Phi Sigma Rho
| Phi Sigma Rho | |
|---|---|
| ΦΣΡ | |
| Founded | September 24, 1984 Purdue University |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | Engineering |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | "Together we build the future" |
| Pillars | Friendship, Scholarship, Encouragement |
| Colors | Wine red and silver |
| Symbol | Star and pyramid |
| Flower | Orchid |
| Jewel | Pearl |
| Mascot | Sigmand the penguin |
| Publication | The Key |
| Philanthropy | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society |
| Chapters | 48 |
| Colonies | 2 |
| Members | > 2,500 active > 12,000 lifetime |
| Nickname | Phi Rho or PSR |
| Headquarters | PO Box 100545 Seattle, Washington 80250 United States |
| Website | www |
Phi Sigma Rho (ΦΣΡ; also known as Phi Rho or PSR) is a social sorority for individuals who identify as female or non-binary in engineering and technology. The sorority was founded in 1984 at Purdue University. It has since expanded to more than 40 colleges across the United States.
History
Phi Sigma Rho was founded on September 24, 1984, at Purdue University.[1][2] Its founders were Rashmi Khanna and Abby McDonald who were unable to participate in traditional sorority rush due to the demands of the sororities and their engineering program; they decided to start a new sorority that would take their academic program's demands into consideration.[2]
The Alpha chapter at Purdue University was founded with ten charter members: Gail Bonney, Anita Chatterjea, Ann Cullinan, Pam Kabbes, Rashmi Khanna, Abby McDonald, Christine Mooney, Tina Kershner, Michelle Self, and Kathy Vargo.[3]
Phi Sigma Rho is a social sorority that accepts students pursuing degrees in engineering and technology who identify as female or who identify as non-binary.[3] The sorority made the decision to include non-binary students in all chapters in the summer of 2021.[3][4]
The sorority's headquarters is based in Seattle, Washington.[5]
Symbols
Phi Sigma Rho's core values or pillars are Friendship, Scholarship, and Encouragement.[6] Its motto is "Together we build the future."[2][6]
The colors of Phi Sigma Rho are wine red and silver.[2] The sorority's flower is the orchid.[6][2] Its jewel is the pearl.[2][6] Its mascot is Sigmand the penguin.[2][6]Its online magazine is The Key.[7]
Philanthropy
Phi Sigma Rho's national philanthropy is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.[8]
The Phi Sigma Rho Foundation was established as a separate nonprofit organization in 2005.[8] It supports the educational and philanthropic efforts of the sorority's members and offers merit-based scholarships to sorority members.[8][9]
Chapters
As of 2025, Phi Sigma Rho has charter 53 chapters in the United States, with 48 being active.[1]
Notable members
- Lila Ibrahim, computer scientist and Google DeepMind's first chief operating officer[10]
See also
References
- ^ a b Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (January 13, 2024). "Women's Organizations". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed April 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "History". Phi Sigma Rho. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ^ a b c "History". Phi Sigma Rho. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ^ "Phi Sigma Rho votes to accept non-binary members". Purdue Exponent. West Lafayette, IN, USA. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
- ^ "Headquarters". Phi Sigma Rho. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
- ^ a b c d e "About Us - Phi Sigma Rho". The Grainger College of Engineering. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "The Key". Phi Sigma Rho. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ^ a b c "Phi Sigma Rho Foundation". Phi Sigma Rho Foundation. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ^ "Scholarships". Phi Sigma Rho Foundation. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ^ "Lila Ibrahim | Phi Sigma Rho". www.phisigmarho.org. Archived from the original on 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
Further reading
- Bilimoria, Diana; Lord, Linley (2014-10-31). Women in STEM Careers: International Perspectives on Increasing Workforce Participation, Advancement and Leadership. Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78195-407-2.
- Torbenson, Craig LaRon; Parks, Gregory (2009). Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. Associated University Presse. p. 282. ISBN 978-0-8386-4194-1.
- The Engineer of 2020: Visions of Engineering in the New Century. National Academies Press. 2004-06-14. ISBN 978-0-309-09162-6.
- Models and Modeling in Engineering Education: Designing Experiences for All Students. BRILL. 2008-01-01. ISBN 978-90-8790-404-3.
- Lovett, Karen (2020-06-03). Diverse Pedagogical Approaches to Experiential Learning: Multidisciplinary Case Studies, Reflections, and Strategies. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-3-030-42691-0.