Sigma Chapter
Sigma Chapter (Founded 14 May 1934) is located at Millersville University in Millersville, Pennsylvania. The Chapter was founded by Ralph William Yohe and is a member of the Central Pennsylvania Region.
Contents
Chapter History
Founding
Sigma Chapter had its origin mainly due to Mr. Ralph William Yohe. In 1934, he strove to obtain a charter from the Grand Chapter. On May 14, 1934, a charter was signed creating Phi Sigma Pi, Sigma Chapter at Millersville State Teacher’s College, Millersville, PA.
Early Years
In 1935, the first active chapter was formed with the following officers elected: Samuel Newkirk - President, Robert Hostetter – Vice President, Alvin Souervine – Secretary, William Palmer – Treasurer, and Ralph Shalter – Historian.
Sigma goes Co-ed
Sigma Chapter had been the last all-male chapter because a local all-female honor sorority existed on the campus of Millersville University. With only 12 active members remaining and 3 semesters of poor recruitment, National Officers Steven DiGuiseppe and Jeffrey Johnson inform Sigma Chapter that they must begin to recruit women or be shut down and reactivated co-ed anew. The Chapter splits, with several Brothers choosing to go inactive. The remaining Brothers comply and bring in almost 30 new Brothers, over half women, in 2 semesters. From 1986 through 1989, Sigma Chapter had been a major resource for traveling, organizing, and assisting the National Office as the fraternity began its national revitalization efforts. It was a critical source of manpower that the National Office needed to fuel the rebirth of the entire organization. By 1990, the chapter had weathered the storm and completely transformed itself.
17 Points Of An Ideal Brother
1. Have knowledge of Phi Sigma Pi.
2. Have a Desire to Serve
3. Devotion of Time and Energy
4. Accept Responsibility
5. Work with others in team spirit 6. Diligence and motivation
7. Learn to take criticism
8. Ability to face adversity
9. Delegate authority when necessary
10. Make Decisions
11. Freedom from prejudices
12. Praise, share credit, and give credit where credit is due.
13. Concentrate under difficult conditions.
14. Assume Responsibility for your Mistakes.
15. Grow and Learn.
16. Pass on what you have learned
17. Maintain a positive attitude.
The Active Chapter
- Jill Elizabeth Arnold
- Maggie Elizabeth Benedict
- Alexandra Nicole Blessing
- Valerie Kristin Bush
- Steven Rivera-Camacho
- McKenzi Lynn David
- Barisha Elaina Dill
- Ashley Jean Elliott
- Keri Lynn Fahnestock
- Marie Carol Freisleben
- Gabrielle Elizabeth Larson
- Luke Aaron Lorah
- Zachary Alexander Markwith
- Kira Gabrielle Martelli
- Joseph Matthew Martello
- Claire Faith McCaskey
- Hilary Paige Powell
- Michael Morton Querry
- George Rene Ramos
- Katelyn Michelle Romano
- Kyle Richard Roseberry
- Ryan George Schgier
- Joshua Alan Wakefield
- Krista Leigh Wargo
Fall 2013 Inactive Brothers
- Kelsey Elizabeth Dewar
- Paige Alison Roberts
Past Chapter Presidents
- John Ursprung (1937)
- unknown 1938
- Carl Furniss (1941)
- unknown 1940
- Alva E. Eshleman (1941)
- unknown 1942-2004
- Annie Howard Fall 2005 - Spring 2006
- Amber Brown Fall 2006 - Spring 2007
- Daniel James VanLenten Fall 2007 - Spring 2008
- Rebecca Joy Stambaugh - Fall 2008 - Spring 2009
- Alicia Noelle Morris - Fall 2009 - Spring 2010
- Ashley Lauren Edmondson - Fall 2010 - Spring 2011
- Jennifer Lynn Vataha - Fall 2011 - Spring 2012
- Ashleigh Marie Thompson - Fall 2012 - Spring 2013
- Keri Lynn Fahnestock - Fall 2013 - Spring 2014
Initiate Classes
Main Article: List of Sigma Chapter Initiate Classes
Fall 2013 Executive Board
- President..............................................Keri Lynn Fahnestock
- Vice President......................................Hilary Paige Powell
- Recording Secretary..............................Barisha Elaina Dill
- Corresponding Secretary........................McKenzi Lynn David
- Regional Delegate.................................Claire Faith McCaskey
- Treasurer..............................................Zachary Alexander Markwith
- Initiate Advisor......................................Katelyn Michelle Romano
- Archivist Historian.................................Jorge Rene Ramos
- Webmaster Historian.............................Joshua Alan Wakefield
- Parliamentarian.....................................Gabrielle Elizabeth Larson
- Brother Liason .....................................Jill Elizabeth Arnold
Fall 2013 Committees
- Fellowship - Social..............................Maggie Elizabeth Benedict
- Fellowship - Special.............................Ryan George Schgier
- Scholarship.........................................Joshua Alan Wakefield
- Leadership..........................................Gabrielle Elizabeth Larson
- Fundraising.........................................Steven Rivera-Camacho
- Initiation..............................................Michael Morton Querry
- Philanthropy........................................Kira Gabrielle Martelli
- Risk Management................................Valerie Kristin Bush
- Inter-Chapter Relations.........................Claire Faith McCaskey
- Alumni................................................Alexandra Nicole Blessing
- Public Relations..................................Marie Carol Freisleben
Chapter Mascot
- The Official Sigma Chapter Mascot is the Dragon
- The Sigma Chapter's living mascot is Winston, the dog
- The Fraternity's colors are purple and gold. The local auxiliary color is black.
