Remembering Mom: The Lillian Terry Summerson Memorial Scholarship
By Ann Archer Summerson, Epsilon Gamma-Virginia
Ann Summerson (left) with her mom Lillian Summerson and chapter sister Elisabeth Peterson (right).
When I came home after my first semester of college, I had almost five weeks at home, and I really was having a hard time going back to school. The fall hadn’t been great, and I couldn’t find my place. My school, the University of Virginia, had just become co-ed about 10 years before I got there, and so it was changing and becoming more competitive. Lots of sororities were installing new chapters—and there was a huge demand for spaces in those chapters.
By the time I was there, Delta Gamma had just been installed and the house was brand new. I signed up for primary recruitment, like most people had, but I wasn’t looking forward to it.
When it was time to go back to school, I was dragging myself out to my dad’s station wagon when my mom shouted something from the front door: “Join a sorority!” she called as I left. “You’ll make friends!”
Mom knew what she was talking about. She had initiated into Gamma Alpha-Tennessee, so I’d already heard the words “Delta Gamma” long before I went off to college. She knew that joining a sorority would completely change my college experience. She was right.
After pledging DG, I met a great group of friends whom I lived with in apartments my second year and then lived in the house the next two years. I served as treasurer my senior year and have stayed connected to so many friends from college, along with new friends I’ve made as an alumna by serving on the House Corporation Board.
Choosing to create a scholarship through the Delta Gamma Foundation is so personal. As an adult, I’ve donated to various charities over the years, but this gift feels different. And my very good friend, Elisabeth Peterson should get credit, too. She’s the one who put the bug in my ear!
After I established the fund and the very first scholarship was awarded to a collegian at Tennessee, I received a heartfelt thank you from the recipient. Here is part of her note:
“There are not enough words for me to express my gratitude for being awarded this scholarship. As a young woman working to put myself through school, earning this money alleviates a huge financial burden. I am honored to have been chosen and will continue to strive to embody the values presented in Article II. Being part of this sisterhood has offered me endless amounts of support, and this is another example of the joy DG offers.”
It gives me such a good feeling to see the tangible difference made through my investment in memory of my mom Lillian. This scholarship is going to a person who really appreciates the money and it was such a special way to pay it forward for all Delta Gamma has given to me and to my mom. My mom was a loyal donor to the Foundation for over 20 years!
Being able to go to college is so important, and DG was so important to me and my mom. This scholarship just makes sense. After this fulfilling experience, I’ve decided to make space in my own estate plan to fund another scholarship through the Delta Gamma Foundation.
The Delta Gamma Foundation is grateful for donors like Ann and Lillian whose investment will impact the lives of our members for generations to come. To learn how you can create your DG legacy and have a positive impact on future sisters, contact plannedgiving@deltagamma.org.