Phi Sigma Rho
 | An editor has performed a search and found that sufficient sources exist to establish the subject's notability. (May 2024) |
| Phi Sigma Rho | |
|---|---|
| ΦΣΡ | |
 | |
| Founded | September 24, 1984 Purdue University |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | Engineering |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | "Together we build the future" |
| Pillars | Friendship, Scholarship, Encouragement |
| Colors | Wine red and silver |
| Symbol | Star and pyramid |
| Flower | Orchid |
| Jewel | Pearl |
| Mascot | Sigmand the penguin |
| Publication | The Key |
| Philanthropy | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society |
| Chapters | 48 |
| Colonies | 2 |
| Members | > 2,500 active > 12,000 lifetime |
| Nickname | Phi Rho or PSR |
| Headquarters | Post Office Box 58304 Cincinnati, Ohio 45258 United States |
| Website | www |
Phi Sigma Rho (ΦΣΡ; also known as Phi Rho or PSR) is a social sorority for individuals who identify as female or non-binary in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The sorority was founded in 1984 at Purdue University. It has since expanded to more than 40 colleges across the United States.
History
[edit]Phi Sigma Rho was founded on September 24, 1984, at Purdue University.[1][2] Its founders were Rashmi Khanna and Abby McDonald who were were unable to participate in traditional sorority rush due to the demands of the sororities and their engineering program; they decided to start a new sorority that would take their academic program's demands into consideration.[2]
The Alpha chapter at Purdue University was founded with ten charter members: Gail Bonney, Anita Chatterjea, Ann Cullinan, Pam Kabbes, Rashmi Khanna, Abby McDonald, Christine Mooney, Tina Kershner, Michelle Self, and Kathy Vargo.[3]
Phi Sigma Rho is a social sorority that accepts students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics who identify as female or who identify as non-binary.[3] The sorority made the decision to include non-binary students in all chapters in the summer of 2021.[3][4]
Its headquarters are in Cincinnati, Ohio.[1]
Symbols
[edit]Phi Sigma Rho's core values or pillars are Friendship, Scholarship, and Encouragement.[5] Its motto is "Together we build the future."[2][5]
The colors of Phi Sigma Rho are wine red and silver.[2] The sorority's flower is the orchid.[5][2] Its jewel is the pearl.[2][5] Its mascot is Sigmand the penguin.[2][5]Its online magazine is The Key.[6]
Philanthropy
[edit]Phi Sigma Rho's national philanthropy is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.[7]
The Phi Sigma Rho Foundation was established as a separate nonprofit organization in 2005.[7] It supports the educational and philanthropic efforts of the sorority's members and offers merit-based scholarships to sorority members.[7][8]
Chapters
[edit]As of 2025, Phi Sigma Rho has charter 53 chapters in the United States, with 48 being active.[1]
Notable members
[edit]- Lila Ibrahim, computer scientist and Google DeepMind's first chief operating officer[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (January 13, 2024). "Women's Organizations". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed April 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "History". Phi Sigma Rho. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ^ a b c "History". Phi Sigma Rho. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ^ "Phi Sigma Rho votes to accept non-binary members". Purdue Exponent. West Lafayette, IN, USA. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
- ^ a b c d e "About Us - Phi Sigma Rho". The Grainger College of Engineering. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "The Key". Phi Sigma Rho. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ^ a b c "Phi Sigma Rho Foundation". Phi Sigma Rho Foundation. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ^ "Scholarships". Phi Sigma Rho Foundation. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ^ "Lila Ibrahim | Phi Sigma Rho". www.phisigmarho.org. Archived from the original on 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
Further reading
[edit]- Bilimoria, Diana; Lord, Linley (2014-10-31). Women in STEM Careers: International Perspectives on Increasing Workforce Participation, Advancement and Leadership. Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78195-407-2.
- Torbenson, Craig LaRon; Parks, Gregory (2009). Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. Associated University Presse. p. 282. ISBN 978-0-8386-4194-1.
- The Engineer of 2020: Visions of Engineering in the New Century. National Academies Press. 2004-06-14. ISBN 978-0-309-09162-6.
- Models and Modeling in Engineering Education: Designing Experiences for All Students. BRILL. 2008-01-01. ISBN 978-90-8790-404-3.
- Lovett, Karen (2020-06-03). Diverse Pedagogical Approaches to Experiential Learning: Multidisciplinary Case Studies, Reflections, and Strategies. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-3-030-42691-0.