Lambda Chapter History

In the fall of 1919, a group of six gentlemen decided to organize a local fraternity for business students at the University of Pittsburgh. Approval was granted by the university and the letters: Alpha Theta Tau were chosen for the newly formed organization. The Oakland Community House served as the first meeting location for the new fraternity. Membership prospered and soon the fraternity developed the desire to grow nationally.

During the Spring of 1920, a committee asked the School Chancellor and Officials of the University for permission to petition a national fraternity. Officials of the University called a special meeting on the subject where Alpha Theta Tau was given final approval to petition Delta Sigma Pi in the fall of 1920.

After the usual investigation by the officers of Delta Sigma Pi, the petitioning group was accepted on probation as a colony. The first initiation and installation were subsequently held on May 13, 1921. National President H. G. "Gig" Wright (Beta Chapter) and National Secretary J. Buford Edgar (Alpha Chapter) attended the initiation serving as installation officers. At that time, 40 brothers were enrolled as the charter members of the Lambda Chapter.

The advent of World War II along with the Depression caused enrollment in the Lambda Chapter to drop severely. This drop led the fraternity Chapter to grow inactive until the mid-1950's.

In 1954, Matt Perry, an Alumnus of the Omega Chapter at Temple University, relocated to Pittsburgh. He began to make inquires to the Central Office and the University concerning Delta Sigma Pi in Pittsburgh. After meeting with some officials at the University of Pittsburgh, enthusiasm was so high that the chapter was reactivated on February 13, 1955. In attendance once again were H. G. "Gig" Wright and J. Buford Edgar. Since then the Lambda Chapter has won two Scholarship Key awards, numerous Delta Mu Delta Scholarship awards, and the coveted "National Collegian of the Year" award in 1959 (Dr. Grosvenor) and 2004 (Stephanie Menio).

Lambda Chapter Today

Lambda has become one of the most recognized chapters in the history of the Fraternity over the last several years. Since 2003, Lambda has been awarded 28 regional, 17 provincial, and 11 national awards including:

• R. Nelson Mitchell National Outstanding Collegiate Chapter Award (2008-2009; 2003-2004)
• Honor Roll (2007-2008)
• Honorable Mention (2008-2009)
• Outstanding Professional Activities Award for a Collegiate Chapter (2006-2007, 2004-2005)
• Outstanding Service Award for a Collegiate Chapter (2007-2008)
• Outstanding Scholastic Development Award for a Collegiate Chapter (2007-2008)
• Outstanding Financial Operations for a Collegiate Chapter (2003- 2004)

Our chapter currently has 50 members: 40% seniors, 30% juniors and 30% sophomores, with about an equal mix of males and females. All of the Brothers are registered students in the College of Business Administration. Our cumulative GPA is over 3.5. Almost half of our members are double majors either within or outside of CBA, and many also choose to add minors in related subjects such as economics, law, psychology, or a foreign language.

Brothers have held internships and full-time positions with great companies including Dick's Sporting Goods, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Northwestern Mutual, PNC Financial Services and UPMC. More than one out of every three Brothers has chosen to enhance their education by studying abroad. In the past few years, Brothers have studied in Japan, China, Germany, Russia, India, London, Ireland, Argentina and Spain, among other countries. Most of our chapter are also involved in other clubs and organizations, both inside and outside of the business school. Some Brothers have even started organizations of their own! In the business school, Brothers are involved in the American Marketing Association, Beta Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Lambda, University of Pittsburgh Accounting Association, Fashion Business Association, Finance Club and more. We are proud to represent the College of Business Administration and the University of Pittsburgh as we continue to strive to be one of the top chapters in the nation.

Picture Index:

Left: Two national, four provincial and six regional awards accepted by Lambda at our national conference- August 2009 Grand Chapter Congress in Washington D.C.

Middle: Senior Kristen Herforth, Senior Derek Wigmore and Junior Hennah Iqbal with our provincial and regional awards.

Right: District Director Patrick Flynn, Derek, Kristen and Hennah with our national awards.