National History

         Sigma Alpha was established as a professional sorority to promote the characteristics of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship among women pursuing the study of agriculture.  The organization was established at Ohio State University in the late 1970's when women interested in the social Greek system sought an organization that would afford them the opportunity to enhance their chosen careers in agriculture, as well as allow them to establish lifelong friendships with women pursuing similar goals and careers.  Sigma Alpha was created to develop not only the social skills of its members, but their professional skills as well.

February 26th, 1977 ~ Ann Huling Mathews and Cindie Davis create the idea of a professional agricultural sorority.  The idea is discussed with E.E. Darrow, the Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics at Ohio State University.

November 16th, 1977 ~ The first meeting of Sigma Alpha is held.  The basic premises of the sorority are decided, and the name Sigma Alpha will represent Sisters in Agriculture.

January 1st, 1978 ~ Amy Mathews, Jennifer McMillan, and Cindie Davis write the Constitution upon which Sigma Alpha Sorority is founded.

January 26th, 1978 ~ Sigma Alpha becomes an officially recognized organization at Ohio State University.  Ann Huling Mathews, Cindie Davis, Amy Mathews, Jennifer McMillan, and Marilyn Burns are the five founding members of Sigma Alpha.

April 12th, 1978 ~ Fourteen women are chosen as the first membership candidate class of Sigma Alpha.

March 1979 ~ The first house of the Alpha Chapter is established.

1980 ~ The National Board is established by the five founders: Ann Huling Mathews, Cindie Davis, Amy Mathews, Jennifer McMillan, and Marilyn Burns.

1989 ~ First alumni meeting is held at National Convention at Purdue University.

February 1991 ~ Sigma Alpha is officially accepted as a member of the Professional Fraternity Association. 

1992 ~ The National Alumni Association is organized.

1997 ~ The National Alumni Board is elected and established. 

Local History

February 27th, 1999 ~  The Alpha Kappa Chapter of Sigma Alpha is established at the University of Delaware.  Fifteen Charter members of the Alpha Kappa Chapter become the first at the University.  They are: Courtney Beiry, Jennifer Campagnini, Jill Craven, Beth Ford, Krista Kegerres, Janey Lazartic, Kelly MacNamara, Laura McNelis, Andrea Nonne, Michelle Raymond, Sara Sharp, Shelly Sentman, Chrissy Shuren, Heather Valentine, and Liz Yost.

March 24th, 1999 ~ The Alpha Class is activated.

November 13th, 1999 ~ The Beta Class is activated.

May 7th, 2000 ~ The Gamma Class is activated.  The first non-agriculture major is activated at the University of Delaware.  This marks the increase of awareness of Sigma Alpha Sorority at the University.

November 12th, 2000 ~ The Delta Class is activated.

May 6th, 2001 ~ The Epsilon Class is activated.  The fiftieth member of Sigma Alpha is activated at the University of Delaware. 

December 6th, 2001 ~ The Zeta Class is activated.

February 2001 ~ Sigma Alpha is rated a five star sorority for the first time in history at the University of Delaware.

April 27th, 2001 ~ The first meeting of the Alpha Kappa Chapter's Alumni Association is held.

May 5, 2002 ~ The Eta Class is activated.

November 2002 ~ The Theta Class is activated.

May 2003 ~ The Iota Class is activated.

November 2003 ~ The Kappa Class is activated.

May 2004 ~ The Lambda Class is activated.

December 2004 ~ The Mu Class is activated.

May 2005 ~ The Nu Class is activated.

November 20, 2005 ~ The Xi Class is activated.

May 7, 2006 ~ The Omicron Class is activated.