Beta Upsilon Chapter at San Jose State University
History & Founders
A.O.E.'s History
In the early 1980s, there was a national push to interest women in engineering. The female engineering students at Marquette University, including Little Sisters of both Sigma Phi Delta and Triangle Fraternities, started meeting in hopes of forming an organization to increase the number of women in engineering. They decided to form a Sorority, and Alpha Omega Epsilon was founded on November 13, 1983. On March 22, 1984, the Associated Students of Marquette University voted on and approved the constitution, and Alpha Omega Epsilon became a recognized student organization on Marquette University's campus. As a recognized local sorority, Alpha Omega Epsilon was represented at the 1984-85 Panhellenic Conference winning the Presidential office and attaining representatives. The first Alpha Chapter candidate class was initiated in the Fall of 1984 which nearly doubled its membership from the twenty-seven founding members.
Alpha Omega Epsilon celebrated 30 years of success on November 13, 2013. We now have 38 active chapters across the United States and Canada, and the Organization's mission has since expanded to include females in both engineering and technical sciences. The Sisters of Alpha Omega Epsilon promote ideals and objectives that hope to further the advancement of female engineers and technical scientists, while simultaneously developing lifelong friendships. Alpha Omega Epsilon strives for scholarship and academic achievement.
The sisters create a friendly, warm atmosphere where integrity, character, and self-confidence can flourish. The Sorority hopes to enlighten female engineers and technical scientists to the career opportunities available to them. Alpha Omega Epsilon encourages ties with other Greek and Engineering Organizations, fosters leadership at the Chapter and International level, and provides networking opportunities for its members. As a young Organization, Alpha Omega Epsilon allows each member to play a significant part in realizing the Sorority's future goals.