The sisters of the Zeta Mu chapter of Alpha Delta Pi at Appalachian State University were presented with the Maxine Blake Golden Lion Award at the Alpha Delta Pi national convention in Dallas on June 30.

Presided over by a grand council, the Alpha Delta Pi national convention is held once every two years in different locations to recognize the achievements of chapters across the United States and Canada.

“The Golden Lion Award recognizes the finest of Alpha Delta Pi, and is the highest honor in chapter performance that a chapter can receive,” said Karina Shaver, media liaison for the Alpha Delta Pi national executive board. “It recognizes continuing excellence; innovative leadership within the university or community; and significant leadership and participation in Panhellenic, campus organizations, community service and support of Alpha Delta Pi International Organization programs and fund-raising efforts.” 

To be eligible for the Golden Lion Award, a chapter must have earned the first four tiers of awards in a hierarchy of chapter achievements.

“Alpha Delta Pi was thrilled to induct Appalachian’s Zeta Mu chapter into the circle of Golden Lion awardees,” said Tammy Pinkston, the grand council president who presented the award at the national convention.

Of the 146 Alpha Delta Pi chapters represented at this year’s national convention, only 16 were presented with the Golden Lion Award.

“The attainment of those awards, leading up to this year’s national convention, took the combined effort of generations of Appalachian Alpha Delta Pi sisters,” said Alexis Wilkins, current president of the ADPi chapter at Appalachian. “This is the very first time our chapter has been awarded the Golden Lion, but hopefully not the last.”

Once a chapter has won the Golden Lion, it can be awarded at every subsequent national convention if the set standards of excellence are upheld, Wilkins said.

“The Maxine Blake Golden Lion Award honors the service and 75 years of membership of the late Maxine Blake, who not only served Alpha Delta Pi as Grand President for 29 years, but also had a tremendous impact on the entire Greek system when she developed the Quota system for recruitment that has since become the standard across the country,” Shaver said.

Story: NOLEN NYCHAY, Intern News Reporter