Elmhurst College’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the national education honor society, has won an ACE (Achieving Chapter Excellence) award.
Awarded in alternate years by the national organization, ACE awards recognize Kappa Delta Pi chapters that exhibit outstanding programming in support of the organization’s mission and strategic goals. This year marks the second time that Elmhurst’s chapter has won the award.
“To be recognized as one of the best is really a great honor,” says Diana Brannon, education professor and Kappa Delta Pi advisor.
Elmhurst’s chapter was chosen in part because of its work with the Elmhurst Public Library. Over the course of the 2014-2015 academic year, the chapter collaborated with the library on numerous events. One of those events, a reading-themed carnival called Literacy Alive, attracted about 70 families with an array of educational games and activities.
Brannon says that creative outreach and strong student leadership combined for the society’s ACE win. “The chapter really is a broad-based organization that tries not only to develop teachers, but to build a relationship with the community,” says Brannon. “That includes interacting with children and interacting with schools. It’s really a win-win situation.”