Phi Kappa Theta
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Phi Kappa Theta (ΦΚΘ) is a national social fraternity with over 50 chapters and colonies at universities across the United States. "Phi Kaps", as they are commonly referred to colloquially, are known for diversity among their brothers and a dedication to service.[citation needed]
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[edit] History
Phi Kappa Theta was established by the merger of two fraternities on April 29, 1959: Phi Kappa and Theta Kappa Phi. In 1889, Phi Kappa was founded by a group of Catholic students at Brown University who were refused entrance to other fraternities because of their faith. Later, on October 1, 1919, Theta Kappa Phi (an acronym for "The Catholic Fraternity") was founded by a similar group of students at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. The merger of the two fraternities in 1959 was the first of its kind in the history of the American fraternal system. The merger between the two fraternities occurred at The Ohio State University with the first chartered chapter of Phi Kappa Theta located at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. Although rich in Catholic history, Phi Kappa Theta is open for membership to men of all faiths, and many of its members are not Catholic. Phi Kappa Theta is currently the only fraternity in the American Fraternal system that is considered a true "merger" of two separate Greek letter organizations.
[edit] The ideals
Phi Kappa Theta is a national social fraternity founded on four ideals:
- Fraternal: Duty to man
- To provide the tangible and intangible aids necessary to establish a closely knit collegiate community whose members enjoy a mode of living that is conducive to the formation of gentlemen imbued with principles and ideals and to prepare them to contribute to the world community upon graduation.
- Intellectual: Duty to self and parents
- To remind our brothers that outstanding scholastic achievement is a primary personal responsibility, and to encourage a commitment to the university that provides each member with his intellectual formation.
- Social: Duty to society
- To encourage each member to identify himself with his collegiate and civic community by active participation and service, thus fostering a vigorous spirit of loyalty to Alma Mater and a selflessness to all men.
- Spiritual: Duty towards God
- To deepen the spiritual and enrich the temporal lives of its members through a well-balanced program of fraternal, intellectual, social and service activities.
[edit] Phi Kappa Theta today
Phi Kappa Theta today has over 50 chapters and colonies across the United States, ranking them in the middle, in terms of size, of all national fraternities. More than 1,500 men are actively involved in its undergraduate chapters. Phi Kappa Theta has over 50,000 alumni brothers worldwide.
[edit] Notable Phi Kaps
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This biographical section needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (December 2011) |
Famous Phi Kaps include:
Government:
- John F. Kennedy - (WPI - Honorary Alumni Initiate) 35th President of United States[1]
- Eugene McCarthy - US Senator (Minnesota)
- Eligio "Kika" de la Garza, II - US Congressman (Texas)
- Richard J. Hughes - Governor of New Jersey
- Ali Soufan - (Mansfield University) Former FBI special agent. Soufan pursued a career with the FBI after a bet with his fraternity brothers. [2][3]
Business:
- Paul Allen - (WSU) Microsoft co-founder
- Paul Galvin - (Illinois) Motorola founder
- Paul Allaire - (WPI) Xerox Former CEO
Science:
- Ronald Collé - (Georgia Tech.) NIST research scientist[citation needed]
Sports:
- Vince Dooley - (UGA) Former Head Coach and Athletic Director at the University of Georgia, Member of the College Football Hall of Fame
- Dan Devine - Member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Arizona State University, University of Missouri, University of Notre Dame and Green Bay Packer Head Coach. Coached Notre Dame to the 1977 National Championship.
- Ray Meyer - DePaul Men's Basketball Coach), 1945 NIT Championship, Basketball Hall of Fame
- Ed Macauley - AP Player of the Year, All-American at St. Louis University, Member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Played for: St. Louis Hawks, Boston Celtics, NBA All-Star
- Jim Stillwagon - Lombardi Trophy and Outland Trophy Winner @ Ohio State University, CFL All-Star
- Bob Aspromonte - (3rd Baseman) Brooklyn Dodgers/ LA Dodgers, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, & New York Mets
- Paul Giel - (Pitcher) New York/San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Athletics
- Ed Don George - Professional Wrestler and Promoter
- John Engel - (Lehigh University) 1931 NCAA Division I Wrestling National Champion (118 lb. Division)
Media:
- Ed McMahon - Actor: Announcer Tonight Show, Host Star Search
- Gene Kelly - (Pittsburgh) Actor: Singin' in the Rain, Anchors Aweigh
- Bob Hope (honorary) - (Seton Hall) Actor and Famous United Service Organizations Performer
- Keegan-Michael Key - (University of Detroit-Mercy) Comedian and actor best known for his appearance on MADtv.
- Brian Baker (actor) - Actor: Sprint PCS spokesman, also known as the "Sprint Guy."
Religious:
- Pope John Paul II (honorary)[1]
- Theodore Edgar McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington
- John Krol, Archbishop of Philadelphia
- Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Famous Phikaps". http://www.phikaps.org/famous.html. Retrieved 2008-07-30.[dead link]
- ^ "The interrogator, Pt. 1". 60 Minutes. September 11, 2011. 8:43 minutes in. Retrieved on 27 September 2011.
- ^ Ali H. Soufan; Daniel Freedman (12 September 2011). The Black Banners: The Inside Story of 9/11 and the War Against Al-Qaeda. W. W. Norton & Company. pp. 4–6. ISBN 978-0-393-08347-7. http://books.google.com/books?id=IkMU-uOEiFIC&pg=PT24. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
[edit] External links
- Phi Kappa Theta – National Website
- Children's Miracle Network
- Extra Life For Kids