During the homecoming festivities last fall, sorors from the Delta Iota 1999 and 2004 lines of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. announced their respective endowments of $10,000 each to support GSU’s current and future students. The decision to create these scholarships had long been discussed among alumnae celebrating their 20th and 25th anniversary of joining the sorority.

“It was our 25th anniversary that year of joining the sorority and this was something that we had talked more and more about as the anniversary year approached,” said Victoria Washington, a Delta Iota’s 1999 line member. “Service, scholarships, sisterhood, and making a social impact are the core beliefs of Delta Sigma Theta, and so we wanted to see how we can make an impact on the university where we all met. And so that’s how we initially came up with the idea of doing this.”

Dr. Dayna Harper, a 2006 GSU graduate and member of the Class of 2004, emphasized the importance of giving back to the institution that shaped their lives. “This endowment is a tribute to Delta Iota’s legacy of leadership, academic excellence, and community service,” she stated. The endowments will support students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to community service.

Stronger Together

To qualify for the scholarships, applicants must be sophomore, junior, or senior African American females in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.04 on a 4.0 scale who are financially in need. The scholarships aim to support at least one student per year, with hopes to expand assistance as the fund grows.

“This scholarship also reflects our commitment to directly investing in Grambling State University in the name of the Delta Iota Chapter,” Dr. Harper added.

Approximately 90% of the 1999 line members contributed to its scholarship fund, demonstrating their collective dedication.

Stephanie Usher, a member of the Class of 2005, noted the significance of sisterhood in their efforts. “Together, we’re stronger, and our impact reaches beyond ourselves,” she said. “We are forever bound by the call to give back.”

The establishment of these endowments by Delta Iota members serves as a financial resource for students. It is also a powerful reminder of alumni’s impact on their alma mater.