Mount Saint Mary College KDP members deliver about 1,000 donations to the Highland New York American Legion, to be sent to victims of Hurricane Helene. From left to right: Catherine McLoughlin of Newburgh, N.Y. (co-membership chair); Maggie Veach of Hopewell Junction, N.Y. (Social Media Manager and Vice President); Emily Casale of Staten Island, N.Y. (co-membership chair), and Katerina Calderone of Marlboro, N.Y. (treasurer).
Mount Saint Mary College’s Sigma Tau Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), the International Honor Society in Education, was recently recognized by KDP International for their impact on the campus and local community.
The Mount’s KDP and its leadership earned a combined six awards, highlighting their commitment to community service, leadership development, and their appreciation of the teaching profession.
The chapter received the Celebration of Teaching Award (Silver Level) for its “Growing a Love of Learning” project, which saw members surprise 20 professors across the Mount campus with custom flower bouquets and personalized notes of gratitude. The chapter was also recognized with the Chapter Challenge Plus Award for its fundraising success, which exceeded $250 in support of KDP International’s global initiatives.
Another recognition came in the form of the Community Service Projects Award. The chapter has hosted numerous impactful initiatives, including teaching sustainability lessons at Bishop Dunn Memorial School (located on the Mount’s campus), organizing a Hurricane Helene relief drive that collected more than 1,000 donated items for families in the Carolinas, and hosting a Cultural Awareness Fair to promote global diversity.
Finally, the chapter was honored with the Leadership Development Award for its comprehensive initiation process and activities, which prepared 25 new members for induction by engaging them in high-impact projects throughout the year, including the annual Cupcake 5K at Bishop Dunn which earned nearly $20,000 for scholarships for the school.
The outstanding work of the chapter’s leaders was also recognized nationally and regionally. Katerina Calderone of Marlboro, N.Y., the chapter’s Treasurer, was named one of only 12 recipients nationwide of the Distinguished Chapter Officer Award. This honor, typically reserved for Presidents or Vice Presidents, recognized Calderone’s extraordinary service, which included organizing the Hurricane Helene relief efforts, managing dual financial accounts for efficient operations, and co-teaching after-school science programs.
Additionally, faculty advisor Sonya Abbye Taylor, former associate professor of Education at the Mount, was named one of only five recipients of the Regional Counselor Award in the country. For more than a decade, Taylor served as the advisor and glue that held the chapter together, providing mentorship, securing resources, and guiding students through major service projects.