Phi Sigma Pi National History
Phi Sigma Pi was founded at Central Missouri State University on February 14, 1916 by E.L. Hendricks, C.A. Phillips, and C.H. McClure. The Fraternity became national in 1921 when a second chapter was founded at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. The National Fraternity has since evolved from an honorary professional fraternity to a professional education fraternity, and then, in 1966, to an honor fraternity for all disciplines. Phi Sigma Pi became coeducational in 1977. Currently, there are chapters chartered throughout the Mid-West and East Coast. Today, over 20,000 students, alumni and faculty in eighty-five (85) institutions nationwide have met the standards for membership in Phi Sigma Pi.
The Purpose and the Tripod
Phi Sigma Pi is an honor fraternity that stresses the principles of scholarship, leadership and fellowship. Through the balance of this tripod members seek to succeed as scholars and professionals. Members strive to develop a kindly and courageous personality, highly ethical character, a deep understanding of and skill in dealing with people and a well-organized field of knowledge.
Scholarship
The acquisition and dissemination of information and knowledge through leadership. Members of Phi Sigma Pi are expected not only to succeed in their own academic endeavors but to assist in the educational process for members of their organization and community. Education is not only of key importance to the success of the brotherhood, but the success of all society. Academic excellence is praised within the brotherhood and knowledge is openly shared for the betterment of all.
Leadership
The application of professional skills and the fostering of leadership qualities by promoting and advancing the welfare of humanity. The leadership strength of Phi Sigma Pi is leadership through service to the community and the organization itself. Members use their knowledge and skill to lead by example. Service projects and events are a key part of Phi Sigma Pi's strength and motives.
Fellowship
The fostering of non-discriminatory, fraternal fellowship within Phi Sigma Pi's ranks. Brothers of Phi Sigma Pi are held together by the lifelong bonds of fellowship. These bonds are the foundation upon which the brotherhood and all of its success is built. Phi Sigma Pi is not a social fraternity but holds social events throughout the year to foster this source of its strength.
Founding and National History
Phi Sigma Pi Professional Honorary Fraternity was founded on February 14, 1916 by three faculty members of the Missouri State Teachers College at Warrensburg, which later became Central Missouri State University. The three founders, College President Eldo L. Hendricks, Dean Claude A. Phillips and Professor C. H. McClure sought to help a group of students with high academic standards create a national fraternal organization. Phi Sigma Pi was created to combine and fill the gaps between high academic, leadership and social organizations. Phi Sigma Pi became a national fraternity on May 2, 1921 when the Gamma Chapter at Bradley Polytechnic Institute was founded. Strong leadership from early National Officers like Rolla Wood and Walter P. Percival enabled the fraternity to grow east across the nation and add another 13 chapters despite the effects of WWI. In 1942, WWII caused the 15 active Phi Sigma Pi chapters to shut down until 1946, when all but one were reactivated. But between 1950 and 1955 Phi Sigma Pi struggled due to a loss of national leadership and financial resources. New hope and success began in 1955 as two new great leaders emerged. Dr. Richard C. Todd and Joseph Torchia led Phi Sigma Pi through the challenging 1960s and 1970s.
On October 1, 1966 the fraternity name was changed to Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity and a new outlook for growth and revitalization was realized. The social climate of the late 1960s and early 1970s was extremely difficult for all fraternities but Phi Sigma Pi managed to survive despite the Vietnam War and nationwide student unrest. In 1977, Phi Sigma Pi became co-educational with the honorary induction of Claudia Pennock Todd, wife of Dr. Richard C. Todd. Since 1986, Phi Sigma Pi has thrived under strong leaders such as Steven A. DiGuiseppe and Jeffrey L. Johnson. Because of its unique structure, as neither a simple honor society, service organization or social fraternity, Phi Sigma Pi had become an asset to 26 universities nationwide by 1991. In 1988 the fraternity employed an office assistant and in 1991 employed a full-time Executive Director. Between 1988 and the present, Phi Sigma Pi has expanded and improved phenomenally. On February 12, 1996 an 80 year high was reached with the reinstallation of Beta Chapter, which had been inactive for 60 years. Current plans for Phi Sigma Pi include the hopeful reinstallation of Alpha Chapter, at Central Missouri State University, and a new national headquarters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.