Our History Nationwide
The Founding Fathers of Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, Inc.
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Mr. Saiful Khandker
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Mr. Shoor Kalam
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Mr. Russell Abdullah
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Mr. Bonit Sharma
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Mr. Rajan Dogra
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Mr. Neil Datta
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Dr. Suman Ghosh
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Mr. Anuj Datta
The Alpha Chapter of Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, Inc. was founded on August 16, 1996 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The founders came together with a vision of an organization for the betterment and preservation of South Asians in the United States. They envisioned a Greek-Lettered organization to this extent in which membership would remain constant and growing and would facilitate involvement from its alumni members. They realized that in order for their vision to truly become a reality they needed to spread their principles and ideals to other college campuses and establish a nationwide network.
August 22, 1998 witnessed the induction of several new members to Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, Inc. with whom brought the establishment of the Beta Chapter at the State University of New York at Binghamton. At this time eight men from three different universities would be given the status of founding fathers as they were the brothers who would establish the fraternity for years to come.
These eight men established this fraternity to foster the ideals of Society, Brotherhood, and Remembrance amongst its members. They believed that through their bonds of brotherhood they would be able to establish an organization that would instill unity amongst its members, promote South Asian culture, and aid the greater community at large. They felt that the principles of Society, Brotherhood, and Remembrance would develop leaders from young men both as undergraduate students on their college campuses and as professionals in their lives upon graduation. These young men would serve as role models and mentors in their respective communities, break down barriers between different ethnic groups, and through their leadership would aid their communities in this country in attaining a better and brighter future than it would have had. It is to this end that the brothers of Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, Inc. work so diligently towards to this day.
Our History at UMass Lowell
Six young men had a vision to bring Sigma Beta Rho to the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Being that there were several well-established fraternities at the university, they found that it would be difficult to establish yet another. However, they remained persistent in their beliefs and committed themselves to bringing Sigma Beta Rho to UMass Lowell. After a great deal of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and strengthening of their brotherhood, they were welcomed into the family of Sigma Beta Rho on May 1st, 2010.
In the years that followed, the Alpha and Beta Classes passed on the teachings of brotherhood beyond all barriers to four additional gentlemen who were inducted as the Gamma and Delta Classes classes of Sigma Beta Rho at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The Gamma and Delta Classes earned respect for this organization as they represented their viewpoints and opinions at Greek Council. Believing in a close knit brotherhood and the idea that a fraternity should contribute to on campus activity as much as it does off campus, their enthusiasm has fueled their success in the years following, and they continue to maintain an active presence on campus and the Boston community.
This growth was recognized in the following years, with the fraternity receiving the 2015-2016 Excellence in Cultural Diversity Programming award from the school and the colony being awarded Associate Chapter Status.