The national organization of ASL was begun in 1945 at Northwestern University with the purpose of recognizing the academic merit of adult, evening, and part-time students who return to the classroom after an absence of several years, and sometimes decades. Excluded from most other national honor societies because of the unusual and unique patterns under which the degree is completed, ASL serves to honor those students who maintain a high level of excellence, while adroitly handling the often competing demands of work and home. The Beta Rho chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda strives to provide stimulating impetus to highly motivated students in continuing higher education.

Today, there are hundreds of chartered chapters throughout the United States. The camaraderie, advantages and benefits of ASL are its own best incentive for being. The society not only brings together outstanding students and faculty, but also offers each individual an exposure to interests other than his/her own.

Alpha Sigma Lambda is dedicated to the advancement of scholarship and recognizes high scholastic achievement in an adult student's career. By doing so, this society encourages many students to continue toward completion of undergraduate and graduate degrees.

To the newcomer in higher education, ASL stands as an inspiration to scholastic growth and an invitation to associate with similarly motivated students. Through leadership born of effort, the society hopes to inspire its candidates to give of their strengths to their fellow students and communities through their academic achievements.