History
Pi Sigma History (1955-Present)
October 26, 1955, a group of men called "The Pershing Rifles" (an Army ROTC drill team) decided to form a local fraternity and named themselves the Pi Sigma Upsilon Fraternity. The Motto of the Fraternity was "The Higher we Climb, The Broader the View". The official colors were Royal Blue and Burgundy and the American Beauty Red Rose was the official fraternity flower. The founding officers included William Connell (President), James Ristimaki (Vice President), Paul Rettger (Secretary) and W.F.O Rosenmiller II (Treasurer).
December 3, 1960, Pi Sigma Upsilon Fraternity was granted a charter from the Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America and became the Pi Sigma Chapter. Adrian Wesley Tewksbury was the first brother initiated into the new Zeta Psi Fraternity - Pi Sigma Chapter. He become the first president of the chapter and in 1963 became the first brother to pass away when he was killed in an airplane crash while in the Navy.
In the 1960's, an old Pi Sigma house was replaced by a new house and in 1970 an underground swimming pool was made using the foundation of the old house. Throughout the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's many great brothers have graduated from Penn State. There were some times of great prosperity and great challenges for the fraternity. Throughout this period, Brother Donald R. Harmer, 1963, was an alumni leader and past president who significantly contributed to the success and viability of the fraternity.
Pi Sigma was recolonized in 1997 by 22 motivated brothers and has thrived ever since. The alumni leadership of past alumni presidents, Brother David C. Miles, 1967, and Brother Eric R. Linde, 1968 were instrumental in the success of the chapter today. The Pi Sigma chapter has won numerous awards including 9 Outstanding chapter awards as well as excelling in on campus events and intramural sports.
In 1999 the PSU Educational Foundation was founded by the Pi Sigma Elder Chapter of Zeta Psi Fraternity. The Foundation has allowed alumni to give tax deductible donations to support the educational needs of the chapter and provide scholarships to many Zeta Psi Brothers.
In 2000, Brother Richard M. Breeswine, 1987, became the first Pi Sigma brother to be appointed as Executive Director of Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America and Zeta Psi Educational Foundation to oversee all Zeta Psi chapters in the US and Canada. Brother Breeswine continues to support the Pi Sigma chapter today as Alumni Housing Director.
From 1999 through 2009 major renovations to the house were completed to give the house a complete face lift and to install sustainable features to allow significant energy savings to the remodeled chapter house. The overall renovation investment was approximately $1,000,000. In spring 2009, an alumni suite was installed for visiting alumni to enjoy during a football game weekend or even a business trip.
In July 2009 and after 40 years of continual use, the swimming pool was officially decommissioned.
During most of the year of 2009, construction of the new Archive and Educational Center in the chapter house was underway. On October 16, 2009, the archive room was officially dedicated in memory of Brother Richard "Rick" D. Ommert, 1967, for his many years of service to preserve our cherished archives. This is the first room in the chapter house to be named in memory of a Pi Sigma brother.
Today, Zeta Psi Fraternity, Pi Sigma Chapter continues to flourish as a premiere fraternity within the Penn State Greek Community. Exceptional leadership, as is evident in president, Brother Dan Florencio as well as a strong brotherhood are key reasons for Zeta Psi's success. In addition, Brother Gary J. Grgurich, 1978, has continued to provide sound advice as the alumni advisor since 2003. Brother Mike S. Herman, 2006, continues to provide exceptional leadership as alumni president.