Alpha Beta Psi

Alpha Beta Psi
ΑΒΨ
FoundedOctober 22, 1978; 45 years ago (1978-10-22)
Richard Bland College
TypeSocial
ScopeLocal (Virginia)
MottoTo Embrace Individuality
ColorsBaby Blue and Navy Blue
SymbolSword in Stone
FlowerForget-Me-Not
MascotBeta fish
PhilanthropyDomestic Violence Awareness
Chapters2
HeadquartersFarmville, Virginia
United States

Alpha Beta Psi (ΑΒΨ) is a collegiate sorority in Virginia, United States.[1] The organization was founded in 1978 at Richard Bland College.[2][1]

History[edit]

Alpha Beta Psi originated from the high school sorority Alpha Beta Sigma.[3] It formed at the Richard Bland College of William & Mary on October 22, 1978.[4] Its founders were Cindy Gittman, Trina Samuel, Christy Wright, and Donna Wright. The sorority's purpose is to bring together women from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds to actively lead social service programs within the school and community.[5][6]

Alpha Beta Psi expanded with Beta chapter at Longwood University in 1998.[7] The sorority dissolved temporarily in 2002 due to low numbers. The Alpha chapter was reestablished on April 13, 2008 under the leadership of Meghan Czaikoski, Lauren Lauderdale, Audrey Tremblay, and Angela Wendland.[8][9]

The Longwood University Greek system was initially hesitant to welcome back Alpha Beta Psi.[10] The sorority and organizations like it was required to face prejudicial "...barriers that had 'not been appropriate'" to discourage their affiliation with campus Greek life.[11] Beta chapter regained its official recognition as an on-campus sorority almost exactly six years later on April 22, 2014.[2] In 2015, it became an associate of the College Panhellenic Council.[12][13] On July 22, 2021, the chapter received a chapter room on campus in Stubbs Hall.[14]

Symbols[edit]

The sorority's colors are baby blue and navy blue.[2] Its mascot is the Beta fish.[2] Its flower is the forget-me-not.[2] Its symbol in the sword in the stone.

Philanthropy[edit]

The sorority's philanthropy is dedicated to domestic violence awareness, specifically through its partnership with local women's shelter Madeline's House.[6][5][7][3] The sisters contribute their time to FACES, a local emergency food service center and The Woodlands, a nearby rehabilitation center.[3] Alpha Beta Psi also participates in Relay for Life with The American Cancer Society.[15]

Chapters[edit]

Chapter Charter date and range Institution Location Status References
Alpha October 22, 1978 – 200x ?; April 13, 2008 – 20xx ? Richard Bland College Prince George County, Virginia Inactive [2]
Beta 1998–2002; April 22, 2014 Longwood University Farmville, Virginia Active [2][13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Alpha Beta Psi Beta Chapter". Red Hot. Archived from the original on 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Alpha Beta Psi". Longwood University. Retrieved 2017-12-09.
  3. ^ a b c "Alpha Beta Psi - Lancer Link". Longwood University. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  4. ^ "ΑΒΨ - Alpha Beta Psi". Richard Bland College. Retrieved 2007-05-01.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ a b "A Community Effort to Save the Next Girl". The Farmville Herald. 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  6. ^ a b "Help Save the Next Girl". Farmville Police Department. 2015-09-01. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  7. ^ a b "A Year in Photos-2015". The Farmville Herald. 2016-01-07. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  8. ^ "New on-campus sorority, ABY, holds second walk". The Rotunda Online. 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  9. ^ "CLP Class of 2011". University of Virginia. Retrieved 2017-12-09.
  10. ^ "The Sisters of Alpha Beta Psi Break the Silence". The Rotunda Online. 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  11. ^ Lundberg, Rebecca. "Unrecognized Organizations - Contrasting Views About University Recognition" (PDF). Internet Archive. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-25. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  12. ^ "College Panhellenic Council (CPC) - LankerLink". CampusLabs. Archived from the original on 2017-12-09. Retrieved 2017-12-09.
  13. ^ a b "History of Alpha Beta Phi". Alpha Beta Psi. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  14. ^ Robertson, Emily Robertson (2021-09-11). "Alpha Beta Psi eagerly receives chapter room". The Rotunda Online. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  15. ^ "Top Relay for Life of Longwood University Fundraisers". American Cancer Society. Archived from the original on 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
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