Alpha Lambda Delta was founded in 1924 to support the academic work of women college students, focusing especially on scholastic achivements during the first year of college. The Oregon State College chapter was established in 1933 and provided scholarships and other programs to facilitate "superior academic achievement... to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society." In 1977, the organization voted to accept male applicants in accordance with Title IX regulations.
Alpha Lambda Delta continues to operate today on the Oregon State University campus and is comprised of more than 200 chapters nationally.
The Oregon State University Archives received a scrapbook, initiation book, and secretary's book from the OSU chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta in 1983. These materials comprised the initial Alpha Lambda Delta collection. Additional records relating to the honor society were accessioned into the Student Affairs Records (RG 102) in 1999. In 2017, these materials were aggregated into the Alpha Lambda Delta - Oregon State University Chapter Records (MSS AlphaLambdaDelta).
This collection was originally processed in 2009. In 2017, the collection was reprocessed to include materials transferred from the Student Affairs Records (RG 102).
Collection is open for research.
Alpha Lambda Delta - Oregon State University Chapter Records (MSS AlphaLambdaDelta), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
Additional photographs of Alpha Lambda Delta members are part of Harriet's Photograph Collection (P HC) HC1179. The
The Alpha Lambda Delta - Oregon State University Chapter Records are comprised of three series: Series 1. Oregon State University Chapter, 1933-1999; Series 2. National Organization, 1986-1999; Series 3. Scrapbook, 1933-1952.
The Alpha Lambda Delta - Oregon State Univeristy Chapter Records document the members and activities of the OSU chapter of the Alpha Lambda Delta national honor society between 1933 and 1999. The collection includes administrative records from the chapter including annual reports and financial data, membership records, meeting minutes, and Alpha Lambda Delta merchandise order forms. Materials from the national organization include directories of national council members, constitutions, handbooks, newsletters, and an organizational history. Also included is a scrapbook featuring photographs, lists of members, ephemera, and clippings, with emphasis on contributions to World War II era war bond and farm labor drives. The scrapbook's content dates from 1933 to 1952.
Series 1 is comprised of materials generated and compiled by the Oregon State University chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta between 1933 and 1999. It includes numerous annual reports documenting the activities and finances of the chapter; a small quantity of correspondence and other administrative materials; an intitiation book with records of individuals initiated into the chapter between 1938 and 1947; and a secretary's book containing a brief description of the chapter's formation and minutes from early meetings. The series also includes records from the chapter's senior awards and 30 years of order forms for ceremonial jewelry and certificates purchased by the chapter from the national organization.
Series 2 includes materials produced and distributed by Alpha Lambda Delta's national organization. Included are directories of national council members, two editions of the organization's constitution, handbooks for officers and faculty advisors, seven issues of the
Series 3 is comprised of a scrapbook compiled by members of the Oregon State University chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta. It includes includes photographs, lists of members, clippings, and ephemera from 1933 to 1952. The photographs consist predominantly of individual portrait prints of members; group photographs of chapter members; and images of programs and activities. The newspaper clippings provide information about new members, initiation activities, and programs of the organization. Of special note are articles about activities of the organization during World War II including war bond drives and farm labor drives to assist Benton County farmers with their crops. Articles about women who worked on seed farms and hop yards and in harvesting carrots and beets are part of the scrapbook. The scrapbook also features a chart showing the number of members who completed their degrees at Oregon State for the period 1933-1942.