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Sigma Alpha Omega
ΣΑΩ
FoundedJanuary 5, 1998; 26 years ago (January 5, 1998)
North Carolina State University
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisChristian
ScopeNational
MottoOne in Christ through Unity in Sisterhood
Colors  Forest Green   Burgundy
SymbolDove
FlowerLily
PublicationDove Love
PhilanthropyOvarian Cancer Awareness
Chapters34
HeadquartersGermantown, Tennessee
United States
Websitewww.sigmaalphaomega.org

Sigma Alpha Omega (ΣΑΩ) is an American non-denominational Christian sorority for women, founded at North Carolina State University on January 5, 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

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Sigma Alpha Omega was formed as a sister sorority to Chi Alpha Omega, a Christian Fraternity. Founded in 1987 at East Carolina University, Chi Alpha Omega later established a little sister program 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. Both groups are committed to living according to the ideals of Christ, uplifting each other through fellowship and service, and bringing the love of Christ to North Carolina State University.[2] The founding sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega were Michelle Bull, Kathryn Meyer, Kimberly Rogers, and Josie Watson.

As the sorority grew, sisters of the Alpha chapter worked for three years to prepare documents to support a National Board of Trustees. In the spring of 2004, active and alumnae members of the Alpha chapter met and established a national board. The first National Board of Trustees consisted of alumnae members from the Alpha chapter.

Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority, Inc was officially recognized as a national non-profit organization in North Carolina in June 2004. It was granted tax-exempt status by the IRS in 2014.[3] The sorority's national headquarters is in Germantown, Tennessee.[3] Its current Executive Director is Claire McAuliffe.

Symbols

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Sigma Alpha Omega's colors are burgundy and forest green.[4] The official shield and crest was designed by SAO's Alpha chapter alumna and former Trustee, Natasha Smith. It incorporates the Armor of God, the official colors, motto, founding year, and mascots. Its mascot is the dove and its flower is the lily.[4] The sorority's official namesake Bible verses are:[4]

  • "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13
  • "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."[5] Luke 1:46-47

Philanthropy

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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 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.[6]

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.[7]

Chapters

[edit]

Sigma Alpha Omega has 34 active chapters across twelve states.[8][9] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are indicated in italic.

Chapter Charter date and range Institution Location Status Reference
Alpha January 5, 1998 North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina Active [10]
Beta Fall 1999 Appalachian State University Boone, North Carolina Active [11]
Gamma Spring 2001–c. 2016 Elon University Elon, North Carolina Inactive [12]
Delta 2002–20xx ? Millikin University Decatur, Illinois Inactive
Epsilon 200x ?–20xx ?, 2017–202x ? University of Missouri Columbia, Missouri Inactive [13]
Zeta colony 200x ?–20xx ? University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California Inactive
Eta 2003–201x ? Shaw University Raleigh, North Carolina Inactive
Theta Fall 2003 Georgia College and State University Milledgeville, Georgia Active [14]
Iota Spring 2004 East Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina Active [15]
Kappa colony 2004–20xx ? Bethel University Arden Hills, Minnesota Inactive
Lambda 2004–20xx ? California State University, Chico Chico, California Inactive
Mu Fall 2004 University of Georgia Athens, Georgia Active [16]
Nu Spring 2005 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, North Carolina Active [17]
Xi 2005–201x ? Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, Illinois Inactive
Omicron April 20, 2005 University of North Carolina, Wilmington Wilmington, North Carolina Active [18]
Pi March 2006 University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia Inactive [19]
Rho Spring 2006–c. 2016 Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia Inactive [20]
Sigma 20xx ?–20xx ? Alma College Alma, Michigan Inactive
Tau 20xx ?–20xx ? Atlanta Christian College (now Point University) East Point, Georgia Inactive
Upsilon 20xx ?–20xx ?, January 14, 2017 University of North Carolina, Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina Active [21]
Phi colony 20xx ?–20xx ? Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia Inactive
Chi Fall 2007 University of South Carolina Columbia, South Carolina Active
Psi Spring 2008–c. 2018 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico Inactive [22]
Omega 200x ?–Fall 2016 Cameron University Lawton, Oklahoma Inactive [23]
Alpha Alpha May 8, 2009 James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia Inactive [24]
Alpha Beta April 30, 2010 University of North Carolina, Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina Inactive [25]
Alpha Gamma 2010–20xx ? Armstrong State University (now Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus) Savannah, Georgia Inactive
Alpha Delta Fall 2010 Christopher Newport University Newport News, Virginia Active [26]
Alpha Epsilon Spring 2012 University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin Inactive [27]
Alpha Zeta Fall 2012 University of Virginia's College at Wise Wise, Virginia Active [28]
Alpha Eta 201x ?–20xx ? Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, Florida Inactive
Alpha Theta April 27, 2013–Spring 2020 University of Virginia Charlottesville, Virginia Inactive [29]
Alpha Iota 2013–20xx ? University of Delaware Newark, Delaware Inactive
Alpha Kappa 2013–202x ? Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia Inactive
Alpha Lambda November 1, 2013 Radford University Radford, Virginia Active [30]
Alpha Mu 2013–20xx ? Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia Inactive
Alpha Nu 2013–20xx ? Lindsey Wilson College Columbia, Kentucky Inactive
Alpha Xi November 15, 2013 Campbell University Buie's Creek, North Carolina Active [31]
Alpha Omicron Fall 2013 Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina Active [32]
Alpha Pi January 3, 2014–202x ? Towson University Towson, Maryland Inactive [33]
Alpha Rho January 10, 2014 University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Sarasota, Florida Inactive [34]
Alpha Sigma March 1, 2014 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia Inactive [35]
Alpha Tau 2014–20xx ? State University of New York–Albany Albany, New York Inactive
Alpha Upsilon 2014–c. 2020 Lee University Cleveland, Tennessee Inactive [36]
Alpha Phi 2014–2016 Emory University Atlanta, Georgia Inactive [37]
Alpha Chi January 9, 2015 University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan Inactive [38]
Alpha Psi February 6, 2015 Longwood University Farmville, Virginia Inactive [39]
Alpha Omega December 12, 2015 Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan Inactive [40]
Beta Alpha April 30, 2016 Roanoke College Salem, Virginia Inactive [41]
Beta Beta May 14, 2016 Mars Hill University Mars Hill, North Carolina Inactive [42]
Beta Gamma 201x ?–20xx ? Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City, North Carolina Inactive
Beta Delta January 27, 2017 Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, Alabama Active [43]
Beta Epsilon February 10, 2017 Emmanuel College Franklin Springs, Georgia Inactive [44]
Beta Zeta August 25, 2017 Vanguard University Costa Mesa, California Active [45]
Beta Eta May 12, 2018 West Chester, PA West Chester, Pennsylvania Active [46][a]
Beta Theta February 16, 2019 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Active [47]
Beta Iota November 22, 2019 Eastern University, PA St. David's, Pennsylvania Active [48]
Beta Lambda March 7, 2020 Texas A&M University Texarkana, Texas Inactive [49]
Beta Mu September 8, 2020 University of Texas, Austin Austin, Texas Active [50]
Beta Nu January 7, 2022 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia Active [51]
  1. ^ Previously affiliated with West Chester University.

