Lambda History
On April 19, 1969, Lambda Chapter was officially instituted with 30 women signing the contractual document verifying these women as charter members with the right to organize and function under the Constitution of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Lambda Chapter was the product of an expansion project by Gamma Chapter with 21 Gamma members forming the nucleus of this new chapter. A committee under the capable direction of Alma C. Liotta spent many hours planning, organizing, and decision-making to prepare the foundation for Lambda Chapter. The committee's diligent labor and tenacious zeal plus the assistance and encouragement of Elizabeth Schiller, the Alpha Zeta State Organization Expansion Chairman, made the final results possible, a fact for which the members of Lambda Chapter are appreciative and grateful. Gamma Chapter prepared the orientation tea for those women invited to join the new chapter. The tea was held at Trenton State College in the Allen Drawing Room on March 23, 1969. This memorable occasion was a preliminary to initiation and was the first time the members-to-be were assembled.
The initiation of the nine new members to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and the installation of the new chapter took place the same evening at the Dennis Hotel in Atlantic City. The territory granted to Lambda Chapter by the Alpha Zeta State Organization for member recruitment included Middlesex County, two- thirds of Somerset County, and the lower third of Union County. With the completion of these ceremonies Lambda Chapter members were eager to become a functioning unit. Alma C. Liotta was elected the first president, and she guided the group through their first year as skillfully as she had during the organizing process. The members worked painstakingly and cooperated with enthusiasm. They expended much time and effort as well as supported the chapter financially, so that by the end of the first year a firm base had been established. Committees were functioning in accordance with the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Constitution. A newsletter, Voice of Lambda, had been launched; meaningful and varied programs had been initiated; and a donation had been made to the World Fellowship Fund. As stated by Alma C. Liotta, "All were dedicated to work as a group for the goals of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International but never forgetting to keep the informal, friendly atmosphere we had. Also these new and eager members wanted programs of involvement, pleasure, and suitable to our particular needs. We were dedicated to keeping our informality while pursuing the serious purposes of the Society. In this atmosphere every member was involved to the degree she wished to be, and every member could express any idea."
Lambda Chapter has become unique in several ways. The members contribute both time and energy; a fact which has stimulated innovativeness and progressiveness. The caliber of the membership is such that friendship and fellowship promote fine leadership and a friendly exchange of ideas resulting in many happy experiences. The members willingly take part in a variety of activities and share responsibilities. The varied ages of the members, plus the diversity of interests and occupations, afford potential resources and hopefully continuity for the future. Growth of participation in the Alpha Zeta State Organization and the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International has been realized from this nucleus of women, who in the past years have experienced change and achievement. One member, Dr. Marilyn E. Gonyo, has received an International Scholarship and a Cornetet Award. Three members, Dr. Marilyn Gonyo, Dr. Jane Flaherty, and Dr. Susan Mansfield have received Alpha Zeta State Scholarships. Four members have served as elected state officers: Mary Ann Mironchik, President and Vice-President; Dr. Marilyn E. Gonyo, Vice-President and President; Ruth Schumacher served as Recording Secretary; Judy Jordan, Corresponding Secretary. Many other members have chaired a variety of state committees.
Dr. Marilyn E. Gonyo has contributed significantly at the International level by serving as the chairman of the Scholarship Committee, by participating in the first Leadership Conference at Baylor University, by presenting numerous workshops in the area of Leadership/Management, and by serving as a member of the Golden Gift Fund Committee. Dr. Gonyo has also attended parliamentary training offered by the society. Dr. Nora Pollard was also honored to attend the Golden Gift Leadership/Management Seminar held at the University of Texas at Austin. Lambda is always well represented at International Conventions and the Northeast Regional Conferences. Some members of Lambda have attended the Seminar in Purposeful Living and regional conferences outside of the northeast. Two members took part in the tour to Cuba sponsored by the Society and were observers of the educational system of Cuba. Of paramount importance to each Lambda member was her contribution to piloting and bringing to fruition the planning and executing of workshops and an orientation program for initiates at the annual Alpha Zeta State Organization Convention; Lambda members continue to present workshops at the state convention. Program planning and implementation by Lambda Chapter members have been based on the themes as published under Program of Work.
Since its’ early days, Lambda chapter has been involved in a variety of service projects. In the early years of the chapter, the members contributed heavily to the recruitment grants projects for selected potential educators in Middlesex, Somerset, and Union County Colleges. Library books were collected for the girls of the Middlesex County Detention Home. Roosevelt Hospital, in Middlesex County, for the aged and infirm, was the recipient of books and clothing as requests were received. This project was expanded to include donating many gifts for the patients each holiday season. In more recent years, Lambda chapter has donated new household goods to a women’s shelter helping battered women reestablish homes for themselves and their children. The chapter has also begun to donate school supplies and summer camp materials to the children of deployed national guardsmen.
