Gamma Sigma

Gamma Sigma Fraternity International (ΓΣ), initially founded as a literary society in 1869 in Brockport, NY, is known as the first international high school fraternity. The organization no longer has active chapters at the secondary level; however, it has an active alumni association based in the Greater Toronto Area and in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada.



History
The Gamma Sigma Society was founded on 1869-10-11, by Professor Charles Donald McLean at the Brockport Normal School (known today as SUNY Brockport). Charles McLean was the principal for the first several decades of the normal school and helped establish one of the major elements of the school's culture, its Greek Letter Societies. These societies flourished at the school from 1869 to 1940.

The society formed chapters at other schools, both normal and high schools. At a convocation held in Brockport in 1891-06, the chapters of Gamma Sigma formed themselves into a general fraternity. The first chapter of Gamma Sigma Fraternity outside of New York State was chartered in Evanston, Illinois on 1894-11-24. It was the Eta chapter.

The Gamma Sigma Fraternity was incorporated in New York State on 1907-05-01.

By 1925, Gamma Sigma Fraternity had 26 chapters in eight states and the District of Columbia. Alpha Zeta chapter in Niagara Falls, Ontario, installed on 1927-12-11 at Niagara Falls Collegiate Institute, made it the first international secondary school fraternity in the world.

On 2019-10-11, Gamma Sigma Fraternity International alumni gathered in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the organization. It had been 150 years to the day, since its founding.