
HISTORY OF PHI KAPPA PSI
Founded over 150 years ago, Phi Kappa Psi boasts a rich history at many of the nation's top colleges and universities.
William H. Letterman and Charles P.T. Moore founded Phi Kappa Psi in the little college town of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, when they were nursing their stricken friends during an epidemic of typhoid fever at their college. It was through these long night vigils that an appreciation of the great joy of serving others came into their lives.
Calling a number of others to join them, a Brotherhood was founded on February 19, 1852. It flourished, and gradually extended to other colleges and universities throughout the country. Idealists all, these founders of Phi Kappa Psi taught a new fraternity - a Fraternity that would complement the work of the university by cultivating those humanities without which the educated man fails of his greatest usefulness.
At the time of our founding, Jefferson College was considered one of the "Big Three" in what was known as the "Jeffersonian Cradle." The other two institutions comprising this group, Harvard and Princeton, were of very nearly equal size and equal high esteem. These institutions all graduated predominantly ministers, lawyers and physicians from an academic curricula based in classical literature, religious doctrine and basic sciences.
Phi Kappa Psi recognizes the need and value of the best and broadest education possible and encourages that goal within our membership. But unless actuated by a proper love for and service to mankind, the educated man may often waste his talents. It is to counteract this tendency that Phi Kappa Psi was founded to encourage the best in men, to inspire and assist them to reach their potential as students, brothers, men and citizens.
PHI KAPPA PSI AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
This past February marked the 132nd year that Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity has been a part of the University of Kansas. Since 1876, the men of the Kansas Alpha Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi have been an integral part of the University for three separate centuries. Each year our Chapter adapts and develops to become an even better organization than the previous year. For 132 years, the men of Phi Psi have promoted the Fraternity’s highest ideals through continuous individual and group improvement year in and year out.
Phi Kappa Psi at the University of Kansas recruits one of the most elite pledge class' every year. We believe that through our pledge education we can turn young high school boys into college men. Year in and year out, we sponsor philanthropy, community service, and social events that rank among the college elite. We not only teach our new members the importance of a good academic mindset, we teach them to get the most out of their college experience. Our rush recruitment is always looking for young men who wish to better themselves through Greek life, and this year we have expanded even more. While we recruit heavily in the Kansas City area, this year we have recruited all over the Midwest. Next year we will have potential new members from: Salina, Wichita, Hays, Manhattan (KS), Texas, Colorado, St. Louis, and Nebraska. The Kansas Alpha chapter of Phi Kappa Psi believes that the best pledge class is one that is diverse, coming from all different areas and backgrounds. Through diversity becomes brotherhood, and through brotherhood comes friends one will have for the rest of their lives.
The Kansas Alpha Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi exemplifies excellence at both a national and local level. We are consistently recognized by our National Fraternity as the hallmark Chapter of Phi Psi. Although we are consistently recognized by our National Fraternity, we have never been satisfied with complacency. It has continually been the goal of our Chapter over the past years to distinguish ourselves at the local level.
Over the years we have developed a system to continuously help exceptional young men mature throughout their college experience. Whether it is through scholarship, membership development, or financial management, we have excelled in every phase that defines a student organization. Year in and year out, our members are known leaders on campus. It does not matter if a member is the President of the Interfraternity Council, an active Student Senator, or a varsity athlete, each member contributes constructively to improve both the Chapter and the University every day. Improvement and development are the cornerstones that define the Kansas Alpha Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi as a chapter of excellence.
DIRECTIONS TO PHI KAPPA PSI
Address: 1602 West 15th Street
Coming into Lawrence from the East on K-10:
- Continue heading West on K-10 (it turns into 23rd Street)
- Take a right on Iowa St. (now heading North)
- Take a right on 15th Street/Bob Billings Parkway (now heading East)
- Just over the hill, we are the second house on the left
Coming into Lawrence from the West on I-70:
- Get off on the first Lawrence exit (#202) and head South
- Stay on the road (it turns into Iowa St. after you go under a bridge)
- Take a left on 15th Street/Bob Billings Parkway (now heading East)
- Just over the hill, we are the second house on the left
To Visit our National Website Click Here.
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