Carrie Washburne Staehle Scholarship

The Carrie Washburne Staehle Scholarship is named for Alpha Sigma Tau’s 3rd National President and President Emerita Carrie Washburne Staehle. The award reserved for a member involved in the study of classic modern language—advancing skills in spoken or written languages.

About Carrie Staehle

Carrie joined our Sisterhood through the Alpha Chapter at Eastern Michigan University on January 12, 1924. She received her pledge ribbons at the home of Ada A. Norton, beginning a journey that spanned more than seventy-five years. Carrie is quoted as having once remarked that next to raising her sons, Alpha Sigma Tau was her most treasured accomplishment.

When Alpha Sigma Tau became a national sorority in 1925, Carrie Staehle (then Carrie Washburne) was elected National Treasurer. Although she had just graduated and was the youngest member on the National Council, she was already well-known within the Sorority having served a year on the committee to make plans for the first National Convention in Detroit. Carrie held the office of Treasurer until her election as President in 1934.

Upon her election to the office of National President, Carrie wrote, “I rejoice that back in 1924 I joined the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau. The friendship, inspiration, and ideals gained from sorority life have been most worth while.” Read the rest of her thoughts on becoming National President in the December 1934 issue of The Anchor.

As National President from 1934 to 1949, Mrs. Staehle was responsible for establishing an efficient business organization of the Sorority. She brought a feeling of unity to far-flung collegiate and alumnae groups and inspired many members to cooperate in a broader national-mindedness. Among her specific accomplishments were the establishment of the Central Office; appointment of alumnae representatives for every chapter; publication of sorority literature such as the Central Office Bulletin, alumnae newsletters and others; increased the financial resources through an endowment fund and life memberships; directed the beginning of national social service work; and instituted a program for cultural study in the collegiate chapters.

It is safe to say that if Carrie Washburne Staehle had not become president in 1934, Alpha Sigma Tau would probably not exist today. Her intelligent and foresighted leadership, unstinting devotion, and prodigious efforts on behalf of Alpha Sigma Tau have been an inspiration to Alpha Sigma Taus across the nation. Few others in our history have had as dramatic of a lasting influence on our growth and development than Carrie Staehle.