Rho History
Among those Archons who traveled the country, spreading the gospel of Sigma Pi Phi, was Truman K. Gibson of Kappa Boulé who in 1922 sent a list of names of prominent Pittsburgh citizens to the Grand Grammateus. Rho was set apart the following year with 13 charter members, among them such notable Archons as Robert L. Vann, publisher of the Pittsburgh Courier, Charles H. Carroll who became the 12th Grand Sire Archon, and Frank R. Steward, a lawyer who embodied the founding spirit of Rho Boulé. Under his leadership, Rho brought the 12th Grand Boulé to Pittsburgh in 1931. Other notable early members included Archon Homer S. Brown, a common pleas court judge and legislative facilitator of the “Pittsburgh Renaissance,” a sweeping redevelopment of the city. Rho has grown and in the last decade has assumed a more pro-active posture. Noteworthy during this period has been its work with the Pittsburgh School Board in supporting promising high school graduates through mentoring and scholarships. Also prominent has been an on-going public policy offering, which has facilitated an increasing impact by Rho members on the larger Pittsburgh community.