Eta Sigma Phi had its beginning in 1914 when a group of students in the Department of Greek at the University of Chicago organized an undergraduate classical club to which honor students in Greek and Latin were elected to membership. This organization later united with a similar organization at Northwestern University and became Eta Sigma Phi. In 1924 the society became national, and chapters were organized at leading colleges and universities. The society was incorporated in 1927 under the laws of the State of Illinois.
Eta Sigma Phi is the national honorary collegiate society for students of Latin and/or Greek. Members are elected by local chapters, which have been chartered by the Society. The purpose of the Society, in the words of its Constitution, are “to develop and promote interest in classical study among the students of colleges and universities; to promote closer fraternal relationship among students who are interested in classical study, including inter-campus relationship; to engage generally in an effort to stimulate interest in classical study, and in the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome”.
For more information please contact Professor Tommaso Gazzarri: gazzarrt@union.edu
Students in upper-level Greek or Latin (i.e., beyond 103) are eligible for election and membership but must be nominated by faculty in Classics.