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Office of Greek Life

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Three young African American male students founded Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at Howard University in Washington, D.C., on January 9, 1914. The Founders, Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, and service. The Founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself as “a part of” the general community rather than “apart from” the general community. They believed that each potential member should be judged by his own merits, rather than his family background or affluence…without regard to race, nationality, skin tone or texture of hair. They desired for their fraternity to exist as part of an even greater brotherhood which would be devoted to the “inclusive we” rather than the “exclusive we”. The Alpha Gamma Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was chartered on October 7th, 1994. Since its inception, the goal of the chapter has been to bring innovative, creative, and informative programming to the Vanderbilt community as well as setting the standard for the ideal fraternity man. A member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Phi Beta Sigma is one of the nine historically black fraternities and sororities, eight of which are present on Vanderbilt’s Campus. While our historical focus has been the aiding in the development of the African American community, all are welcome and invited to attend our programming and anyone meeting the requirements for membership is encouraged to apply.

  • Nickname: Sigmas
  • Founded: Howard University January 9, 1914
  • Local Chapter Founded: Alpha Gamma Alpha, October 7, 1994
  • Philanthropy: NAACP, National Urban League, United Way
  • Social Media: @vandysigmas
  • National Website:  www.pbs1914.org