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In 1951, Lloyd Antel, an Ohio University graduate and professor of marketing in the Atlanta Division of the University of Georgia, conceived the idea that the sales profession should have a professional fraternity of its own. After all, he reasoned, accountants had a fraternity, the general business majors had a fraternity, why not a fraternity for sales and marketing? Mr. Antle spoke to two other professors – Dr. William H. Harris and Dr. Henry Baker – who agreed that in the ensuing years sales and marking 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 dynamic marking executive, Mr. Gordon had helped to found the Sales and Marketing Executives Association of Atlanta and was a natural 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 and worked diligently to develop plans. After an entire year of planning, with all involved contributing
considerable time, effort and finances, the foundation of 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 By Laws, Creed, Key and
Ritual of Initiation. The Greek letters
of Pi Sigma Epsilon were not chosen at random; they represent members of the
fraternity – Prospective Sales Executives (collegiates), Preparers of Sales
Executives (educators) and 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.
Since the founders each had career obligations, it was necessary
to operate on a “when we can find time” basis; therefore, from 1952 until 1958
only six chapters were installed. In
1957 the first National Convention was held and attended by delegates from five
chapters.
It became apparent that if the Fraternity were to grow to the
stature originally envisioned, it was vital to find someone to operate Pi Sigma
Epsilon on a fell-time basis. Brother
Lew Gordon retired from his career in 1958 and became the first full-time
Executive Director of PSE. Mr. Gordon
contributed an enormous amount of energy to the growth of the fraternity and
generated support of business leaders throughout the nation so that PSE became
the fastest growing professional fraternity in history. In late 1958 he approached the Sales and Marketing
Executives International convention and proposed that SMEI become actively involved
with PSE since PSE is a youth-oriented organization dedicated to the same
fundamental principles. SMEI allocated
financial resources to develop and distribute PSE promotional literature, and
Sales and Marketing Executives affiliates began to sponsor chapters of PSE on
college campuses nationwide.
Currently, PSE has grown to more than 125 chartered chapters representing a variety of colleges and universities. We are continuing to forge new paths to success through membership growth, chapter development, constantly updated chapter materials, innovative new programs, increased attendance and programming at national conventions, national recognition from corporations and high caliber executives, job placement through the annual Career Fair, an intensive awards and scholarship program and much more. While continually striving to achieve higher levels of excellence, your Fraternity is changing the way people think about sales and marketing professionalism and service.