An important dimension of Phi Eta Sigma membership is the opportunity for service and leadership on campuses and in communities across our great land.  Featured on this page are summaries of a small sampling of the participation of our members in campus and community help projects custom designed to meet the special needs of those whose lives they touch.  Additional projects are highlighted in each issue of our magazine, Forum of Phi Eta Sigma.

     Phi Eta Sigma members take great pride in their membership by making a difference in their communities, at their schools, and among fellow students as they set examples of higher standards and citizenship values.  Later in life, these academically motivated scholars will continue to make a difference in their homes, their communities, and their chosen careers after they leave campus, to the benefit of their families, their friends, their fellow citizens, and society at large. 

    The following are all-too-brief summaries of recent chapter reports of activities, leadership, and projects.

The University of Alabama chapter participated in the “Ask Me Campaign” on their campus during the first few days of the fall semester by setting up “Ask Me” booths to help incoming freshmen get oriented with the campus and their new college lives. By providing refreshments, directions, and advice, they helped numerous students adjust to their new college surroundings.

The chapter also participated in the “Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger” food drive in competition with Auburn University by asking their fall inductees to bring cans of food to the induction ceremony.

Bernard Baruch College members participated in numerous campus and community service projects during the past academic year, including the following:

The Clarion University of Pennsylvaniachapter provides tutoring to elementary and high school students in the Clarion area.

Gannon University chapter members continue to participate in many activities and events and have a campus reputation for excellence, not only in academics, but also in an altruistic attitude as evidenced by their willingness to share and help. Members have:

In addition, the Gannon chapter offers four scholarships at the end of each year to encourage and reward academic excellence, leadership, and service. The scholarships are an incentive that encourages members to do more than the minimum requirements.

The Hofstra chapter included in their regular chapter activities the following:

The University of Illinois chapter surpassed its goal of raising $2,000 for the American Cancer Society through creative and fun activities such as:

Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis chapter members have had a very busy year participating in numerous service projects.

Members of the IUPUI chapter of Phi Eta Sigma relax for a few moments outside Thrifty Threads donation center following their United Way Day of Caring service project. About twenty members carpooled up to the north side of Indianapolis for the day to work at the center, a unique, nonprofit agency providing counseling, safe shelter, and education for women and children who are survivors of domestic violence and abuse. The volunteers cleaned the store, moved and loaded furniture, and sorted through massive piles of donations.

But that was not the end of their volunteer efforts!! They also collected several boxes of coats and also used some of their funds to purchase new coats for the Coats for Kids project, adopted a needy family at Christmas, and participated in the Riley Children’s Hospital Dance-A-Thon.

Three Phi Eta Sigma teams from the chapter participated in the annual IUPUI College Bowl.

The University of Iowa chapter kept with tradition throughout the year by preparing several meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House, a “home away from home” for families with children at the local hospitals.

Members also participated in the university’s 24-hour Dance Marathon, providing both emotional and financial support to children with cancer and their families, and collected food donations for local shelters.

The Jacksonville State University chapter awarded campus scholarships to five members who have maintained perfect 4.0 GPAs during their college careers.

The Kennesaw State University chapter assisted with the inauguration of the university’s new president and with the annual First-Year Student Convocation.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle chapter collected twenty-three full boxes of books for “Better World Books” for use by students in Louisiana and Mississippi and volunteered at the Fort Fairfield Blue Grass Festival and at the Martha and Mary’s Soup Kitchen.

Marshall University chapter members continue to support Habitat for Humanity fundraisers, assist with the local animal shelter drives and host the yearly university faculty dinner.

The University of Maryland, College Park chapter holds monthly service events such as the making of over three hundred Halloween cards for patients at a local children’s hospital, and a teddy bear drive for the Christmas holiday season.

In addition to these and other service projects, the chapter awarded more than $9,000 in local scholarships during the past academic year.

On Saturday, March 23, 2007, the Mercer University chapter celebrated seventy-five years with Phi Eta Sigma at a special commemoration on their campus, with Grand Secretary-Treasurer Jack Sagabiel, university leaders and guests in attendance.

During this special anniversary year, the philanthropy, social, and promotions committees of the chapter developed new ideas designed to encourage involvement in the community and on campus in an attempt to engage the minds of members to better prepare them as leaders in an ever-changing world. A small sampling of these new ideas follows:

Penn State awarded four $500 scholarships to members of their chapter last year.

University of Puget Sound chapter members helped with a local AIDS walk, decorated pumpkins for a local retirement home, had a food scavenger hunt for a local food bank, and participated in a program to help feed and clothe the homeless.

The Syracuse University chapter has a reputation for touching lives on a year-round basis, beginning and ending each school year on a positive note. Touching the surface activities for the Syracuse community includes sponsorship of a campus blood drive and a book drive; gathering and purchasing new toys, games, and sports equipment for underserved children; funding study break snacks; and the sponsorship of a campus-wide résumé seminar.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville chapter showed its true “volunteer spirit” by participating in area service projects throughout the year. In December, members sponsored gifts for children in need through The Angel Tree, Inc., a Knoxville-based agency. The group promoted awareness for heart disease by collecting money for “Go Red for Women” in February. All proceeds were donated to the American Heart Association. The chapter grew in April as current members welcomed the new. Nearly 800 were present as 453 students were inducted. Finally the school year ended with River Rescue, a local effort to beautify the Tennessee River.

As Western Kentucky University celebrated its centennial last year, the WKU Phi Eta Sigma chapter decided to celebrate its roots also and reinstitute a program from its earlier days as a chapter. For the first time in many years, incoming members voted on a “Phi Eta Sigma Professor of the Year,” a faculty member who significantly influenced the student’s freshman year. A number of faculty members across many disciplines received votes, but the final result was a four-way tie. Recognized were Jane Brantley (Mathematics), Bruce Crawley (Communications), John Dizgun (History) and Dale Rigby (English). Dr. Craig Cobane, director of the university honors program, served as guest speaker for the centennial year induction ceremony and was inducted as an honorary member.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire chapter presented more than $700 in local scholarships during the past academic year. The chapter also sponsored three lecture programs, including one for Honors Week. Other chapter events included four information meetings for potential members, two membership drives, one major induction ceremony with banquet, an officer transition dinner, and a finals “study break” awareness event and member recognition.