About Phi Ep
   
   


Founding Date: April 1, 1976

Flower: The Daisy

Colors: Navy Blue & White

Jewel: Diamond

Mascot: Tropical Fish

Elements: Silver & Gold

Founding Father: Dr. Don Otto

First Pledges: Kim Larson & Cindy Peterson
Recruitment
 

Lil Sprout 2008:
Phi Ep's Man of the Year

Tim Young , Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity & Ross Fetig, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity
Philanthropies/
Volunteer Activities 
March of Dimes March for Babies
America's Walk for Diabetes, Adopt-A-Highway, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, 
  and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central MN
    (These activities listed are ones we do every year. There are other volunteer activities we participate in as they come about.)
Fun Facts

Past Mascot: Unicorn

Unofficial Mascot: Lil Pea Sprout (from Jolly Green Giant)

Phi Ep's initial are PEA, so our nickname is also the peas.

Phi Ep's colors used to be powder blue and white.
History In March of 1976, twelve women of St. Cloud State got together and talked of forming a local sorority. These women had been part of another sorority on campus, Delta Zeta. These women felt they were having conflicts with the national leadership of DZ and felt that a new sorority would better fit there needs. They then got together and decided on the important aspects they felt the sorority should have, and how they would go about bringing the idea to life. These women consulted Enlgish professor Dr. Don Otto in regards to a Greek name which would hold special meaning, and Phi Epsilon Alpha was chosen. Each of its Greek letters being the beginning of a Greek word whose meaning was symbolized by its letters.

The women then approached Mrs. Pat Potter, the Associate Dean of Students to help them find the appropriate means of becoming a recognized student organization. Pat Potter offered her services of temporary advisor and gave unending advice in their search for a great sorority.  On April 1, Holly Ostrander, a concerned alumni, set out with a purpose and a piece of paper with the names of twelve women.  She returned at 11:00 to the Atwood Coffeehouse to the founders with a peice of paper. There were tears of happiness and on April 1st, 1976 Phi Epsion Alpha was born!

It was then that the weekly meetings became daily. There were many long hours of paperwork, conversation, and thinking in which the foundations of the sorority were set up. The consitution, by-laws, and a pledge manual had to be written, and all of the ceremonies prepared. On May 10, 1976, the twelve founders; Deb Battles, Sue Bouchard, Kathy Cornelius, Eileen Eiden, Jeanne Hodgson, Ann Leman, Jo Marquardt, Lana Mills, Mary Noterman, Kathy Otto, Rose Shemrad, and Shelly Workman along with their first two pledges: Kim Larson and Cindy Peterson were proud to go through the first pledge cermony which they had just created a few weeks before.

Tenative officers were set up, and with members spread from New York to San Francisco, the women formulated the basic programs and policies of Phi Epsilon Alpha. It was the first step of a long journey that would involve many new women and their new advisor, Dr. James Highsmith. The members formulated the basic programs and policies of what has become Phi Epsilon Alpha.

In the Spring of 1992, six alumni and one active member of Phi Epsilon Alpha realized the sorority needed a change if it was to survive among the competition of the new sororities and decided that reorganizing the sorority's basic structure would also add strength. By updating the logo, colors, pledge manual, and constitution, these members felt they could become a more versatile part of SCSU.
Purpose The purpose of Phi Epsilon Alpha is individual growth through an organizational structure with an emphasis in academics.
Mission Statement Phi Epsilon Alpha is a sorority founded upon standards and values cherished by the active members.  We work to uphold these standards and values through dedication, commitment, and loyalty to our university, to each active member, and to the greater community.

Phi Epsilon Alpha encourages its members to lead by example, to change by choice, and to govern with morale and love.

Phi Epsilon Alpha recognizes all members for their individuality.  We accept and support all of our sisters regardless of race, color, creed, sexual orientation, religion, and age.  We encourage our sisters to believe in themselves and their individuality in order to be successful people, to be happy, and to educate others.

Finally, Phi Epsilon Alpha recognizes that our common tie is that we are women.  This is our unchanging foundation of untiy and sisterhood.  We strive for equality, respect, and opportunity for our sex and do not condone any behaviors that may disgrace our good name or contribute to the degradation for our sex.

Phi Epsilon Alpha shall continue to promote the individuality of its members and to grow with strength, unity, and respect for our sisters and for all human kind.
Twelve Founders Deb Battles, Sue Bouchard, Kathy Cornelius, Eileen Eiden, Jeanne Hodgson, Ann Leman, Jo Marquardt, Lana Mills, Mary Noterman, Kathy Otto, Rose Semrad, and Shelly Workman