Graduate Fellowship History

History of the Award

Graduate Fellowships were established in honor of Alpha Lambda Delta's top leaders. The Fellowships are named after past presidents, former executive directors, and key advisors who have shaped Alpha Lambda Delta over the past century. Since 1940, over 600 outstanding ALD members have received fellowships.

Honorees

Maria Leonard was for many years the Dean of Women at the University of Illinois and is the individual through whom Alpha Lambda Delta became a reality. It was Dean Leonard's belief that high scholarship attained by freshman women should be encouraged as a significant first step in a college career. She was not only the founder, but continued an active interest in Alpha Lambda Delta throughout her years of retirement. Dean Leonard died on October 31, 1976, at the age of 96 at her home in Livermore, California.

Dean Dorothy Anderson graduated from Susquehanna University and received her Masters degree from Syracuse University where she worked as program coordinator, hall director, and student assistant in the Dean of Students Office. In 1967, she returned to Susquehanna as Assistant Dean of Woman and was appointed Dean of Freshmen and later Dean of Students. She has been an active supporter of community activities having served as President of her local Rotary, as a board member of SUN Home Health Board and United Way, and as an elected member of local government. Dean Anderson served Alpha Lambda Delta in many capacities; she was District I Adviser from 1983 to 1986; Secretary, 1986-87, Vice President for Chapter Relations and Expansion, 1987-89; Vice President for Finance and Long Range Planning, 1989-90 before her election as President-Elect. She served as the 14th President of Alpha Lambda Delta from 1991 to 1997. She continues to represent National Alpha Lambda Delta by serving as the installation officer for new chapters in the Pennsylvania area.

Dr. Katherine Pedro Beardsley served as advisor for the Maryland ALD chapter from 1989 to 2013. Her work with ALD students brought her tremendous joy and was a favorite part of her job. Dr. Beardsley inducted over 12,500 students into ALD during her tenure, was named Outstanding Advisor of the Year in 1991, and served on the ALD National council from 2002 to 2006. She retired from the University of Maryland and Alpha Lambda Delta in 2013.

Gladys Bell was a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Council for twelve years, serving as District Adviser and Grand Vice President before becoming Grand President in 1945 when the Society's founder and first president, Maria Leonard, retired. For many years Dean of Women at the University of Denver, Ms. Bell retired as Associate Professor Emerita of Basic Communications and lived in Sterling, Colorado.

Dr. Margaret Berry came to the University of Texas in the 1930s, graduating as a history major. After college, she taught high school history and, during school breaks, earned a master's degree from Columbia University. She returned to Austin in 1961 to work on her Ph.D. In 1962, Berry became the associate dean of women, the first of her many administrative posts. Berry officially retired in 1980, but has remained involved with university life. Dr. Margaret Berry served on the Alpha Lambda Delta National Council since 1970 as a District Advisor and First Vice-President. Dr. Berry was elected the ninth National President of Alpha Lambda Delta and assumed office in June of 1976.

Elva Bourgeois served as the Louisiana State University (LSU) Chapter Advisor of ALD for 32 years, from 1984 to 2016. She was the inaugural Advisor of the Year recipient in 1991 and received the Executive Director Advisor Award in 2002. Elva was an undergraduate coordinator and senior instructor for the LSU Department of Textiles, Apparel Design, and Merchandising. She was committed to fostering academic excellence and leadership among students and helped mentor many ALD members over the years.

Dr. May Brunson was the Dean of Women at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Dr. Brunson was a devoted member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Council for eighteen years, holding the positions of District Adviser and National Treasurer before her election to the Presidency in 1966. She died suddenly in 1970 just before the end of her term as President of Alpha Lambda Delta.

Katharine Cater served Alpha Lambda Delta as District Adviser from 1962 to 1977, National Treasurer, National President and Special Consultant to the National Council. It was during her presidency that Alpha Lambda Delta made two major decisions: to establish a headquarters office and to admit men to membership. In these decisions, her keen insight, understanding, energetic efforts and effervescent personality enabled Dr. Cater to make unique contributions to and on behalf of the Society. Until her untimely death in July of 1980, Dr. Cater had served as Dean of Women and later as Dean of Student Life at Auburn University.