Pledge Classes and IA's
- JustiΦers (SP 2013)......................................... Jill Elizabeth Arnold and Keri Lynn Fahnestock
- ΦlanthroΠst (FA 2012) ................................. Luke Aaron Lorah and Kristen Leigh Pelenskij
- ClassiΦed Scholars (SP 2012) ............................... Ashleigh Marie Thompson and Sigourney Anne Stelma
- The DelΦc Duo (FA 2011) .................................... Julianne Flur Gutierrez and Rebecca Heaton Mauk
- Φnominal SΠes (SP 2011) ............................... Rebbeka Noelle Mignecao and Benjamin Ryan Darnell
- ExempliΦed PathΦnders (FA 2010) ....................... Michael Patrick McAndrew and Jaclyn Michele Boscaino
- Σtic Πrates (SP 2010) ................................. Ryan Edward Barrick and Michael Patrick McAndrew
- MystiΦed Marauders (FA 2009) ............................... Ashley Elizabeth Shoemaker and Kevin Jason Winter
- DigniΦed Divas (SP 2009).................................... Courtney Ann Newswanger
- The Φve (FA 2008)........................................... Angela Jean Huff and Daniel James Vanlenten
- Millersville's Φnest (SP 2008).............................. Kelly Marie Mader and Sarah Colleen Wanner
- BonaΦed (FA 2007)........................................... Rebecca Joy Stambaugh and Meghan Elizabeth Wander
- Σtized (SP 2007)............................................ Jeffrey Allen Miller and Diane Dever
- Φre Drakes (FA 2006)........................................ Adelia Margaret Edwards and Colleen Helen Campion
- GloriΦed (SP 2006).......................................... Colleen Frances Rooney-Garcia and Michelle Ann Bettinger-Wiggins
- ElectriΦed (FA 2005)........................................ Stephanie Michelle Curry and Cara Jean Moore
- UniΦed (SP 2005)............................................ Amber Kalynn Brown and Audrey Dyan Eisenberg
- AmpliΦed (FA 2004).......................................... Angela Lynne Kambic and Jacqueline Laura Ghion
- DeΦant (SP 2004)............................................ Marcella De’Ann Frantz and Jason David Benfield
- Φesty Πed Πpers (FA 2003)......................... Daniel Ernst Holler and Robert Michael Slaby
- Φre Starters (SP 2003)...................................... Lina Ann Kempf and Sean Michael Blasetti
- Πromaniacs (FA 2002)........................................ Allison Michelle Jones and Jolene Lee Shimp
- Φrecrackers (SP 2002)....................................... Denise Marie Hatter and Matthew Kyle Freeman
- Πrates (FA 2001)............................................ Katherine Marie Riley and Matthew David Walderon
- (SP 2001)..........................................
- (FA 2000)............................................ Heidi Marie Colestock and Nicholas Thomas Kozar
- Φred Up (SP 2000)............................................David Alan Rowe and Somer Lyn Snider
- The Φter (FA 1999) .......................................... William Robert Hagen
- The DigniΦed (SP 1999)
Chapter Events & Activities
Founder's Weekend
Sigma celebrates the Chapter's founding on May 14th. This years Founder's Day Banquet will be on April 21st at the Yorktowne Hotel in York, PA.
Outstanding Scholarship Event
In the fall semester of 2011, the Brotherhood took a trip to The Country Barn to compete a corn maze. When we arrived, we split into small groups and headed into the large maze. Many Brothers had an easy time going through the maze and found the exit in less than an hour, however, some Brothers spend multiple hours weaving their way through the different colored sections of the maze. After all of the Brothers emerged from the maze, we had fun looking at different farm animals!
