From 6 Chapters to a Home for Thousands: Celebrating 30 Years of the National Office

In 2026, Phi Sigma Pi celebrated 30 years of its National Office. What began as a volunteer-run operation with six active Chapters and a National Office in a living room grew into a permanent home for a Fraternity serving thousands of Members. 

At a Crossroads

In 1986, Phi Sigma Pi had no National Staff, just six National Council volunteers and an annual budget of $6,200. The Fraternity’s national operations were managed entirely by volunteers, and for a time, the National Office was located in National Secretary-Treasurer Steven DiGuiseppe’s (Sigma ‘79) living room.

At the 1986 National Convention, the Long-Range Planning Committee focused on reactivating inactive Chapters and rebuilding the Fraternity. By the end of 1988, Phi Sigma Pi had doubled to 12 active Chapters.

With more Chapters came more work. The volunteer National Council was juggling everything from phone calls to paperwork to Chapter visits as the Fraternity was rapidly expanding.

By 1988, the National Office had outgrown DiGuiseppe’s living room. The Fraternity moved into a rented basement at Jeffrey Johnson’s (Sigma ‘84) parents’ home in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and Jeff’s mother was hired as a part-time administrative assistant to help with the growing day-to-day work. 

By 1990, Phi Sigma Pi had reached 22 active Chapters and hired its first Executive Director, Letti Large, followed shortly by Molly Miller.

“The fraternity was dying… there was not much of a ‘national fraternity’ remaining.”
— Jeffrey Johnson (Sigma ‘84), Former National President 1990-1996

Finding Space to Grow

In 1991, after searching more than 3,600 property listings in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Phi Sigma Pi purchased its first National Headquarters at 345 North Mulberry Street.

The three-story row home served as the Fraternity’s first official headquarters, but it had its quirks. The floors were narrow, the staircase was steep, neighbors were noisy, and having staff spread across three floors made it difficult to communicate and work together.

Despite its limitations, the building marked an important milestone. After years of operating out of homes, Phi Sigma Pi finally had a permanent address and a space dedicated to its work.

By late 1994, five staff members were working there, and the Fraternity’s operating budget had grown to more than $400,000.

“The office was bursting at the seams.”
— Jeffrey Johnson (Sigma ‘84), Former National President 1990-1996

Phi Sigma Pi had outgrown another home. This time, it would build one. 

Building a Permanent Home

A Building Committee made up of James Voulopos, CPA (Sigma ’87), Vice President of Finance and Chairman; Jeffrey Johnson (Sigma ’94), National President; Stephen Johnson (Alpha Epsilon ’88), National Secretary; and Christine Blanck (Sigma ’95), Executive Director, helped guide the project. The land and building represented a $625,000 investment for the Fraternity.

At the 1995 Grand Chapter Conference, Members gathered at the crack of dawn for a special groundbreaking ceremony.

Jeffrey Johnson, then National President, spoke about the significance of what was beginning: 

“Let us remember that what we commemorate today is not just a building, not just an office, not just a resource or an investment. Instead, let this new building serve as a permanent monument to our Fraternity’s purpose, our founders, our great leaders, and our Brotherhood’s everlasting will to achieve.”
— Jeffrey Johnson, July 1995 Groundbreaking Ceremony

Construction began that summer. One year later, in July 1996, the National Headquarters was dedicated and officially opened. In just ten years, Phi Sigma Pi had grown to 70 active Chapters and added seven National Staff members.

Thirty Years Later

Thirty years after the National Office opened, Members returned to Millersville University during the 2026 National Convention to celebrate Phi Sigma Pi’s 110th anniversary and rededicate the National Office.

For National President Becky Chamberlain (Beta Rho ‘95), the moment was especially meaningful. She attended the 1996 dedication ceremony as a student. Thirty years later, she returned to the National Office as National President.

“My 21-year-old self never would have imagined that I would be standing here today, welcoming you all to our National Headquarters.”
— Becky Chamberlain (Beta Rho ‘95), National President

From a living room to a basement, from Mulberry Street to Ambassador Circle, the National Office has changed alongside Phi Sigma Pi.

In 2026, Heck Construction completed the first major renovation of the building since it opened, creating a more modern and functional workspace while preserving its purpose: giving Phi Sigma Pi a place to work, connect, and support its Chapters.

“The people are what make Phi Sigma Pi.”
— Becky Chamberlain, National President

Thirty years later, the National Office stands as a reminder of where Phi Sigma Pi came from and what its Members can build together.