The Eta Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was chartered February 26, 1975 at the University of Mississippi. Eta Beta's founding was the mastermind of four great men. Those four men are also the beloved charter members of Eta Beta. They are James Brown, E. Brown, Michael Watts and J. Everson.

To understand just how significant the chartering of this chapter was, we must revisit the ambiance of the campus on which it was chartered. The University of Mississippi was established in 1848. Knowing the history of Mississippi--and the United States for that matter--during this era, it's no mystery that blacks had yet to be admitted to the university. initially, fraternities and sororities had no place within the infrastructure of the university. The university was solely a learning environment. As is most always the case, the students changed that practice. In the late 1800's the emergence of fraternities and sororities began. Still, no blacks had been admitted during this time of change. The year 1963 would be a year to be remembered for African Americans, the University of Mississippi and beyond. James Meredith was admitted to the university. Many more were to follow. Without a successful noted attempt, who knows where the university would stand today.

History shows us that black Fraternities and Sororities found their way to Ole Miss (as the University of Mississippi is affectionately known) in 1973. Just as our founders sought to add a new flavor to Greek life, so did our charter members. Our charter members realized that being Greek was more than just being the best steppers, sponsoring the greatest parties, and performing the initiation ritual. They desired to create a legacy of "greater men" through constantly fostering "Brotherhood". This legacy invigorated a lineage of men that would be the leaders, innovators, "scholars", and most of all "brothers" envied and imitated by ALL, but duplicated by NONE. They realized that "not every GREAT man would become a Sigma, but EVERY Sigma is a great man." A Sigma is not: one who joins the organization, wears the letters, and haphazardly attends and participates in the functions. A Sigma is: one who not only joins the organization, but leaves an impact on his fellow brothers, the campus community and beyond. He strives to take Sigma higher through his "Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service", not only to his brothers, but to humanity. He not only recites and memorizes the ideals, but he lives by them. Twenty-eight years later the legacy continues.

In 1988, the Eta Beta Chapter purchased a house on Fraternity Row. Fraternity Row, before the purchase, was a predominantly white sector of the University of Mississippi's Campus. The Sigmas were the first to successfully integrate this sector. Though the tragedy of arson demolished the initial house purchased, the perseverance of Sigma incited them to go forthright. Through a collaborative effort of the members of Eta Beta, the IFC and community, a new house was purchased. The home became and is now the permanent residence of the Eta Beta Chapter. the Sigmas moved into the current house on November 9, 1988.

The Eta Beta Chapter is instrumental both on and off the campus. We are consistently involved in heightening the standard by which African American men--and students for that matter--at this institution and beyond are judged. We are "the people's Fraternity" and thus, the "people's Chapter". Through our ideals of "Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service", we carry out our daily activities and provide for the community from which we prosper.