Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.

-Golda Meir

Pat Long, Alpha Tau Chapter

Receives the 2023 DKG Illinois State Achievement Award

The 2023 Achievement Award was proudly presented to Pat Long of Alpha Tau Chapter at the DKG Illinois State Organization convention in April. Pat was recognized as a shining star in our society with the highest honor, and the most prestigious award that can be given in Delta Kappa Gamma, Illinois.  Congratulations, Pat!  As a member for 50 years, Pat has served on many ILSO committees including International Projects, Scholarship, Communications, Research, Personal Growth and Services, Professional Affairs, and Literacy Committees. She also has participated in the ILSO Leadership Management Seminar, Training for Chapter Leaders, Taming Technology Seminars, and Creative Arts Retreats.
Pat has held the offices of President and Treasurer in her chapter. She was the chapter treasurer for 34 years, and president for four terms. Pat has chaired many chapter committees as well.  Those include the Finance, Personal Growth and Services, Necrology, and Professional Affairs Committees. She was also a member of the Photography, Program, Rules, Literacy, and the Key Community Leaders Special Committees. She is a friend to many, an animal lover, and an avid gardener. One of her greatest passions is animals, specifically her love of dogs. Her lovable fur babies have been her companions for many years. She will be happy to tell you all about Ladybug, Ginger and now Bailey Beagle!
Not only has she been active at the state and chapter level in Delta Kappa Gamma, Pat is quite active in her community and professionally. She supports the local animal shelter, two food banks, and a chapter project for Early Career Women Educators. She also sponsors an Excellence in English Scholarship annually.  You can read more about her passions, and community involvement on the DKG ILSO website in the Achievement Award Committee section.
Pat has been honored by the local animal shelter in recognition of her outstanding support. For her contributions to education, she has been honored by SIU Edwardsville, A former student at Blackburn College honored her by nominating her for a distinguished career in education. In 2020 she was a Senior Illinoisian Hall of Fame inductee which was presented by the Illinois Department of Aging for outstanding achievement in education.

Now a new search begins for the next Achievement Award recipient. You, or your chapter can be a participant in that process by nominating a member who meets the criteria for this prestigious award. Chapters who nominated members for the 2023 award who did not receive the award are encouraged to nominate those deserving individuals again.