As leadership roles within the chapter are taken on by members of Generation X and Y, Lambda looks forward to growth and change while continuing to fulfill the purposes of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International through their programs and service projects. Meeting the needs of our younger members while maintaining the traditions of the society and Lambda Chapter will be our goal.
Last modified: 7/2014
DKG History from DKG Society International Website.
Lambda History by Dr. Nora Pollard.
The initiation of the nine new members to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and the installation of the new chapter took place the same evening at the Dennis Hotel in Atlantic City. The territory granted to Lambda Chapter by the Alpha Zeta State Organization for member recruitment included Middlesex County, two- thirds of Somerset County, and the lower third of Union County. With the completion of these ceremonies Lambda Chapter members were eager to become a functioning unit. Alma C. Liotta was elected the first president, and she guided the group through their first year as skillfully as she had during the organizing process. The members worked painstakingly and cooperated with enthusiasm. They expended much time and effort as well as supported the chapter financially, so that by the end of the first year a firm base had been established. Committees were functioning in accordance with the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Constitution. A newsletter, Voice of Lambda, had been launched; meaningful and varied programs had been initiated; and a donation had been made to the World Fellowship Fund. As stated by Alma C. Liotta, "All were dedicated to work as a group for the goals of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International but never forgetting to keep the informal, friendly atmosphere we had. Also these new and eager members wanted programs of involvement, pleasure, and suitable to our particular needs. We were dedicated to keeping our informality while pursuing the serious purposes of the Society. In this atmosphere every member was involved to the degree she wished to be, and every member could express any idea."
Lambda Chapter has become unique in several ways. The members contribute both time and energy; a fact which has stimulated innovativeness and progressiveness. The caliber of the membership is such that friendship and fellowship promote fine leadership and a friendly exchange of ideas resulting in many happy experiences. The members willingly take part in a variety of activities and share responsibilities. The varied ages of the members, plus the diversity of interests and occupations, afford potential resources and hopefully continuity for the future. Growth of participation in the Alpha Zeta State Organization and the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International has been realized from this nucleus of women, who in the past years have experienced change and achievement. One member, Dr. Marilyn E. Gonyo, has received an International Scholarship and a Cornetet Award. Three members, Dr. Marilyn Gonyo, Dr. Jane Flaherty, and Dr. Susan Mansfield have received Alpha Zeta State Scholarships. Four members have served as elected state officers: Mary Ann Mironchik, President and Vice-President; Dr. Marilyn E. Gonyo, Vice-President and President; Ruth Schumacher served as Recording Secretary; Judy Jordan, Corresponding Secretary. Many other members have chaired a variety of state committees.
Dr. Marilyn E. Gonyo has contributed significantly at the International level by serving as the chairman of the Scholarship Committee, by participating in the first Leadership Conference at Baylor University, by presenting numerous workshops in the area of Leadership/Management, and by serving as a member of the Golden Gift Fund Committee. Dr. Gonyo has also attended parliamentary training offered by the society. Dr. Nora Pollard was also honored to attend the Golden Gift Leadership/Management Seminar held at the University of Texas at Austin. Lambda is always well represented at International Conventions and the Northeast Regional Conferences. Some members of Lambda have attended the Seminar in Purposeful Living and regional conferences outside of the northeast. Two members took part in the tour to Cuba sponsored by the Society and were observers of the educational system of Cuba. Of paramount importance to each Lambda member was her contribution to piloting and bringing to fruition the planning and executing of workshops and an orientation program for initiates at the annual Alpha Zeta State Organization Convention; Lambda members continue to present workshops at the state convention. Program planning and implementation by Lambda Chapter members have been based on the themes as published under Program of Work.
Since its’ early days, Lambda chapter has been involved in a variety of service projects. In the early years of the chapter, the members contributed heavily to the recruitment grants projects for selected potential educators in Middlesex, Somerset, and Union County Colleges. Library books were collected for the girls of the Middlesex County Detention Home. Roosevelt Hospital, in Middlesex County, for the aged and infirm, was the recipient of books and clothing as requests were received. This project was expanded to include donating many gifts for the patients each holiday season. In more recent years, Lambda chapter has donated new household goods to a women’s shelter helping battered women reestablish homes for themselves and their children. The chapter has also begun to donate school supplies and summer camp materials to the children of deployed national guardsmen.
As leadership roles within the chapter are taken on by members of Generation X and Y, Lambda looks forward to growth and change while continuing to fulfill the purposes of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International through their programs and service projects. Meeting the needs of our younger members while maintaining the traditions of the society and Lambda Chapter will be our goal.
Last modified: 7/2014
DKG History from DKG Society International Website.
Lambda History by Dr. Nora Pollard.