Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

As we enter the new year, we are continuing to honor those who give their time and knowledge to our Fraternity. This week, we are highlighting Brother Michael Kester-Haynes (Pittsburg ‘16.) Swipe through and check out his volunteer experience! Who do you want to see highlighted next?

As 2023 draws to a close, we are pleased to announce there is a tie for #1 in our list of Top 150 Phi Sigs. It is truly fitting that Tony Fusaro (Rhode Island '58) and Al Shonk (Southern Cal '54) are so closely connected in this distinction. They were close friends and surely proud of each other for this accomplishment.

Anthony Fusaro (Rhode Island ’58)

Grand President from 1983 until 1987 and again from 1990 until 1991
Grand Council Director from 1977 until 1983
Presided over the merger with Phi Sigma Epsilon in 1985
President of the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation from 1995 until 2003
Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee 1968 -1985 and again 1990 -1995
Chapter Adviser for Pi Pentaton at Northern Illinois
Chair, Ritual Committee
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle
Medallion of Merit recipient in 1977

Albert D. Shonk, Jr. (Southern Cal ’54)

Grand President from 1979 until 1983
Grand Council Alumni Director from 1960 until 1962
Grand Council Vice President from 1962 until 1970
Grand Council Director from 1977 until 1979
President of the Foundation from 1984 until 1995
President of the Memorial Foundation in 1984
Historian
Recorder of the Court of Honor
Signet Editor from 1987 until 1989
Named “Mr. Phi Sig” in 1996
Province President from 1982 until 1986
District Governor at various times from 1998 until 2007
Chapter Adviser for Omega Deuteron at Southern Cal
Shonk Archive and Educational Center Named in his honor
Ranked #7 in all-time individual donations to the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle
Medallion of Merit recipient in 1976

150 Years of Excellence!

https://phisigmakappa.org/top-150-phi-sigs/

As we commemorate 150 years of Phi Sigma Kappa, we proudly introduce our Top 150 Brothers — distinguished individuals who personify the very essence of our cardinal principles: Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Character.

These exceptional men stand as pillars, their contributions weaving a narrative of dedication, commitment, and transformative leadership. Through their unwavering efforts, they have not only left an indelible mark on Phi Sigma Kappa but have also enriched the lives of those around them. Congratulations to these trailblazers who have poured their hearts into the betterment of our organization. Here's to 150 years of greatness, and to the enduring legacy they've helped craft!

#3
Jim Whitfield (Central Missouri ’50)

PSE National President from 1958 until 1970 and 1984 until 1985
Presided over the merger with Phi Sigma Kappa
Longest Serving PSE National President in history
PSE National Vice President from 1950 until 1958
PSE Acting Executive Officer from 1984 until 1985
Grand Council Director from 1985 until 1993
Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee from 1993 until 2008
District Governor from 1997 until 1998
Foundation Trustee Emeritus
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle
Medallion of Merit recipient in 1995

#4
Herbert L. Brown (Swarthmore 1916)

Grand President from 1946 until 1950
Co-Founder of the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation in 1947
Author of current Initiation Ritual, adopted at 1948 Convention
President of the NIC in 1955
Executive Director from 1956 until 1968
Signet Editor from 1956 until 1974
Editor Emeritus of the Signet
Secretary-Treasurer of the Foundation from 1956 until 1976
Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus of the Foundation
Foundation Trustee
Chapter Adviser for Phi Chapter at Swarthmore
“Mr. Phi Sig” from 1968 until his death in 1988
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle
Medallion of Merit recipient in 1955

Brother Tom Smothers (San Jose State ‘61) joined the Chapter Eternal yesterday at the age of 86. Brother Smothers is remembered as the co-host of the “Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” a groundbreaking television show that debuted in 1967. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

#5
Joseph F. Barrett (UMass 1875)

Phi Sigma Kappa Founder
Grand President from 1881 until 1889 and again from 1892 until 1894
Grand Council Vice President from 1894 until 1896
Only Founder to serve as Grand President
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle

#6
Bernard M. Berman (Swarthmore ’62)

Grand President from 1991 until 1995
Grand Council Director from 1983 until 1991
Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee from 1997 until 2002
Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee Emeritus
Phi Sigma Kappa Properties Director - 2012
Has served as Fraternity’s legal counsel since 1968
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle
Recipient of the Devoted Service Award in 1981
Medallion of Merit recipient in 1996

#7
Jabez William Clay (UMass 1875)

Phi Sigma Kappa Founder

Credited with being the first man to suggest the birth of Phi Sigma Kappa

Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle

Merry Christmas!

Here's to celebrating the season with those who make our fraternity truly special. Sending you all festive cheer and Brotherhood love!

