A Word or Two from the Board…

Greetings with Gratitude!

WOW! We are thrilled to announce a very special, huge gift of $20,000.00 from Beta Lambda Chapter in memory of DeLane Kittel. Annie Roegner, Beta Lambda’s treasurer, explained that DeLane gifted the chapter a large financial gift which was sitting unused in a savings account. The members decided to send ADSOEF a major contribution in her memory for the unrestricted fund. Since she was very active in Delta Kappa Gamma, especially promoting educational opportunities, these funds will be invested and spent to support active educational projects and grants. We deeply appreciate the chapter’s trust in the Foundation.

This gift has not slowed the Fundraising Committee, as it continues to publicize the Fall Appeal. Please read the article about National Philanthropy Day and Giving Tuesday.

Also, ADSOEF is very excited to announce that a new International Fulbright Scholar has been approved for an A. Margaret Boyd Fellowship! Paola Romero from Honduras has begun her studies at Kent State University. Her photo and an introduction are in this issue. 

Finally, would you like to know more about the Biennial Seminar and its creation? You are in for a treat with a two-part story! Part 1, in this issue, details the history of the Biennial Seminar. Then, in the December newsletter, Part 2 will include a timeline showing all the dates, themes, and locations of the Biennial Seminar. Enjoy!

With thankfulness,

Chris Snoddy and

The ADSOEF Board of Directors     

NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY AND GIVING TUESDAY 

Fall has arrived with its own  Colors of Hope! The vibrant spring and summer colors have moved into the vivid colors of autumn. Trees are changing from their greens to rich colors of red, yellow, orange, gold and purple. During fall, Mother Nature paints a beautiful picture. Fall is also a busy time for the Fundraising Committee, and we are working to Paint a Brighter Future with your help!

The Fall Fundraising Appeal runs from National Philanthropy Day, November 15, to Giving Tuesday, December 2. This time frame spearheads our campaign to raise funds for grants, fellowships, scholarships, and individual/classroom/community projects. The goal is $14,000.88, with the $.88 recognizing the 88th birthday of Ohio State Organization. Last year during this time, we raised $10,002.86. These two significant days have a deep focus on giving and the impact this will have on educators and students. 

National Philanthropy Day is celebrated annually on November 15th to recognize the international contributions of philanthropy. The day is a time to reflect on the meaning of giving and the impact it has on the world. 

Giving Tuesday is a global movement that releases the power of radical generosity around the world. The purpose is to invite people to give what they can to create change. Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 in New York City. The purpose of this day is to encourage people to do good. Over the past thirteen years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. 

Our hope is to inspire you to create change through your generous donations which will impact educators and students in Ohio and around the world. Please consider being the Colors of Hope by Painting a Brighter Future. Donations can be made online at www.adsoef.org.

Fall paints beautiful pictures for all of us to enjoy. Thank you for your generosity to help paint beautiful pictures for educators and students!!

Charlene Greene, Delta Mu

Annie Zahradnik, Gamma Theta

Holly Buente, Gamma Pi, Co-Chairman  

Barb Zirke, Alpha Psi, Co-Chairman        

The Biennial Seminar…a History Lesson Part 1

Have you ever been curious about how the Biennial Seminar started or the reasons behind its creation? Below is a brief overview of the Biennial Seminar's background and history.

•  Alpha Delta State (ADS) celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1988. In anticipation of future needs, the ADS Executive Board established the Golden Anniversary Fund in 1983 to support special projects and initiatives. This included awarding a one-time scholarship to a member engaged in significant research on women's contributions to education, as well as instituting a Biennial Seminar scheduled to commence every two years from 1988 onward. DKG International’s Golden Gift Anniversary initiative in 1974 inspired Ohio’s Golden Anniversary Fund.

• ADS members and chapters donated $42,255.32 to the Golden Anniversary Fund.

• The one-time Golden Anniversary Scholarship was presented to Cathy Callis, Beta Lambda, who received $2,500 to research the creative use of music to relieve anxiety.

• The impetus for the Biennial Seminar was, and still is, to foster fellowship and strengthen unity among DKG Ohio members. Additionally, it aims to offer opportunities for educational growth and provide enjoyable lifelong-learning experiences. The seminar seeks to engage current members while also extending invitations to non-members to participate.

• Each seminar is usually theme driven. Over the years, the seminars have addressed a broad range of topics. While not every seminar appeals to all individuals, the Biennial Seminars have included a diverse selection of subjects, offering at one time or another something for everyone!

• In 1988, the first Golden Anniversary Biennial Seminar, “Holistic Health and the Professional Educator” was held at the Hilton Inn North in Worthington coordinated by Doris Rhea Coy, Gamma Nu, and Virginia Koch, Beta Lambda, State President.

• To date, the Golden Anniversary Fund, now known as the Biennial Seminar Fund, has provided both financial and logistical support to each of the 19 Biennial Seminars. 

• The initial four seminars were conducted in even-numbered years. However, following 1994, the seminars have been scheduled in odd-numbered years. The change was implemented to facilitate the planning of a Biennial Seminar by the State President during her second year in office, ensuring greater convenience and efficiency.

• From their inception until approximately 2005, seminars were predominantly speaker-led, enabling participants to stay at a single venue throughout the event. After 2005, the seminars transitioned to traveling to different historical sites across the state.

• In 2017, the Alpha Delta State Ohio Educational Foundation (ADSOEF) was established. At that time, ADS, now known as Ohio State Organization, transferred its Biennial Seminar funds to ADSOEF, designating it as the financial agent responsible for managing and enhancing those funds.

• At the OHSO Executive Board Meeting held on September 27, 2025, a resolution was passed designating ADSOEF as the manager and coordinator of the Biennial Seminar.

• Currently, the ADSOEF Biennial Seminar Committee is preparing for the 2027 seminar!

Linda Diltz, Beta Rho

Michele Maniskas, Alpha Xi

Diana Kirkpatrick, Alpha Delta, Chairman

kirkpatrickdiana@gmail.com

Newest A. Margaret Boyd Fellowship Recipient

Paola Romero

It is a pleasure to introduce Paola Romero, from Honduras, as ADSOEF’s A. Margaret Boyd Fellowship recipient for the school years 2025-2027.  Paola arrived in the United States in August and is enrolled at Kent State University.  

Paola plans to get a master's degree in special education. She believes this is an extremely important degree, as today we see many students with unique learning abilities. It is her goal to return to her home country where she hopes to educate those teaching and those studying education about true inclusion.  

She wants to instill in these educators a passion that students with disabilities are not difficult to teach, but that they are individuals who can contribute to our society and deserve the same quality of life that others enjoy! 

Marilyn Slusser, ADSOEF Scholarship Committee Liaison

Into the Future. . .Important Dates to Remember!

November 17, 2025

ADSOEF Board of Directors Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

November 24, 2025

ADSOEF Personnel Committee Meeting @ 3:00 p.m.

December 1, 2025

ADSOEF Governance Committee Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.

December 3, 2025

ADSOEF Fundraising Committee Meeting @ 4:30 p.m.

December 4, 2025

ADSOEF Scholarship Committee Meeting @ 3:30 p.m.

NO DECEMBER BOD MEETING