On February 14, 1916, Phi Sigma Pi was founded at State Teachers College at Warrensburg, Missouri and originally named Phi Sigma Pi Honorary Professional Fraternity. The three founders decided that Phi Sigma Pi would stress not only scholarship, leadership, and fellowship, but do so in a concept of an equal tripod dedicated to these three ideals. Phi Sigma Pi was originally intended to be an organization for teachers at teacher training institutions. Dr. Hendricks, the leading force behind the creation of Phi Sigma Pi, was the first person to sign a Phi Sigma Pi roll book and is therefore known as Alpha 1. He was followed by Dean Phillips and Professor McClure. In addition to the three faculty members, the first chapter included ten undergraduate and honorary members.

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In 1966, at a time when colleges and universities were openly discouraging social fraternities and promoting honor organizations and scholarship, Phi Sigma Pi was at a crossroads. Teacher training schools across the United States were becoming liberal arts State Colleges and Universities. Seeing that Phi Sigma Pi had always placed exceptional emphasis on scholarship – the premise being that good teachers were also good scholars – it was suggested that an honor fraternity open to all academic majors which stressed scholarship, leadership, and fellowship would preserve the tripod, while creating new opportunities for expansion. Phi Sigma Pi Honorary Professional Fraternity became Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity.

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In 1977, the National Constitution was amended to admit eligible women. Phi Sigma Pi became a co-educational fraternity. Women were admitted into Phi Sigma Pi beginning in the fall semester of 1977. The word, “Brother,” as all male members had historically called each other, would now come to refer to both men and women. The decision to admit females had an enormous impact on Phi Sigma Pi in the late 1970′s and it continues today. Women have had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the growth and development of Phi Sigma Pi.

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