About our Fraternity

About Phi Sigma Pi

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 Universitu in Peoria, Illionis.  The 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. 

In carrying out the purpose of the National Fraternity, Phi Sigma Pi shall strive to personify and encourage three ideals:

• The acquisition and dissemination of information and knowledge through scholarship,
• The application of professional skills and the fostering of leadership qualities by promoting and advancing the welfare of humanity, and
• The fostering of non-discriminatory, fraternal fellowship within Phi Sigma Pi's ranks.

These three goals are known by members as "The Tripod". These ideals are most often referred to in their abbreviated form: Scholarship, Leadership, and Fellowship.

Membership in Phi Sigma Pi is open to those with a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average and one semester or one quarter of coursework completed at the college/university level. Honorary memberships are also available, though these are somewhat rare.

The national philanthropy of Phi Sigma Pi is Teach for America. Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools. Their mission is to build the movement to eliminate educational inequity.

Currently, there are chapter chartered throughout the Mid-West and East Coast. Today, over 20,000 students, alumni and faculty in ninety-four (94) institutions nationwide have met the standards for membership in Phi Sigma Pi.

The essential difference between an honor fraternity and an honor society is that an honor society is an association rather than an organization, and it functions mainly to recognize the past academic achievements of its potential members. The honor fraternity seeks to organize the service, fund-raising, social and recreational potential of its membership while promoting its dedication to and respect for education and academic excellence.

Phi Sigma Pi recruits among the best and the brightest students on college campuses. Through community service and educational programs, as well as fellowship and recreational events, students of outstanding academic achievement are offered the opportunity to be involved with a dynamic campus organization. The Phi Sigma Pi experience extends beyond university life, as well, with quality lifelong contacts and continued opportunities for National Alumni Association member participation, continually fostering the ideals of scholarship, leadership and fellowship.