The 100-year history of the Iota Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi at Emporia State University will be preserved in a time capsule this week.
Delayed a year because of the COVID pandemic, the placement of the time capsule will now take place along with the fall member induction ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. in the one-room schoolhouse on the ESU campus.
“It is an honor to celebrate this historical moment in an organization with a rich history of education excellence,” said Dr. Melissa Reed, the group’s faculty advisor. “Members of this organization include John Dewey, Margaret Mead and Albert Einstein. It is exciting to think that 100 years ago leaders in Emporia were instrumental in establishing the charter of this international honor society. We want to honor this rich history of the organization and Emporia State by placing the time capsule on our campus for future generations of educators.”
The event will be led by the chapter officers: Sarah Schleicher, president; Sarah Henderson, vice president; Bailey Hardie, membership chair; Lux Claridge, program chair; and Brandi Taylor, graduate liaison. The time capsule will remain in the schoolhouse until a ceremonial opening in the distant future.
“We are pleased the National Teachers Hall of Fame is able to help the Iota Chapter celebrate their 100 years of success and look to the next 100,” said Carol Strickland, director of the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Strickland, a Kappa Delta Pi member, is helping to coordinate activities in the schoolhouse. “Each year outstanding ESU students of The Teachers College are inducted into this honor society that recognizes over 1 million members worldwide.”
Kappa Delta Pi was founded as an honor society for educators in 1911 by William Bagley, Truman Kelly and Thomas Edgar Musselman at the University of Illinois to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. Today the initiated membership exceeds 1.2 million. ESU Iota is the ninth oldest chapter of over 800 worldwide, started on March 15, 1920.
Information about the chapter can be obtained at https://kdpemporiastate.wixsite.com/esukdp.