The national council of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority has accepted the invitation to “colonize” at Frostburg State University, establishing a new chapter with the local sorority, Alpha Gamma. The local chapter is an active FSU group and was recently named Sorority Chapter of the Year at FSU’s annual Greek Stars of Excellence Banquet.

The FSU chapter of the national group will officially be established in October of 2009. Members of Alpha Gamma, Jamie Winters, who is FSU’s assistant director of Student Activities, and Alpha Sigma Alpha are hard at work on the process.

Alpha Sigma Alpha was founded on Nov. 15, 1901, at the State Female Normal School, now Longwood University, in Farmville, Va. Alpha Sigma Alpha is a women’s organization that exists to promote high ideals and standards for its members throughout their lives by emphasizing balance among the four aims of intellectual, physical, social and spiritual development. Nationally, Alpha Sigma Alpha has 72 collegiate chapters and 78 alumnae chapters. More than 67,000 members are committed to promoting sisterhood, heritage and leadership.

Alpha Sigma Alpha supports Special Olympics and the S. June Smith Center, a Lancaster, Pa., private, nonprofit agency that provides early identification, education, training and therapy to infants and children with developmental disabilities and delays. It is named after Alpha Sigma Alpha member Dr. S. June Smith.