All About Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa

“Trying to plan for the future without a sense of the past

 is like trying to plant cut flowers.”

Librarian of Congress Emeritus Daniel J. Boorstin

1914-2004 

Much of the information about the early days of Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa was taken from a history presented to a membership tea in 1971 by Lucy T. Pratt, Connecticut State President (1962-1964). 

 Agnes Shipman Robertson, Founder and Executive Director of Alpha Delta Kappa came to Hartford in the spring of 1955 to recruit new members for what was to become Alpha Chapter of the new sorority. She explained the purpose and goals of the fledgling organization.   Agnes' enthusiasm for the potential of the sorority as well as her clear vision of what could be in the years to come was contagious. Thus, new members were recruited during that visit - with enough new members to fill each office.  Alpha Chapter was thus initiated and installed on May 8, 1955, with Alice Tranberry serving as the first president. Initial chapter meetings were social in nature and were held at the homes of the members where, after a potluck supper or dessert, the purposes and goals of Alpha Delta Kappa were discussed as well as potential altruistic projects and expansion of the sorority into all areas of Connecticut.

 Alpha Chapter began to extend itself outside of the Hartford area, as members visited Sturbridge, MA as guests of MA Beta Chapter for a Founders’ Day meeting. Lucy reported "we felt the friendliness of a long-established chapter (though only a year plus old). Our first public appearance in Hartford as a group was in 1956 when we were hostesses at a recital and reception given by one of our members, Dorothy Fidlar, first cellist in the Hartford Symphony".  Alpha's chapter president was a delegate to the 1957 National Convention in Kansas City.  The entire chapter membership was energized by her report that Alpha Chapter was a part of a dedicated group of professional educators and that membership meant a lot - professionally as well as personally.  Alpha Chapter was still the lone chapter as the new decade arrived. It became clear after visiting sorority functions in neighboring states and listening to the report of delegate Mitzie Voigt from the 1961 International Convention in Denver, CO that this new sorority was reaching new heights and that Connecticut must expand its horizons! Alpha still maintained its membership of 30, with no other chapters in the state. Lucy wrote, "Enthusiasm was aroused for a Membership Tea at a home in Wethersfield. As a result, six new members were added to Alpha, and Beta Chapter in Middletown and Gamma Chapter in Manchester were formed in 1962.   Initiations and installations were held at the Statler Hilton in Hartford. It was then that Connecticut joined the ranks of "state organizations" and it officially became Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa. Alice Tranberry was State President from 1960-1962.  Both new chapters became active at once.”  "In '64 our president, Alice Anderson (NOTE: tenure from 1964-1966), held a dinner meeting at her home to which a group of teachers from Norwich was invited. Those educators became the nucleus for Delta Chapter. We were strong enough for a State Convention here. Our first was held in September of 1966 at Hotel America with our State President Alice Anderson presiding.  Two International officers were present and installed new state officers with Dorothea Johnson of Beta Chapter, succeeding Alice as State President.”

"In June of the following year Beta sponsored a membership tea at Honors College, Wesleyan University. Teachers from Waterbury, Groton, and New Britain and nearby towns were invited. From this gathering three new chapters emerged: Epsilon (Waterbury), Zeta (Groton/ Stonington) and Eta (New Britain). They were installed in October of 1967 at our second State Convention at the Hotel Hilton in Hartford."  "In July of 1968 Connecticut was hostess for the Northeast Regional Conference at the Hotel America in Hartford. States of the NE region (including West Virginia at that time) all sent representatives. Grand President Jean Mersereau (CA) and Regional Grand Vice President Margaret Barrett (NY) were in attendance. It was a three-day conference with four workshops. "

 "In October of 1968, we held our third State Convention at Hotel America in Hartford. Two important events took place that day: the initiation of our first State Honorary Member, Mayor Ann Uccello of Hartford, and the founding of a State Scholarship Fund suggested by Delta Chapter from Norwich.    In 1972, Dot Longworth, State Scholarship Chairman, awarded the first Alpha Delta Kappa State Scholarship in the amount of $200 to Margaret Kuhnatiski, a Hartford High School graduate and now a senior at Smith College."  Expansion proceeded with installation of Theta Chapter in 1972, and both Kappa and Lambda Chapters in 1973. Under the leadership of State Membership and Expansion Chair Bernice Maher Strant - strong chapters were installed with good solid knowledge of the purposes and requirements of membership into Alpha Delta Kappa.  And we grew!!

