ALPHA SIGMA TAU

'Alpha Sigma Tau' ('ΑΣΤ') is a national collegiate sorority founded on November 4 1899 at Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University).
The Sorority has 79 chapters and 2 colonies active nationwide. Alpha Sigma Tau is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference.

Contents

Purpose

Founding

Philanthropy and Service

National Philanthropy: Pine Mountain Settlement School

National Service Project: Habitat for Humanity

Local Philanthropic Efforts

National Foundation

Sorority Jewelry

Notable alumnae

Active Chapters and Colonies

References

External links

Purpose

The Purpose of the Sorority is to promote

the ethical, cultural, and social development

of its members, specifically:

to develop the character of each member through a study

of ethics so that she will show in all her relationships

sincerity, honesty, love and understanding;

to help each member enjoy the cultural advantages

in life so that she will know how to select those

things which are most worthwhile; and

to develop in each member the social graces to the extent

that she will be able to take her place in life with true dignity and poise.

Founding

As told by founding member Harriet Marx Pfeiffer, "There were present at this first meeting, Helene Rice, her sister Adriance, Eva O'Keefe, Harriet Marx, May Gephart, Mayene Tracy, Mable Chase and Ruth Dutcher. There were then in existence on campus three other sororities: Pi Kappa Sigma, Sigma Nu Phi and Zeta Phi (now inactive). The name Alpha Sigma Tau was chosen and purple and gold were chosen for the colors. Thus it was Alpha Sigma Tau, the third oldest educational sorority, was organized. A dozen or more very enthusiastic girls were present at this meeting.
The next meeting was a little party at the home of Mrs. Depew on Forest Avenue where Helene and Adriance Rice, Eva O'Keefe and Harriet Mark roomed. The party was indeed gay and festive with decorations of gold and purple. Even the cake was golden with purple icing. Here it was decided that the next day should witness the introduction of a newly born sorority to the world at large and to the student body in particular. Accordingly the members attended chapel en masse, everyone wearing the chosen colors. Imagine their surprise and chagrin when the members of the Zeta Phi informed them that the Alpha Sigma Tau had appropriated their colors. The group then chose emerald green and gold.
Mrs. E.A. 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. Lyman, Miss Pearce and Miss Norton were asked to be patronesses. The charter members were very, very close friends and have ever remained so ..." [1]

Philanthropy and Service

National Philanthropy: Pine Mountain Settlement School

Every chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau supports Pine Mountain Settlement School, located in Harlan County, Kentucky. Pine Mountain was adopted as the national philanthropy in 1945.
At its founding, Pine Mountain Settlement School was a leader in rural educational standards, creating what is now famously known as the Head Start curriculum. Today, Pine Mountain Settlement School serves as an environmental education center and provides educational outreach services, such as summer reading camps and after-school tutoring, to the poverty-stricken Appalachian community. [2]

National Service Project: Habitat for Humanity

In June 2004, the Sorority adopted Habitat for Humanity as a national service project, thus expanding the Sorority's mission "to contribute to the progress of mankind." Alpha Sigma Tau members contribute to Habitat for Humanity in various ways, including partnering to build houses with and for families in need. [3]
In 2005, all Alpha Sigma Tau chapters participated in Hope Through Change, which raised money for Habitat for Humanity International to help rebuild following the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami. After Hurricane Katrina, Alpha Sigma Tau chapters rallied to Operation Home Delivery. In April 2007, Alpha Sigma Tau chapters across the nation supported Habitat for Humanity's Act! Speak! Build! Week.

Local Philanthropic Efforts

Individual collegiate and alumnae chapters are also involved in local charities that reflect the Sorority's values of being active, self-reliant, and trustworthy.

National Foundation

The National Foundation was incorporated in 1982 to ensure the continuation of donation through the Sorority.
Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc. provides:

★ 18 scholarships and 1 grant per year

★ Opportunity to support a charitable project

★ Permanent headquarters for the Sorority

★ Place for the storage and display of Alpha Sigma Tau's historical records

★ Educational programming at the chapter, Regional Leadership Workshop, and National Convention levels

Sorority Jewelry

'Badge, worn by initiated members'

★ Gold sorority letters on black bordered with gold and optional pearls

★ Variations for national officers:

★
★ National staff members have rubies in the pin points

★
★ National council members have emeralds in the pin points

★
★ Past and present national presidents have diamonds in the pin points
'Jewelry attached to Badge (optional)'

★ Charm displaying chapter letters

★ Charm symbolizing office held in chapter

★ Anchor charm symbolizing alumna status
'New Member Pin, worn by new members'

★ Gold sorority letters intertwined vertically
'Mother's Pin, worn by mothers of initiated members'

★ Gold sorority letters touching diagonally

Notable alumnae

★ Jessica Furrer (Upsilon) - Semi-finalist, Miss USA 2005 Competition^[1]

Active Chapters and Colonies

References

1. Jessica Furrer

External links

★ Alpha Sigma Tau

★ Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation

★ Pine Mountain Settlement School

★ Habitat for Humanity

★ National Panhellenic Conference