Dr. Helen Clarke was the 10th National President of Alpha Lambda Delta. She held professional positions in Michigan, California, and Illinois before coming to the University of Maryland where she spent the majority of her career. With President Clark’s extensive knowledge of fund management, the Council examined investments carefully and achieved a greater understanding of and regard for monitoring investment opportunities. The Society went from investments in war bonds to a mutual fund stock portfolio and established goals for investment growth. It was this move towards equities led by President Clarke that has enabled the Society to support 28 graduate fellowships through the Perpetual Fellowship Fund, which is now worth over $4.2 million. Tragically, Dr. Clarke was killed in a car accident, but her impact on the Society will live forever.

Dean Christine Conaway joined the Ohio State University staff in 1937 as assistant to the dean of the College of the Arts and Sciences. She was appointed Dean of Women in 1944. Dean Conaway earned both of her degrees—a bachelor’s in 1924 and a master of arts in 1942—from Ohio State. Christine Conaway served for a number of years as a member of the National Council of Alpha Lambda Delta. She was largely responsible for setting the high standards and policies for the Society's official publication. Mrs. Conaway passed away in April 1989 in Columbus, Ohio.

Dr. Margaret Cuninggim was active with Alpha Lambda Delta since 1972, serving as District Adviser, Editor of The Flame and Archivist. Of the many contributions made by Dr. Cuninggim to Alpha Lambda Delta, however, none surpass her superb work as editor of the Fiftieth Anniversary History. Her tireless research, fine writing and excellent taste gave Alpha Lambda Delta a history that has won much acclaim. Before retiring to Florida, Dr. Cuninggim was Dean of Student Services at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Cuninggim died in Florida in 1986.

Dr. Glenda Earwood served as Executive Director of Alpha Lambda Delta for 19 years from 1996 to 2015. During her tenure, she installed or reactivated over 85 chapters, inducted the society's one-millionth member, and spearheaded the "$90,000 for the 90th" campaign, fundraising $90,000 in celebration of the Association's 90th birthday. Dr. Earwood was a first-generation college student who was inducted as an Alpha Lambda Delta member at Auburn University. She later earned her Ph.D. at Florida State University. Her dissertation entitled "Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Mortar Board, and Omicron Delta Kappa: The Effect of Title IX on the Sex of Members, Officers, and Faculty Advisers in 1981-1982" uncovered the presence of women in honor society leadership, and helped create an even playing field for all leaders in Alpha Lambda Delta. After retirement from Alpha Lambda Delta, Dr. Earwood enjoys time with her friends and family, golfing, and advocating for school districts in Macon, Georgia.

Dr. Maude Etheredge, a colleague and close friend of our founder, Maria Leonard, was head of the Women's Health Service at the University of Illinois for many years. An honorary Alpha Lambda Delta member, Dr. Etheredge was deeply interested in the Society from its founding and, with Dean Leonard, established the Leonard-Etheredge Loan Fund.

Dr. Patricia A. Graham received her baccalaureate degree from Trinity University in San Antonio in Business Administration, followed by her MA in Guidance and Counseling from St. Mary's University in San Antonio and her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin. Following her degrees, she began her tenure as a professor of education at UTSA. Dr. Graham served as the Alpha Lambda Delta’s Vice President for Chapter Relations and Expansion for three terms – from 1989 until she was elected President-Elect in 1996. Dr. Graham served as National President from 1997-2003. Her insight on trends in higher education, welfare of chapters, and her careful thought and sound advice on the care of chapter advisers provided wise and sound direction for Alpha Lambda Delta. She worked at the University of Texas at San Antonio and advised the Alpha Lambda Delta chapter there until her retirement in 2017. Dr. Graham passed away in February 2020.

Dr. Harry Hale was a long-time friend of Alpha Lambda Delta, serving two terms as National Council Member-at-Large, and as chapter advisor at the University of Louisiana – Monroe for over 20 years. In his time with ALD, the chapter at ULM thrived, and he was a respected and trusted colleague to members of the ALD National Council. A native of California, Dr. Hale received his doctorate in Sociology from the University of Tennessee. After receiving his Ph.D. degree in 1963, he pursued most of his career in the southern region of the country, teaching at universities in California, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Louisiana. In addition to loving his students, Dr. Hale held offices in regional professional societies, including President and Journal Editor, and served in the US Navy during the Korean War. Dr. Hale passed away at his home in Monroe, Louisiana on March 13, 2011.

