Sigma Triton Alumni

Lindsey Alexander | IDS | 9/17/2007

As Phi Sigma Kappa continues to grow in membership, the fraternity hopes to grow in fame as well.

At the grand chapter convention in August, IU’s Phi Sigma Kappa was named the best chapter in the nation for the third time in a row. They are the first chapter to accomplish this in the fraternity’s history.

“I think that this chapter has an overall sense of enthusiasm to continue to grow and raise the level of accomplishments,” said Brian Skram, chapter president.

The competition for best chapter is based on an application explaining the chapter’s philanthropy, scholarship, recruitment and campus and community involvement.

Chapter Vice President Craig Creek said recruitment has really set the chapter apart from the pack. He said it has grown by 30 to 40 members each of the past several years.

Although there are many members, they all still contribute to the fraternity, which is impressive, Creek said.

Skram said the fraternity raised more than $15,000 for IU Dance Marathon last year, and that active members averaged 19 hours of community service per year.

“We’ve recruited so many motivated and eager gentlemen into the house (who are) taking active roles and making the house better, not only that but on campus,” Creek said.

The chapter is only six years old. This freshness allows members to be “selfish” and decide what responsibilities to carve out for themselves, which makes members more participatory, Skram said.

Skram said a “sense of hunger” to reach high goals is what has made and will make Phi Sigma Kappa go from a “great” chapter to an “amazing” one.

To stay on the top of the heap, the chapter can’t stop setting and reaching goals, he said.

This year, one of those goals is to become more involved in “smaller service projects in the Bloomington area,” Skram said.

He also said the fraternity hopes to get its very own philanthropic event: a softball tournament to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Phi Sigma Kappa members are positive these efforts will lead them to another win next year.

“We’re absolutely going to go for it,” Creek said. “We don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t get it a fourth time.”