National History

Phi Sigma Pi was founded at Central Missouri State University on February 14th, 1916 by Eldo L. Hendricks, Claude A. Phillips, and C. H. McClure.

The Fraternity first went national in 1921 with the founding of the second chapter at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

The National Fraternity has since evolved from an Honorary Professional Fraternity to a Professional Educational Fraternity, and then in 1966 to an Honor Fraternity for all disciplines.

For more national history, visit the Official Phi Sigma Pi Website.

Local History

The Alpha Eta chapter of Phi Sigma Pi was established at the University of Delaware on November 12th, 1989 by Richard C. Freed.

Our chapter has grown steadily in size, strength, and prominence throughout its 20-plus years of existence. Currently, there are more than 70 active Brothers in our chapter.

The Alpha Eta chapter has been recognized nationally several times for its efforts, including four Top Ten Outstanding Chapter Awards (1997-2000), five Best in Region Awards (2004, 2006-09) and four Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Awards (1999-2001, 2009).

Service contributions throughout the community earned the chapter the University of Delaware Outstanding Volunteer Organization of the Year Award in 2000. Alpha Eta has also created two original annual benefits, the Hope Bowl to benefit AIDS Delaware, and the Kick the Silence to benefit CHILD Inc. The first Hope Bowl, held in 1996, earned the chapter a C.H. McClure Single Service Award. The chapter won another C.H. McClure Award in 2002 for the 6th Annual Hope Bowl.

The chapter has also hosted a regional leadership conference, Tripod 21, designed for other Phi Sigma Pi chapters in the area to meet and discuss common problems and issues and arrive at solutions. Through the promotion of Scholarship, as well as efforts within Alpha Eta itself, the chapter was awarded the very first Eldo L. Hendricks Excellence in Scholarship and Programming Award in 1999. Alpha Eta won the award again in 2003.

Alumni relations also have been a strong point for Alpha Eta Chapter, which won the Charles W. Chance Alumni Award in 2006 and 2007. AH also was recognized in 2008 for its organization with the Steven A. DiGuiseppe Administrative Award.