Social sorority at McDaniel College, Maryland, US
Phi Alpha Mu (ΦΑΜ) is a local, social sorority at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, United States.[1] It was established in 1926 and has over 1,000 alumnae.
History
In 1923, Phi Alpha Mu began as a group called the Snake Charmers at Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College. Snake Charmers evolved into an organization called F.A.M., jokingly referring to themselves as "Find A Man". The club combined with another local sorority, Zeta Gamma, adopting the Greek letters for F.A.M, thus becoming Phi Alpha Mu in 1926.[2][1]
In 1926, Western Maryland College officially recognized the sorority and it became one of the first Greek organizations on campus.[3] Today, Phi Alpha Mu is the only remaining original local sorority at McDaniel College.[3][4] It has more than 1,000 alumnae.[3]
Symbols
The name Phi Alpha Mu was selected for the Greek letter acronym ΦΑΜ or F.A.M., the group's former name "Find A Man".[2] Its nickname is Phi Alph.[4]
The sorority's colors are purple and white.[4] Its flower is the purple pansy.[2] Its mascot is the purple cow.[4] Its symbol is the torch of learning.[2] The values or pillars of Phi Alpha Mu are Love, Trust, Loyalty, Respect, and Melioration.[2]
In 1937, the sorority began publishing its yearbook, The Torch.
Membership
Phi Alpha Mu initiates transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer members.[5][1]
Philanthropy
Phi Alpha Mu's main philanthropy is House of Ruth, a domestic abuse shelter for women and their children.[1] They raise funds and volunteer at the shelter.[1] The sorority also started the Phi Alpha Mu Endowed Scholarship to aid women with financial difficulties.[6]
See also
References
External links
