Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The 118th National Convention of Delta Theta Tau Sorority Inc. was held July 8-12 at Marriott Newport News City Center, Newport News, Va.
Attending from Beta Zeta Chapter, Warsaw, were Marcia Randolph and Jean Whitenack, according to a provided news release.
National President Kris Trapp, Tau Chapter, Valparaiso, presided at the business meetings during the convention with 69 chapters represented. Trapp chose as her theme for her year at the helm of the organization, “Kindness Ignites – Light Inspires.” Social activities enjoyed by members at the “Red, White, and Blue with a Dab of Green”-themed convention included “Red-y, Set, Picnic Mixer,” “Operation White Rose Informal” and “Rhapsody in Blue Banquet.” Terry Riester, past national president, Lambda Nu, Mooresville, served as convention coordinator.
A combined total from all chapters donated to philanthropic projects during the past year amounted to $805,680.52. The members supported their communities with a total of 98,825.79 volunteer hours during the past year. Awards were given to chapters with the highest total amount of money spent on philanthropy and for the chapters with the most volunteer hours. Receiving the award for the highest amount of philanthropy dollars donated was Lambda Eta, Franklin, Ind.; and receiving the award for most volunteer hours was Omicron Alpha, Woodlawn, Ill.
Of philanthropy interest to members is the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias and the encouraging professionals in the area of counseling. Delta Theta Tau’s Education Grant program enables students to continue their studies in the graduate field of counseling. The Philanthropy Committee granted $20,000 to NFED. The delegation allotted $10,000 for educational grants to be used in the year 2026-27. Delegates voted to give $8,000 to the National Yearly Project with $4,000 going to The Coffin-Lowry Syndrome submitted by Omicron Alpha, Woodlawn, Ill., and $4,000 going to The Chromosome 18 Registry and Research Society submitted by Pi Delta, Moberly, Mo.
Delegates elected Junior Cruea of Kappa Xi Chapter, Brookville, Ohio, to serve as 2026-27 national president.
Delta Theta Tau, a national philanthropic sorority, was founded in 1903 in Muncie by five high school girls. The first national convention was held in 1908 in Elwood. The 119th convention will be July 14-18, 2027, at Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown, Tulsa, Okla. Jeri Elliott, past national president, Xi Epsilon Chapter, Yakima, Wash., is the 2027 convention coordinator.
For more information about Delta Theta Tau Sorority, visit www.deltathetatau.org.
