History
History of UMaine
The University of Maine was established as the Maine College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts under the provisions of the Morrill Act, approved by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. In 1897 the original name changed to the University of Maine.
The institution opened September 21, 1868 with 12 students and two faculty members. By 1871, curricula had been organized in Agriculture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and electives. From these courses of study there gradually developed the Colleges of Life Sciences and Agriculture (later to include the School of Forest Resources and the School of Human Development), Engineering and Science, and Arts and Sciences. The School of Education was established in 1930 and received college status in 1958. The School of Business Administration was formed in 1958 and was granted college status in 1965. Women have been admitted into all curricula since 1872.
The Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station was founded as a division of the University in 1887. In 1912 the Maine Cooperative Extension, which offers field educational programs for both adults and youths, was initiated. The first master's degree was conferred in 1881; the first doctor's degree in 1960. Since 1923 there has been a separate graduate school.
The institution opened September 21, 1868 with 12 students and two faculty members. By 1871, curricula had been organized in Agriculture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and electives. From these courses of study there gradually developed the Colleges of Life Sciences and Agriculture (later to include the School of Forest Resources and the School of Human Development), Engineering and Science, and Arts and Sciences. The School of Education was established in 1930 and received college status in 1958. The School of Business Administration was formed in 1958 and was granted college status in 1965. Women have been admitted into all curricula since 1872.
The Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station was founded as a division of the University in 1887. In 1912 the Maine Cooperative Extension, which offers field educational programs for both adults and youths, was initiated. The first master's degree was conferred in 1881; the first doctor's degree in 1960. Since 1923 there has been a separate graduate school.
Tau Beta Sigma History
In 1937, the first practical idea for establishing an organization for band women was presented to D. O. Wiley, Director of the Texas Tech University Band. Wava Banes, a member of the band, now Wava Banes Henry of Midway, Utah, along with her classmates, Emily Surell and Rosell Williams, discussed many of the possibilities and requirements necessary for the formation of a National Band Sorority.
Their plans and discussions came to fruition in 1939, when a group of women in the Tech Band founded a local organization, known as “Tau Beta Sigma,” modeled both in principle and idealism after Kappa Kappa Psi. Just like the Fraternity, Tau Beta Sigma was designed to serve as an honorary, service, and leadership recognition society which provided special social and educational experiences that were useful to women during the days of the “all male world” of collegiate bands.
Unfortunately, just as the group was becoming well established, World War II disrupted future “national” plans. Tau Beta Sigma continued to grow at Tech, taking over key projects within the band program and was greatly responsible for keeping the Tech Band in operation during the war years.
In June of 1943, the Tech girls petitioned the Grand Council of Kappa Kappa Psi to become a part of the National Fraternity as an active chapter. Accepting the group under these conditions would have entailed a complete revision of the Fraternity’s constitution, an impossibility under wartime conditions when all Fraternity operations were virtually suspended. Rather than postpone action, it was suggested that Tau Beta Sigma incorporate as its own national organization. While applying for a national charter, the Tech Chapter encountered difficulties involving Texas State corporation laws.
In 1945, A. Frank Martin, Executive Secretary of Kappa Kappa Psi, was invited to meet with the women and assist them in designing a plan to gain national status. During the meeting, it was determined fewer obstacles would be encountered by submitting a charter application for the national organization in the State of Oklahoma. In order to establish the national organization, the women of the Texas Tech Tau Beta Sigma Band Sorority surrendered their name, Chapter Constitution, Ritual, and jewelry designs to the band club at Oklahoma State University in January of 1946. And, on March 26, 1946 a charter was granted to Tau Beta Sigma.
Their plans and discussions came to fruition in 1939, when a group of women in the Tech Band founded a local organization, known as “Tau Beta Sigma,” modeled both in principle and idealism after Kappa Kappa Psi. Just like the Fraternity, Tau Beta Sigma was designed to serve as an honorary, service, and leadership recognition society which provided special social and educational experiences that were useful to women during the days of the “all male world” of collegiate bands.
Unfortunately, just as the group was becoming well established, World War II disrupted future “national” plans. Tau Beta Sigma continued to grow at Tech, taking over key projects within the band program and was greatly responsible for keeping the Tech Band in operation during the war years.
In June of 1943, the Tech girls petitioned the Grand Council of Kappa Kappa Psi to become a part of the National Fraternity as an active chapter. Accepting the group under these conditions would have entailed a complete revision of the Fraternity’s constitution, an impossibility under wartime conditions when all Fraternity operations were virtually suspended. Rather than postpone action, it was suggested that Tau Beta Sigma incorporate as its own national organization. While applying for a national charter, the Tech Chapter encountered difficulties involving Texas State corporation laws.
In 1945, A. Frank Martin, Executive Secretary of Kappa Kappa Psi, was invited to meet with the women and assist them in designing a plan to gain national status. During the meeting, it was determined fewer obstacles would be encountered by submitting a charter application for the national organization in the State of Oklahoma. In order to establish the national organization, the women of the Texas Tech Tau Beta Sigma Band Sorority surrendered their name, Chapter Constitution, Ritual, and jewelry designs to the band club at Oklahoma State University in January of 1946. And, on March 26, 1946 a charter was granted to Tau Beta Sigma.
Delta Nu History
On May 9th, 1970, the Delta Nu chapter was formally established here at the University of Maine by their Big Sister chapter, the University of Connecticut (Gamma Kappa). Under leadership of the Director of Bands, George A. Cavanaugh, the Mu Epsilon Colony had distinguished itself by the degree of activity and demonstrated support for the bands. Guided by active members of UConn and UMass (Delta Delta) throughout our colony year, the chapter Delta Nu earned the privilege of membership through hard work and determination to meet sorority goals.
Currently, we are made up of 20 active members, and are proud to be a Co-Ed Sorority, still known for supporting women in music and the band community.
Currently, we are made up of 20 active members, and are proud to be a Co-Ed Sorority, still known for supporting women in music and the band community.