Phi Eta Sigma is a national honor society inspired by the past and dedicated to the future whose goal is to encourage and reward academic excellence among freshmen in institutions of higher learning. The oldest and largest freshman honor society, Phi Eta Sigma was founded at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923, and now has more than three hundred chapters throughout the United States and more than 800,000 members. The Phi Eta Sigma chapter at Brigham Young University was established for three purposes: (1) create an Academic Honor Roll for Brigham Young University Freshman; (2) inform hometown newspapers of the academic achievements of individual members within the Brigham Young University Freshman Honor Society; and (3) create an Academic Honor Society (Phi Eta Sigma) with lifetime membership opportunities for qualified Brigham Young University Freshman. Phi Eta Sigma sponsors local and national events to celebrate academic excellence of Brigham Young University's outstanding students, faculty and alumni.