Phi Eta Sigma
| Phi Eta Sigma | |
|---|---|
| ΦΗΣ | |
| Founded | March 22, 1923 University of Illinois |
| Type | Honor |
| Affiliation | ACHS |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | Freshman scholarship |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | Φρόνις ἐστί δύναμις Knowledge is Power |
| Colors | Gold and Black |
| Publication | The Forum |
| Chapters | 400 |
| Members | 1,400,000 lifetime |
| Headquarters | Box 870261 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0328 United States |
| Website | www |
Phi Eta Sigma (ΦΗΣ) 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 Φρόνις ἐστί δύναμις, translated as "Knowledge is Power".[7]
The Phi Eta Sigma crest features a shield with the Greek letters ΦΗΣ, 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 ΦΗΣ 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
In 2025, Phi Eta Sigma had 400 chapters.[4]
Notable members
Phi Eta Sigma has inducted more than 1,400,000 members since its founding.[4]
See also
References
- ^ 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 "Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society- Freshman Scholarship". Association of College Honor Societies. Archived from the original on 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ a b c d e "Home Page". Phi Eta Sigma. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "Phi Eta Sigma Archives – Student Life and Culture Archives". University of Illinois Library. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e "Our Chapter". IU Bloomington Chapter of Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Societies. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ a b "Get the Facts About Phi Eta Sigma". Phi Eta Sigma. 2010. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2021.