Dr. Herman "Butch" Hill is the Director of the Cutler Scholars Program and University Ombudsman at Ohio University, as well as a professor of engineering. He has advised the Alpha Lambda Delta chapter at Ohio University since 1992. He was named the ALD Outstanding Advisor of the Year in 1996. He served on the National Council as a Professional Member-at-Large from 1997 to 2000, then serving as Vice President for Finance and Long Range Planning from 2001 to 2016. In addition, Dr. Hill has served ALD with numerous National Leadership Conference presentations, faithful service on the Fellowship Committee, and more Chapter Installations and Order of the Torch presentations than can be counted.

Betty Jo Hudson was born in Muncie, Indiana, received her bachelors and masters degrees from Ball State University, and did additional graduate work at the Ohio State University. At Ohio State, she served as Assistant Dean, then Associate Dean of University College from 1972 to 1988 when she became the University Ombudsperson. Betty Jo Hudson exemplified a life-long dedication to promoting diversity, inclusiveness and equality within the university and throughout the community. Betty Jo Hudson served as the thirteenth President of National Alpha Lambda Delta from 1988 to 1991. Prior to becoming President, Ms. Hudson served as District III Adviser from 1982 to 1985. After her retirement from Ohio State, Betty Jo found great pleasure traveling with friends and family, building a beautiful home on Torch Lake, Michigan, teaching an exercise class for seniors in Elk Rapids, MI and volunteering for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Antrim County Democratic women. Ms. Hudson died in 2013 in Torch Lake, Michigan.

Dr. Susan Melson Huffman was the Associate Director of Administration and Assignments for the University Residences at Purdue University until her retirement in January 2023. Dr. Huffman was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta as a freshman at Purdue University in 1975. She has served as the chapter advisor at Purdue since 1984 and continues in her retirement. Dr. Huffman served on the National Council in various capacities including: Member at-Large (1994-97 and 2001-02), Vice President for Chapter Relations and Expansion (2002-08), President-Elect (2008-09), and President (2009-18).

Alice Lloyd was an outstanding leader in the field of women's education and in the National Association for Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors for many years. In addition, she was a member of the National Council of Alpha Lambda Delta and made many significant contributions to the Society.

Dr. Louise McBee earned a B.S. Degree from ETSU in 1946, her M.A. degree from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Her career in academe began with a year of high school teaching in Marion, Va., followed by 11 years at ETSU in a variety of posts, including Assistant Dean of Women and Dean of Women. McBee also taught English overseas in Rotterdam in a university preparatory high school for girls. From 1963 until her retirement in 1988, McBee was affiliated with The University of Georgia through positions as Associate Professor of Higher Education, Dean of Women, Associate Dean of Students, Dean of Students, Assistant Vice President for Instruction, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Among her scholarly works are four books she wrote or co-authored and numerous articles in refereed journals. Louise McBee has traveled extensively for pleasure and with church mission groups -- journeys that have taken her worldwide. Her most notable adventure occurred in the summer of 1988 when, as a member of the Georgia Expedition to Mt. Everest, McBee became the oldest woman at that time to have climbed to the base camp on the east face of Everest, some 18,000 feet. Over a period of twenty years Dr. McBee served Alpha Lambda Delta as District Adviser, Secretary and President from 1982-1985. The Council named this fellowship to honor her leadership and great service to the Society and the model she has consistently presented for the profession of higher education administration and education. After her academic career at the University of Georgia, Dr. McBee served for several years in the Georgia state legislature.

Dr. Warner Moore served as the first male District Advisor on the National Council for Alpha Lambda Delta from 1981 - 1984 and as the first male Vice President from 1984 - 1987. He was very interested in promoting the fellowship program. The year 1984 marked the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Dr. Moore, chapter advisor at the University of Alabama, challenged all collegiate members of the society to donate "Sixty for the Sixtieth" by giving $60 to the fellowship fund. More than $8000 was donated by individual students, former fellowship winners, loan recipients and Alpha Lambda Delta chapters. During the June 1984 National Council meeting, the Council matched the donations and voted to add a fourteenth fellowship. Dr. Moore had just begun a term as Society Historian when he passed away suddenly in 1991.

