Sigma Alpha - Alpha Mu Chapter

It was not a single spectacular event that brought about the creation of Sigma Alpha several years ago, but the association of five women at The Ohio State University who, coincidentally, lived relatively close together. These five women were motivated by the same forces that have caused others to organize sororities and fraternities, namely, common goals and the desire to pursue these goals together.

Initially, two friends who were interested in the social Greek system felt that they wanted more than that system offered. They wanted an organization that would provide them the opportunity to enhance their chosen careers in agriculture; however, they also wanted an organization that would allow them to establish lifelong friendships with women pursuing similar goals and careers. An agricultural sorority was the organization these two women were looking for. Although this was not a typical social sorority, it would be comprised of women majoring in agriculture and would develop not only social skills, but also professional skills. Thus, on February 26, 1977, Ann Huling Matthews and Cindie Davis created the idea of a professional agricultural sorority. The idea was discussed with E.E. Darrow, Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics, and the two women began to plan. They discussed names, possible objectives, membership qualities, and other facets of sorority life such as colors, crests, pins, and symbols.

Ann and Cindie received a great deal of support from an enthusiastic Dean Darrow and after the first basic meeting, Sigma Alpha was tabled until the Autumn Quarter.

The meeting of Sigma Alpha was held at Harrison House on November 16, 1977. The basic premises of the sorority were decided. The name was to be Sigma Alpha, representing Sisters in Agriculture. Members would only be declared agriculture majors and the sorority would set a high scholastic requirement.

Amy Matthews, Jennifer McMillan, and Cindie Davis got together on Sunday, January 1, 1978, to write the constitution. They received assistance from other constitutions and quidelines given to them by the Student Affairs Office. The next meeting was held at the beginning of the Winter Quarter. Ann and Cindie had gained support for the agriculture sorority from three additional women, Marilyn Burns, Jennifer McMillan, and Amy Matthews. Together these five women would become the five founding members of Sigma Alpha. The members filled out the application to become an officially recognized student organization on campus.

The next meeting held was for the election of officers. Ann Huling Matthews was elected President, Cindie Davis as Vice-President, Marilyn Burns as Secretary, Amy Matthews as Treasurer, and Jennifer McMillan as Rush Chairperson.

Sigma Alpha became an officially recognized student organization on January, 26, 1978. This was indeed a special day for the five hard-working founders.

The next major concern was creating interest for new membership. The first "rush" function took place on Tuesday, February 28, 1978. It was in the form of a general meeting to inform interested women about Sigma Alpha. Dr. Lois Hungate and Dean Darrow, who agreed to be advisors, spoke at the end of the meeting about the possibilities for Sigma Alpha.

The first rush parties were held during the beginning of the Spring Quarter with two parties in the Agricultural Administration Building. From these functions, 14 women were chosen to be the first membership candidate class of Sigma Alpha. They received bids on April 12, 1978, and were invited to accept them on April 19, at a dessert luncheon.

The first house of the founding chapter was located at 2084 Waldeck, Columbus, Ohio, where the first chapter resided from March of 1979 to June of 1981. Since then, the Alpha Chapter has moved to various locations in Columbus.

For the next six years, Sigma Alpha thrived as a local sorority; however, word of the organization was beginning to spread nationally after the establishment of the National Board in 1980. By 1984, Purdue University had organized a group of women and became activated as the Beta Chapter. Michigan State University also organized and became activated as the Gamma Chapter. The Gamma Chapter became inactive in 1986, but was re-chartered in 1990. It was not until 1986 that Sigma Alpha would add an additional chapter, the Delta Chapter at Iowa State University. By 1989, the sorority began to take on a truly national appearance.

How U of I Sigma Alpha Started:

In the fall of 1998, two graduate students thought that Sigma Alpha should become part of the U of I tradition. A small informational meeting was held on December 10, 1998. This meeting led to the formation of Sigma Alpha at the University of Illinois. On January 25, 1999, officers were elected, and SA officially began at the U of I with 19 members. On May 3, 1999, we became a SA SID. We are a professional agricultural sorority, which means we focus our membership on a specialized field. We maintain a unique professional memberships, as well as a social life. We are required by the National Board to have at least 70% of our members enrolled in the College of ACES, but anyone that has an interest in agriculture can join. On January 29, 2000, the University of Illinois Alpha Mu Chapter was activated.