Phi Rho

The Phi Rho sorority was founded in the fall of 1919 at Augustana College in Rock Island Illinois .

There were nine founding members: Gail Huntoon, Ethel Pearson, Lillian Swanson, Wilma Anderson, Verna Long, Bess Crawley, Helen Mae Johnson, Ruth Larson, and Harriett Swanson. The success of the Phi Rho Sorority is due to the vision that these nine women had. They envisioned a group that stood for something and that worked toward accomplishing something. Yet they also wanted a group where loyalty to each other meant more than anything else.

So these women organized invitations in November of 1919 for a “Coming Out” party; found sponsors, dear Mr. and Mrs. Yingling, to support the group financially, academically, and socially; and premiered the Sorority at a classic get-together.

Later on in the month of November, 1919, the other sororities currently on campus unanimously agreed to recognize the Phi Rho Sorority as a group belonging to the Augustana Community.

And so began the history of the Phi Rho Sorority, a group that continues to strive toward the goals these founding women set for us…

Motto

Phi Rho forms the basis of ‘Menos filetes estes’, meaning ‘in friendship there is strength.’ When a woman of Phi Rho finds herself in a time of trouble or need, she rests on the truth of this saying and the strength and guidance of her sisters.

Colors

The Phi Rho colors are white and gold.

Flower

The chrysanthemum is the Phi Rho flower. The chrysanthemum blooms in the spring, a time of fullness and life.

Symbol

The Phi Rho Sorority is symbolized by the golden arrow. The arrow points Phi Rho women in the right direction.

Animal

The mouse is the Phi Rho animal. Small and discreet, the mouse lives a quiet and inconspicuous life. The women of Phi Rho aim to lead this kind of discreet and respectable life.

Coats

The women of Phi Rho proudly wear their maroon jackets. Our jackets are an ever-present symbol of our fidelity to the Phi Rho Sorority. The coats distinguish the members of the sorority from other greek groups and allows us to always be identified as Phi Rho girls.