Phi Sigma Epsilon


Phi Sigma Epsilon was a North American social fraternity that operated for 75 years until its merger with the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. The vast majority of Phi Sigma Epsilon chapters participated in the merger. Phi Sigma Kappa incorporated many of the symbols of Phi Sigma Epsilon into its own, changing its crest, and expanding its Cardinal Principals, symbolism, rituals and historical canon to embrace the milestones of Phi Sigma Epsilon's development. These changes were soon fully adopted by all chapters of the improved, and much larger fraternity, retaining the older name, Phi Sigma Kappa.
The two fraternities viewed it a happy, even auspicious coincidence that both groups had until the merger generally used the nickname, "Phi Sig." This was found to be just one of many striking similarities.
A few chapters and scattered alumni refused the [|Merger], eventually settling on a plan to form a new national fraternity Phi Sigma Phi, incorporating traditions similar to the original Phi Sigma Epsilon.

History

The Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity was founded on 20 February 1910 at Kansas State Normal College, now Emporia State University. "The early years of Phi Sigma Epsilon were stormy ones for there was much opposition to secret societies" at the school; the fraternity had to exist as an underground organization, frowned upon by many of the college authorities and citizens, until 1912. However, the fraternity's willingness to cooperate, and its program of scholastic and social improvements, won over support and admiration. After three years of effort, in 1913, Phi Sigma Epsilon was officially recognized on campus, and Prof. C. R. Phipps became the sponsor.

ΦΣΕ Founders

Expansion of Phi Sigma Epsilon

In 1926, Emporia's now sixteen-year-old local chapter of Phi Sigma Epsilon held preliminary meetings with two younger local fraternities, Sigma Delta Tau of nearby Kirksville State Teachers College in Kirksville, Missouri, and Pi Sigma Epsilon of Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas. From the resulting union of these three chapters, ΦΣΕ became a "national teachers college fraternity" at its first Conclave on December 30, 1927, keeping the eldest name. A group of members developed the charter, constitution and bylaws. Others, led by Fred Schwengel, authored the fraternity's new ritual over the following year.
In 1932, the fraternity began its publication of The Triangulum, a magazine for members.
In 1937, after a year of negotiations between the teachers college men's fraternities, Phi Sigma Epsilon worked with Sigma Tau Gamma to form the Association of Teachers College Fraternities on January 9, 1937.

The War Years: Closing and Reopening

The fraternity expanded to many other campuses until World War II, when an acute manpower crisis caused every chapter to cease operations between 1941 and 1946. Under the leadership of National President Shannon Flowers, however, the fraternity was successfully revived after the war.
It was noteworthy and probably un-equaled in the fraternity world that all chartered Phi Sigma Epsilon chapters were able to reopen after WWII.
With the mass influx of returning GIs to its schools, and with the expansion of mission at those schools beyond the teaching profession, by 1947, Phi Sigma Epsilon similarly broadened its focus, no longer to remain strictly a fraternity for teachers, but to embrace the general academic population. In 1952 the fraternity became a junior member of the NIC, and in 1965, a senior member.
Throughout its history approximately half of the Fraternity's chapters came from affiliating local chapters, some that had existed for many decades prior to joining Phi Sigma Epsilon. In most cases it is evident that these former locals became the strongest or most resilient chapters. The others, started as new groups on campus, were often short-lived, especially those formed from 1950 onward.

Growth and Decline

Phi Sigma Epsilon had an unofficial goal of having sixty chapters, a milestone it reached under the leadership of president James Whitfield by doubling in size between 1958 and 1970. Whitfield retired in 1970, after an unprecedented term of twelve years as president. This was the high-water mark for the fraternity. On February 20, 1970, the actual 60th anniversary of the founding was observed in Emporia. Founder and first initiate, Fred Thompson, along with James Whitfield, cut the anniversary cake, which bore seven candles in representation of the seven founders. Thompson was 86 years old at the 23rd Conclave, on September 5 of that year.
By 1972, growth had ceased while expenses grew, and, like many fraternities, Phi Sigma Epsilon had difficulty managing its chapters in that time of social change. Lack of fraternity interest on its campuses was another contributing factor. Attempts were made to innovate, for example, by hosting regionalized Conclaves rather than a single national meeting, and with early automation of address records. By the beginning of the 1978–79 academic year, there were but 38 chapters on the roll, nine fewer than in 1974 and 22 fewer than in 1970. This alarming situation precipitated aggressive action to shore up or re-charter struggling groups, which lead to some success: by the 1980 Conclave there were 45 chapters, up from 38.
Yet fiscal problems and rolling staff difficulties continued to weaken the fraternity. Complaints came in from various chapters of dissatisfaction with services and a lack of cooperation from the national office. Between 1980 and 1984, significant concerns, too, were raised about the financial health of the organization. Executive officer Ric Hoskin, who had served since the mid-60s, resigned on July 28, 1984. An emergency Council meeting was called, and, after the appointment of president John Sandwell to replace Hoskin as acting executive officer on an interim basis, a late audit confirmed the Council's worst fears: Phi Sigma Epsilon had only its equity in its national headquarters building which could be termed an asset.
One month later, at a belated and hastily called 30th Conclave, James Whitfield was again elected to serve as president. The following day, immediate past president Sandwell resigned from the position he had retained, that of executive officer. The Council named Whitfield acting executive officer without compensation. Whitfield immediately moved to establish effective communications throughout the order as a major priority. Yet the point of crisis was long past; by that fateful 30th Conclave, the discussion of what might yet be done was passionate and no option would prove to be easy. Leaders scheduled a series of meetings, considering all aspects of revitalization, and recessed the Conclave until the summer of 1985. The fall ushered in a flurry of activity, with plans for a follow-up Council meeting and publication of a series of chapter bulletins to teach the basics of fraternity management.

