History of Phi Sigma Phi Fraternity
Beginnings
The group of staunch and loyal friends who founded Phi Sigma Phi entered Miami University in the fall of 1921. From their associations during their Freshman year, a close friendship was formed among this group, and when they returned to school the following year in 1922, they secured rooms in adjoining houses so that they would be together. During the early part of that year, these friendships grew even closer until finally they agreed to regularize their mutual friendship and devotion by establishing themselves as the nucleus of a new fraternity.
There were initially nine men (Andrew W. Kincaid, Reuben H. Dickman, Howard S. Marts, Roland D. Francis, Kenneth G. Hawver, Earl D. Chambers, E. John Pierce, Clemeth A. Shiflet, Richard F. Kramlich) and two months later added another five (Robert U. Pearce, J. Wylie Fetherlin, Myron T. Potter, J. Eugene Cameron, Harry L. Kauffman). The original 14 were accepted as charter members of the new fraternity. After several secret meetings and much discussion in each others rooms, the name Phi Sigma Phi was adopted, and committees were appointed to draw up a constitution and a ritual, to design a badge and a coat of arms, and to purchase a house. The work of these committees was faithfully carried out during the summer vacation. The fourteen men had set up brotherly love, morality, and good fellowship as the standard for their fraternity, and began at once to strengthen their organization.
Early Success
In the fall of 1923, the active chapter of Phi Sigma Phi fraternity was noticeable on campus. The chapter even occupied its own house, which was located one block from campus at 101 E. Collins St. No one had known of the existence of the fraternity until then and upon its introduction on the campus, it was immediately recognized in all activities and highly complimented upon its accomplishments.
The original intent of the founders was not to petition a national fraternity for a charter, but rather to concentrate their efforts for several years laying a solid foundation and building up a very strong local fraternity, and much was accomplished toward this end. By the end of the year, however, they began to realize the many values and benefits to be derived by being a national fraternity, and decided to affiliate themselves with some national organization which had similar standards and ideals.
In later 1923, Phi Sigma Phi sent representatives to the Inter-local Fraternity Conference in order to gain information valuable to the operations of local fraternities. While in New York, these men became friends with several of the founders of Theta Upsilon Omega. They brought back the report that they had formed ties with the founders of a new fraternity whose ideals were very similar to those of Phi Sigma Phi. They were very enthusiastic about the new national fraternity and, of course, aroused a great deal of discussion about it. The general consensus of opinion in the fraternity at that time was that they should not affiliate themselves with a national fraternity while still so young. So no action was taken on the matter that year.
Going National
It was decided in the fall of 1924 that Phi Sigma Phi should petition Theta Upsilon Omega, and accordingly, representatives were again sent to the Inter-local Fraternity Conference with the purpose of better aligning themselves with the ideals and standards of Theta Upsilon Omega. Upon the return of these representatives, their report was favorably accepted by the chapter. They immediately proceeded to secure the consent of the few alumni to petition Theta Upsilon Omega. The chapter was visited by a representative of the fraternity in December. The petition of Phi Sigma Phi was accepted by the Arch Chapter of Theta Upsilon Omega at their annual convocation held in Philadelphia, January 2-3, 1925, and was granted a charter as the Beta Beta chapter of Theta Upsilon Omega.