Outstanding ICR Event
This event was a bus trip to the Crayola Factory in Easton, PA. We took a bus down from Millersville to Easton. Omicron Chapter Brothers (Shippensburg) took the bus along with the Sigma Brothers. Theta (Mansfield) met us down at the factory. The tour was a self-guided tour. Each attendee was given a map and coins to get free markers, crayons, and model magic. After the tour we walked across the street for a late lunch to Pearly Akers Alehouse. We were able to eat, bond, and talk about interesting aspects of each other’s Chapters. Overall, this was a great event and a great day!
Notable Alumni
- National Treasurer/Secretary (1974-1980)
- National Counselor (1980-1982)
- National Treasurer/Secretary (1984-1988)
- National President (1988-1990)
- Vice President of Membership Development (1993)
- National Counselor (1986-1988)
- National President (1964-1968)
- National Counselor (1968-1970)
- National Treasurer/Secretary (1980-1984)
- National Vice President(1984-1988)
- National Treasurer (1988-1989)
- National Counselor (1988-1990)
- National President (1990-1996)
- National Counselor (1939-1946)
- Vice President of Finance (1946-1951)
- National Treasurer/Secretary (1951-1955)
- National Secretary (1988-1990)
- National Counselor (1976-1978)
- National President (1978-1980)
- National Vice President (1988-1990)
- Vice President of Alumni Development (1990-1992)
- National President (1982-1984)
- National Counselor (1955-1957, 1959-1961, 1966-1968, 1974-1976)
- National President (1957-1959)
- National Vice President (1964-1966, 1968-1974)
- National Historian (1962-1964)
- Vice President of Alumni Development (1976-1982)
- National Treasurer/Secretary (1955-1974)
- James G. Voulopos, CPA
- Vice President of Finance (1989-1996)
- Ralph William Yohe
- Founding Member
- 2003 Todd Tripod Scholarship recipient
Buildings on Millersville Campus
The following are buildings on campus dedicated to brothers;
- Biemesderfer Stadium and Executive Center
- Daniel Luke Biemesderfer
- President of Millersville University
- Founded the Millersville Alumni Council and Millersville foundation
- Honorary Brother
- Dilworth Building
- Homer F. Dilworth
- Active Brother
- Head of English Department, Dean of Humanities and President of Millersville University
- Lyte Auditorium
- Eliphalet Oram Lyte
- Professor of pedagogy at Millersville University (1868-87)
- Principal of Millersville Normal School (now Millersville University) (1887-1910)
- Credited with writing the round "Row, Row, Row your boat"
- One of the first Honorary Brothers of Sigma Chapter
- McComsey Hall
- Sanders P. McComsey
- Charter member of Sigma Chapter
- Dean of Instruction of Millersville State Normal School (now Millersville University
- Vice President of Chapter Development | National Counselor (1939-1946)
- Vice President of Finance | National Treasurer (1946-1951)
- National Treasurer/Secretary (1951-1955)
- Pucillo Gymnasium
- John A. Pucillo
- Active Brother of Sigma Chapter
- Coach, athletic director and administrator of Millersville University (1925-1957)
- Stayer Building
- Samuel Bechtel Stayer
- Charter Member of Sigma Chapter
- Director of Student Teaching at Millersville University
- Todd Admission Center
- Professor of History at East Carolina University
- Sigma Chapter Alumnus
- Led National Fraternity through a period of growth and expansion in the 1950's and 1960's
- National President (1957-1959)
- Senior Vice President (1964-1966, 1968-1974)
- National Counselor (1955-1957, 1959-1961, 1966-1968, 1974-1976)
- National Alumni Representative (1976-1982)
- National Historian (1962-1964)
Chapter Honors and Awards
National Awards
- 1972 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1973 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1975 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1976 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1977 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1978 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1979 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1980 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1981 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1984 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1985 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1986 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1987 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1988 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1992 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
- 1992 Steven A. DiGuiseppe Administrative Award
- 1996 Sanders P. McComsey Most Improved Old Chapter Award
- 1997 Steven A. DiGuiseppe Administrative Award
- 2002 Top Ten Chapter
- 2003 Top Ten Chapter
- 2005 Charles W. Chance Alumni Award
- 2009 Top in Region Award
- 2009 Claude A. Phillips Fellowship Award
- 2011 Top in Region Award, Central Pennsylvania Region
University Awards
- 2011 Homecoming Champions - Richard Ryan Mauke
- 2012 Homecoming Champions - Paige Alison Roberts
Other Awards
- year AwardName
- None to date
Further Resources
In the News
- Meghan Sidelnick graduates from Millersville University alongside her 2 sisters
- Dorothy M. Dombach Torchia
- Meghan Sidelnick graduates from Millersville University alongside her 2 sisters
- Dorothy M. Dombach Torchia