Courtesy Photo Gordon Snow, left, receives the Friend of Education Award from Lisa Hilberg at the March meeting of the Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma.

ALPENA — The March meeting of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Xi Chapter, was held on Thursday, March 6 at The APlex in Alpena.

After a light dinner, Pauline Buchner introduced the group’s guest speaker, Dr. Robin Benson, a prior scholarship recipient of the organization. Benson spoke about the educational path she followed after receiving the Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Gamma’s financial assistance. She began her college career at Alpena Community College. She earned a bachelor’s dfegree in Elementary Education in 2001. Since then she continued working and attending school, eventually earning her doctorate degree. She is a lifelong learner and educator. Currently she is the manager of educational services at MyMichigan Medical Center

Dr. Lisa Hilberg announced Gordon Snow as the recipient of Alpha Xi’s annual Friend of Education Award. Snow is a former teacher and administrator in the Alpena Public Schools. Outside of education, Snow has been involved with the Youth for Understanding International Exchange Program, volunteered with McLaren Hospice for almost 15 years, served on the Thunder Bay Theatre Board for many years, volunteered at St. Bernard’s Friendship Room for 10 years, was a longtime board member of the Alpena Community Concert Association, has been active in several capacities at the First Presbyterian Church of Alpena, was a board member and president of Child and Family Services of Alpena and served on the Alpena Public School Board for 17 years. The Alpha Xi Chapter thanked him for all he has done for education and our community.

Karen Cordes and Cathy Hendricks were named as the Alpha Xi Chapter’s Outstanding Women of the Year. They have worked tirelessly to keep the group’s membership informed through our newsletter.

After the award presentations, the members present discussed amending the criteria for the group’s grant-in-aide applicants. Eligible individuals must now have earned a diploma from a high school in Alpena, Montmorency or Presque Isle counties. Application requirements also include a completed application, a copy of the applicant’s high school or college transcript, verification of current enrollment in a program leading to a degree in education and two letters of recommendation from people not related to the applicant. Applications can be obtained from Pauline Buchner, P.O. Box 88, Alpena, MI 49707, or buchnerpauline@gmail.com. Call 989-916-7066 if you have a question. Applications are due on April 1.

The next meeting of Alpha Xi will be held on Wednesday, April 23 at the First United Methodist Church in Alpena.