Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity history

Phi Kappa Psi was founded at the University of Minnesota in 1888.

On July 28, 1900, Doctor Henry Mitchell MacCracken, the chancellor of New York University, authorized the opening of the new evening School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance on the same basis as the seven other traditional schools and colleges of the university.

The group entered in 1902 and was the first three-year class working toward a bachelor’s degree in commercial science.

In winter 1903, much further work was accomplished.

On June 9, 1904, Douglas, Duff, Lane, Leach, Bergen, Jefferson, Irving L. Camp, Herbert M. Wright and Morris S. Rachmil met at this hotel.

On March 20, 1905, a formal application was made to the State of New York for a charter of incorporation, this time for Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity.

In June 1907, Howard Jefferson received the first MCS degree conferred by New York University.

19, 1910, allowing the Executive Committee, by unanimous vote, to grant to chapters in universities that did not fully comply with these rules the right to apply for membership in the national fraternity.

In October 1911, Roy C. Kemmerer spoke to the Alpha Chapter during his trip to the Pacific coast.

16, 1912, the first National Convention and banquet to have in attendance delegates from two chapters other than Alpha gathered at the Alpha Chapter house.

The Iowa Beta Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi was founded in 1913.

The 11th National Convention, the first two-day gathering, occurred on June 26-27, 1914, at the Alpha Chapter house.

In late spring 1916, Schiffer appointed a Ritual Committee made up of Douglas, Jefferson, Lane, Duff, Hudson, Hopf, and Myer.

In 1917, at the 14th National Convention on June 29-30 at the William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, nine chapters were represented.

The 16th National Convention was held in the Assembly Room of the Boston City Club on June 25-26, 1920.

The 18th National Convention was held at the Sinton Hotel, Cincinnati on June 22-24, 1922.

Seven district conferences were held, for the first time, in 1924.

A revision of the Ritual, compiled by Ralph E. Kimball, Grand Master of Rituals, was published. “A Few Alpha Kappa Psi Songs,” edited by William H. Koenig, was printed in January 1925.

The 21st National Convention at the Palmer House, Chicago, was held June 22-25, 1927.

At the Silver Anniversary 22nd National Convention on June 19-22, 1929 at the Troutdale-in-the-Pines, Denver, the official gold badge was adopted. “The Diary of Alpha Kappa Psi” was made the official journal of the fraternity, alumni dues were instituted, and freshman pledging was authorized.

The 24th National Convention was held in the Knickerbocker Hotel, Chicago, on June 28-30, 1933.

Triennial district conferences were held in 1938.

In 1944, district conferences were postponed indefinitely.

The return of students to the colleges began in 1945, but the National Convention and conferences were not held. “A Song Number,” the March 1945 issue of the Diary, was published.

A special Handbook number, 3rd edition, made up the November 1948 issue of the Diary.

The fraternity decided to incorporate the Alpha Kappa Psi Foundation in the State of Illinois in 1951.

1, 1956, in Detroit, established the office of grand vice president-alumni to oversee alumni activities and authorized a subscription to Life Membership by student members at $15.

An alumni chapter manual was issued in 1958.

1, 1962, empowered the national vice president to act as chairman and director of the expansion committee, responsible for the creation of new college chapters.

1, 1965, transferred the student loan fund from the Alpha Kappa Psi Foundation to the national fraternity, increased Life Membership fees for students to $20 and for alumni to $35, and authorized the initiation of one faculty member each year without paying the national initiation fee.

On March 1, 1972, the Alpha Kappa Psi group life insurance program was instituted.

20-24, 1975. “The National Convention Song Book,” edited by Richard M. Slavett, was issued.

The Ritual of Alpha Kappa Psi, 5th edition, was published in 1982.

The Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity Alumni Directory, 85th-anniversary edition, was published in 1989.

At midyear, the 1991 annual report was published with articles by all national officers and the executive director.

In 1992, Phi Kappa Psi began to award one exceptional chapter with the Grand Chapter Award.

In August 1993, the “History and Handbook of Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity” was published.

The 90th anniversary edition of the Alumni Directory of Alpha Kappa Psi was published in 1994.

The Alpha Kappa Psi Foundation’s student-level donor club, the Yellow Rose Society, was introduced in July 1998.

The fifty-first National Convention was held at the Fairmont Hotel, New Orleans, August 15-19, 2001.

The centennial fifty-second National Convention was held at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, August 7-10, 2003.

The Alpha Kappa Psi Foundation launched a business plan competition in February, 2007.

Alpha Kappa Psi’s first CFV was presented in June, 2008.

The fifty-fifth Convention was held was held at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, August 5-8, 2009.

In May of 2013, the fraternity chartered a chapter in Hong Kong, making China the fourth nation where Alpha Kappa Psi is represented.