Alpha Lambda Delta, often abbreviated ALD, was founded at the University of Illinois in 1924, specifically to honor excellent academic achievement of students in their first year of study in higher education. The constitution states its purpose as follows: “…to encourage superior academic achievement…to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society.” In addition to the initial recognition described, the Society has numerous programs to encourage continued superior classroom performance, such as awards, scholarships, national workshops, campus activities and fellowships and loans for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study.
