Sigma Alpha Omega

Sigma Alpha Omega (ΣΑΩ) is a nationally incorporated 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.

Sigma Alpha Omega
ΣΑΩ
Founded	January 5, 1998 (January 5, 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	Dove Love
Philanthropy	Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Chapters	36 collegiate
Website	http://www.sigmaalphaomega.org

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]

Coat of Arms

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.

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 36 active chapters across 12 states.[5]

Chapter	University	Status
Alpha	North Carolina State University	Active
Beta	Appalachian State University	Active
Gamma	Elon University	Inactive
Delta	Millikin University	Inactive
Epsilon	University of Missouri	Active
Zeta	University of California, Berkeley	Inactive Colony
Eta	Shaw University	Inactive
Theta	Georgia College and State University	Active
Iota	East Carolina University	Active
Kappa	Bethel University	Inactive Colony
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	Active
Phi	Georgia Southwestern State University	Inactive Colony
Chi	University of South Carolina	Active
Psi	University of New Mexico	Inactive
Omega	Cameron University	Inactive
Alpha Alpha	James Madison University	Active
Alpha Beta	University of North Carolina, Greensboro	Active
Alpha Gamma	Armstrong 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	Inactive
Alpha Theta	University of Virginia	Active
Alpha Iota	University of Delaware	Inactive
Alpha Kappa	Georgia State University	Active
Alpha Lambda	Radford University	Active
Alpha Mu	Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University	Inactive
Alpha Nu	Lindsey Wilson College	Inactive
Alpha Xi	Campbell University	Active
Alpha Omicron	Clemson University	Active
Alpha Pi	Towson University	Inactive
Alpha Rho	University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee	Active
Alpha Sigma	Kennesaw State University	Active
Alpha Tau	Albany, NY	Inactive
Alpha Upsilon	Lee University	Active
Alpha Phi	Emory University	Inactive
Alpha Chi	University of Michigan	Active
Alpha Psi	Longwood University	Active
Alpha Omega	Michigan State University	Active
Beta Alpha	Roanoke College	Active
Beta Beta	Mars Hill University	Active
Beta Gamma	Mid-Atlantic Christian University	Active
Beta Delta	Jacksonville State University	Active
Beta Epsilon	Emmanuel College	Active
Beta Zeta	Vanguard University	Active
Beta Eta	West Chester University	Active
Beta Theta	University of Pittsburgh	Active

References

1. "Chi Alpha Omega History". www.chialphaomega.net. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2010-12-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2015-06-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012-03-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. "CHAPTERS". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 13 October 2018.

External links

• Sigma Alpha Omega Sorority