Phi Eta Sigma
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Phi Eta Sigma (Script error: No such module "Lang".) is an American freshman honor society. Founded at the University of Illinois in 1923, it is the oldest and largest freshman honor society. It is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.
History
Phi Eta Sigma was founded by Thomas Arkle Clark at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923.[1][2] Clark was a professor and dean of the university.[1][2] Phi Eta Sigma was established as an honor society for male freshmen.[1][2]
It became a national society with the addition of chapters at the University of Missouri and the University of Michigan in 1926.[2] This was followed by chapters at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Wisconsin in 1927 and the Miami University and Ohio State University in 1928.[2] Phi Eta Sigma held its first national convention on November 23, 1928, at Urbana, Illinois.[1] Clark was elected national president.[1]
By 1930, Phi Eta Sigma had eleven chapters.[1] It joined the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) on February 27, 1937.[3] By 1962, the society had 117 active chapters and 76,447 initiates.[2]
By 2011, Phi Eta Sigma had grown to 366 active chapters and had initiated 997,438 members.[3] It left the ACHS in 2011 but was rejoined in 2018. In 2025, it had 400 chapters and 1,400,000 total members.[4] It is the oldest and largest freshman honor society.[5]
Symbols
The name Phi Eta Sigma was chosen to stand for the Greek words for "Lovers of Wisdom".[6] The society's motto is Script error: No such module "Lang"., translated as "Knowledge is Power".[7]
The Phi Eta Sigma crest features a shield with the Greek letters Script error: No such module "Lang"., a pyramid which symbolizes strength, and a lamp for scholarship.[6] Above the shield are three links of chain and a gold star, symbolizing noble character.[6] Below the shield is the society's motto.[6]
The society's emblem is a gold key in the shape of a scroll, with the Greek letters Script error: No such module "Lang". in black enamel.[2] Its colors are gold and black.[6] The society's magazine is The Forum, established in 1930.[2]
Membership
Any first-year student with a GPA of at least 3.5 or rank in the top twenty percent in his or her class, at the end of a full curricular period, is eligible for membership.[3] Once inducted, membership is conferred for life.
Activities
Annually, Phi Eta Sigma provides $400,000 total in scholarships to members.[4] There are $1,000 awards and $5,000 scholarships for undergraduate study, as well as $7,000 scholarships for the first year of graduate study.[3]
Governance
Phi Eta Sigma's executive officers are elected at the biennial conventions.[7] Its headquarters are in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.[4]
Chapters
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". In 2025, Phi Eta Sigma had 400 chapters.[4]
Notable members
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".
Phi Eta Sigma has inducted more than 1,400,000 members since its founding.[4]
See also
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b c d e f Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 12th edition. Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company, 1930. pp. 365-366. via Hathi Trust.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 584-586.
- ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
Template:Association of College Honor Societies
Script error: No such module "Authority control".
- Pages with script errors
- Pages using infobox fraternity with non-matching name
- Pages using infobox fraternity with missing member badge
- Pages using infobox fraternity with missing members
- Student societies in the United States
- Honor societies
- 1923 establishments in Illinois
- Student organizations established in 1923
- Association of College Honor Societies