Beta Phi Sigma

Beta Phi Sigma (ΒΦΣ) refers to a Pharmacy Fraternity in the United States. Beta Phi Sigma stands for Buffalo Pharmacy School. The fraternity was founded in the office of Dr. Henry G. Bentz on the night of December 15, 1888.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3]

Beta Phi Sigma
ΒΦΣ
FoundedDecember 15, 1888 (1888-12-15)
Buffalo School of Pharmacy
TypeProfessional
EmphasisPharmacy
Colors  Blue
  White
PublicationThe Adelphos
CharteredBuffalo, NY
Chapters11
HeadquartersBuffalo, New York
USA

The first chapter, Alpha, was reorganized at the University at Buffalo Pharmacy School. This chapter grew until 1973 when again because of the influx of women to the profession, and small number of men pledging the fraternity Beta Phi Sigma was dissolved.

There is still an alumni chapter that holds a reunion every 10 years, the first being held in 1997.

Former Chapters
Chapter Greek Letter Founded Chapter School Chapter City
Alpha Α 1889 Buffalo School of Pharmacy Buffalo, NY
Beta Β 1900-1914 (discontinued) Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Pittsburgh, PA
Gamma Γ 1911 Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Philadelphia, PA
Delta Δ 1919 Tulane University New Orleans, LA
Epsilon Ε 1923 Iowa State University Iowa City, IA
Zeta Ζ 1923 Kansas State University Lawrence, KS
Eta Η 1923 Texas State University Galveston, TX
Theta Θ 1923 Baylor University Dallas, TX
Iota Ι 1923 Atlanta College of Pharmacy Atlanta, GA
Kappa Κ 1924 Wisconsin State University Madison, WI
Lambda Λ August 11, 1924[4] Loyola University New Orleans, LA

[1][5]

Song

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.

References
  1. Bentz, Henry G. (March 1916). "History of the Beta Phi Sigma Fraternity". The Adelphos. UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Apothecary Collection. 1 (1): 5–6.
  2. "The First Greeks at University at Buffalo". Archived from the original on 2012-07-22.
  3. "Beta Phi Sigma Dance" (PDF). Buffalo Courier. Buffalo. 1922-04-25. p. 3. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  4. New Orleans College of Pharmacy Bulletin
  5. "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.
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