Our History
From 1989 to 2020
Alpha Sigma Kappa-Women in Technical Studies grew out of a Little Sisters of Triangle organization, which dates back to at least 1983. In the late 1980s, Triangle Fraternity's National Council resolved to phase out their local Little Sister organizations. Hence, our sorority was born.
The University of Minnesota Little Sister Chapter wanted to continue the formal relationship already established. After considering various options, the members felt the only way to keep the premise of the group intact was to form a new sorority. Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies was founded with eighteen members on May 1, 1989. Appropriately enough, May Day is a holiday which honors and celebrates friendship.
Alpha Sigma Kappa-Women in Technical Studies was founded in the hopes of bringing women pursuing technical studies together in a social setting. Historically, these career fields have been dominated by men.
At the time the sorority was founded, only 17 percent of the students enrolled in the Institute of Technology at the University of Minnesota were female. The presence of a group dedicated to supporting the few women who entered such fields was greatly needed. Today, these fields are seeing more and more women. We feel the need for an organization that develops, encourages and supports the academic and social needs of these women is an important aspect to our society and ourselves.
-Melissa (Matschiner) Carnicelli,
Founding President