Alpha Sigma Tau
| Alpha Sigma Tau | |
|---|---|
| ΑΣΤ | |
 |
|
| Founded | November 4, 1899 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 |
| Homepage | http://www.alphasigmatau.org |
Alpha Sigma Tau (ΑΣΤ) is a national Panhellenic sorority founded on November 4, 1899 at Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University). It is the third-oldest educational sorority, and has more than 90 active chapters and colonies nationwide.
In 1899, eight women founded Alpha Sigma Tau Alpha Chapter: Helene M. Rice, her sister Adriance Rice, Mayene Tracy, Eva O’Keefe, May Gephart, Mabel Chase, Ruth Dutcher, and Harriet Marx. There were three other sororities on campus at the time: Pi Kappa Sigma, Sigma Nu Phi and Zeta Phi (now inactive). The name "Alpha Sigma Tau" was chosen, and emerald green and gold were chosen for the colors.
Mrs. 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.
Just six years later, in 1905 the Beta Chapter was founded at Central Michigan Normal College, which is now Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. From here over 90 new chapters were created across the country.
The late Lenore Seibel King and Carrie Washburne Staehle have been recognized as Presidents Emerita.
The crest of the sorority, which was designed by Ruth Mayers Glosser in 1922 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.
Alpha Sigma Tau was founded as an educational sorority and soon gained membership into the Association of Education Sororities. In 1947, AES merged with the National Panhellenic Conference, and the sorority became a Panhellenic group.
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