Blog
2024 Recap — 30 December 2024
2024 was an amazing year for Delta Psi, filled with sisterhood, leadership opportunities, philanthropy and service, and lots of love. Here’s a look into this past year:
Our year began at Camp Lee for our Executive Council Retreat. Our new EC and advisors participated in team-bonding activities, shared goals for the upcoming year, and enjoyed each other’s company before jumping into a busy semester. January at Samford is always an exciting time thanks to our favorite campus-wide event - Step Sing! Madison Reed, Adrien Mercado, and Hannah Schwarz directed ZTA’s show, “In a Far Away Place.” From genies and clowns to astronauts and skiers, our sisters enjoyed representing ZTA in a beloved Samford tradition. Seven of our EC officers traveled to Dallas, Texas, for ZTA’s Officer Leadership Academy. Through connecting with other collegiates all throughout the country, they returned motivated and inspired for a great year of leadership to come!
In February, we had our spring date party, “Perfect Match,” planned by our social team, Mackenzie Butcher, Oharah Neese, and Tori Schmidt. We also had the opportunity to connect with sisters around Alabama and Mississippi at the annual Zeta Day, where we took home three awards for our region: Highest Overall Chapter GPA, Best Programming, and Best Sisterhood. The month ended with Family Weekend hosted by our Parents Events chair, Sydney Parker.
March was one of our favorite months of the spring semester! It began with Belonging Week, hosted by Ashley Neubert, our VP of Recruitment and Membership, and Belonging Committee. Their PJ and Pancakes event and sunset picnic allowed our sisters to connect with each other and further our sense of belonging in Delta Psi. Belonging week ended with our spring semi-formal, “My Tie.” Another exciting week followed, Sisterhood Week, hosted by our Sisterhood Co-Chairs, Ava Renner and Kate Perkins. Bingo, build-a-bear, cycling classes, and a ZTA family picnic on the quad made for a sweet week with our sisters. The fun didn’t stop there, however, as our Chapter Retreat, planned by Bailey Baldwin, Annalee George, Isabella Long, Taylor Ryczek, Kate Perkins, and Lily Hicks, brought a whole day full of decorating cookies, painting tote bags, group talent shows, and a silent disco. This month, we also had the opportunity to participate in Samford Gives Back, a day of service throughout the Birmingham community. Our chapter was able to send multiple groups to various locations and show our heart for service.
April began with Samford’s Greek Life Awards Ceremony, where we had the honor and privilege of taking home the Outstanding Educational Programming and Outstanding Service and Philanthropy awards! We are so thankful for all the support we receive from Samford Greek Life. Another one of our favorite weeks was held in April - Think Pink Week! We had the opportunity to share our hearts behind our philanthropy, Breast Cancer Education and Awareness, throughout tabling on campus and percentage nights in the Birmingham community. We also had a baseball tailgate mixer with Alpha Tau Omega, planned by our Tailgate Chair, Maddie Teat, and Mixer Chair, Amelia Vernon. The week ended with our spring philanthropy event, Mr. Samford! Men from all over campus represent sororities and fraternities and compete for the title of Mr. Samford by showing off their lip syncing skills, talent, and an on-stage interview. This year, Wayne Mayfield was crowned Mr. Samford. Special thanks to our Vice President of Philanthropy and Service, Kayden Hughes, Think Pink Chair, Abbey Duke, and all of Philanthropy Committee for an amazing week fundraising for a cause that is near and dear to our hearts. April came to an end with our senior dinner and chapter, where our class of 2024 reflected on their time in ZTA and shared their plans for the future. Although it is a bittersweet time with lots of tears, we could not be more proud of PC ‘20 and all the ways they have impacted our chapter.
In the spring semester, 110 of our sisters were added to the Dean’s List! We are so proud of all of our sisters for their hard work during a busy semester.