Alumnae associations

[edit]

The sorority has a National Alumnae Association with regional committees. Previously Sigma Alpha Omega had four recognized alumnae groups at various points: the Midwest Alumnae Association, the Southeast Alumnae Association, the North Carolina Alumnae Association, and the Georgia Alumnae Association.[52]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Chi Alpha Omega History". www.chialphaomega.net. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority Inc.® | SAO History". Archived from the original on 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
  3. ^ a b "Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority Inc - GuideStar Profile". www2.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  4. ^ a b c "About Us". Sigma Alpha Omega Psi Chapter at University of New Mexico. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  5. ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority Inc.® | Frequently Asked Questions on Starting a Chapter". Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
  6. ^ "Philanthropy". Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  7. ^ "History". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  8. ^ "Our Chapters". Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  9. ^ Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (December 3, 2022) "Sigma Alpha Omega." Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed January 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "Alpha Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  11. ^ "Beta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  12. ^ "About". Sigma Alpha Omega Gamma Chapter. 2012-01-29. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  13. ^ "Mizzou Sigma Alpha Omega (@saomizzou) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  14. ^ "Theta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  15. ^ "Iota Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  16. ^ "Mu Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  17. ^ "Nu Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  18. ^ "Omicron Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  19. ^ "Pi Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  20. ^ "About Us". Sigma Alpha Omega at Valdosta State University. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  21. ^ "Upsilon Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  22. ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega at University of New Mexico". saoatunm. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  23. ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega ® Christian Sorority, Inc (Omega Chapter)". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  24. ^ "Alpha Alpha Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  25. ^ "Alpha Beta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  26. ^ "Alpha Delta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  27. ^ "Alpha Epsilon Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  28. ^ "Alpha Zeta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  29. ^ "History". Sigma Alpha Omega at the University of Virginia. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  30. ^ "Alpha Lambda Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  31. ^ "Alpha Xi Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  32. ^ "Alpha Omicron Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  33. ^ "Alpha Pi at Towson". towsonsao. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  34. ^ "Alpha Rho Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  35. ^ "Alpha Sigma Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  36. ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  37. ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega at Emory". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  38. ^ "Alpha Chi Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  39. ^ "Alpha Psi Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  40. ^ "Alpha Omega Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  41. ^ "Beta Alpha Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  42. ^ "Beta Beta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  43. ^ "Beta Delta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  44. ^ "Beta Epsilon Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  45. ^ "Beta Zeta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  46. ^ "Beta Eta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  47. ^ "Beta Theta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  48. ^ "Beta Iota Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  49. ^ "Beta Lambda Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  50. ^ "Beta Mu Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  51. ^ "Beta Nu Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  52. ^ "Directory". Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
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