Alpha Sigma Tau


Alpha Sigma Tau
ΑΣΤ
Founded November 4, 1899 (1899-11-04)
Michigan State Normal College, (Ypsilanti, Michigan)
Type Social
Scope National
Motto Active, Self-reliant, Trustworthy
Colors      Emerald Green      Gold
Symbol Anchor
Flower Yellow Rose
Jewel Pearl
Publication THE ANCHOR
Philanthropy Women's Wellness Initiative
Chapters Over 90
Headquarters 3334 Founders Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
USA
Website http://www.alphasigmatau.org

Alpha Sigma Tau (ΑΣΤ) is a national Panhellenic sorority founded on November 4, 1899 at Michigan State Normal College.

Alpha Sigma Tau is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference,[1] an umbrella organization encompassing 26 national sororities or women’s fraternities, which focus on service, education, scholarship programming and social activities. Once a sorority exclusively for teacher's/educational colleges, Alpha Sigma Tau became a full member in 1951,[2] and, as a social sorority, now admits members without limits based on major. It has more than 90 active chapters nationwide.

Founding

In 1899,[3] eight women founded Alpha Sigma Tau's first chapter at Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University): Helene M. Rice, her sister Adriance Rice, Mayene Tracy, Eva O’Keefe, May Gephart, Mabel Chase, Ruth Dutcher, and Harriet Marx.[4] There were three other sororities on campus at the time: Pi Kappa Sigma, Sigma Nu Phi and Zeta Phi, all of which are now inactive. The name "Alpha Sigma Tau" was chosen, and emerald green and gold were chosen for the colors.

Effie E. Polyhamus Lyman was chosen patroness. During the first year of its existence, the sorority did not display any marked activity. The charter was not received until the second year, when Edith Silk, Myrtle Oram, Zoe Waldron, Grace Townley, Marie Gedding, Louise Agrell and Mable Pitts had joined the organization and, with the organizers, were the charter members. On the suggestion of Mrs. Effie E Polyhamus Lyman, Miss Abigail Pearce and Miss Ada A. Norton were asked to be patronesses.[5]

Six years later, the Beta Chapter was founded in 1905 at Central Michigan Normal College, which is now Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Alpha Sigma Tau was founded as an educational sorority and joined the Association of Education Sororities 1926. In 1947, AES merged with the National Panhellenic Conference, and the sorority became a Panhellenic group.[6]

National Presidents

Years Name Chapter
1925–1928 Grace Erb Ritchie Alpha
1928–1934 Luella Chapman Sigma
1934–1949 Carrie Washburne Staehle Alpha
1949–1955 Dorothy Bennett Robinson Pi
1955–1964 Mary Alice Seller Peterson Iota
1964–1972 Elizabeth Wilson Pi
1972–1984 Lenore Seibel King Psi
1984–1986 Gail Shockley Fowler Alpha Lambda
1986–1992 Patricia L. Nayle Phi
1992–1996 Mary Charles Ashby Chi
1996–2002 Martha Drouyor DeCamp Alpha
2002–2008 Patricia Klausing Simmons Delta
2008–2014 Christina Duggan Covington Alpha Lambda
2014–present Tiffany Street Delta Mu

The late Lenore Seibel King and Carrie Washburne Staehle have been recognized as Presidents Emerita.[7]

Symbols

Alpha Sigma Tau's colors are emerald green and purest gold, while its flower is the yellow rose, its jewel is the pearl, and its symbol the anchor.[8] The sorority does not have an official mascot. The badge is a black, kite-like polygon with a golden ΑΣΤ inscribed on the enamel, bordered by gold inlaid with small pearls. Members who perform further duties may order different badges with different jewels on the badge's four points – ruby for volunteers, yellow topaz for NPC delegates, and emerald for National Council members and officers, while the national president's badge has a double border of gold inlaid with pearls.

Sorority crest

The crest of the sorority, which was designed by Ruth Mayers Glosser in 1922[9] is made of symbols important to the organization: an open book, a crown, 6 stars, and an anchor (counterclockwise starting from top right). At the top of the crest there is a candle with glowing rays, and at the bottom there is a banner with Alpha Sigma Tau written in Greek (ΑλΦα ΣΙλμα Ταυ). This crest is to be worn by initiated members only.

