Dr. Joseph W. Yedlicka, Ph.D., Beta Psi

 

A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, Dr. Yedlicka obtained a B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy and a M.A. in Classical Languages from De Paul University in Chicago. After completing a License ès Lettres in French Language and Literature from the University of Montreal, he obtained a Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures from the Catholic University of America. His dissertation was entitled Expression of Linguistic Area of Repentance and Remorse in Old French. His teaching career including positions at the College du Mont-Saint-Louis in Montreal, St. Mary's College in Winona, Minnesota, the University of Detroit, and finally at De Paul University where he worked from 1954-1979 and where he served as moderator for both the Pi Delta Phi and Sigma Delta Pi chapters.

 

Besides holding positions as the President and Executive Secretary of Pi Delta Phi, Dr. Yedlicka was also the President of the Chicago chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), and President of Rosettes et Rubans de France. He was also a chevalier and officier in the Palmes Académiques. He published articles in the French Review, New Scholasticism, Journal of Arts and Letters, and other publications.

 

Dr. Yedlicka was master of ceremonies for the official luncheon of Sigma Delta Pi, The Spanish National Honor Society, at its 1959 triennial convention in Chicago, held in conjunction with the annual meetings of American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) and the Modern Language Association (MLA). Dr. Yedlicka was a tireless promoter of Pi Delta Phi and advocate for the study of French language and literature. Under his tenures as President and later Executive Director, the Society added many chapters. Dr. Yedlicka passed away in 1988. One of the Pi Delta Phi scholarships is named in his honor.

 

*Estimated dates of service based on available historical documents.