Sorority creates commemorative Georgia Commitment Scholarships

In honor of their 50th anniversary, the Zeta Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has established two $50,000 Georgia Commitment Scholarships at the University of Georgia.

More than 300 sorority members gave a total of $142,886 to the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Fortitude 1969 Scholarships fund to assist underserved students who have overcome obstacles in their journey to UGA. The first $100,000 was used to create the two endowed, need-based Georgia Commitment Scholarships, and the balance will support other areas on campus.

“I am grateful to the members of the Zeta Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for supporting current and future students at their alma mater,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Thanks to their generosity, we are closing in on 500 newly endowed need-based scholarships established through the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program.”

The Zeta Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was chartered in November 1969 as the first African American sorority at UGA. The Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program aligns with the sorority’s mission to use its collective strength to promote academic excellence and to help those in need.

The gift was presented to the university as part of the sorority’s 50th anniversary celebration in Athens. Sorority members had different reasons for giving, but a common theme was the opportunities made possible by UGA and Delta Sigma Theta.

“I attribute so much of my success to UGA, which also led me to long-lasting friendships through Delta Sigma Theta,” said donor Valeria Primas (BBA ’93). “I know education is the key that unlocks the doors of opportunity, and I felt it was important to give to this fund because of my mutual love and gratitude for both my university and my sorority.”

Through the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program, the University of Georgia Foundation is matching — dollar for dollar — both $50,000 scholarships to establish endowed, need-based scholarships for undergraduate students. The endowed scholarships will last in perpetuity, helping student after student earn a UGA degree. In addition to financial support, recipients will benefit from tailored programming provided by the Division of Academic Enhancement. Since the matching program’s inception in 2017, more than 480 new scholarships have been established.

The impact of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Fortitude 1969 Scholarships was immediately felt by the inaugural recipient.

“I always knew since I was a kid that I wanted to go to UGA,” she said. “This scholarship is something that I never expected but always hoped for.”

As a major component of the Commit to Georgia Campaign’s effort to remove barriers for students, the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program has been a critical element of UGA’s fundraising success over the past two years. To find out how you can contribute to that success, visit give.uga.edu/georgia-commitment.