Difference between revisions of "Gamma Xi Chapter"

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=== Founding ===
 
=== Founding ===
  
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During the mid-1990s, Phi Sigma Pi was expanding. There were several Phi Sigma Pi chapters around the Philadelphia Area; [[Alpha Lambda Chapter]] at Temple University, [[Alpha Gamma Chapter]] at University of Pennsylvania, [[Alpha Epsilon Chapter]] at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and [[Alpha Delta Chapter]] at Widener University. The Phi Sigma Pi National Staff was curious why Drexel University, LaSalle University, and Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania did not have chapters.
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During the 1990s, Phi Sigma Pi experienced unprecedented growth nationally. During this period of expansion, the national staff sought out prospective colleges/universities beyond the geographic regions where chapters were already populating, such as the Eastern United States.  Pennsylvania had long been a stronghold of PSP Chapters with several in the Delaware Valley region including [[Alpha Lambda Chapter]] at Temple University, [[Alpha Gamma Chapter]] at University of Pennsylvania, [[Alpha Epsilon Chapter]] at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and [[Alpha Delta Chapter]] at Widener University. In addition to the work of our national staff, many chapters came into existence through the efforts of undergraduate and alumni Brothers.  
  
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[[Patrick Herron]], from the [[Alpha Epsilon Chapter]] of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, took a bartending job at the Blarney Stone at 40th and Sansom Streets in Philadelphia, PA during the summer of 1996. He worked there between semesters and met many friendly students from Drexel University and the [[Alpha Gamma Chapter]] from the University of Pennsylvania. Finally, he met with someone from the Drexel University staff who worked at the Office for Greek Life. After several conversations, he contacted the National Office and asked why Drexel didn’t have a chapter there. The National Office response was: “Drexel University didn’t want us when we asked.” Later, Patrick made a few calls to Drexel and finally got the attention of one of the administrators in Student Life. He talked with him about his experience with Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity and how his chapter had a great reputation and made a positive impact on the community. After this discussion, Drexel gave the green light to start work on the establishment of a new Phi Sigma Pi Chapter by the end of the summer. During the process of creating a new chapter of Phi Sigma Pi at Drexel, [[Patrick Herron|Patrick]] was between jobs and finishing out his term as a chapter president of the [[Alpha Epsilon Chapter]]. He began student teaching. He was unable to continue work on the creation of the new chapter at Drexel, so Betsy Robinson took over the process. [[Gamma Xi Chapter]] was born. [[Patrick Herron|Patrick]] continued student teaching, and moved to New Jersey, where he held three jobs until he found a full-time position. He was unable to help out the [[Gamma Xi Chapter]] in its first semester. In Spring 1997, Betsy went to the Phi Sigma Pi [[National Council]] and asked that [[Patrick Herron]] be named the Founder of the [[Gamma Xi Chapter]].
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In the summer of 1996, [[Patrick Herron]], an undergraduate Brother of the [[Alpha Epsilon Chapter]] of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, worked part time as a bartender at the Blarney Stone at 40th and Sansom Streets in University City, at that time owned and operated by his family. During that time, he had the opportunity to meet and network with students and staff from Drexel University, one of whom worked at the Office for Greek Life. After several conversations with staff in the Office for Greek Life and later Student Life, he had the support needed to bring Phi Sigma Pi onto campus and begin work towards establishing a chapter. Throughout the Fall of 1996, Betsy Robinson, then Director of Expansion for Phi Sigma Pi National Office, completed the necessary steps towards establishing a chapter. Following a successful campus marketing campaign to introduce the Drexel community to Phi Sigma Pi, the [[Gamma Xi Chapter]] was born.
  
 
=== Early Years ===
 
=== Early Years ===

Revision as of 18:34, 6 October 2008

Gamma Xi Chapter (Founded 3 February 1997) is located at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The chapter was founded by Alpha Epsilon Chapter Alumnus Patrick Herron and is a member of the East Region.

2008 Gamma Xi Chapter.jpg

Chapter History

Founding

During the 1990s, Phi Sigma Pi experienced unprecedented growth nationally. During this period of expansion, the national staff sought out prospective colleges/universities beyond the geographic regions where chapters were already populating, such as the Eastern United States. Pennsylvania had long been a stronghold of PSP Chapters with several in the Delaware Valley region including Alpha Lambda Chapter at Temple University, Alpha Gamma Chapter at University of Pennsylvania, Alpha Epsilon Chapter at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and Alpha Delta Chapter at Widener University. In addition to the work of our national staff, many chapters came into existence through the efforts of undergraduate and alumni Brothers.

In the summer of 1996, Patrick Herron, an undergraduate Brother of the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, worked part time as a bartender at the Blarney Stone at 40th and Sansom Streets in University City, at that time owned and operated by his family. During that time, he had the opportunity to meet and network with students and staff from Drexel University, one of whom worked at the Office for Greek Life. After several conversations with staff in the Office for Greek Life and later Student Life, he had the support needed to bring Phi Sigma Pi onto campus and begin work towards establishing a chapter. Throughout the Fall of 1996, Betsy Robinson, then Director of Expansion for Phi Sigma Pi National Office, completed the necessary steps towards establishing a chapter. Following a successful campus marketing campaign to introduce the Drexel community to Phi Sigma Pi, the Gamma Xi Chapter was born.

Early Years

During the early years, Mandy Younger (now Ferizz) was a real powerhouse for the Gamma Xi Chapter. She joined Phi Sigma Pi during the birth of the Chapter and was in the charter initiation class. She became Gamma Xi's second Chapter President and also the Chapter’s first female President. Spirited and motivated, she led Gamma Xi to the top of Phi Sigma Pi’s ranks in a very short time. She helped the Chapter win two National Awards: the 1998 C.H. McClure Single Service Award and the 1998 Clarence O. Williams Most Improved New Chapter Award. Mandy was awarded the Chapter Service Key, and was the 1998 recipient of the Richard Cecil Todd and Clauda Pennock Todd Tripod Scholarship. In addition to the support from Mandy Younger, the Gamma Xi Chapter also had a lot of support from Michael-Andrew Noll of the Alpha Lambda Chapter.

The Active Chapter

Drexel University operates on a quarter system. The Executive Board is elected in the middle of the winter term every year, with the new E-Board taking over at the start of the spring term (around April). Committee Chairs are elected by the Chapter at the start of every term.

The current chapter Executive Board

Past Chapter Presidents

Chapter Events & Activities

Founder's Weekend

The Gamma Xi Chapter celebrates their Chapter's Founder's Day the first weekend of February every year. The weekend usually includes a formal dinner dance. In 2006, Gamma Xi and Delta Chi (Lehigh University) Chapters held a joint Founders Day formal at Li Michaels restaurant in Philadelphia. In 2007, Gamma Xi celebrated their 10th anniversary aboard the Liberty Bell, a cruise ship on the Delaware River, which is where their very first Founders Day formal had been held.

Philly Cup

Gamma Xi jointly hosts Philly Cup with Alpha Lambda (Temple University) every November. The event raises money for the two Chapters local philanthropy, Autism Speaks. The weekended includes an info session on Autism awareness and education, an indoor soccer tournament, free cheese steaks from Pat's, and a party at a local bowling alley. Last year, over 130 Brothers from Chapters on the east coast attended, and over $2,500 was donated to Autism Speaks. For more information on this years Philly cup, contact the Gamma Xi President at pspgammaxipresident@gmail.com.

Notable Alumni

Chapter Honors and Awards

National Awards

Other Awards

Further Resources

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