Dr. Mike Nichols retired as Professor of Psychology at Transylvania University. Dr. Nichols has advised Alpha Lambda Delta chapters at the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University and Transylvania University. He was selected as the ALD Outstanding Advisor of the Year in 2012. He served on the National Council of ALD from 1990 to 2016. He was Editor of the Flame magazine from 1993 to 2016, publishing twenty-three annual magazines. He also served as ALD Historian from 2003 to 2016. As Historian, he wrote the history of Alpha Lambda Delta’s first 75 years in 1999.

Miss Gladys Pennington was the Assistant Dean of Women at the University of Illinois at the time Alpha Lambda Delta was founded there and was deeply involved in the establishment of the first chapter, the drafting of the first constitution and rituals, and the initial work of our association.

Kathryn Phillips was an outstanding woman in the field of education for many years. She contributed in an important way to the establishment of the Department of Guidance and Student Personnel Administration at Teachers' College, Columbia University. She was one of the Founders and served as the first president of the National Association of Deans of Women. As a board member of the Phillips Foundation, she was instrumental in making many foundation grants available to support programs of education for women.

Barbara Quilling served as Executive Director of Alpha Lambda Delta for 15 years from 1981 to 1996. She successfully led the Society as it grew from a home office operation to a professional office with full-time staff and expanded many awards and services to the chapters. A graduate of the University of Arizona, she received her Master’s degree from Ohio University and did additional graduate work at The Ohio State University. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Mrs. Quilling served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Hanover College. During her tenure with the Society, Mrs. Quilling was elected President and Executive Board Member of the Association of College Honor Societies. A supporter of community involvement, Mrs. Quilling served as President of the Madison Chapter of the American Association of University Women, President of the Altrusa Club of Muncie, and President of the Indiana Association of Women Deans, Administrators, and Counselors. Barbara Quilling passed away in 2010.

Miriam Shelden, outstanding as a woman and as an educator, became Dean of Women at the University of Illinois in 1947 and later served there as Dean of Student Personnel, Associate Professor of Higher Education and Associate Chancellor. On active Navy duty during World War II, Miriam Shelden retired in 1972 with the rank of Commander from the United States Naval Reserve. She served Alpha Lambda Delta from 1959 until her death in 1975, first as District Adviser, then as National Secretary and, finally, as Archivist.

Dean Adele Hagner Stamp, educator and community leader, was born in Catonsville, Maryland. She received her bachelor's degree from Tulane University, her master's degree from the University of Maryland, and did additional graduate work at Catholic and American Universities. In 1922, Stamp was offered a one-year contract as the Dean of Women at the University of Maryland. At the end of that year, her contract was renewed and for the next 38 years until her retirement in 1960, she served as the University's Dean of Women. In 1983, the Board of Regents named the student union building at the College Park campus the Adele H. Stamp Union in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the University. Miss Adele Stamp was for a number of years the Treasurer of the National Council of Alpha Lambda Delta, and it is largely due to her keen financial abilities that monies have accrued which now make up the Perpetual Fellowship Fund, and ultimately fund ALD scholarships and fellowships.

Mary Jane Stevenson served as Dean of Women at Albright College and Westminster College, prior to going to Bucknell University in 1947 as Dean of Women. A career in higher education spanning more than 40 years, Mary Jane Stevenson also worked at Ohio University and Pennsylvania State University. Ms. Stevenson retired in July, 1981 after serving for ten years as the Executive Director of National Alpha Lambda Delta. In addition to her membership in Alpha Lambda Delta, Kappa Delta Pi, Mortar Board and Psi Chi Honor Societies, Ms. Stevenson was affiliated with the Susquehanna Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women. She also served as Vice President of the National Association for Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors. She passed away August 12, 2010 in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Martha Wade was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta at the University of Tennessee, where she received her undergraduate degree. Dr. Wade received her Masters degree from Indiana University and her Ph.D. from Vanderbilt. During her career, she served as Vice President for Student Life at Stephens College, Dean of Admissions at Southern Colorado, and as Vice President for Admissions and Enrollment Management at the University of Maryville in St. Louis. In addition to serving as a chapter advisor, Dr. Wade also held the position of District Advisor for two years and was editor of the national magazine from 1978 to 1980. From 1988 to 1990, Dr. Wade served as a Council Member-at-Large. Dr. Margie Wade served as Vice President for Finance and Long Range Planning from 1990 to 1998. While in office, she helped the society surpass their $1 million dollar endowment goal and almost reach $2 million dollars.