OUR NATIONAL HISTORY
The State Female Normal School, now Longwood University, in Farmville, Va., was the first institution of higher learning in Virginia to admit women for collegiate study. Naturally, it attracted superior students, many of them daughters of college professors already familiar with the fraternity idea.
Among the students in the fall term of 1901, were five women who had become very good friends. Attractive, vivacious and intelligent, they had been recruited and bid by the existing sororities. However, if they accepted these bids, it would mean that the five would not be sorority sisters.
On November 15, 1901, a new sorority was organized and named Alpha Sigma Alpha. As stated in the charter, “The purpose of the association shall be to cultivate friendship among its members, and in every way to create pure and elevating sentiments, to perform such deeds and to mold such opinions as will tend to elevate and ennoble womanhood in the world.” Signatures to this document include those of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s five Founders: Virginia Lee Boyd (Noell), Juliette Jefferson Hundley (Gilliam), Calva Hamlet Watson (Wootton), Louise Burks Cox (Carper), and Mary Williamson Hundley.
OUR SYMBOLS
Star
The star represents the aspirations of Alpha Sigma Alphas to live up to the values of the sorority.
Crown
The crown represents leadership attained and the name of recognition given to our alumnae.
Palm Tree
The palm tree represents an emblem of sturdy development.
Phoenix
The phoenix, the central symbol in our coat-of-arms, openly represents the reorganization of the sorority that occurred in 1914.
OUR COLORS
Crimson
Crimson, indicating loyalty, is represented through our exemplar St. Valentine and our jewel the ruby.
Pearl White
Pearl White, representing fellowship and a perfect blending of all colors, is represented through our exemplar Christ and our second jewel the pearl.
Palm Green
Palm Green, signifying hope, immortality, and victory, is represented through our exemplar Hermes and our symbol the palm.
Gold
Gold, signifying wisdom, wealth, and social achievement, is represented through our exemplar King Asa and our symbol the crown.
OUR MASCOT & JEWELS
Dot the ladybug, was officially adopted as Alpha Sigma Alpha's mascot at the 2008 national convention & leadership conference. It is an identifying symbol not only used in promoting Alpha Sigma Alpha to its members and the public, but also on Alpha Sigma Alpha merchandise.
The pearl represents the beauty that comes with growth and belongs distinctly to the new member.
The ruby, its color claimed for an indistinguishable flame in ancient Hindu legend, belongs distinctly to the initiated member.
OUR LOCAL HISTORY
Beta Nu was founded on Murray State's campus on May 18, 1946. Beta Nu moved from their sorority house on North 16th Street to Poplar Street in the fall of 1999, after a year of planning and building. The Suites (which house Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron Pi, and Alpha Gamma Delta) were dedicated on September 16th, 1999. The suite is open to all active and alumnae members. It is used for Alpha Sig events of all types including ceremonies, receptions, committee meetings, study sessions, movie nights and is always an awesome place for sisterhood bonding.
