Awards

Our National Organization prides itself on the outstanding achievements of our collegiate chapters and individual members. To recognize these accomplishments, the Sigma Delta Tau National Awards are granted annually. The National Awards are Sigma Delta Tau’s most prestigious recognition and our highest honor. Full descriptions of the awards follow the recent year’s winners.

Please note that due to the impact COVID-19 had on the 2020 Spring semester, we recognize chapters were not able to support our philanthropic partners and finish out the semester as they had planned. In response, the Board of Directors decided to not add additional stress to our collegiate members by asking them to submit awards applications—therefore, no Chapter Awards were granted for the 2019–2020 academic year, and Individual Awards are limited.

SDT NATIONAL AWARDS 2019–2020

Individual Awards

Hall of Fame

  • Hannah Arp, Gamma Rho—Ramapo College of New Jersey
  • Alexandria Deliso, Delta Lambda—Farmingdale State College
  • Quinn Hecker, Alpha Beta—University of Rhode Island
  • Gabrielle Ingoglia, Gamma Phi—York College of Pennsylvania
  • Maxine Koza, Delta Zeta—Rutgers University–Camden
  • Ally Lazarus, Chi—University of Michigan
  • Mariana Martins, Delta Kappa—Western Connecticut State
  • Katherine Raffensperger, Alpha Mu—University of Miami
  • Angela Steinberg, Beta Beta—Michigan State University
  • Madison Wicks, Alpha Tau—George Washington University

Outstanding Senior Award

  • Katherine Raffensperger, Alpha Mu—University of Miami

Regene Freund Cohane Outstanding Chapter President Award

  • Rachel Cook, Phi—Pennsylvania State University

Patricia Jackson Linderman Outstanding Chapter Treasurer Award

  • Robyn Urbanovitch, Beta Tau—Rutgers University

Harriet Burgheim Rodenberg Panhellenic Leadership Award

  • Jenna Leval, Gamma Lambda—Florida State University

About the Awards

Outstanding Senior Award: This award is presented to a dedicated senior who has gained the respect and recognition of her peers, sorority, university and possibly her community.  She must have held an elected office in her SDT Chapter, Panhellenic, or in a campus organization, and must be an active member of the chapter as a senior. The applicant’s academic performance will be considered. Each chapter is urged to nominate its top senior member.

Hall of Fame: Sigma Delta Tau’s first HALL OF FAME class was announced in 1941. For more than seven decades, the SDT National Board of Directors has selected more than 700 outstanding senior women to be included in this elite society of exceptional chapter leaders.The top nominees for Outstanding Senior will be recognized as SDT’s “Hall of Fame” in the fall TORCH magazine.

Ruth Metzger Katz Oustanding Junior Award: This award was given for the first time in 1962. It shall be presented to a member who is an outstanding undergraduate in her junior year of school, and who is a respected individual who has made a significant impact on her chapter and continually furthers the goals and ideals of her sorority. Chapters should recommend their most outstanding junior for this award. Ruth Metzger Katz, SDT National Council Member (1940-2011) devoted 70 years of volunteer service towards developing leadership in our young women.

Outstanding New Member Award: This award is presented to a dedicated new member who has gained the respect and recognition of her peers, sorority, university, and possibly her community. Chapters should recommend their most outstanding new member for this award.

Regene Freund Cohane Outstanding Chapter President Award: The recipient must have made a significant difference in her chapter during her term as President and must have represented SDT in a dignified and responsible manner.  Recommendations should include specific details concerning the “significant difference” she made as Chapter President.  Nominee must have completed a full term as Chapter President prior to nomination. This award is presented in honor of SDT’s Founder and First National President, Regene Freund Cohane.

Patricia Jackson Linderman Outstanding Chapter Treasurer Award: The recipient must have made a significant difference in her chapter during her term as Treasurer. She must have represented SDT in a fiscally responsible manner by developing an accurate chapter budget, submitting all Financial Statements, collecting all dues and keeping the chapter financially sound. This woman should also be a good role model and positive contributor to the chapter’s executive board. Recommendations should include specific details concerning the impact she made as Chapter Treasurer. Nominee must have completed a full term as Chapter Treasurer prior to nomination. This award is presented in honor of Patricia Jackson Linderman, a distinguished Past National Treasurer.

Harriet Burgheim Rodenberg Panhellenic Leadership Award: This award is granted to a member of Sigma Delta Tau who has excelled as a Panhellenic Officer, been instrumental in establishing a new College Panhellenic system, served as an outstanding Membership Recruitment Counselor, or developed an outstanding Panhellenic program. This award is presented in honor of Harriet Burgheim Rodenberg, Past National President and Past National Chairman of the National Panhellenic Conference.

