The History of Sigma Alpha Iota and the Gamma Delta Chapter

Until 1956, there was at the Crane Department of Music, a national honorary organization in music education for both men and women known as Phi Sigma Mu. After investigation it was decided that an organization like Sigma Alpha Iota could be more beneficial to both the undergraduate and graduate. Sigma Alpha Iota became the women's music fraternity and Phi Mu Alpha, the men's.

We were installed as Gamma Delta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota on May 18, 1957. From then on, our duty has been to "stand for highest musical scholarship, righteousness in character, and unselfishness in every undertaking," a principle stated by the seven women who founded Sigma Alpha Iota at the University School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on June 12, 1903. Charter members of Gamma Delta included 32 women students, and 2 Crane faculty members, Miss Mary English and Mrs. Maurice Baritaud; and three patronesses, Mrs. Charles Batchelder, Mrs. Thomas Watkins, and Mrs. Walter Weigel.

Present for our installation was the national Second Vice President, Mrs. Ruth Gould, who presented to our advisor, Miss Helen King, the sword of honor.

Gamma Delta was one of 124 college chapters in the United States at this time and has now grown to 205 college chapters and a total membership of 103,441 women. It is part of an organization whose aims are to promote excellence in students through music and to encourage the growth of music throughout the world.

To read more about our Fraternity's history, you can visit our national website at www.sai-national.org.