This summer, our President, Mackenzie McCravy, New Member Coordinator, Anna Baldwin, and Corresponding Secretary, Lily Hicks, traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, for ZTA International Convention. They had the opportunity to connect with ZTA collegiates and alumnae through sisterhood events and shared meals, toured ZTA’s International Office, participated in business meetings, and grew together as leaders of our chapter. Delta Psi was awarded the Academic Achievement Award, as well as the Crown Chapter Award for the 2023-2024 year.
As summer came to a close, 86 of our members prepared for the upcoming school year and moved into the ZTA house! We started off the year strong preparing for recruitment. Our work week themes included “Ways ZTA Says I Love You,” “Fired Up for NMC ‘24,” “Text Me When You Go ZTA,” “Love Grows Where ZTA Goes,” “ZLAM Dunk,” and “All Set for NMC ‘24.” We had a busy few weeks preparing for recruitment and a new school year!
September began with Panhellenic Recruitment, where we shared with over 500 potential new members our passion for Breast Cancer Education and Awareness and ways we have found belonging in Delta Psi. Huge thanks to Ashley Neubert and Recruitment Committee for all of their hard work put into planning and executing a successful week of recruitment. On September 8th, we welcomed 65 New Members into our sisterhood and had the best day celebrating! Anna Baldwin, our New Member Coordinator, and our New Member Committee planned a hot-air balloon inspired celebration called “Take Me Away to ZTA.” We had the best day getting to know our new members and welcoming them into a place we love so much. Another way we love to welcome our new members is through our ZTA families, and creating the big/little relationship. Our Big Little Ceremony is such a sweet night! At the end of the month, our new members, New Member Committee, and Executive Council participated in “Camp ZTA,” our annual New Member Retreat. Through pennant making, a group lip sync competition, field day games, and writing encouraging notes to our sisters, it was a fun day of bonding as a new member class.
October began with our fall date party, “ZTA Rodeo,” and continued with Think Pink week. Our fall philanthropy event, Volley for a Cause, brings together the entire campus for a huge volleyball tournament benefiting our philanthropy. As the New Member Program came to a close, we celebrated NMC ‘24 becoming official with ZTA week, including music bingo, family game night, and a sweet sisterhood service!
The first weekend in November was Samford’s Homecoming Weekend and we cheered on the dogs and our sisters on Homecoming Court, Brooke Smith representing the Junior Class, and Martha Bishop representing the Sophomore Class. The weekend ended with Initiation, where we officially welcomed our 65 new members to our sisterhood. We are so proud of them and excited to see how they grow in Delta Psi! Our fall Formal was “Viva Las Zeta” themed and Sisterhood Week included charm bracelet making, bingo, a trip to the trampoline park, and Thanksgiving dinner. At the end of the month, we welcomed our 2025 Executive Council. We are so grateful for their dedication to Delta Psi and cannot wait to see all the things they accomplish this year! Wryeton Giddens was also elected Vice President of Membership Enrichment on the Panhellenic Executive Council, and we are thankful for the ways she will represent our chapter.
December brought a quick end to the semester with finals week and the Fall Commencement Ceremony. Congrats to our December Graduates!
Special thank you to our 2024 President, Mackenzie McCravy, and the entire Executive Council listed below for an amazing year of growth, leadership, and collaboration. 2024 was a great year for Delta Psi and contained memories that will last a lifetime! Bring on the New Year!
President: Mackenzie McCravy
VP I/Programming: Hannah Less
VP II/New Member Coordinator: Anna Baldwin
VP III/Recruitment and Membership: Ashley Neubert
VP IV/Philanthropy: Kayden Hughes
Treasurer: Carson Jaworski
Secretary: Julia Swiercek
Historian Reporter: Mollee Powell
Ritual Chairman: Anna Claire Riggs
Academic Achievement Chairman: Ashlyn Barrett
Panhellenic Delegate: Brianna Garcia
House Manager: Brooke Smith
Risk Reduction and Education Chairman: Josie Pettit