Pi Epsilon Phi (PEF)

Through the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's, the campus was dominated by two greek "alliances." The Pi Epsilon Phi fraternity (commonly known as the "Philos") and the Castalians were pitted against the Phi Zeta fraternity and Gamma Sigma Epsilon sorority.

Campus politics were dominated by these two alliances, who each put forth full candidate slates annually. Elections were generally very close and voters tended to follow these "party lines". In one election the entire Philo-Castalian slate was elected with a one vote margin in every election, except there was a tie in the Student Council President race. (One ballot was not marked for that race.) In the runoff election, the Philo-Castalian candidate was elected President by one vote.

Pi Epsilon Phi was a dominant force in intramural sports in the 1940's and 1950's, also. An example of this is their one point victory over Phi Zeta in 1955 to secure their 8th straight intramural football championship.

The Philo's sponsored annual "Blackouts" to raise funds for charity. These were entertainment programs held on campus featuring nationally known performers as well as campus groups and individuals.

As early as 1902, the group had petitioned the administration for permission to have a chapter house. the petition died in committee. It wasn't until the early 1950's that fraternities at the college did establish chapter houses. Pi Epsilon Phi purchased a former funeral home at 1723 Lincoln Avenue on November 22, 1952. In 1957 they purchased the house next door, formerly the Acacia fraternity house. This additional space was necessary for the growing fraternity. The first house was commonly referred to as "Temple I" and the additional house was known as "Temple II".