With August well under way brothers are headed back to class. Rushes will begin all over and soon new initiates will begin studies in the history of Phi Sigma Pi. One of the first discoveries these pilgrims will come to is the tripod.
Scholarship, leadership and fellowship; these ideals compose the very core of the fraternity. Yet, sometimes get glossed over when teaching initiates. Sometimes these ideals are even forgotten in the busy life of a college student.
Scholarship is usually what drives the initial interest in the fraternity. After all, it is an honor fraternity and honors are determined by GPA. But scholarship goes beyond having a nice GPA. Scholarship is taking an active interest in your studies and going beyond the classroom.
Phi Sigma Pi knows the importance of scholarship and education, as Teach For America is the national philanthropy. Brothers all over participate in varieties of scholarships from simple study groups to attending plays, lectures, and other enriching activities that stimulate the mind.
Leadership is one of the qualities that set Phi Sigma Pi members apart from other students. Some think that being a leader means being the sole individual in charge of a set of responsibilities; however chapters as a whole can be a leader on campus. Take for example the large service projects such as Kick the Silence kickball tournaments headed up by the brothers of Alpha Eta. Brothers were able to raise money to benefit RAINN, the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network.
Fellowship is what brings it all together. Being with your brothers and making memories that will last. The bonds between brothers can last a lifetime. Some chapters neglect the social aspects of the fraternity, worried that they will look less like an honorary organization and more stereotypical social greek.
There is nothing wrong with having a good time. In fact the great thing about the tripod is how the three ideals work together. Fellowship is strengthened by scholastics and service. The brothers who work and learn together, have fun together and live fulfilled lives together.