The Merger

In a curious stroke of timing, only a few months after the fall 1984 Council meeting, president James Whitfield attended an NIC meeting on Dec. 1, 1984, where he met for the first time Phi Sigma Kappa's grand president, Anthony Fusaro. They were seated next to each other due to the alphabetized seating of all the fraternities.
The two leaders "discussed their respective fraternities, and Whitfield learned that two PSE chapters had contacted PSK during the 1983-84 year, seeking assistance from PSK because of 'the lack of services from PSE.' The NIC rule had been explained to these chapters by PSK Executive Director, Brett Champion, and President Fusaro contacted then-PSE National President John Sandwell to offer assistance. In the transfer of PSE leadership from Sandwell to Whitfield, this information had not been relayed, so all of this was news to Whitfield."
A friendship developed, in this meeting of peers. The word "merger" was mentioned, and the two statesmen agreed to talk further, enlarging the sensitive and respectful conversation with a half dozen or more fraternal leaders from both groups. These men realized the profound similarities between the fraternities, and set a framework in place to continue the discussion, beginning by polling the interest of both executive councils. A favorable response by both groups led to further concrete steps, and merger documents were prepared. Soon, an overwhelmingly positive response came from a letter PSE wrote to its chapters and alumni clubs, with 26 of 29 respondents declaring in the affirmative, two negative votes, both from alumni clubs, and one un-indicated.
Phi Sigma Epsilon was scheduled to resume its Conclave on June 1, 1985. The evening prior, the Council met to review general fraternity operations, but final decisions on all items were to be deferred until action on the merger vote. There was significant division of opinion, and the various Council members were lobbied well into the evening. Yet, the following day, the final vote came down 40 to 39 in favor of the merger, with active chapters more strongly supporting the action, and alumni less inclined. Of the larger chapters, these broke significantly for the merger. Phi Sigma Epsilon's 31st and last Conclave's final vote was the unanimous selection of James Whitfield to sign and implement the merger documents. It was announced that Phi Sigma Kappa had already voted by mail overwhelmingly in favor of the merger, an action that was ratified at its 50th Convention by a unanimous vote, held later that summer on August 14, 1985.
With the merger, all Phi Sigma Epsilon alumni were welcomed into equal status in Phi Sigma Kappa. A vigorous plan was set in motion to 'onboard' all active chapters of Phi Sigma Epsilon as Phi Sigma Kappa chapters. All living past presidents of Phi Sigma Epsilon were inducted into Phi Sigma Kappa's Court of Honor. PSE past president Shannon Flowers became its Recorder. James Whitfield and Larry Beck of Phi Sigma Epsilon were immediately placed onto an enlarged Grand Council as directors, with PSE's Ron Cowan, Jr. joining that body in 1987. Scott Hull of PSE was brought on as a fourth Leadership Consultant on staff, and the man who had witnessed the formation of PSE as a national fraternity and written its ritual in 1927, past president, Fred Schwengel, agreed to serve as an Historian for the combined fraternity and as a trustee of the PSK Foundation.
Guided by the two men who knew the two rituals best, past-president Fred Schwengel and Grand President Anthony Fusaro, Phi Sigma Kappa's Ritual of Association was rewritten to include significant portions of the Phi Sigma Epsilon ritual. The PSE ritual itself was cast into the form of a special lecture to be added to the ritual book of all chapters for use on particular occasions. Similarly, Phi Sigma Kappa's Cardinal Principals were amended to reflect the ideals of Phi Sigma Epsilon: Justice, Wisdom and Honor.
As planned, aggressive action was taken over the next several years to assist former PSE chapters in their transition to the revised ritual, operations and requirements of the greatly enlarged fraternity. The fraternity agreed to honor the badges and words of recognition of both fraternities when presented by visiting alumni.
At the 1987 Convention the Phi Sigma Kappa flag and crest were changed to incorporate the symbolism of Phi Sigma Epsilon, thus formally finalizing the merger.
While most Phi Sigma Epsilon chapters, their alumni and most current and past national officers took part in the merger, a small percentage of active chapters did not. Several chapters were later found to be non-viable or recently dormant. One was released to join another national organization due to the presence of both chapters on campus. In the end, seven groups who did not wish to take part in the merger decided to form their own fraternity, Phi Sigma Phi, in 1988.

