A President's Message
What shall I say that will be of interest to all members unless we look at Alpha Theta in the light of time--past, present and future. So let us begin by taking a backward look.
On a cold wintry day, January 22, 1955, twelve of us met at the old Alexander Hotel in Kittanning to organize the Alpha Theta Chapter with Dr. Elizabeth Stadtlander officiating. Sometime previous to that, seven of us had been inducted into Delta Kappa Gamma at the Bedford Springs Hotel in a beautiful and inspiring initiation ceremony at the State Convention. I could hope that all our members would experience the thrill and honor we felt that day. Yes, we began to look around for teachers who would join with us to form a chapter.
This accomplished, we did some necessary practical things. We accumulated the lovely things we use in initiation. We were pleased and proud to own the beautiful brass candlesticks, bowl, tray and lovely red satin scarf. Our bible is a gift of Psi Chapter. The gavel came from the hand of the master workman, Mr. Dupierreaux in the Ford City High School Woodshop.
Over the years the membership committee is to be commended for bringing together a cross section of teachers and nurses whose dedication to their profession leads them to use their talents, skills, travel experiences, time and energy to meet the needs of their students and the community in which they live. And may we say without a blush, we realize more and more that there is no substitute for that priceless person. "A good teacher," a key woman teacher
One of our aims and accomplishments has been to establish and maintain scholarships and grants-in-aid. We encourage teachers to apply for these; Through Alpha Alpha State we have contributed to scholarships for women from foreign countries who have come here to further their education and to receive degrees in their chosen fields. And not least of all, the value and pleasure of being a member of Delta Kappa Gamma is to have formed beautiful and enduring friendships, not only in our own chapter but those of us who have had the pleasure and privilege of attending state, national, and , some of us, international conventions. We cherish the friendships formed there and continued through the years.
Neither will we ever forget the inspiring messages given by famous and outstanding women who have been granted honorary membership in Delta Kappa Gamma. Some of these women who have been pioneers in their filed of endeavor have been an inspiration to those of us who do the daily routine classroom work and sometimes are so close to the problem; we fail to realize just how much our efforts add to the total development and progress of education.
To look back is comparatively easy but even with all the pleasant memories and past achievements we will not rest on our laurels. Let us look ahead to the future. How far ahead should we look? Time passes so swiftly, let us not set a limit of years.
We know that with the passing of time and the "Old Guard" there will always be young, imaginative and innovative members who will carry on. So, let us face the future with courage and the will to help solve the problems of these changing times and culutre, while upholding faithfully the goals and ideals of those brave forward looking teachers who were founders of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
On a cold wintry day, January 22, 1955, twelve of us met at the old Alexander Hotel in Kittanning to organize the Alpha Theta Chapter with Dr. Elizabeth Stadtlander officiating. Sometime previous to that, seven of us had been inducted into Delta Kappa Gamma at the Bedford Springs Hotel in a beautiful and inspiring initiation ceremony at the State Convention. I could hope that all our members would experience the thrill and honor we felt that day. Yes, we began to look around for teachers who would join with us to form a chapter.
This accomplished, we did some necessary practical things. We accumulated the lovely things we use in initiation. We were pleased and proud to own the beautiful brass candlesticks, bowl, tray and lovely red satin scarf. Our bible is a gift of Psi Chapter. The gavel came from the hand of the master workman, Mr. Dupierreaux in the Ford City High School Woodshop.
Over the years the membership committee is to be commended for bringing together a cross section of teachers and nurses whose dedication to their profession leads them to use their talents, skills, travel experiences, time and energy to meet the needs of their students and the community in which they live. And may we say without a blush, we realize more and more that there is no substitute for that priceless person. "A good teacher," a key woman teacher
One of our aims and accomplishments has been to establish and maintain scholarships and grants-in-aid. We encourage teachers to apply for these; Through Alpha Alpha State we have contributed to scholarships for women from foreign countries who have come here to further their education and to receive degrees in their chosen fields. And not least of all, the value and pleasure of being a member of Delta Kappa Gamma is to have formed beautiful and enduring friendships, not only in our own chapter but those of us who have had the pleasure and privilege of attending state, national, and , some of us, international conventions. We cherish the friendships formed there and continued through the years.
Neither will we ever forget the inspiring messages given by famous and outstanding women who have been granted honorary membership in Delta Kappa Gamma. Some of these women who have been pioneers in their filed of endeavor have been an inspiration to those of us who do the daily routine classroom work and sometimes are so close to the problem; we fail to realize just how much our efforts add to the total development and progress of education.
To look back is comparatively easy but even with all the pleasant memories and past achievements we will not rest on our laurels. Let us look ahead to the future. How far ahead should we look? Time passes so swiftly, let us not set a limit of years.
We know that with the passing of time and the "Old Guard" there will always be young, imaginative and innovative members who will carry on. So, let us face the future with courage and the will to help solve the problems of these changing times and culutre, while upholding faithfully the goals and ideals of those brave forward looking teachers who were founders of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Sincerely,
Besse Ekis Barr Charter Member and First President Alpha Theta |