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Leaders in Academic Excellence and Leadership for Adult Students

Our Founder

In 1945, Dr. Rollin Posey was Dean of the University College at Northwestern University.

He had inherited an honorary named Alpha Sigma Lambda but not, it seemed, a history, constitution or bylaws. He decided to remake Alpha Sigma to serve the needs of his students.

He invited students to attend a meeting in early January 1946 to “consider the establishment of an Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Lambda, in order that we may have some means of recognizing superior scholarship among our students.

Apparently, the students liked the idea, and he drew up a proposed constitution. In it, he expanded on what he thought the Society should be.

Alpha Sigma Lambda:

The First Sixty Years

  • 1945

Dr. Rollin Posey, Dean of the University College at Northwestern University, inherits an honorary named Alpha Sigma Lambda. The honorary lacked history, constitution, or bylaws.

  • 1946

Along with students, Dean Posey begins working on the establishment of the Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Lambda, as a means of recognizing superior scholarship among its students.

  • 1947

Frank Neuffer, from the University of Cincinnati, and Rollin Posey, ratifies Alpha Sigma Lambda’s first national constitution on May 7.

  • 1955

ASL signs its eighth member.

  • 1957

The ceremony ritual changes.

  • 1959

ASL signs its 19th member.

  • 1977

ASL publishes The Midnight Oil for the first time.ASL takes major steps to attract new members, with a focus on institutions’ departments of continuing education.

  • 1979

Under the leadership of President Leslie Jacobsen of Brooklyn College and in partnership with ACHE, ASL embarks on its first known membership drive, yielding 16 new members and reactivating five idle chapters.

  • 1980

ASL no longer requires member institutions to be members of ACHE, but ACHE’s representative remains as the ASL national councilor.

  • 1981

ASL signs its 70th chapter.

  • 1982

The Executive Committee instituted bulk production and distribution of ASL pins.

  • 1984

ASL signs its 90th chapter.

  • 1986

ASL signs its 115th chapter and has representation in 28 states.The Executive Committee proposes the creation of a central office for records and operations.

  • 1987

ASL names its first scholarship: Dr. Frederick Neuffer.The Executive Committee establishes a Task Force on the creation of the Executive Secretary of ASL figure, chaired by Leo O’Hara.

  • 1988

The Midnight Oil reports ASL now has 125 chapters, 53 of which have been added in the past 4½ years (a 72% increase).

  • 1989

Beth Panzini at the Philadelphia College of Textiles (now Philadelphia University) becomes the first Executive Secretary.ASL purchases its first computer to increase efficiency of record keeping and simplifying billing and mailing.

  • 1990

ASL names its second scholarship in honor of its founder: Sherman V.N. Kent.

  • 1991

The Central Office moves to Cedar Crest College.The Central Office moves to LaSalle University.

  • 1994

The Central Office moves to Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales (now DeSales University).

  • 1995

The Executive Committee passed a motion to ask chapter applicants for their definitions of what an adult student is in their institutions.

  • 1996

The Central Office moves to Eastern Illinois University at the invitation of Dean William C. Hine.

  • 1997

ASL names its third scholarship in honor of Montclair State University’s retired chapter councilor: Dr. Alicia Savage.

  • 1998

ASL affirms that member institutions must be regionally accredited and liberal arts. Every ASL chapter must meet these minimum standards but is welcome to set its standards higher.

  • 2002

ASL redefines its mission statement: “Alpha Sigma Lambda recognizes and fosters scholarship and leadership among adult/nontraditional undergraduate students.”

  • 2002

ASL created the William C. Hine Distinguished Service Award to honor chapter councilors.

  • 2003

After several membership fee increases, ASL adopts language in Article V that does not require the constitution to change every time there is a price change.

  • 2004

Western Carolina University becomes ASL’s 300th chapter. Blair Hall, which housed ASL at Eastern is partially destroyed by a fire on April 28. Many historic records and files are destroyed as a result.

  • 2005

ASL names its fourth scholarship in honor of former foundation president and founding member: Dr. Paul Sable.

  • 2006

ASL celebrates its 60th anniversary.

  • 2015

ASL hires its part-time office assistant.

  • 2016

ASL celebrates its 70th anniversary.Alpha Sigma Lambda becomes a trademarked organization.Alpha Sigma Lambda adds the Non-Discrimination Clause to its Constitution.

  • 2017

ASLHS began allocated 15% of store sales to fund scholarships.

  • 2020

Three new store items were introduced; The Junior Padfolio, Laminated Bookmark & Full Zip Hooded Sweatshirt.Virtual Board Meetings and Induction Ceremonies are held due to the COVID19 pandemic.

  • 2021

ASL celebrates its 75th Anniversary. ASLHS names its fifth scholarship in memory of Dr. Rollin Posey, Founder.

  • 2022

A new designed website is introduced, alsiglam.org Alpha Sigma Lambda receives the Community Partner Award from Wichita State University.Matthew Hlinak is appointed as Membership Director.

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Colors, Crest
And Symbolism

Our Colors

Burgundy denotes power, action, and the confidence to go after your dreams. The color of blood – the essence of life and living. Gold denotes wisdom, wealth used wisely, prosperity, success, good health, and optimism.

Burgundy and gold crest outline
Complete Alpha Sigma Lambda crest

Our Pledge

I promise to uphold the ideals and further the aims of Alpha Sigma Lambda, believing that by doing so I shall increase my value to my college and to my community.

Board Of Directors & Staff

Through leadership born of effort, both scholastically and fraternally, Alpha Sigma Lambda inspires its candidates to give of their strengths to their fellow students and communities through their academic achievements.

Penny Gaskins

Society Past President

Matt Hlinak

General Counsel

Dr. Maria Altobello

Treasurer

Shelley Hintz

Society President

Sara Conwell

Society Secretary

Guy D'Onofrio

Asst. Executive Director and Asset Manager

Bob Charlebois

Member-at-Large

Robin Rennels

Executive Director

Sharon Nichols

Senior Fulfillment Specialist

Dr. Esther Powell

Ambassador

Jennifer Gettings

Membership Development Co-Director

Dr. Whitney McDowell-Robinson

Membership Development Co-Director

Dr. Nilajah Nilajah Sims

2026 William C. Hine Distinguished Service Awardee, Morgan State University

Dr. Brandon Lacey

Society Vice President, Wiley University

Penny Gaskins

Society Past President

Matt Hlinak

General Counsel

Dr. Maria Altobello

Treasurer

Shelley Hintz

Society President

Sara Conwell

Society Secretary

Guy D'Onofrio

Asst. Executive Director and Asset Manager

Bob Charlebois

Member-at-Large

Robin Rennels

Executive Director

Sharon Nichols

Senior Fulfillment Specialist

Dr. Esther Powell

Ambassador

Jennifer Gettings

Membership Development Co-Director

Dr. Whitney McDowell-Robinson

Membership Development Co-Director

Dr. Nilajah Nilajah Sims

2026 William C. Hine Distinguished Service Awardee, Morgan State University

Dr. Brandon Lacey

Society Vice President, Wiley University

Alpha Sigma Lambda is recognized as the official honor society for adult learners by the Association of College Honor Societies.

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Alpha Sigma Lambda’s aim is to recognize the special achievements of adults who accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests at home and work. It is dedicated to the advancement of scholarship and recognizes high scholastic achievement in an adult student’s career. By so doing, this Society encourages many students to continue toward and to earn associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees.

To the newcomer in higher education, Alpha Sigma Lambda stands as an inspiration to scholastic growth and an invitation to associate with similarly motivated students.

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