Historical Record

Mergers are rare in the fraternity world. A cursory reading of Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities will show that, far more often, groups that eventually fail will stubbornly decline into a shadow of what they once were, losing their last, lingering chapters in a rush into oblivion, or to individual chapter dispersal or absorption. It is a lesson of mature management to know when to 'wind down' any institution, especially one that is a labor of love. From this perspective, it appears that Phi Sigma Epsilon's leaders understood the risk of total loss for a struggling 75-year-old fraternity. By pressing forward with merger talks in spite of some opposition, proponents saved much of the history, continuity and culture of Phi Sigma Epsilon, blending its real strengths into the resulting combined fraternity.
Because of the foresight and determination of leaders from both fraternities, Phi Sigma Epsilon remains a cherished part of Phi Sigma Kappa, and thousands of young men annually learn its history, as part of a larger, better Phi Sig.
The record of Phi Sigma Epsilon's rise, long life and eventual merger is available in All The Phi Sigs, a history of both groups, revised in 1993 with a lengthy new section on Phi Sigma Epsilon. Until this publication, Phi Sigma Epsilon had never prepared a comprehensive written history. James Whitfield, past president of PSE and Phil Baird, former PSE Council member, volunteered to write this document. As many of the records of the fraternity were lost to flooding at PSE's former headquarters building, their job was difficult; yet as participants at a high level for many years, they, with the help of leaders they interviewed, such as former national presidents Shannon Flowers, Larry Beck and Fred Schwengel, were able to complete the highly detailed work. This volume is available from Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity headquarters for all the Phi Sigs.
From 1985 onward, the continuing history of Phi Sigma Epsilon may be found within Phi Sigma Kappa's record.

Active Chapters of ΦΣΕ Who Became Active Chapters of ΦΣΚ at the Merger

All Active ΦΣΕ chapters were welcomed into ΦΣΚ, and most joined. These are listed below. A very few opted immediately to decline, and a few others deliberated on the matter between 1985 and 1987, eventually choosing to revert to local status in anticipation of the entity that would become Phi Sigma Phi. Still other chapters were at a level of disorganization or actual dormancy that, on those campuses, there was no one left: no chapter existed to merge. For the groups that [|declined the Merger], and for the [|long-dormant groups], listed separately, Phi Sigma Kappa has continued to reach out the hand of brotherhood to alumni of those chapters.
Bold for current active chapters, italic for post-merger dormant chapters.
Chapter names listed in order of chartering. Some names do not follow standard Greek alphabetical order. See List of Phi Sigma Kappa chapters for chartering dates, and reference notes on the many predecessor local chapters that had become Phi Sigma Epsilon chapters.

Inactive Chapters of ΦΣΕ at the Merger, now part of Phi Sigma Kappa

These chapters were closed in the years prior to the merger, or in the waning years of Phi Sigma Epsilon as the merger approached. Some have organized alumni, depending on their relative strength during their active years. Phi Sigma Kappa continues to serve their alumni with news and support staff where the Fraternity has good addresses.
Bold for current active chapters, italic for dormant chapters.
Chapter names listed in order of chartering. Some names do not follow standard Greek alphabetical order. See List of Phi Sigma Kappa chapters for chartering dates

Previous Chapters of ΦΣΕ Which Immediately Moved to Form Phi Sigma ''Phi''

Organization took several years, and the eventual name of the new fraternity was not determined until ΦΣΚ and the non-merging chapters resolved trademark and copyright issues.
Bold for current active chapters, italic for dormant chapters.
Three additional chapters were revived for a time, going on to form the Founding Seven of ΦΣΦ. These three have all since closed:
One more chapter of the Founding Seven has also recently gone dormant:

Later Phi Sigma ''Phi'' Activity, and Naming Confusion

There is no legal connection between Phi Sigma Phi and Phi Sigma Kappa, nor their respective chapters, even if there is occasional similarity between chapter names. There is no formal agreement on 'naming rights' between PSK and PSP, thus each fraternity is free to name its chapters as it sees fit.
Following its formation in 1988, Phi Sigma Phi placed several new chapters on campuses new to any Phi Sig-named group, and has added several chapters where PSE formerly had a presence. As of 2018 Phi Sigma Phi had 9 active chapters. Chapter names for new PSP groups occasionally follow an historical precedent and reuse former PSE chapter names on a campus: About half of its chapters show some naming continuity with a predecessor, which indicates a claim of linkage between the older and newer groups. This is most often where alumni of PSE who rejected the merger become involved in a restart, or may possibly be where an active chapter left PSE/PSK for the new national in the tumultuous formation period between 1985 and 1988.
Besides the Founding Seven listed above, other PSP chapters and any potential ambiguity in their naming are as follows:
Other PSP chapters, started since 1988, are now gone:
Chapter start dates and closure dates for Phi Sigma Phi chapters are not yet published on their national website. Hence, this list is in the order shown on their Wikipedia page.