Over the next three decades, CT Alpha Delta Kappa continued to grow and expand as new chapters were formed. Mu and Xi, in ’78, Pi ’79, Sigma ’80, Tau and Upsilon ’81, Phi ’82, Chi ’83, Psi ‘84, Alpha ’86, Alpha Gamma ’88 and Fidelis Alpha ’91 chapters  were initiated and installed. In 1989-1991, Ruth Walsh became the first CT Alpha Delta Kappa sister to be elected an International President.  In 1996, President Denise Cooley instituted the toll free number to be used by the State President and the CT newsletter became known as “The Violet’s Voice”.  Under Judy Devokaitis’ leadership (1998-2000) our sorority began its first foray into the technological era by purchasing a computer and printer for the President’s use.  During the biennium of Charlene Lauria (2000-2002), the use of technology advanced to new levels as audio-visual presentations were used at Founders' Day celebrations and at the State Conventions while new altruistic projects and scholarships were introduced.  Kerry King, State President, (2002-2004) continued to nudge CT Alpha Delta Kappa further into the computer age by supporting the development and creation of a Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa website. Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa went online for the first time in the fall of 2004 when Jeanne Parker (Sigma) designed and set up our first state website.  President Sue Pelchat (2004-2006) and her Connecticut sisters hosted their first Northeast Regional Conference of the new century in 2004 in Farmington to rave reviews from many sisters in our region.  In 2005 two Connecticut sisters shared their time and their talents at the regional level.  Sandra Van Valkenburgh (Alpha Gamma) served as Chaplain for the Northeast Region 2005-2007 and Judy Devokaitis (Eta) chaired the Scholarship Committee for the 2005-2007 biennium.  Judy also served as International Chair for The Excellence in Education Award for the 2007-2009 biennium.  In 2007, Charlene Lauria (Kappa) was elected to the position of Two Year Executive Board Member and Sue Pelchat (Mu) became the International Vice President of the Northeast Region 2007-2009. 

State President Barbara Hargraves and her Connecticut sisters traveled to Greensboro, NC to attend the 2009 International Convention.  Once again Connecticut sisters were in the spotlight.  Charlene Lauria (Kappa) was elected as International Sergeant-At-Arms for the 2009-2011 biennium and Judy Devokaitis was elected as International Vice President for the Northeast Region 2009-2011. In addition several of our Connecticut sisters accepted committee positions and appointments at the International level for the 2009-2011 biennium.  Beta sister Jean Cushing will serve on the International ITE Committee, Gamma sister and CT Membership Chair Jean Kellogg will serve on the International By-Laws Committee, and Mu sister and Immediate Past IVPNER Sue Pelchat will serve as a mentor for new state presidents-elect.  At their May 2010 meeting the International Executive Board elected Susan Pelchat (Mu) as a 4-Year Member to the board.  She will be installed at the 2011 International Convention in Chicago and will serve from 2011-2015. 

In 2010 State President Sandra Van Valkenburgh created the Violet Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize chapters whose program booklets provide sisters with relevant information and promote programs that are varied and innovative.  Program booklets are scored using a scoring rubric similar to the one used by international. All chapters scoring 100 points or higher are recognized at our May State Convention. In July of 2010, Judy Devokaitis IVP, NER and her Connecticut sisters traveled to Burlington, VT for the 2010 Northeast Regional Conference. Jane Callery (Alpha) was chosen as the 2010 Northeast Regional Excellence in Education Award winner in Burlington making her eligible for the International Excellence in Education Award to be awarded at the International Convention in Chicago in 2011.

In 2011 Sue Pelchat (Mu) was installed as a 4 Year Member of the International Executive Board at the International Convention in Chicago.  Charlene Lauria, International Sergeant-At-Arms 2009-2011, oversaw a very successful International Convention.  Jean Kellogg (Gamma) will continue to serve as a member of the International Bylaws Committee 2011-2013. Two Connecticut sisters will serve on the regional level.  Barbara Hargraves (Kappa) will serve as Recording Secretary for the Northeast Region and her Kappa sister, Charlene Lauria, will serve as the Northeast Region’s Technology Chair.  In the fall of 2011 International President Mitzi Homes appointed Judy Devokaitis as a member of the 2013 International Convention Educational Symposium Committee. 

Charlene Lauria (Kappa) was elected as International Vice President for the Northeast Region at the 2013 International Convention in Washington, DC.  Several Connecticut sisters will serve at the regional level with Charlene for the 2013-2015 biennium. They are Barbara Hargraves (Kappa), NER Conference Treasurer, Jean Kellogg (Gamma), NER Recording Secretary, MJ Higgins (Psi), NER Chaplain and Jeanne Parker (Sigma), NER Technology Chairman.  Judy Devokaitis will serve as a member of the International Bylaws Committee.

In March of 2014 Connecticut State President MJ Higgins submitted a proposal for the 2014 World Understanding Project in partnership with Rochelle Ripley, founder of Hawkwing Inc. and the Dakota Club Library. The goal of this project, known as “Books on the Move” was to purchase a bookmobile and provide books, resources and computers to bring reading to the children, adults and elders on the Lakota/Sioux Reservation, a remote, high poverty area. “Books on the Move” was chosen as one of the three top projects by the International Executive Board. The three top proposals were voted on by the membership and “Books on the Move” was chosen as our 2014-2015 International World Understanding Project. 

The 2015 - 2017 biennium lead by State President Meredith Barker saw the final creation of a State Policies and Procedures Manual, a process that continues as adjustments to the operations of Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa are an ongoing process. 

