Founded: November 9, 1874 at Colby College in Waterville, Maine

Colors: Lavender and Maroon

Symbol: Dove

Flower: Violet 

Motto: "One Heart, One Way"

Philanthropy:  Gerontology (the study of aging), with a focus on Alzheimer's disease research and programs directed at improving the lives of older citizens; Inherit the Earth; Maine Seacoast Mission.

Sigma Kappa Sorority was the first sorority founded at North Carolina State University. The Gamma Phi chapter has long been regarded as one of the most outstanding in the country by our national organization. There are more than 110 chapters in 36 states. The five philanthropies that Sigma Kappa supports consist of Gerontology, Alzheimer’s disease research, Inherit the Earth,  Maine Seacoast Mission, and the Sigma Kappa Foundation. As a chapter, we host events to raise money for our philanthropies. In the Spring, we host a Tennis Tournament to raise money for the Sigma Kappa Foundation and in the fall, we have a Cookout where we raise money for Alzheimer’s disease research. 

We like to be very active on campus as well. Many of us are involved in various clubs, such as Young Life, Habitat for Humanity, and many club sport teams. We also have some girls who are involved in the athletic teams at our college. Many girls volunteer at places such as the SPCA, retirement homes, and more.

Each member of Sigma Kappa has created life-long friendships within our chapter, and we hope to create those friendships everywhere else in our community.

Our history as a national sorority begins at Colby College, in Waterville, Maine. Colby College was the first college in New England to admit women on an equal basis with men students. During this period of change for women, they were insulted, boycotted and denied a share of the more prized college rights. But they were courageous and determined to make a place for women in the collegiate world. This feeling inspired the formation of sororities on the basis of scholarship, friendship, mutual interests and ideals. Mary Caffrey Low was the first woman to be admitted to Colby in 1871. She remained the only female student until 1873, when four more young women from Maine, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Fuller, Frances Mann and Louise Helen Coburn joined her. The five young women frequently found themselves together. On Nov. 9, 1874, the five young women received a letter from the faculty approving their petition. Thus, this date has since been considered our Founders' Day.