Beta Phi Sigma (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]
| Beta Phi Sigma | |
|---|---|
| ΒΦΣ | |
 | |
| Founded | December 15, 1888 Buffalo School of Pharmacy |
| Type | Professional |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Defunct |
| Defunct Date | 1973 |
| Emphasis | Pharmacy |
| Scope | National |
| Colors | Blue and White |
| Publication | The Adelphos |
| Chapters | 11 |
| Headquarters | Buffalo, New York United States |
History
editThe 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
editThe 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
editFollowing 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 | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | 1889–194x ?, 19xx ?–1973 | Buffalo School of Pharmacy | Buffalo, NY | Inactive | |
| Beta | 1900–194x ? | Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy | Pittsburgh, PA | Inactive | [a] |
| Gamma | 1911–194x ? | Philadelphia College of Pharmacy | Philadelphia, PA | Inactive | [a] |
| Delta | 1919–194x ? | Tulane University | New Orleans, LA | Inactive | [a] |
| Epsilon | 1923–194x ? | Iowa State University | Iowa City, IA | Inactive | [a] |
| Zeta | 1923–194x ? | Kansas State University | Lawrence, KS | Inactive | [a] |
| Eta | 1923–194x ? | Texas State University | Galveston, TX | Inactive | [a] |
| Theta | 1923–194x ? | Baylor University | Dallas, TX | Inactive | [a] |
| Iota | 1923–194x ? | Atlanta College of Pharmacy | Atlanta, GA | Inactive | [a] |
| Kappa | 1924–194x ? | Wisconsin State University | Madison, WI | Inactive | [a] |
| Lambda | August 11, 1924–194x ? | Loyola University | New Orleans, LA | Inactive | [5][a] |
See also
edit- Professional fraternities and sororities
- Rho Chi, co-ed, pharmacy honor society
References
edit- ^ "Beta Phi Sigma Dance" (PDF). Buffalo Courier. Buffalo. 1922-04-25. p. 3. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- ^ a b Bentz, Henry G. (March 1916). "History of the Beta Phi Sigma Fraternity". The Adelphos. 1 (1). UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Apothecary Collection: 5–6.
- ^ "The First Greeks at University at Buffalo". Archived from the original on 2012-07-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.).