What is Sigma Alpha Iota?

Sigma Alpha Iota is an international Greek music fraternity. Sigma Alpha Iota was founded on June 12, 1903 at the University School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in order to foster an interest in music and to promote social contact among persons sharing an interest in music. As of August 2016, Sigma Alpha Iota has 124,690 initiated members worldwide, 226 collegiate chapters, 113 alumnae chapters, and 1 international chapter.

Alpha Lambda's Chapter History

Our fabulous Michigan State University chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, Alpha Lambda, was chartered on April 3, 1930. Our first members were Janet Balbraith, Jean Converse Olds, Mary Janette Foster Liendberg, Dorothy Green Wonser, Laraine Kenfiend Kowatch, Ruth Chadsley, Dorothy Hotbeck, Mildred James Kenier, Helen Shoesmith Kane, Eileen Patterson Harris, Thera Austin, Ruth Louise Beltnop Ashley, Georgia Brown Baker, Genevieve Sanford, and Eileen Marie Lee Cribs. Alpha Lambda went inactive from 1942 to 1965.

After a twenty year inactive period, our chapter reorganized with the help of Shari Anderson, a graduate adviser, as well as faculty advisers Wanda Cook and Ethel Armeling. November 14, 1965 was a momentous day in Alpha Lambda's history as we returned to the Michigan State University College of Music with thirteen pledges.

Many of Alpha Lambda's traditions endure in our sisterhood even today. Our semester musicale, in which Members-in-Training are asked to perform a piece of their choosing, began in 1965.  What we are best known for is our work in the Lansing Head Start classrooms.

Alpha Lambda is always looking for ways to build sisterhood within its members. We have painted "the Rock," participate in mixers with Phi Mu Alpha (our brother fraternity), and continue the tradition of annual service events such as carol singing and teaching music in Head Start classes in the East Lansing/Lansing community. We see our futures in each other and we see that we must start our future now.