Many Hands Make Light Work: the History and Development of an At-Large Sigma Chapter

Abstract

Sigma chapters are often “stand-alone” and associated with only one academic institution resulting in limited resources. In Oklahoma in 1982, charter members developed an at-Large chapter composed of three academic institutions, OBU, UCO, and OU resulting in the Beta Delta-at-Large Chapter. Now, the chapter represents a total of five academic institutions including OCU and SWOSU. Membership has grown with over 6,000 members being inducted and currently has 673 active members representing these five schools. With that added membership, both benefits and challenges have resulted. Benefits result in increased resources which include money, room space, and varied membership background. Challenges include communication, meeting individual needs, and scheduling conflicts. Finances from these chapters have allowed for increased allocation of scholarships, grant awards, support of other initiatives, and general meeting expenses. Scholarships have been a focus for the chapter since chapter inception. Scholarships given are estimated to be over $80,000 for the last ten years to both undergraduate students and graduate members. In addition, $2,000 has been offered annually in research grant awards. Besides supporting scholarships and research grant awards, the chapter has been able to support other successful initiatives. Being an at-Large chapter exemplifies the phrase, Many Hands Make Light Work.