Phi Sigs Celebrate a Heritage -
Phi Sigma Epsilon's 100th Anniversary
During the fall of 1909 several college friends met a number of times to discuss a brotherhood. In January of 1910, two of them stood before the college president and made a request. Fraternities did not exist on the campus of Kansas State Normal School (later Emporia State University). The students, Fred Thompson and Victor Bottomly, asked permission to form a fraternity.
The college president, Joseph H. Hill, pushed his glasses up and looked off into space. After a time, he looked at the young men and said, "You have my permission to organize a fraternity. I have supreme confidence in all of you . . . "
On February 20, 1910, Phi Sigma Epsilon was born. February 20, 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of PSE's founding. Brothers, we all celebrate our common heritage of the founding of Phi Sigma Epsilon. This year that heritage is especially meaningful as it represents the Centennial of PSE.
I find it difficult to express my feelings. As many of my brothers know, I am a Phi Sig by way of Phi Sigma Epsilon, coming from that lineage and with those experiences. PSE's Centennial is a milestone of which I am proud.
I can think of other Fraternity milestones that hold great meaning for me . . . my initiation, my appointment to serve on the Fraternity's staff, my installation as Grand President. Yet all of these pale to the one Phi Sig experience that I cherish, the event which brought Phi Sigma Epsilon brothers and Phi Sigma Kappa brothers together to make our Fraternity what it is today . . . the Merger.
I was there when the two bodies came together as one. I was there when Mr. Phi Sig Al Shonk made the resolution to adopt the Merger. I was there when Grand President Anthony Fusaro and National President James Whitfield shook hands . . . and then raised their combined hands in a show of victory and mutural admiration. I was there . . . and I am Damn Proud to be a member of Phi Sigma Kappa.
So today, my brothers, let all Phi Sigs commemorate our combined heritage in the celebration of Phi Sigma Epsilon's 100th anniversary. And let us continue to serve our Rituals, our Cardinal Principles and our Creed in the choices we make in our daily lives.
Damn Proud,
R. Todd Simpson (Central Missouri '86)
Grand President
