"Do good" is their motto. Helping the blind is the national philanthropy of Delta Gamma sorority.
The chapter at UND is bringing a blind man who, with his guide dog, survived the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. An invitation has been extended to the public to attend the free lecture at 7 p.m. Monday in UND's Memorial Union Ballroom.
The speaker is Michael Hingson. He's the author of a New York Times best-selling book, "Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero."
Hingson is called "the blind man who teaches about vision."
The local Delta Gamma chapter is sponsoring the event with the help of an initial grant from Jacque Geving Everson, an alumna who came from Minot to UND. She graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education. She now lives in Woodlands, Texas, with her husband, Lloyd Everson, also a UND graduate.
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The lectureship is one of several special events that happen on the UND campus with sponsorship of "the Greeks." This year, 9 percent of the 15,000 student enrolled at UND belong to the 12 fraternities and six sororities on campus.
Alyssa Walker, coordinator for students, said there will be a blood drive and canned food collection during Greek Week. That's April 8 to 14. Along with the spring celebration, the Greeks have spring traditions, such as the annual volley ball tournament at the Delta Tau Delta house. The setting is called "Deltona Beach."
Then there's the Greek Olympics on April 10 and 11.
Sonya Collin, immediate past president of Delta Gamma here, said the lecture on Monday fits well with the sorority's core mission. "We believe Michael's story will resonate with a wide array of people in Grand Forks and as a result 'do good.'"
The local chapter of Delta Gamma is one of a few to present a lectureship. It has been accomplished with Megan Nauman, president of the UND Alpha Theta chapter, and alumna Stacey Dahl, lectureship chairman.
Others who helped with arrangements and raising matching funds for the lectureship include Diane Odegard, Stephanie LaDue, Carolyn Becraft, Andrea Winkjer Collin, Ellen Misalek, Roberta Mohagen, Debbie Lloyd, Megan Nauman, Sonja Collin, Britta Swanson, Kelly Jorgenson, Ashley Trdan and MaryPat Seter.
With the invitation to the public, there is the age old warning: Please don't pet, call out to, or otherwise distract a working guide dog. Allow the dog to concentrate and perform for the safety of its blind partner. A guide dog in harness is on duty even when sitting or lying down.
Reach Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or (701) 772-1055.
