History of Pi Sigma Epsilon
Beginning with the End in Mind
As with most visionary companies, leaders know where they want to go and how to get there. The Founders of
Pi Sigma Epsilon are great examples of visionary leaders. They showed
a strong dedication and desire to establish a collegiate organization
to assist members in developing sales and marketing skills through
lifetime opportunities. In order to accomplish this, they began
with small but necessary steps such as forging a strong relationship
with Sales and Marketing Executives. Without this forethought, Pi
Sigma Epsilon would not be where we are today.
The Vision Becomes Reality
In 1951, Lloyd L. Antle, an Ohio University
graduate and professor of Marketing at Georgia State University
(formerly Georgia State College), conceived the idea that the sales
profession should have a professional fraternity of its own. Mr.
Antle spoke to two other professors - Dr. William H. Harris and
Dr. Henry O. Baker - who agreed that in the ensuing years sales
and marketing would become a vital force in the economy. These three
men, Lloyd Antle, Dr. William Harris, and Dr. Henry Baker, approached
Mr. Lewis F. Gordon for his ideas. In addition to being a charismatic
and energetic marketing executive, Mr. Gordon had helped to found
the Sales and Marketing Executives(SME) association of Atlanta and
was a natural choice to help design the first collegiate fraternity
in marketing, sales management, and selling.
All four men were members of SME Atlanta. They
approached other members, gained their support, set up organizational
meetings, and worked diligently to develop plans. After an entire
year of planning, with all involved contributing considerable time,
effort, and finances, the foundation for this new organization was
laid. With input from students, professionals and our founders,
five essential aspects of Pi Sigma Epsilon were developed: the Statement
of Purpose, Constitution and Bylaws, Creed, Key and Ritual of Initiation.
The Greek letters of Pi Sigma Epsilon were carefully chosen to represent
members of the fraternity.
• Prospective
Sales Executives (collegiates)
• Preparers
of Sales Executives (educators)
• Professional
Sales Executives (professionals
and alumni)
The Fraternity was incorporated under
the Georgia Laws of Incorporation on May 14, 1952, and our first
chapter, Alpha, was installed at Georgia State University (formerly
Georgia State College).
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