Phi Eta Sigma

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title: "Phi Eta Sigma" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["student-societies-in-the-united-states", "honor-societies", "1923-establishments-in-illinois", "student-organizations-established-in-1923", "association-of-college-honor-societies"] description: "American collegiate honor society" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phi_Eta_Sigma" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American collegiate honor society ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox Fraternity"]

Field	Value
name	Phi Eta Sigma
letters	ΦΗΣ
motto	Φρόνις ἐστί δύναμις'
"Knowledge is Power"
coat of arms	Phi Eta Sigma.svg
image_size	150px
colors	Gold and Black
birthplace	University of Illinois
founded
status	Active
type	Honor
affiliation	ACHS
emphasis	Freshman scholarship
scope	National
chapters	400
lifetime	1,400,000
publication	The Forum
address	Box 870261
city	Tuscaloosa
state	Alabama
ZIP code	35487-0328
country	United States
homepage
::

| name = Phi Eta Sigma | letters = ΦΗΣ | motto = Φρόνις ἐστί δύναμις' "Knowledge is Power" | coat of arms = Phi Eta Sigma.svg | image_size = 150px | colors = Gold and Black | birthplace = University of Illinois | founded = | status = Active | type = Honor | affiliation = ACHS | emphasis = Freshman scholarship | scope = National | chapters = 400 | members = | lifetime = 1,400,000 | publication = The Forum | address = Box 870261 | city = Tuscaloosa | state = Alabama | ZIP code = 35487-0328 | country = United States | homepage = 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. Clark was a professor and dean of the university. Phi Eta Sigma was established as an honor society for male freshmen.

It became a national society with the addition of chapters at the University of Missouri and the University of Michigan in 1926. 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. Phi Eta Sigma held its first national convention on November 23, 1928, at Urbana, Illinois. Clark was elected national president.

By 1930, Phi Eta Sigma had eleven chapters. It joined the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) on February 27, 1937. By 1962, the society had 117 active chapters and 76,447 initiates.

By 2011, Phi Eta Sigma had grown to 366 active chapters and had initiated 997,438 members. It left the ACHS in 2011 but was rejoined in 2018. In 2025, it had 400 chapters and 1,400,000 total members. It is the oldest and largest freshman honor society.

Symbols

The name Phi Eta Sigma was chosen to stand for the Greek words for "Lovers of Wisdom". The society's motto is Φρόνις ἐστί δύναμις, translated as "Knowledge is Power".

The Phi Eta Sigma crest features a shield with the Greek letters ΦΗΣ, a pyramid which symbolizes strength, and a lamp for scholarship. Above the shield are three links of chain and a gold star, symbolizing noble character. Below the shield is the society's motto.

The society's emblem is a gold key in the shape of a scroll, with the Greek letters ΦΗΣ in black enamel. Its colors are gold and black. The society's magazine is The Forum, established in 1930.**

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 (i.e., quarter, semester, or year) is eligible for membership. Once inducted, membership is conferred for life.

Activities

Annually, Phi Eta Sigma provides $400,000 total in scholarships to members. 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.

Governance

Phi Eta Sigma's executive officers are elected at the biennial conventions. Its headquarters are in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Chapters

Main article: List of Phi Eta Sigma chapters

In 2025, Phi Eta Sigma had 400 chapters.

Notable members

Main article: List of Phi Eta Sigma members

Phi Eta Sigma has inducted more than 1,400,000 members since its founding.

References

References

1. Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. ''[https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b3119647?urlappend=%3Bseq=397%3Bownerid=9007199274501863-431 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.
2. {{Bairds17
3. "Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society- Freshman Scholarship".
4. "Home Page".
5. "Phi Eta Sigma Archives – Student Life and Culture Archives".
6. "Our Chapter".
7. (2010). "Get the Facts About Phi Eta Sigma". Phi Eta Sigma}}{{cbignore.

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