Sigma Alpha Omega

Sigma Alpha Omega
ΣΑΩ
Founded 1998
North Carolina State University, (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA)
Type Christian and Scholarship
Scope National
Motto One in Christ through Unity in Sisterhood
Colors      Forest Green      Burgundy
Symbol Dove
Flower Lily
Publication The Connection
Philanthropy Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Chapters 33 collegiate
Homepage http://www.sigmaalphaomega.org

Sigma Alpha Omega (ΣΑΩ) is a nationally incorporated Christian sorority for women, founded at North Carolina State University in 1998. However, they can trace their roots back to the once co-educational Chi Alpha Omega fraternity founded at East Carolina University in 1987.[1] The sorority was formed after a vote of active members at the NCSU chapter in 1998, and focuses on setting good moral examples for their peers and their community.

History

Sigma Alpha Omega was formed as a sister sorority to Chi Alpha Omega, a Christian Fraternity. Chi Alpha Omega was founded as a Christian fraternity for men in the spring of 1987 at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. The purpose of Chi Alpha Omega was to assemble Christian men in a Christ-centered brotherhood in order to enjoy Christian fellowship, service, accountability, and social activities. Chi Alpha Omega later established a little sister program in order to include their sisters in Christ. Soon after, the fraternity changed fully to co-ed.

In January 1998, the active brothers (both males and females) of the Beta Chapter of Chi Alpha Omega at North Carolina State University voted to form Sigma Alpha Omega in hopes of benefiting both the fraternity and the sorority. Both groups committed to living according to the ideals of Christ and His Word, uplifting each other through fellowship and service, and bringing the love of Christ to North Carolina State University.[2]

Founders

The founding Sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega at North Carolina State University were Michelle Bull, Kathryn Meyer, Kimberly Rogers, and Josie Watson.

National Establishment

As the sorority grew, a need arose to connect chapters through a national organization. Active sisters of the Alpha Chapter at North Carolina State University labored for three years to prepare documents to support a National Board of Trustees. During the spring of 2004, the national board was founded when active and alumni members of the Alpha Chapter met to pray about the future of the sorority.

Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority, Inc was officially recognized as a national non-profit organization under the laws of North Carolina in June 2004. The first National Board of Trustees consisted of alumni members from the Alpha chapter. They were Kristen Batten, Emily Britt, Emily Greene, Valerie Harris Smith, Beth Helms, Jerusha Monroe, Jody Moss Ransom, Josie Watson Thomas, and Lindsey Viens.

The current Executive Director is Claire McAuliffe.

Philanthropy

On June 2, 2007, at the annual National Convention, the current sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega recognized a need to have a unified philanthropic focus among all chapters in order to have a greater impact. The sisters voted to adopt ovarian cancer awareness as their national philanthropy after learning of the need for awareness about this type of cancer. The individual chapters of Sigma Alpha Omega focus on awareness and education about ovarian cancer through physical and financial support.

In 2013 Sisters by Grace, Sigma Alpha Omega's affiliated non-profit organization, was founded to support sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega by providing funds and opportunities for sister development in academics, leadership, spiritual growth, and mission work. All of these activities aim to build not only sisters' relationship with each other, their families and friends but most importantly, their relationship with Christ.[3]

Bible Verses

Revelation 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Luke 1:46-47 "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." [4]

Chapters

Sigma Alpha Omega has 33 active chapters across 14 states.

Chapter University Status
Alpha North Carolina State University Active
Beta Appalachian State University Active
Gamma Elon University Active
Delta Millikin University Inactive
Epsilon University of Missouri Inactive
Zeta University of California, Berkeley Inactive
Eta Shaw University Inactive
Theta Georgia College and State University Active
Iota East Carolina University Active
Kappa Bethel University Inactive
Lambda California State University, Chico Inactive
Mu University of Georgia Active
Nu Western Carolina University Active
Xi Illinois Wesleyan University Inactive
Omicron University of North Carolina, Wilmington Active
Pi University of West Georgia Active
Rho Valdosta State University Active
Sigma Alma College Inactive
Tau Atlanta Christian College Inactive
Upsilon University of North Carolina, Charlotte Inactive
Phi Georgia Southwestern State University Inactive
Chi University of South Carolina Active
Psi University of New Mexico Active
Omega Cameron University Active
Alpha Alpha James Madison University Active
Alpha Beta University of North Carolina, Greensboro Inactive
Alpha Gamma Armstrong Atlantic State University Inactive
Alpha Delta Christopher Newport University Active
Alpha Epsilon University of Wisconsin Active
Alpha Zeta The University of Virginia's College at Wise Active
Alpha Eta Palm Beach Atlantic University Active
Alpha Theta University of Virginia Active
Alpha Iota University of Delaware Active
Alpha Kappa Georgia State University Active
Alpha Lambda Radford University Active
Alpha Mu Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Inactive
Alpha Nu Lindsey Wilson College Active
Alpha Xi Campbell University Active
Alpha Omicron Clemson University Active
Alpha Pi Towson, MD Active
Alpha Rho University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Active
Alpha Sigma Kennesaw State University Active
Alpha Tau Albany, NY Active
Alpha Upsilon Lee University Active
Alpha Phi Emory University Active
Alpha Chi University of Michigan Active
Alpha Psi Longwood University Active

[5]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.chialphaomega.net/history.shtml
  2. ↑ http://sigmaalphaomega.org/sigma-alpha-omega-history.html
  3. ↑ http://www.sistersbygracefoundation.org/history
  4. ↑ http://www.sigmaalphaomega.org/sao-facts.html
  5. ↑ http://sigmaalphaomega.org/sigma-alpha-omega-chapter-listing.html
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