First American Women Make History at East Central University

Sisterhood can take many forms. Gamma Delta Pi, a new sorority at East Central University (ECU) in Ada, Oklahoma, aims to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood, specifically for First American women.

Nicole Schultz, the older sister of ECU freshman Gabrielle Nucosee, had been a member of Gamma Delta Pi at the University of Oklahoma (OU). Nucosee was very interested in establishing the sorority on the ECU campus. Schultz contacted Emily Black, the chair of the expansion committee and president-elect of the Gamma Delta Pi Governance Board, to see what steps needed to take place. To begin the process to establish a new chapter the sorority would need five chapter founders. Schultz approached Olivia Terry and Kala Furr to gauge their interest, and Black reached out to Mena Cedartree and Adelyn Hernandez.

When they needed a faculty adviser, they contacted Destany Schafer-Morgan about facilitating a chapter on the ECU campus, which would be the seventh chapter in the United States.

When Schafer-Morgan was first approached about Gamma Delta Pi, she said she was surprised but excited.

“I thought it would be a really great thing,” Schafer-Morgan said.

Schafer-Morgan, a professor of social work at ECU, was already the faculty adviser for the Native American Students Association (NASA) and involved in the Native American Advisory Council on campus.

“It was like the missing piece,” Schafer-Morgan said. “We already had NASA, but there is something special about a sisterhood.”

After many conversations and a great deal of planning, Gamma Delta Pi, the first sorority for First American women at ECU, was born. History was made Oct. 23, 2025, when members were initiated into the sorority.

“Initiation night was very special to me. I joined Gamma Delta Pi before my sister was born, and now I am able to GDP with my own sister,” said Schultz. “The ladies of Gamma Delta Pi were my biggest support system in college, and now as adults we are still there for each other. I love that my sister will have the same encouragement at ECU.”

The sorority currently has five members, each with their own roles and responsibilities.

Terry, a Chickasaw citizen with Seminole and Creek ancestry, is a sophomore majoring in mass communications. She is the Clan Mother of Gamma Delta Pi, which is equivalent to a sorority president.

Cedartree, of Seminole and Creek descent, is a junior majoring in biology. She takes on the role of White Council or sorority vice president.

Furr, a Chickasaw citizen, is a freshman majoring in mass communications. She is the Black Council, which fulfills the roles of secretary and social media manager.

Hernandez, a Chickasaw citizen, is a senior majoring in kinesiology. She is the Yellow Council, which takes the role of treasurer. She also places focus on sorority recruitment.

Nucosee, a Chickasaw citizen with Oklahoma Choctaw, Mississippi Choctaw and Seminole ancestry, is a freshman majoring in mass communications. She is the Red Council. Her duties include scheduling cultural events and classes for sorority bonding nights.

One of the first tasks the women needed to accomplish was choosing a philanthropy to support. After much research, they decided to choose the Regina Bounds Foundation, located in Seminole, Oklahoma, and established by the assistant chief of the Seminole Nation, Sheila Harjo.

The foundation supports domestic violence survivors and combats the scourge of domestic violence by providing shelter, counseling and advocacy for those in need. The Regina Bounds Foundation also helps affected individuals and families rebuild stability and independence.

Through the process of initiation, the women had to accomplish specific goals in their academic and personal development to focus on each week.

When each of these women came to ECU, they did not dream they would be creating a historic opportunity for future First American students.

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