What is Phi Sigma Pi?
Phi Sigma Pi is a honor fraternity that is both gender and major inclusive. We use the term "Brothers" to refer to both males and females and our founding principles are scholarship, leadership, and fellowship. We not only encourage academic success, but we also value the importance of serving the community and building lasting friendships that are sure to continue long after the undergraduate experience.
LOCAL HISTORY
The Zeta Mu chapter at the University of California, Irvine was founded on December 2nd, 2011. We are still a fairly new chapter with lots of potential. We've already made considerable achievements in service, but we still have many opportunities for unique individuals to make an impact.
Zeta Mu used to belong to the former Pacific Coast Region which included Washington State, University of Washington, University of Seattle, UN Las Vegas, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, UC Los Angeles, and UC Riverside. On July 1st, 2014, the National office realigned Zeta Mu into the Southern Pacific Coast Region as part of its Regional Realignment policy to keep regions manageable and foster better inter-chapter bonds.
The Southern Pacific Coast includes:
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Zeta Alpha (University of California - San Diego)
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Zeta Epsilon (University of California - Santa Barbara)
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Zeta Eta (University of California - Riverside)
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Zeta Lambda (University of California - Los Angeles)
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Zeta Mu (University of California - Irvine)
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Zeta Psi (University of Nevada - Las Vegas)
NATIONAL HISTORY
Phi Sigma Pi's history predates it founding with the establishment of the Beta Chapter of Phi Lambda Epsilon at State Teachers College at Warrensburg, Missouri (today known as University of Central Missouri) in 1892. After its disbandment in 1916, the former Brothers still sought to create an organization that would focus on strong academic achievement, service to humanity, and fellowship. As a result, Phi Sigma Pi was founded on February 14th, 1916 by founders Dr. Eldo L. Hendricks, Dr. Claude A. Phillips, and Dr. Clarence H. McClure.
The Fraternity became national with the founding of its second chapter at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1921. In 1928, former National President, Rolla F. Wood successfully incorporated Phi Sigma Pi into one of the 21 professional fraternities that made up the Professional Interfraternity Conference. The Professional Interfraternity Conference was later merged with the Professional Fraternity Association which represents various professional fields including architecture, law, medicine, engineering, business, and more. It became officially gender inclusive in 1975, although its first female Honorary Brother, Helen Wilson, was inducted in 1945. The first female Brother to be inducted after the official amendment was Laura Abney in 1977.
Today, there are over 130 chapters located all across the country, as well as a number of alumni associations. The National Headquarters is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.