SIGMA ALPHA’S DEVELOPMENT
In the 1980’s Sigma Alpha, rather than acting as a parent with its subsidiary Sigma Alpha Delta, split into two equal divisions: a day session and an evening session. Each, in turn added an additional word to “Sigma Alpha”. Thus the day session became known for a brief period as “Sigma Alpha, Alpha” whilst the evening was known as “Sigma Alpha Delta.”
However, more recently, in the nineties Sigma Alpha has gathered into its original mold with the organization being one. The parent and its subsidiary have become one single entity – so that Sigma Alpha, by simply attaching the Delta, now includes both. This was due to two reasons. Firstly, membership of the Sigma Alpha’s Evening chapter increased proportionally commensurate with the work culture and higher tuition rates of the Eighties and Nineties. More recently, Baruch College has decided to bundle the two categories of “day” and “evening” students. An Evening Session no longer exists. The Evening Session Student Assembly (ESSA) has also merged with the Undergraduate Student Government (USG).
Sigma Alpha and its Delta Chapter continues to uphold its fine traditions of scholarship and service to Baruch College providing a service that caters to both day and evening students. Later, we will list some of Sigma Alpha’s current programs that are still ongoing and some new services.
DEDICATION AND DEVOTION
The fact that Sigma Alpha were able to accomplish this much is remarkable, especially considering the fact that those services were not only voluntary, but by students who already balanced a full time work schedule with a full time study schedule and still found time to help their fellow students and the community. Take Melva Harris, for example, Chancellor of Sigma Alpha (Delta Chapter) 1979 – 1980 who, during her tenure, worked full time and took 18 credits whilst (even taking classes on the weekend), and studied German in her spare time. Miraculously, she still managed to dedicate many hours and lead Sigma Alpha successfully. A number of Sigma Chancellors have also had a married life with families to boot.
The charity and devotion of Sigma Alpha’s members to Baruch College, which gave them the opportunity to succeed, did not terminate when they hung their diploma in their living room. Many of them have returned to offer Baruch support in different ways. William Rosen the founder of Sigma Alpha’s evening division later became a distinguished marketing professor, despite carving himself a successful business career. He chose to teach at Baruch until 1974 when he moved with his family to California.Then there is Selma Brenner, Chancellor of Sigma Alpha during the Second World War who is currently part of the Baruch Benchmark Society which supports Baruch College financially.
RECOGNITION OF SCHOOL FACULTY
Several faculty members have supported and guided Sigma Alpha over the years including Dean Mrs. Florence Marks during the Fifties and Sixties and Dr. Mark Spergel (evening director of student life) in the Nineties. For the last several years, Sigma Alpha has received outstanding support from Dr. Patricia Imbimbo. We are much indebted to these faculty members.
But there is one faculty member at Baruch College who stands out with his continuous support to Sigma Alpha, its members, and its alumni for over 25 years. He has always given direction, advice, and support to Sigma Alpha regardless of his other responsibilities. He is non other than the beloved Dean Ronald Aaron whose genuine support and concern for students at Baruch College is unparalleled over the years.
