History

First.

Alpha Delta Pi holds the distinction for being the first society founded for college women. It was chartered at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia in 1851, which is appropriately the first college chartered to grant degrees to women. Alpha Delta Pi was originally named “The Adelphean Society,” originating from the Greek word “Adelphean” meaning “sister.”

Finest.

Across the nation, ADPis are bright, fun, and classy young women who share the special bond of sisterhood. The qualifications for membership have remained unchanged throughout the years: scholarship, high principles, and true friendship. Here at the University of Florida, our chapter was the first sorority invited to join the Panhellenic community. Since 1947, Alpha Delta Pi has been representing UF with pride and has recently received awards for one of the top five ADPi chapters in the nation and the best chapter in Florida.

Forever.

The principles established by our founders in 1851 are enduring standards exemplifying the highest ideals of Christian womanhood. Our creed states that Alpha Delta Pi is more than a ritual and more than a symbol: that it is a way of life. Alpha Delta Pi is something you are, not just something you become. What Alpha Delta Pi represents at the University of Florida, and what we symbolize throughout North American chapters since 1851 will keep us the first and finest… forever.

Gamma Iota's Timeline

1851: Alpha Delta Pi was founded by Eugenia Tucker on May 15th as the Adelphean Society, making it the first secret society for women.

1905: The Adelphean Society changed its name to Alpha Delta Phi and became a national organization.

1947: Alpha Delta Pi was invited to become one of the first five sororities at UF.

1960's: Gamma Iota members founded the Savant Women’s Leadership fraternity. (the female alternative to Florida Blue Key)

1970's: Members were amongst the first women to be tapped for prestigious honorary societies such as Florida Blue Key, and were the first recipients of the President's award for fraternal excellence.

1983: The Alpha Delta Pi Foundation was established.

1990's: was awarded the prestigious “Golden Lion” - Alpha Delta Pi’s highest existing honor for the first time.

1990's: Sisters are ranked number one amongst sororities academically, and continue receiving accolades for the roles of president, Student Body President, Miss University of Florida, etc.

2001: Alpha Delta Pi celebrated its 150th Anniversary.

2011: Alpha Delta Pi becomes the first sorority to celebrate 160 years of sisterhood.

1950's: Founding sisters went on to become the first Panhellenic President, female cheerleader, leader of the newly founded Women’s Recreational Association, and Secretary of Women’s Affairs - the highest student government office a woman could hold at the time on UF's campus.

1960's continued: Women were not yet privy to every organization or area of study, sisters still obtained various undersecretary positions and gained membership to virtually every on campus academic honorary society that was available to them.

1950's continued: brought home the overall intramural trophy for excellence in athletics, became the only sorority chosen to preform their homecoming skit at Gator Growl, and laid claim to three Lyceum Council Presidents - the highest elected position on campus for women at the time.

1979: Alpha Delta Pi adopted the Ronald McDonald House as the national philanthropy.

1970's continued: Members were responsible for the homecoming court being composed entirely of members from the same sorority for the first time in UF history.

1950's: The completion of the Gamma Iota’s New Orleans inspired home.