Beta Phi Sigma
ΒΦΣ
FoundedDecember 15, 1888 (1888-12-15)
Buffalo School of Pharmacy, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
TypeProfessional
EmphasisPharmacy
ScopeNational
Colors  Blue
  White
PublicationThe Adelphos
Chapters0 collegiate, 1 alumni
HeadquartersBuffalo, New York
USA

Beta Phi Sigma (ΒΦΣ) was a Pharmacy Fraternity in the United States. 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.

Song

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.[2][4] Active chapters are indicated in bold; inactive chapters are indicated in italic.

Chapter Symbol Chartered/Range Institution Location Status Reference
Alpha Α 1889–194x ?, 19xx ?–1973 Buffalo School of Pharmacy Buffalo, NY Inactive
Beta Β 1900–194x ? Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Pittsburgh, PA Inactive [lower-alpha 1]
Gamma Γ 1911–194x ? Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Philadelphia, PA Inactive [lower-alpha 1]
Delta Δ 1919–194x ? Tulane University New Orleans, LA Inactive [lower-alpha 1]
Epsilon Ε 1923–194x ? Iowa State University Iowa City, IA Inactive [lower-alpha 1]
Zeta Ζ 1923–194x ? Kansas State University Lawrence, KS Inactive [lower-alpha 1]
Eta Η 1923–194x ? Texas State University Galveston, TX Inactive [lower-alpha 1]
Theta Θ 1923–194x ? Baylor University Dallas, TX Inactive [lower-alpha 1]
Iota Ι 1923–194x ? Atlanta College of Pharmacy Atlanta, GA Inactive [lower-alpha 1]
Kappa Κ 1924–194x ? Wisconsin State University Madison, WI Inactive [lower-alpha 1]
Lambda Λ August 11, 1924–194x ? Loyola University New Orleans, LA Inactive [5][lower-alpha 1]
Alumni Active

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Chapter closed because of World War II

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Beta Phi Sigma Dance" (PDF). Buffalo Courier. Buffalo. 1922-04-25. p. 3. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  2. 1 2 Bentz, Henry G. (March 1916). "History of the Beta Phi Sigma Fraternity". The Adelphos. UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Apothecary Collection. 1 (1): 5–6.
  3. ↑ "The First Greeks at University at Buffalo". Archived from the original on 2012-07-22.
  4. ↑ "Grand Council of Beta Phi Sigma to Meet Here Two Days" (PDF). Buffalo Courier-Express. Buffalo. 1926-11-14. p. 5. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  5. ↑ Loyola University (New Orleans, La ) (1929). New Orleans College of Pharmacy (Later Loyola University College of Pharmacy) [Bulletin]. Loyola University New Orleans J. Edgar & Louise S. Monroe Library. Loyola University (New Orleans, La.).
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