Programs

Philanthropy and service

The sorority's official philanthropy is the Women's Wellness Initiative. Additionally, individual collegiate and alumnae chapters coordinate local philanthropic fundraisers and service projects.[10]

Incorporated in 1982, the foundation provides a variety of resources, including: over 30 scholarships[11], funds for a charitable project, permanent headquarters for the sorority, a place for the storage and display of Alpha Sigma Tau's historical records, and educational programming at the chapter, Regional Leadership Workshop, and National Convention levels.

Educational

Aside from participating in local philanthropy, undergraduate chapters and members have educational programming. Established in 1995, the Order of the Open Book is a national honor society recognizing academic excellence among Alpha Sigma Tau sisters. Members may join as undergraduate or graduate students.[12] At the 2008 National Convention, the Sorority raised the minimum collegiate GPA from 2.3 to 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (at B-C average). All sisters who have joined after the fall 2008 semester are required to meet this national standard.[13]

Publications

  • THE ANCHOR is the sorority's magazine, published twice annually. Its articles pertain to Alpha Sigma Tau, Greek life, and issues affecting women today.[14]
  • Alpha Signal is a monthly newsletter distributed to National Staff and to chapters, both collegiate and alumnae. This bulletin relays messages from National Council and Staff and discusses upcoming events and other items of importance to the Sorority.[14]
  • The Crest is the sorority's magazine that focuses on alumni news, is published at least biannually,[15] and is viewable online.[16]
  • The Foundation Circle is an electronic newsletter delivered monthly to supporters of the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation.

Membership

Active chapters and colonies

Alumnae associations

Alpha Sigma Taus across the United States participate in alumnae associations. These associations include alumnae chapters, clubs, social teams, support teams, and hope groups.[17] Alumnae sisters who live more than fifty miles from an active alumnae association are invited to join the Anchor Chapter or to form their own association with local alumnae.[17][18]

In addition to joining a local association or the Anchor Chapter, alumnae may be invited to join the Emerald Chapter.[19] The requirements for becoming a member of the Emerald Chapter include serving a minimum of four years as National Council or Staff or attending a minimum of three National Conventions.[20]

National Headquarters

National Headquarters is the home of the Sorority's archives and publications. Photographs, awards, and other historical documents are on display. Additionally, Headquarters can connect people with collegiate and alumnae chapters, National Council and Staff, and the Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc.[21]

The original location of the National Headquarters was St. Louis, Missouri, adopted in 1949 by National President Dorothy Robinson. National Headquarters was relocated to Birmingham, Alabama in 1994 for 16 years.[21] In spring 2010, Alpha Sigma Tau moved its National Headquarters to Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of over 30 other Greek organizations.

Notable alumnae

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Our Member Organizations". National Panhellenic Conference. Retrieved 2018-05-10.
  2. ↑ "National Panhellenic Conference". 2009-09-05. Archived from the original on 2009-09-05. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
  3. ↑ LaRon Torbenson, Craig; Parks, Gregory, eds. (2009). Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. Associated University Presse. p. 179. ISBN 978-0-8386-4194-1.
  4. ↑ "Alpha Sigma Tau Celebrates 100th Anniversary". Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 105th Congress, Second Session. 144 Part 9. United States Government Printing Office. 1998-06-23. p. 13418-13419. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  5. ↑ "Who We Are – History", AlphaSigmaTau.org.
  6. ↑ "History". National Panhellenic Conference. Archived from the original on 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  7. ↑ "Past National Presidents". Alpha Sigma Tau. 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  8. ↑ "Symbols". Alpha Sigma Tau. 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  9. ↑ "Emblems & Symbols". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  10. ↑ "Local Endeavors". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  11. ↑ "Why join ΑΣΤ?". Alpha Sigma Tau. Archived from the original on 2008-04-19. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  12. ↑ "Order of the Open Book". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  13. ↑ "National Convention". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  14. 1 2 "Publications". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  15. ↑ "THE CREST". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  16. ↑ "The Crest", AlphaSigmaTau.org.
  17. 1 2 "Establish an Association". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  18. ↑ "Anchor Chapter". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  19. ↑ "Emerald Chapter", AlphaSigmaTau.org.
  20. ↑ "Emerald Chapter". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  21. 1 2 "National Headquarters". Alpha Sigma Tau. Archived from the original on 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  22. ↑ James, Sheryl (March 1, 1999). "Gwen Frostic: Michigan artist crafts nature into a rich life". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on 2001-05-06. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  23. ↑ "Jessica Furrer". In.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  24. ↑ "Awards and Involvement". Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau. Archived from the original on February 8, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
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