Today@Sam Article

Bearkat Orgs: Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society

April 21, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

By Jaidin Shaw

Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) is a national honor society that focuses on first-year students’ success. The organization has chapters at over 400 campuses, including Sam Houston State University, where over 50% of students and many faculty and staff identify as first-generation college students.  

In 1924, the organization was formed by a woman named Maria Leonard, who wanted to prioritize the academic achievements and excellence of first-year female students, then in the 1970s, the organization became co-ed to recognize the excellence of all first years. 

To be a part of SHSU ALD, first-year students need to have a GPA of 3.5 or more after their first semester. This is to ensure that those chosen to be a part of the organization are prioritizing their academics.  

Sydney Clarke, the current program chair and the president elect for the next academic year shared her insights on what meetings are like for ALD.  

“As of now, we have meetings on the last Wednesday of every month. In our meetings, we cover our current financial reports, report any new social event plans, discuss any new plans with other organization, go over volunteering events coming up and more,” she said. 

Outside of meetings, the organization hosts monthly social and volunteer events, ranging from frozen yogurt hangouts and easter egg hunts to events that feature guest speakers and require collaboration across campus. At the end of each semester, ALD holds a special event where members are presented with graduation cords. 

“Personally, my favorite one that I have had the privilege to plan was our Halloween Movie Night. I enjoyed getting to watch the original “Beetlejuice” movie with fellow ALD members while also being dressed up,” said Clarke.  

Unlike other organizations, ALD offers exclusivity since the organization is only open to first-year students with a high enough GPA. Those who are invited to join pay a one-time fee for membership and are given flexibility within the organization to accommodate busy schedules. Most members are involved with many organizations, and with the group’s high academic standards, having flexibility for members is a must.  

The group’s faculty advisor Jennie Hendrix understands the demands that these students face and is proud of the work they’ve done to maintain ALD’s membership and campus engagement.  

“This group has over 300 active members and averages 50 - 75 in attendance at chapter meetings. On top of that, they study together as well as attends events across campus together. You may see them at tabling events or wearing an ALD shirt around campus because there are so many members and all of them are very involved on and off campus.” 

Clarke is also a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma – Eta Omicron (Tri Sigma) sorority and honors college and expressed that her favorite part of being in ALD is the flexibility that allows her to focus on multiple organizations.  

The exclusivity of the organization is what initially drew Clarke to join, enticing her to want to learn more. Afterwards, she became more involved in the organization and became program chair, this position allowed her to develop better connections with fellow members and network with other organizations. 

Looking to the future, Clarke is excited about upcoming programming for the organization, including the launch of a big/little program, guest speaker events, tabling on campus and hinted that even more events are in store.   

Clarke also shared some words of encouragement for students wanting to get involved on campus. 

“I would recommend finding one person in an organization or place you are already at and start to learn more about them,” she said. “Oftentimes, that small branch for your network can lead to you meeting and interacting with so many new people on campus.” 

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