History
Beta Delta Mu was founded on October 22, 2022, at South Dakota Mines in Rapid City, South Dakota as a professional sorority for women in higher education studying traditional STEM fields: science, technology, engineering or mathematics. On this day, thirty-five women became the founding members, the Alpha class, of Beta Delta Mu, a professional sorority for women in STEM.
Beta Delta Mu traces its roots at South Dakota Mines to Triangle Little Sisters. Triangle Little Sisters was founded on February 21, 1980 with the help of the men of Triangle Fraternity. Their purpose was to create a positive influence on the house. This lead to an established organization which would one day become a sorority on the SDSM&T campus.
Founding members of Triangle Little Sisters are: Jenna Bowman, Kathy Burgess, Jana Widner, Karen Harvey, Kelly Valandry, Sue Hobart, Mary Sue Peschong, Barb Kopp, Kathy O’Connell
The Triangle Little Sisters founded the Beta chapter of Alpha Omega Epsilon on November 13, 1984 and were formally installed and recognized by SDSM&T on January 27, 1985.
Charter members of Alpha Omega Epsilon Beta Chapter: Sharon Bokker-Chantos, Paula Kennison, Theresa Riley, Leasa Cleland, Lori Kokesh, Linda Robinson, Kari Davis, Ann Lawrence, Denise Seymour, Colette Diede, Diane Marko, Julie Sparrow, Susan Gialdini, Janet Patton, Caroline Zebroski, Karen Hubbard, Brenda McFarland, Linda Williams, Patty Garness
On August 21, 2022, Beta Delta Mu was founded as an independent professional sorority.
The founding members of Beta Delta Mu established its mission to empower women in STEM through dedication to sisterhood, professionalism, and lifelong learning. The alpha class of Beta Delta Mu were initiated as active members on October 22, 2022. Subsequently, Beta Delta Mu was approved by the Student Association Senate and received a warm and supportive reception by both South Dakota Mines administration and the Greek Council.
Charter Members of Beta Delta Mu Alpha Chapter: Lauren Ames, Taylor Bertsch, Seattle Briscoe, Claudia DeBlieck, Sara Efta, Hayden Eilertson, Morgan Else, Zoe Fickbohm, Allie Gregor, Emma Hagel, Stephanie Jones, Sydney Kerr, Rachel Klein, Portia Lenczowski, Megan Major, Eliza McCallum, Sarah Millar, Keelie Mills, Claudianne Moisset, Tierney Musick, Isabel Nielson, Emily Nix, Maggie O’Connor, Lily Pederson, Nicolle Ponce, Bettina Rebman, Madeline Roth, Madison Schwartz, Payton Shattuck, Ellie Smith, Hailey Sund, Amanda Tomes, Syerra Trujillo, Grace Tuntland, Lexus Vermundson, Savannah Withee
The founding class of set a firm foundation for this new sorority to thrive for future generations of women studying STEM through living out the mission and values of the organization.
These women recognized that Sisterhood begins at the university level; but BAM members are committed to maintaining bonds for a lifetime. Recognizing the lifetime bonds, Beta Delta Mu alumnae membership is open to chapter members of preceding organizations at South Dakota Mines.
2022 / Alpha Class 35 founding members
2023 / Beta Class 12 initiated members
2024 / Delta Class 11 initiated members