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Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

OUR HISTORY

National History

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The founders, Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, and service.

The founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself as "a part of" the general community rather than "apart from" the general community. They believed that each potential member should be judged by his own merits rather than his family background or affluence...without regard of race, nationality, skin tone or texture of hair. They wished and wanted their fraternity to exist as part of even a greater brotherhood which would be devoted to the "inclusive we" rather than the "exclusive we".

From its inception, the Founders also conceived Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community. Rather than gaining skills to be utilized exclusively for themselves and their immediate families, the founders of Phi Beta Sigma held a deep conviction that they should return their newly acquired skills to the communities from which they had come. This deep conviction was mirrored in the Fraternity's motto, "Culture For Service, Service For Humanity."

As Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated celebrates 108 years of Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service, we continue to blossom into an international organization of leaders. No longer a single entity, the Fraternity has now established the Phi Beta Sigma Educational Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Housing Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union, and the Phi Beta Sigma Charitable Outreach Foundation. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., founded in 1920 with the assistance of Phi Beta Sigma, is the sister organization. No other fraternity and sorority is constitutionally bound as Sigma and Zeta. We both enjoy and foster a mutually supportive relationship.

For more information, please visit the Phi Beta Sigma International Website

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Eta Rho Sigma Chapter History

Eta Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. was established on February 12th, 1981, in Huntsville, Texas by seven bold young men who were graduates of Sam Houston State University and had been initiated through the Theta Rho Chapter at Sam Houston.

◻️Bro. John Henry Askew
◻️Bro. Lawrence Gill Edwards
◻️Bro. Richard Simpson, Jr.
◻️Bro. Oliver Wendell Williams
◻️Bro. Kenneth Wayne Blanche
◻️Bro. Steven Ray Edwards
◻️Bro. Timmie Lee Washington

Brother Timmie Washington was elected as the first Chapter President. Brother John Askew served as the second president of the chapter.

As time went on and with life changes, each one of the seven chartering members of Eta Rho Sigma lived in the Greater Houston area and had just started out in their respective careers after the chartering of Eta Rho Sigma Chapter. Unfortunately, after a few years of existence, the chapter became dormant in active membership in the Fraternity; however fortunately, the Chapter’s charter remained intact.

In October 2006, Bro. Johnnie R. Sandles was approached by a group of brothers who wanted to revive the Eta Rho Sigma Chapter. At the same time, members of the Sam Houston State University Alumni Association had requested of Sandles to make an attempt to get more former students and alumni involved in the University’s activities. With requests to get more Sigma men involved on two fronts, Bro. Sandles wrote a letter-of-request to then Regional Director Bro. Jerry Green, requesting permission to activate the chapter. Permission was granted and Eta Rho Sigma resumed operations on January 1, 2007 with Bro. Sandles elected as the third Chapter President. At this time, thirteen brothers either transferred into or reactivated with Eta Rho Sigma in 2007, reuniting with the organization to continue their commitment to the Fraternity’s motto “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity.”

Brother Sandles led the chapter through the end of 2008. A new board was elected in November 2008 with Bro. Carl Moses elected as the fourth Chapter President of Eta Rho Sigma Chapter. Through the Moses administration there were many notable accomplishments that assisted the chapter to thrive and grow by the implementation of needed structure and direction that has put the chapter on the road to success. Through the efforts of chapter members the chapter’s constitution was ratified, Chapter policy and procedures manual drafted, the formation of the chapter’s 501(c)3 entity “The C.A.U.S.E. Foundation” was formed the chapter’s First Founders’ Day Scholarship Banquet and also being afforded the privilege of initiating its first member into our wondrous band through the chapter. Brother Brit Bell was initiated on November 5, 2010.

A new administration was elected in November, 2010 with Bro. Terrence Brown being elected as the 5^th Chapter President. During the Brown administration, Eta Rho Sigma Chapter began to build a new structure on the foundation laid by the brothers that have come before and experienced record growth as well as an increased participation and recognition throughout the Fraternity at the state, regional and International Level. The chapter has been fortunate to named The Gulf Coast Regional Chapter of the year for the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

In July 2014, the chapter reached a pinnacle of membership growth during the Centennial Celebration as one of the top 20 chapters throughout Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in being named “Centennial Chapter” which is a designation reserved for Chapter’s membership exceeds 101+ active members. The Eta Rho Sigma Chapter ended the 2014 year at 125 members.

As we continue to move forward, The Eta Rho Sigma Chapter will continue the legacy of focusing on issues that affect youth and families in order to strengthen communities. We are focused on the ideals on the high ideals set forth by our Honorable Founders of “Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service”.

Eta Rho Sigma Chapter moving forward and serious about SERVICE.