Pat (PJ) Santanello, Alpha Xi–Ohio State, recently went to Washington D.C. for National Theatre Education Advocacy Day. Pat is the Director of Theatre Education at Dublin Scioto High School in Dublin, Ohio and is the Chapter Director for the Ohio Educational Theatre Association. 

Her trip to the nation’s capital was spurred by the 2018 mid-term elections that ushered in a fresh era in Washington, D.C. Many new senators and representatives were elected; action is needed to place the arts front and center on education agendas and evidence-based advocacy is needed to make a case for why the arts matter for all students. The Educational Theatre Association's Theatre Education Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill gave the organization's state directors a chance to make theatre education part of the change. She and her colleagues spent time in Washington, D.C. with a day of training by Americans for the Arts, followed by two days of visits to Congressional and Senate offices on Capitol Hill. She was fortunate to meet with staffers from Rep. Troy Balderson's (R-OH) and Rep. Warren Davidson's (R-OH) offices and was also able to meet with Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Other members of the Ohio delegation met with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and staffers in Rep. Joyce Beatty's (D-OH) and Rep. Brad Wenstrup's (R-OH) offices. Pat enjoyed her time advocating for a cause for which she has passionately worked her entire career.

The Marketing and Communications team at Executive Office wants to use your photos in our publications. Please send high quality photos to photos@alphadeltapi.com, and include your name, chapter, and a short description of the photo. If your chapter and/or Alumnae Association hired a photographer for an event, please get approval from him/her before sending photos our way. Thank you!

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee is seeking members interested in volunteering within this area. The Diversity & Inclusion Committee is comprised of alumnae volunteers who drive the vision and initiatives of Alpha Delta Pi as they relate to diversity and equity for the sorority. Their roles include developing resources, facilitating educational experiences, advising sorority leadership in related matters, and supporting chapters and volunteers through situations, as requested. Additionally, the work of this committee supports Alpha Delta Pi’s Statement of Policy on Membership which includes the following:

“Alpha Delta Pi is a private membership organization for women, which affirms the worth of every individual. Alpha Delta Pi actively encourages a membership which represents a diverse population and does not discriminate in membership selection procedures.

Chapters will provide educational programs, which affirm diversity and enhance understanding of its importance in our society. Each chapter shall create an atmosphere of open exchange which encourages awareness and sensitivity of different personalities, experiences, backgrounds, and beliefs.”

This role requires up to 10 hours per month but may fluctuate during certain times of the year. Members of this committee will volunteer for the biennium (2019-2021) with an opportunity to reapply in 2021. To review a list of committee responsibilities and complete an interest form, click here.

Completed interest forms are due by Tuesday, August 27. For questions about the committee or interest form, please contact Cristina Perez-Simmons, Education and Programs Specialist or Dawn Victor-Herring, International Vice President.

In 2017, Alpha Delta Pi sister Rae Ann Gruver and her husband Steve lost their son to a hazing incident at Louisiana State University. Since Max’s death, Steve and Rae Ann have traveled across the country sharing Max’s story, and in fall of 2018, Alpha Delta Pi partnered with the Max Gruver Foundation to help spread awareness of the dangers of hazing.

During National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW), September 23-27, our collegiate chapters will share Max’s story and spread awareness on their college campuses. All chapters will receive marketing materials, including post cards, pledge cards, and the social media toolkit. Alumnae are encouraged to promote the partnership through social media. Click here for more information!