Phi Sigma Epsilon Celebrates Centennial!
In the beginning of the 20th century, as colleges increased in number and enrollment, new fraternities were founded in the United States and Canada. It was the desire to be a member of such an organization that prompted Fred M. Thompson and Orin M. Rhide to begin the process which finally resulted in the birth of Phi Sigma Epsilon. Both were students at Kansas State Normal College, which is now Emporia State University.
Preliminary work on a temporary organization was done in 1909, but the real birth of Phi Sigma Epsilon came on February 20, 1910. The Phi Sigma Epsilon Constitution and Bylaws were adopted that evening and the Ritual had been completed that same afternoon. The Fraternity's founders were Raymond Victor Bottomly, W. Roy Campbell, W. Ingram Forde, Humphrey Jones, Robert C. Marley, Orin M. Rhine and Fred M. Thompson.
The merger of Phi Sigma Kappa and Phi Sigma Epsilon was first discussed in 1984 and came to fruition on August 14, 1985.
Phi Sigma Epsilon's Centennial will be celebrated Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20 in Emporia, Kansas. The celebration will kick off with a cocktail party at Guest House Inn at 7:30 p.m. Friday. A brunch will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Sauder Alumni Center. This is the first formal event of the weekend and will include a welcome and address from Emporia State's President and the Director of Alumni Relations. Following the presentation, ESU's ambassadors will provide guided campus tours, which will emphasize the impact Phi Sigs have had on the development of Emporia State University.
Later that afternoon, guests will have the opportunity to tour Cross House, Phi Sigma Epsilon's home in the early years. Over the past several years, the house has been undergoing extensive renovations. An exemplification of the Phi Sigma Epsilon Ritual will also be held.
Later that evening, a banquet will be held at the Memorial Union Ballroom. Phi Sigma Kappa dignitaries will be on hand.
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