Inquiring Mind, I hope you do decide to pledge. There are many opportunities to enhance yourself and your community, and greek life is one of the best opportunities. Best of luck to you! Do let us know what you decide.
My sorority's history:
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies was founded on May 1, 1989 at the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities Campus by eighteen women. A.S.K.'s vision is to promote excellence amongst women aspiring to or involved in technical fields.
Our Founders felt that sisterhood amongst women in science was necessary. The bond is created through mentorship, friendship, leadership - and most significantly, sisterhood. Technical degree programs and technical industry is still predominately male, and these women felt that kinship and networks amongst technically-minded women would be a positive influence amongst college and professional women.
At the time of our Founding, several of our Founders were loosely organized as a "Little Sister" group of a technically-minded fraternity (Triangle). When Triangle's national organization phased out all little sister groups nationally, these women took the opportunity to reorganize formally as a sisterhood, with goals, ideals and vision specifically aimed at women in science. They chose a two-fold name for our sisterhood: the greek letters
Alpha Sigma Kappa, to reflect the social and greek nature of our organization.
Women in Technical Studies reflects our emphasis and committment towards our education and our chosen professions.
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies' uniqueness comes from the fact that we impact a very specific community - women in technical fields. Yet this specification is by no means a limitation - our members are involved in pursuing degrees or professions ranging from engineering, to medicine, to applied research.
Though we are a young and small membership, our ideals, goals, and vision appeal universally - and it shows in our growth. In 5 years, we have grown from a solitary chapter to three, in three distinct parts of the United States - and another chapter is in the making. Our individual members are equally unique - my sisters are traditional freshman, as well as women returning to school on the GI Bill.
Wow....I've become very expansive.
To know more about my sisterhood, please check out the A.S.K. National Organization's page - the link is in my sig-file.
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equeen
A Lioness has her Pride!
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Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies
[This message has been edited by equeen (edited October 14, 2000).]