Junior Lyndsey Edwards of Wichita State’s Delta Delta Delta Phi Xi sorority chapter got a big surprise earlier this month.

Edwards and another Tri-Delta member were at a national conference for Sorority St. Jude in Memphis; all of the nation’s Tri-Delta chapters represent St. Jude Children’s Hospital for its philanthropy.

“We were at the awards ceremony,” said Edwards, Tri-Delta president. “And then, they start to list all the accomplishments of the winners, and I was like ‘Wait a second, all the winners’ events are named the same!’”

It happened. WSU Tri-Delta sorority had won Chapter of the Year in Wichita State’s division.

“We were in utter shock,” Edwards said. “It was a great feeling to have won for last year’s accomplishments.”

As part of the conference, the women toured St. Jude — which provides treatment and research for children with devastating diseases — alongside other chapters from all over the United States.

For junior Madison Key, the philanthropic cause of St. Jude was one of the reasons she was drawn to joining Tri-Delta.

“I was already donating to St. Jude when I joined Tri-Delta,” Key said. “I was fortunate to not have cancer as a child, and I feel called to help in any way I can.”

Each year, WSU Tri-Delta raises money for St. Jude by hosting a dodge ball tournament and a putt-putt tournament.

“Philanthropy brings us together,” said junior Krystal Fosnight, a Tri-Delta member.  “You go in not knowing a lot about St. Jude and (walk) away knowing a ton, and (having) a passion for what they stand for.”

As part of the award, St. Jude will dedicate a room in its Memphis hospital to WSU, where the families of sick kids can stay for free while they are receiving treatment.  

Members of Tri-Delta plan to take another trip to visit the hospital soon.