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History
International History
Alpha Delta Pi holds the distinction of being the first secret society in the world for collegiate women as it was founded on May 15, 1851 at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Georgia. Six founders came together to create an organization of women with high ideals of service, scholarship, sisterhood, and leadership. The original name of our sisterhood was the "Adelphean Society." The word "Adelphean" is derived from the Greek word meaning sister. In 1904 the members of the Adelphean Society voted to become national and in 1905 changed their name to Alpha Delta Phi as they added a second chapter to the sisterhood. In 1913 it was changed to Alpha Delta Pi because of continued confusion with a men's fraternity of the same name.

In 1979, Alpha Delta Pi adopted the Ronald McDonald House as its national philanthropy. In 1997, Alpha Delta Pi became an international sorority. The most recent addition to ADPi was the reinstallation of the chapter at Northwestern University in January 2001. Alpha Delta Pi currently boasts the membership of over 170,000 women worldwide. The 150th anniversary celebration was held in Atlanta, Georgia during the summer of 2001.

Chapter History
The Ohio State University welcomed Alpha Delta Pi onto its campus when Alpha Xi chapter was installed on June 14, 1921. Alpha Xi had its beginnings in a local group known as Kappa Phi Delta, which had secured faculty approval for its existence on campus in 1919. The group had ranked high in scholarship and had members in Mortar Board, Phi Beta Kappa, and other honoraries. Desiring to belong to a national organization, the group petitioned the national officers of Alpha Delta Pi.

Thelma Sealock of Pi and Epsilon chapters was doing graduate work at OSU. She was to give advice and assistance to aid the local group. In the spring of 1921, the group received word of national acceptance. Irma Tapp, the National Inspector, came to install Alpha Xi. Thelma Sealock's apartment was the scene of the pledging and Initiation services for fifteen charter members and nine active members, as well as the pledging of five members. Installation services on June 14, 1921 were concluded with a formal banquet at the Chittenden Hotel that evening. Alpha Delta Pi became a member of the Women's Panhellenic Association (now known as the Panhellenic Association or PHA) at Ohio State.

Helen Huffman became the first president of Alpha Xi as a chapter of Alpha Delta Pi. She was also the chapter's first delegate to an Alpha Delta Pi convention, which was held in Estes Park in 1921.

Very few sororities had chapter facilities when Alpha Xi came to campus, so the women were thrilled when they found they could lease a house at 1917 Waldeck Ave., which was the center of the fraternity district of campus at the time. It was sparsely decorated with a chaise lounge, a few straight chairs, and "cable net" curtains on the windows.

A second house was secured at the end of the first semester at 199 W. 10th Ave. During that first year, all of the members gave $25 for the construction of the Ohio Stadium.

In 1922, Alpha Xi was in a new location at 263 E. 15th Ave. The chapter also participated in the first-ever Panhellenic Basketball Tournament held on campus; all of the sororities participated.

In February 1949, the present site at 94 E. 15th Ave. was purchased. It was remodeled in 1956 to resemble a southern mansion.

Founder's Day has traditionally been celebrated on the Sunday closest to May 15th. Formal banquets were held in the past; currently luncheons or small receptions are held each year with Alphas, Deltas, and alumnae members in attendance.

Alpha Xi celebrated its 80th year at Ohio State, as well as the 150th anniversary of Alpha Delta Pi with a reception at the Longaberger Alumni House on May 20, 2001.