30TH Deltaversary Reunites All 15 Line Sisters

Members of Xi Eta Chapter’s spring 1993 line of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. — Pictured are (L to R): Charisse Chisholm Redditt, Ph.D., Cassandra Corbin East, Terral Harris, Shannon Hitchcock, Eugenia Smith, Malanda Ponder, Portia Hicks, Dionne Lovett, Mesa Curney, Carmelita Whitaker Jordan, Dionne Polite, Ph.D., Janis Whigham McCalister, Ingrid Williams-Horton, Ph.D., Erica King, Cheryl Terrell. Photo by Jonathan Chick.

In April 1993, 15 Georgia Southern University students formed an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and friendship when they joined the Xi Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Recently, during alumni weekend in April, the women returned to campus to reconnect and relive their cherished memories. They traveled from various cities in Georgia, Alabama, and as far as Maryland to embrace this full-circle moment 30 years later. Carmelita Jordan, chair of the planning committee, expressed the significance of the weekend gathering.

“Our line wanted to be together for an extraordinary commemoration of our sisterhood,” Jordan explained. “In past years, we’ve traveled to small venues, but this year, we began our celebration in April in Statesboro and concluded it in June in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We are very blessed to have all 15 of our line sisters alive with sound minds and bodies. It is a privilege and a momentous occasion to celebrate our sisterhood and a lifetime of community service for our 30^th anniversary.”

Since graduating the Deltas have met annually and even completed a community service project in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, for their 20th anniversary. Jordan emphasized they returned to Statesboro specifically for their 30th anniversary, as it was the place where their collective journey began all those years ago. They had a great time enjoying various activities, including a fun-filled photo shoot, heartfelt reminiscences and engaging with fellow alumni during the Ultimate Southern Face-off Step Show.

“To be a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is to join a lifelong sisterhood for social action, scholarship and public service,” noted Jordan. “Deltas are committed to supporting and celebrating one another. No matter where we go, we always have a strong connection with our sisters.”

— Sandra Bennett
Current Photos by Jonathan Chick