Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity celebrates 20 years at Penn State Altoona

Wednesday, November 14, 2012 - 566 hits

This month, the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity is celebrating its twentieth year at Penn State Altoona. A reunion was organized in early November at the Cesare Batisitti for all active members and alums.

Formed at the college in 1992, the fraternity works to uphold the principal values set forth by the Grand Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa, which include the betterment of its brothers and of its communities.

Current Penn State Altoona chapter president Adam Brender says the organization has been incredibly busy this semester with community service. In August, members helped move freshman into residence halls. In September, they helped set up and take down a stage design for the Altoona Community Theatre while in October, they participated in the Grocer’s Fight Cancer event which helps provide funds for cancer research, funding and support for cancer patients and their families, and education. Also in October, members helped at various other events, including the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, the downtown Altoona Greek Festival, Rocktoberfest, an annual event which raises money to send orthopedic surgeons to Africa to perform operations on underprivileged children, the Altoona FurBall event, and a garbage clean-up day on Phi Sigma Kappa's stretch of highway on I-99. On campus, Phi Sigma Kappa participated in Operation Safe Trick or Treat, which gives local children a safe environment to collect Halloween candy.

Says Brender, “Participating in all of these events helps us promote our three cardinal principals: Promote Brotherhood, Stimulate Scholarship, and Develop Character. I believe that our members are here to set an example of what everyone is capable of being. Our contributions to the community are just a small part of what it means to be a Phi Sig. We all took an oath to be the best we can be so that our fraternity, family, community, and college can all have something to be proud of.”

In addition to the excitement of the anniversary, Penn State Altoona’s chapter advisor and Altoona resident, Bill Neugebauer, was recently named Grand President of Phi Sigma Kappa, the highest authority governing all of the chapters of Phi Sigma Kappa. Neugebauer has been advisor since the chapter’s inception in 1992. “There have been both ups and downs in the past twenty years, but the positives outweigh the negatives,” he states. “I have watched young men grow and develop into leaders.”