History of Alpha Psi Omega/Delta Psi Omega

"The organization, development, and growth of Alpha and Delta Psi Omega is a result of the widespread interest of colleges and universities of America in the dramatic arts in the early twentieth century. By 1920 most colleges had some kind of a dramatic club that was staging annual play productions for students and its local community. The little theatre movement and dramatic workshop idea made its appearance about that time and greatly stimulated the importance of the college drama and the worthwhile nature of the programs presented. This was especially true in western colleges, and by 1920 several national honor societies to recognize and reward student participation in play production had been organized.

Alpha Psi Omega, the first of these societies to be founded in the East, was organized at Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia on August 12, 1925. The college theatre idea had begun to manifest itself in Fairmont about 1921, and, in 1923, a faculty director was employed, and an organization, called the Masquers, was instituted to present an annual program of four or five major theatre productions for students and the public. In 1924, the Masquers began to consider membership in some national honor society in dramatics as a means of rewarding its most faithful and loyal workers….A proposed national constitution was drawn up, and, on August 12, 1925, those members of the Masquers who met the qualifications of the honor society approved the constitution and adopted the name, Alpha Psi Omega. It was decided that each chapter was to be called a "cast," and Fairmont became Alpha Cast. The interest of Marshall College in Huntington, West Virginia assured the immediate national character of Alpha Psi Omega with the establishment of Beta Cast. A member of Beta Cast suggested the Playbill, for the national magazine… In 1936 Delta Psi Omega was recognized as an affiliated junior college division."

The Mu Iota Cast of Alpha Psi Omega was instituted 43 years ago at Oswego State. Over the years the cast has produced plays, sponsored guest speakers and hosts (with the Theatre Department and Blackfriars) the annual High School Drama Festival (now in its 43rd year). Membership is by invitation to Theatre Majors and Minors.