Chickie Loewenstein Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award: This award is presented to the Advisor who has provided outstanding volunteer service to a chapter. The recipient must have made a significant impact on the chapter during her time as Chapter Advisor and must have represented SDT in a dignified and responsible manner on the chapter’s campus. Recommendations should include specific details concerning her role with your chapter and the Greek Community. Nominee must have completed a full year as Chapter Advisor prior to nomination.This award is presented in honor of Chickie Loewenstein, Past National President.

Diamond Chapter Award: The Diamond Chapter Award is presented to chapters that excel in all aspects of sorority life. This award recognizes those chapters that have gone above and beyond the Sigma Delta Tau Standards for Chapter Achievement, and are recognized as a leading sorority on their campus.

Prevent Child Abuse America Award:  Each chapter is required to sponsor at least one philanthropic project annually for Prevent Child Abuse America, SDT’s national philanthropy.  This award recognizes those chapters whose PCAA events have proven the most successful. The chapter will be evaluated based upon organization, preparation, number of chapter and/or community participants, publicity, number of volunteer hours, funds donated, overall creativity and success of project.

Jewish Women International Fundraising Award: Each chapter should be sponsoring one fundraising event for Jewish Women International, one of SDT’s national philanthropies.  This award recognizes those chapters whose JWI events have proven the most successful. The chapter’s event will be evaluated based upon organization, preparation, number of chapter and/or community participants, publicity, number of volunteer hours, funds donated, overall creativity and success of project.

Community Service Award: Community service is an integral part of each chapter’s overall programming. Service to the community provides members with a sense of accomplishment while at the same time, benefiting others in the community. This award represents the chapter’s time donated to their local community and should not involve any program where money has been raised. The Chapter’s Community Service Project will be evaluated on organization, preparation, number of participants, overall creativity and success of project.

Philanthropic/Fundraising Award (non-SDT Philanthropy): All of our chapters are participating in other philanthropic and community service activities on their campuses and surrounding communities. This award recognizes those chapters whose philanthropic and fundraising events have proven the most successful. The chapter will be evaluated based upon organization, preparation, number of chapter and/or community participants, publicity, number of volunteer hours, funds donated, overall creativity and success of project.

Empowering Women Award: Our seven founding sisters established this sorority to empower young women to meet their full potential. Chapters should show how they have become empowered through academic excellence, leadership development, commitment to service or by creating a lifelong bond of friendship.

New Member Programming Award: This award is presented for the outstanding new member programming event executed by a chapter in a specific area. Chapters will submit their best event that took place during the six week new member program. The chapter’s program will be evaluated on organization, preparation, number of participants, overall creativity and success of event.

Outstanding Scholarship Programming Award: Scholastic programming is a critical component in the overall success of a chapter’s academic achievement. This award is granted to the chapter that exhibits outstanding scholastic programming for its members.

Outstanding Chapter Programming Award: This award is presented for the outstanding chapter program executed by a chapter in a specific area. The chapter’s program will be evaluated on organization, preparation, number of participants, overall creativity and success of event.

Sisterhood Programming Award: This award is presented for the outstanding chapter sisterhood program executed by a chapter. The chapter’s programs will be evaluated on organization, preparation, number of participants, overall creativity and success of event.

Outstanding Chapter Programming Award: This award is presented for the outstanding chapter program executed by a chapter in a specific area. Areas to be considered for this award are Educational Programs, Fundraising Projects, Sisterhood Events, Senior or Alumnae Events, Health and Social Awareness Education. The chapter’s program will be evaluated on organization, preparation, number of participants, overall creativity and success of event.

Outstanding Recruitment Award: This award is presented for the execution of an outstanding recruitment, formal and/or informal. The chapter’s recruitment success will be evaluated on preparation, evidence that members from each class year have been involved, overall creativity of recruitment program, completion of Legacy Review, achievement of quota, campus total and/or a significant COB program, execution of recruitment evaluations by the sisterhood and new members, and goals/takeaways for the next recruitment.

Sisterhood Excellence Award: This award is chosen by the National President to acknowledge chapters that helped with other chapters this year (extension, colonization, etc.).

Rising Star Award: This award is chosen by the National Board of Directors.

National President’s Hospitality Award:  This award is chosen by the National President for chapters who have gone above and beyond during her visit.

Hospitality Award:  This award is chosen by the Leadership Consultants for chapters that have gone above and beyond during their visit.

National Awards Applications are sent to all undergraduate chapters each spring semester.  Applications are submitted electronically and due in late April to: nationaloffice@sigmadeltatau.org.