Alumnae of the Delta Rho Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will celebrate the chapter’s 50th Charter Anniversary November 8-10, 2019. More than 100 alumnae of the University of Illinois will be in attendance at this momentous event. One highlight of the weekend is a free professional panel discussion and speed networking event for students, co-sponsored with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and State Farm Insurance®, on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at 11am in Room 314a of the Illini Union. Students will attend a panel discussion and be paired with professionals in more than 10 fields of study. Additionally, alumnae will participate in a commemorative Quad March at 5pm that evening.

Delta Rho Chapter was chartered on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on March 8, 1969, at the height of the Black Power Movement on campus with 13 members: Bernice Humphrey (deceased), Rosemary Chancellor, Gloria Easley, Lynn (Coleman) Lanfair, Jaqueline Collins, Geraldine (Gardner) Glover, Elizabeth Jessie, Linda (Hanks) Lake (deceased), Naomi Lyons, Balida (Ruffin) Bland, Mary (Catchings) Tinsley (deceased), and Bethel (Underwood) White. The chapter was initiated by Yolanda (Smith) Stanback-Williams, a Historic Project 500 transfer student from UIC in 1968.

Delta Rho Chapter has been instrumental in launching hundreds of young women in positions of influence and leadership, both on the U of I campus and in the world at large. Delta Rho Chapter has rendered 50 years of volunteer service to the students of U of I and the residents of the Champaign-Urbana communities, embodying the sorority’s motto: “Greater Service, Greater Progress”, and continues its legacy of service to this day.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., an international, collegiate, predominately African-American sorority, part of the Historic “Divine Nine,” was established on November 12, 1922, on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, IN by seven school teachers. Its aim is to enhance the quality of live within the community. Public service, leadership development and education of youth are hallmarks of the organization’s programs and activities. Sigma Gamma Rho addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically and economically.