | Inactive |
| Michigan Beta | 1951 | Ferris State University | Big Rapids, Michigan | Inactive |
| Oklahoma Beta | 1951 | Phillips University | Enid, Oklahoma | Inactive |
| Wisconsin Beta | 1951 | University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Inactive |
| Wisconsin Beta | 1951 | Illinois State University | Normal, Illinois | Inactive |
* ↑ Parsons College ceased operations in 1973 over financial stress.
* ↑ Became the Beta Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Gamma after the national merger of the two fraternities.
* ↑ Became the Beta Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi Gamma after the national merger of the two fraternities.
* ↑ The university closed in 1998.