#8
William Penn Brooks (UMass 1875)

Phi Sigma Kappa Founder
Was the authority on the Constitution
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle

#9
Ralph J. Watts (UMass 1907)

Author of the Cardinal Principles
Grand Council Secretary/Treasurer from 1922 until 1938
Grand Council Historian (appointed office) from 1938 until 1954
Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Scholarship Director from 1947 until 1954
Chair of the 50th Anniversary Celebration
Co-Author of All the Phi Sigs (1923 – 1948)
Medallion of Merit recipient in 1954 (posthumous)

#10
Charles V. Loring (UC/Santa Barbara ’72)

Grand President from 1975 until 1979
Grand Council Director from 1973 until 1975
President of the NIC in 1988
Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee from 1979 until 1991
Foundation Trustee Emeritus
Province President from 1986 until 1991
Chapter Adviser at UC/Santa Barbara
Recipient of the Devoted Service Award in 1981
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle
Medallion of Merit recipient in 1984

Our office will be closed from December 22nd through January 2nd

As the year draws to a close, we want to wish each of you a joyful and restful holiday season. This break allows for our hardworking staff to recharge and spend time with loved ones. We'll be back, reenergized and ready to assist you, on January 3rd. If you need support or have inquiries, please feel free to reach out upon our return.

For emergencies be sure to use our phone system!

#11
James R. Schmitz (UC/Santa Barbara ’80)

Grand President from 1999 until 2003
Grand Council Director from 1993 until 1999
Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation President from 2007 until 2010
Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Treasurer from 2010 until 2011
Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee from 2004 until 2007
Phi Sigma Kappa Properties Director
Foundation Trustee Emeritus
Province President from 1983 until 1993
District Governor in 1999
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle
Medallion of Merit recipient in 2004

#12
Henry Hague (UMass 1875)

Phi Sigma Kappa Founder

Credited with most knowledge about the secret alphabet/early esoteric works of the Fraternity

Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle

#13
Fred Schwengel (Truman State ’30)

PSE National President from 1930 until 1934
PSE Secretary/Treasurer from 1934 until 1937 and 1946 until 1951
PSE National Council Life Councilor from 1952 until 1985
Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee from 1985 until 1993
Phi Sigma Epsilon’s “Mr. Phi Sig”
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle
Medallion of Merit recipient in 1986

#14
Xenos Y. Clark (UMass 1875)

Phi Sigma Kappa Founder
With Jabez Clay, responsible for much of the Fraternity’s symbolism
Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle

#15
John Ashburton Cutter (UMass 1882)

Responsible for the nationalization of the Fraternity by forming the group that became Beta Chapter

Grand President from 1900 until 1902

Grand Council Secretary/Treasurer from 1885 until 1886 and 1889 until 1892

Grand Council Secretary from 1892 until 1898

Grand Council Historian from 1886 until 1896

Signet Editor from 1894 until 1908

#16
R. Todd Simpson (Central Missouri ’86)

Grand President from 2007 until 2011

Grand Council Director from 1997 until 2007

Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation President from 2014 until 2015

Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee from 2011 until 2017

District Governor from 1996 until 2001

Medallion of Merit Recipient in 2013

Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle

Recipient of the Founders’ Award in 1995

#17
Stewart Herman (Gettysburg 1899)

Author of the Phi Sigma Kappa “Creed”

Grand Council Chaplain (Appointed Position) from 1934 until 1948

Semester’s end calls for a well-deserved break! Wish you all a wonderful and relaxing time off!

#18
Brett A. Champion (Tennessee/Martin ’78)

Executive Director from 1983 until 1987

Grand Council Director from 1993 until 1997

Foundation Trustee from 1997 until 2002

Signet Editor from 1983 until 1987

Medallion of Merit Recipient in 2018

Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle

Devoted Service Award in 1997

#19
Shannon Flowers (Central Arkansas ’36)

PSE National President from 1946 until 1950

PSE National Second Vice President from 1941 until 1945

PSE National First Vice President from 1945 until 1946

PSE Vice President from 1950 until 1970

PSE Historian from 1937 until 1941

PSE National Expansion Director from 1941 until 1945

Credited with helping to hold PSE together during World War II

Medallion of Merit Recipient in 1990

Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle

Recipient of the Devoted Service Award in 1987

#20
David M. Spreitzer (Kentucky ’80)

Grand President from 2003 until 2007

Grand Council Director from 1995 until 2003

Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee from 2007 until 2008; 2015 until 2017

Medallion of Merit Recipient in 2008

Province President from 1989 until 1993

District Governor in 2003

Past Chapter Adviser for Phi Deuteron at Kentucky

Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle

#21
Charles Sumner Howe (UMass 1878)

First Grand President from 1878 until 1881

First Editor of The Signet from 1878 until 1894

Credited with translating Three T’s into the Greek name Phi Sigma Kappa

Authored First Constitution

Authored Ritual of Opening and Closing of Chapter Meetings

#22
Bruce Johnson (Illinois ’70)

Grand Council Director from 1973 until 1983

Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee from 1972 until 2011

Foundation Trustee Emeritus

Medallion of Merit recipient in 1998

Recipient of the Devoted Service Award in 1983

Named Chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle