Beta Phi Sigma Explained

Beta Phi Sigma
Letters:Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΒΦΣ
Crest:File:Beta_Phi_Sigma_crest.png
Birthplace:Buffalo School of Pharmacy
Affiliation:Independent
Status:Defunct
Defunct Date:1973
Type:Professional
Emphasis:Pharmacy
Scope:National
Colors: Blue and White
Publication:The Adelphos
Chapters:11
City:Buffalo
State:New York
Country:United States

Beta Phi Sigma (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΒΦΣ) was an American pharmacy fraternity. Beta Phi Sigma stands for Buffalo Pharmacy School. Beta Phi Sigma was the first Greek-letter fraternity at the University at Buffalo and the first Greek-letter Pharmaceutical fraternity in the United States.[1]

History

The fraternity was founded in the office of Dr. Henry G. Bentz on the night of December 15, 1888.[2] Originally organized by the graduating classes of 1889, Beta Phi Sigma grew from one chapter, Alpha, at the University at Buffalo to eleven chapters before World War II. The induction of so many males into the military decimated the ranks of Pharmacy students so that by the end of World War II Beta Phi Sigma ceased to exist.[3]

Alpha chapter was reorganized at the University at Buffalo Pharmacy School. This chapter grew until 1973 when the influx of women to the profession reduced the number of men pledging the fraternity; Beta Phi Sigma was dissolved.

There is still an alumni chapter that holds a reunion every ten years, the first being held in 1997.

Symbols and traditions

The name Beta Phi Sigma was selected to stand for Buffalo Pharmacy School. The fraternity's colors were blue and white. Its publication was The Adelphos.

Found in the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Apothecary archives, Beta Phi Sigma had the following song, set in B-flat major:

Join hands again and sing for Beta Phi
and pledge anew our vows so firm and high.
To stand for the right and to shun the wrong
forever in our hearts a song.
So now to thee oh Beta Phi we bring
our love and our most humble off-ring.
As we answer the call we'll be true one and all
to the vows we made to thee oh Beta Phi.

Chapters

Following are the former and current chapters of Beta Phi Sigma.[4] Active chapters are indicated in bold; inactive chapters are indicated in italic.

ChapterSymbolChartered/RangeInstitutionLocationStatusReference
AlphaGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Α1889–194x ?, 19xx ?–1973Buffalo School of PharmacyBuffalo, NYInactive
BetaGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Β1900–194x ?Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburgh, PAInactive
GammaGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Γ1911–194x ?Philadelphia College of PharmacyPhiladelphia, PAInactive
DeltaGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Δ1919–194x ?Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LAInactive
EpsilonGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Ε1923–194x ?Iowa State UniversityIowa City, IAInactive
ZetaGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Ζ1923–194x ?Kansas State UniversityLawrence, KSInactive
EtaGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Η1923–194x ?Texas State UniversityGalveston, TXInactive
ThetaGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Θ1923–194x ?Baylor UniversityDallas, TXInactive
IotaGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Ι1923–194x ?Atlanta College of PharmacyAtlanta, GAInactive
KappaGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Κ1924–194x ?Wisconsin State UniversityMadison, WIInactive
LambdaGreek, Ancient (to 1453);: Λ–194x ?Loyola UniversityNew Orleans, LAInactive[5]

Notes

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 1922-04-25 . Beta Phi Sigma Dance . English . 3 . Buffalo Courier . Buffalo . PDF . 3 August 2018.
  2. Bentz . Henry G. . History of the Beta Phi Sigma Fraternity . The Adelphos . March 1916 . 1 . 1 . 5–6 . UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Apothecary Collection . English.
  3. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120722022727/http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/archives/students/greeks1.htm. The First Greeks at University at Buffalo. 2012-07-22.
  4. News: 1926-11-14 . Grand Council of Beta Phi Sigma to Meet Here Two Days . English . 5 . Buffalo Courier-Express . Buffalo . PDF . 3 August 2018.
  5. Book: Loyola University (New Orleans, La) . New Orleans College of Pharmacy (Later Loyola University College of Pharmacy) [Bulletin] ]. 1929 . Loyola University (New Orleans, La.) . Loyola University New Orleans J. Edgar & Louise S. Monroe Library.