In 2015 Sue Pelchat (Mu) was elected International President-Elect for the 2015-2017 biennium at the International Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah to the joy of all her Connecticut sisters. Joyce McAloon (Alpha Gamma) will serve at the regional level as the Northeast Region Recording Secretary. Jean Kellogg (Gamma) and Joyce McAloon (Alpha Gamma) also served as members of the International Credentials and International Balloting Committees respectively at the convention.  Connecticut sisters are truly making a difference at all levels of our organization.  

At the 2017 International Convention in New Orleans, Sue Pelchat was installed as Alpha Delta Kappa's International President. She became the second Connecticut Sister to hold the office (Ruth Holland Walsh [Zeta] was the other CT Sister). Jean Kellogg (Gamma) was appointed to the Bylaws Committee and Charlene lauria was appointed as the Chairman of the International Archives Committee(this committee takes the place of the retired office of International Historian).

Forty-two Connecticut Sisters attended the 2018 Regional Conference in Providence, Rhode Island as Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa's participation was widespread at the conference. Bev Pelletier was named Regional Sergeant-at-Arms Sue Pelchat, Joyce McAloon, Jean Kellogg, and Charlene Lauria were workshop presenters. For the Evening of Entertainment, the Family Feud contest saw the "Quacker Family" (consisting of CT's Sue Pelchat, Joyce McAloon, and Charlene Lauria joined by Anne Marie Brown (International Executive Board Chairman) and Betty Jo Evers (Arizona Beta) defeat the "Sunshine Girls" in a spirited contest. Connecticut sisters organized and hosted the Regional Luncheon with its sunshine and stars theme for over 260 attendees, highlighted by twinkling centerpieces designed and assembled by Joyce McAloon and sun sugar cookies baked by Barbara Hargraves (Kappa). The humorous and poignant keynote address at the Banquet was presented by International President Sue Pelchat, concluding a terrific week of fraternity, training, and fun.

As Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa looks to its future, all of our members remain committed to the goals of our Founders.

Connecticut State Presidents

1960-1962 Alice Tranberry

1962-1964 Lucy Pratt

1964-1966 Alice Anderson

1966-1968 Dorothea Longworth

1968-1970 Bernice Strant

1970-1972 Margaret Clark

1972-1974 Enid Dath Hasting

1974-1976 Louise Shea

1976-1978 Sally Warren

1978-1980 Eleanor Jurczak

1980-1982 Ruth H. Walsh

1982-1984 Carol Lenihan

1984-1986 Emilie Yukna

1986-1988 Kathleen Borscardin

1988-1990 Cherie Marceau

1990-1992 Maryann Rothstein

1992-1994 Suzanne Dinnella

1994-1996 Jean Cushing

1996-1998 Denise Cooley

1998-2000 Judith Devokaitis

2000-2002 Charlene Lauria

2002-2004 Kerry King

2004-2006 Susan G. Pelchat

2006-2008 Jean A. Kellogg

2008-2010 Barbara Hargraves

2010-2012 Sandra Van Valkenburgh

2012-2014 Irene Veillette

2014-2016 Mary Jean Higgins

2016-2018 Meredith Barker

2018-2020 Joyce McAloon

2020-2022 Linda Shaw

2022-2024 Charlotte Zenzick

 President’s Award

Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa

Each chapter of Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa is encouraged to nominate a sister who embodies the highest standards of excellence to her profession and personal life, one who has shown extraordinary commitment to our organization.  The following sisters are past recipients of this prestigious award:

1995                                        Susan Kaczynski                                 Eta

1996                                        Shirley Brown                                     Beta

1997                                        Kay Faulds                                          Gamma

1998                                        Margaret Clark                                   Alpha

1999                                        Barbara Hargraves                              Kappa

2000                                        Sandra Van Valkenburg                     Alpha Gamma

2001                                        Ellie Jurczak                                       Beta

2002                                        Mary Geary                                         Pi

2003                                        Charlene Lauria                                  Kappa

2004                                        Meredith Barker                                 Pi

2005                                        Margaret Mulkern                               Fidelis Alpha

2006                                        Beverly Pelletier                                 Alpha

2007                                        Jeanne Parker                                      Sigma

2008                                        Judith Devokaitis                                Eta

2009                                        Donna Indomenico                             Gamma

2010                                        Sheila Spellacy                                   Pi

2011                                        Jean Cushing                                       Beta

2012                                        Ruth Walsh                                         Zeta

2013                                        Emilie Yukna                                      Eta

2014                                        Joanne Leahy                                      Psi

2015                                        Linda Shaw                                         Lambda/Kappa

2016                                        Susan Pelchat                                      Mu

2017                                        Joyce McAloon                                   Alpha Gamma

2018                                        Jean Kellogg                                       Gamma

2019                                        Kerry King                                          Lambda/Gamma

2020                                        Arline Rich                                         Alpha Alpha

2021                                        Charlotte Zenzick                               Kappa  

2022 Paula Barry     Gamma

2023 Maureen LaFrancis     Kappa