Founding History of Beta Xi

In the fall of 1979 a small change occurred at Michigan Technological University; the first AST enrolled. Christy McCormick (Cutbill at the time) had transferred from Buffalo State College where she was a member of the Sigma Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau. Now Christy had her classes and her fiancee Dan, but she sure did miss her sisters of Alpha Sigma Tau. Christy was not one to let things be, so she began to think, if I can't be back at Sigma Chapter maybe just maybe I can start a chapter up here. I can bring Alpha Sigma Tau to MTU.

The idea simmered in the back of her mind for a while and one day in February it came to surface. Christy was studying for finals one night in the Trinity Episcopal Church basement when she began a conversation with a few girls nearby. These 3 girls were : Jennifer Venia, Susan Weishaar, and Colleen Jones. These girls were talking about how they wanted to join a sorority, but just couldn't seem to find one that they liked. Christy noticed her chance and her rushing techniques came surging back. Christy began to tell Jennifer, Susan and Colleen all about AST and what it meant to her. They thought it sounded interesting, but what could they do? There was no Alpha Sigma Tau chapter at MTU. "Well" Christy said, "we could start our own chapter if we could interest more people."

Susan, Jennifer and Colleen thought about all Christy said over Spring Break. They decided it was a good organization and if it was going to be a part of MTU they would have to start it. They called Christy when they got back and the four of them went to work. They set up informational meetings in Wadsworth hall and they began to advertise. Signs were hung up all over campus and ads were placed in the Lode, but mostly they went out and began to talk to people-at dinner, at class, studying, wherever. It had worked! People started coming and there was a definite interest. The wheels began to roll. First, we petitioned the campus to become an organization. The Dean gave us the O.K. because we had ten people, but didn't give us any encouragement. We decided we could do it, even if others didn't. We petitioned National for colonization with 28 members and excitedly waited for their response. We began organizing ourselves and elected our first officers:

We had an introduction party. Sigma Phi Epsilon was kind enough to offer their house and we invited 2 representatives from each greek organization on campus. We began to make ourselves noticed. April 25th was a big day for us. We were not only involved in our first Greek Week games, but we were being colonized by our national of Alpha Sigma Tau. Bobbie Nichols, director of expansion was to perform the pledge pinning ceremony (pin pledging) .We closed the year out with a party with Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Summer came and summer went and all the new AST's came back to school. The summer had taken its toll and only 20 active AST's had come back. We still had enough to become a chapter and we wanted it so we were going to make it. The fall was spent with organizing ourselves. We were all pledging at the time and had to fulfill those duties. We helped Sig Ep's with Bay Cliff for our social service project and we studied and took our tests. All through this we were rushing and preparing for installation. Slowly things began to come together. Finally on December 6, 1980 the day came. We were to become full -fledged members of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. The weather wasn't the best. One of the nationals had to turn back and a few other National Officers had to drive up from Green Bay because the airport was closed. But even though we were delayed a few hours things went smoothly. After installation, we had a banquet and reception. The banquet was at the Union and was for us and our dates and the National officers. It was at the banquet that we were presented with our charter and various gifts. Following the banquet we invited all the other greeks on campus over. The day was over but we didn't stop.

We have continued to rush and we are constantly adding new traditions to our chapter and we hope that with every AST we add to our numbers that we will become a stronger and better organization. --We have just begun....