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2012 Eleanore Dolan Egan '28 Award

2012 Eleanore Dolan Egan '28 Award

Delia Schiavi Melograna '42

Former president of the Chestnut Hill College Alumnae Association Sperky (Ellen) Whiteside Bryrne ’56, herself a 2006 Egan Award winner, recalls that “Delia is the one who influenced my ‘getting involved’ in CHC activities,” specifically in what was then the Montgomery County Club. Delia followed that experience by serving on the Alumnae Association Board of Directors, eventually elected to its presidency in 1968.

Sperky also recalls that Delia’s term as president was marked by the sudden vacancy in the position of what was then the Alumnae Secretary, leaving a void in the daily operation of the alumnae office. While volunteer Patricia McGinnis Cianciosi ’47 kept matters moving, Sperky notes that Delia pitched in by going “into the office every day until someone [permanent] was found.”

Former Director of Alumnae Relations Grace Corr Haenn remembers first meeting Delia at a “stuffing party” shortly after her graduation in 1954. “This was a time when invitations were hand addressed and all alumnae mailings were hand folded and stuffed into envelopes. ‘Stuffing parties’ were a monthly event.”

Joan Mathers Eaves ’52 notes that “in the early alumnae years, Delia and a group of graduates were instrumental in developing monthly activities in various neighborhoods. These activities, fundraising and social events, were the formation of our present Association. As a guidance counselor at Mount St. Joseph Academy, Delia was available to the programs at our college, guiding future alums, if they so desired.” Sharon Cameron Baldwin ’76 echoes the sentiment about her former Mount colleague: “Delia always encouraged many of the students to apply for admission to Chestnut Hill College.” Classmate and close friend Sister Francis Joseph (Rachel) Scarpello, R.A., notes that “Delia had a way of speaking about the College whenever she had the occasion, of showing her esteem and appreciation.”

As Mary Katherine Schubert Denny ’40 observes, “Delia has served the Alumnae Association continuously in some capacity,” with her 60-plus-year volunteerism including committees and leadership positions with the Philadelphia Area Club, Montco Club, and Delmo Club — opportunities Delia remembers as “nurturing college relationships” — as well as chairing the 1964 Annual Reunion and several events associated with the College’s Golden Jubilee in 1974-75. These include the celebration trip to Puerto Rico, the benefit concert featuring Beverly Sills, and the Jubilee Mass at the Cathedral and reception at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Delia’s volunteerism has continued into these recent two decades, with service on the College’s Art Auction, Casino Night, and Emerald Evening fundraising events managed by the Development Office. “In other words,” says Sperky Byrne, “she has spent close to 70 years in strong support of CHC. She epitomizes ‘Giving Back.’”

The Chestnut Hill College Alumni Association is proud to present the 2012 Eleanore Dolan Egan Award for Outstanding Service to Chestnut Hill College to Delia Schiavi Melograna ’42 for her nearly seven decades of volunteerism to her alma mater.  

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