Eta History

Brother Abraham McCartney Walker, the first initiate of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, said in 1914, "I believe in all that Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity represents, and I will herald and defend it, even against the world." One year later, Eta chapter was chartered at what is now North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

The Eta Chapter was chartered at North Carolina A&T State University in March 1915 by Dr. William Savage to further the cause of Sigma in Greensboro, NC. As the first and oldest chapter of any Greek organization at A&T, as well as the Southeastern Region, Eta chapter continues to uplift the national ideals of Phi Beta Sigma on campus and in the Greensboro community.

Dr. William S. Savage

Brother Dr. William Sherman Savage was born March 7, 1890 and reared in Accomac County, Virginia He was the eldest of 12 children born to Adam and Annie Savage. He enrolled in Howard University in Washington, DC graduating with the B.A. Degree. While attended Howard University he pledged Phi Beta Sigma at the Alpha Chapter. He began graduate study in the summers of 1921 and 1923 at the University of Kansas; he was awarded the M.A. Degree from the University of Oregon in 1925. Graduate study continued and he received the Ph.D. Degree from Ohio State University in 1934. His publications include: The Contraversy Over Abolition, The History of Lincoln University, Blacks in the West, The History of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and numerous articles. He was a columnist on the Kansas City Call for fiveyears under the title of "Know Your History".excerpt from The Sigma Historical Society

Eta Chapter has been at the forefront of service to the community since its inception. Eta Chapter was the first chapter to create a Sleep-Out for the Homeless Program, which later became a national initiative. Eta Chapter also led the petition for our Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice And Sing", to be played at all NC A&T sporting events. Eta Chapter was also the first of any campus organization to bring awareness to the ongoing problem of campus violence, and sought solution by creating its Date Rape Awareness/Self-Defense seminars.

From Congressmen to professional athletes....from businessmen to ministers of God, Eta Chapter has produced the best and brightest minds and talent from North Carolina A&T. It is the goal of Eta Chapter to continue to carry the torch of Sigma well into the new millennium in the manner of all of those Brothers before us.