Pi Kappa Sigma
Pi Kappa Sigma (ΠΚΣ) was a national collegiate sorority operating in the United States from November 17, 1894 until it was absorbed by Sigma Kappa in 1959. "Pi Kap" was the first pedagogical sorority.
Beginnings
(From Golden Years with Pi Kappa Sigma 1894- 1949)
On November 17, 1894, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, nine female student from Michigan State Normal School formed a secret club called J.P.N. In a nod to the fashion of the day, the letters of this club stood for "Jolly Petticoats Nine". Other J.P.N. members recall the secret meaning as "Just Progressive Normalites". For three years, J.P.N. grew as a Latin-lettered club. In 1896, membership was thirteen.
In 1897, Alice Eddy Snowden assisted the J.P.N.s in transforming themselves to a Greek - lettered organization. After careful consideration of Greek syntax and semantics, Pi Kappa Sigma was chosen as the name.
Pi Kappa Sigma planted chapters at different campuses throughout the United States. In 1915, the sorority worked to become national. The first national convention was held. There, goals for increasing membership and chartered chapters were established. A new membership pin was designed. The constitution was revised. Authorization for a publication (the Laurel) was given.
Pi Kappa Sigma's status as a "pedagogical sorority" prevented it from being admitted into the National Panhellenic Conference.
Joining the Association of Education Sororities
In 1917, two members of the Association for Pedagogical Sororities (A.P.S.), Sigma Sigma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Alpha, invited Pi Kap to join their association. Pi Kap accepted, and was soon joined by Delta Sigma Epsilon. At the third national convention of A.P.S., the sororities changed A.P.S. to Association of Education Sororities (A.E.S.) Over the next decade, Theta Sigma Upsilon, Alpha Sigma Tau, and Pi Delta Theta became A.E.S. members. (From Golden Years with Pi Kappa Sigma 1894- 1949)
Becoming an NPC Sorority
(From Golden Years with Pi Kappa Sigma 1894- 1949)
In November 1947, the NPC invited Pi Kappa Sigma and her A.E.S. peers into "associate membership with reservations". (The A.E.S. immediately dissolved.) In June of the following year, those reservations were removed. The A.E.S. sororities were now full associate members of the National Panhellenic Conference. Pi Kappa Sigma, in the 1949 publication, was hoping to become full members by 1951.
There were two problems for Pi Kappa Sigma and the NPC. First, many Pi Kaps also held membership in NPC groups, having joined before 1947. These sisters were forced to choose between Pi Kap and their NPC. Pi Kap, like all sororities, suffered losses.
The second problem was the chartering of chapters at "unqualified institutions". Pi Kap had to withdraw such chapters from the roll until the institutions could attain the proper accreditation. Again, Pi Kap lost members.
The history book (1949) included total membership records post- NPC affiliation. The "grand total membership" was 9,241 sisters. There were 32 active chapters and 15 inactive.
Sigma Kappa
Pi Kappa Sigma remained an NPC affiliated sorority for only ten more years. In 1959, it was absorbed by Sigma Kappa (Baird's, 1991).
Insignia
The first badge was a shield design with "thirteen turquoise set in laurel leaves surrounding Pi Kappa Sigma" (Seaton p. 3).
At the first convention, a new badge was designed. The younger Pi Kaps wanted "one with a more definite shield patterns and something symbolic of secrecy". The sisters claimed that since other sororities had pins symbolizing secrets, so should the Pi Kappa Sigmas (Seaton, p. 419).
The second badge was a "modified triangular shield with a narrow gold bevel surrounding a field of black enamel. At the top is a small diamond surrounded by thirteen points of gold. Across the center of the field are the Greek letters Pi Kappa Sigma in gold, and beneath them a Greek lamp in gold" (Seaton, p. 420).
The pledge pin was a "triangle slightly modified; upper part is of turquoise- blue enamel with the letters Pi Kappa Sigma in gold" (Seaton, p. 420)
The coat-of-arms was authorized by the Grand Chapter in 1927 and is described as a "quartered shield shaped like the pin. Upper dexter quarter is a Greek lamp; in the lower sinister quarter, a give point star with a Phi at is [sic] center; at the point of interest, overlapping the quarters is an open book. The crest is an effulgent star of thirteen points reasting upon a wreath. Beneath the shield are two crossed lauren branches; below them is a scroll with Pi Kappa Sigma in Greek letters" (Seaton, p. 420).
Traditions
The first initiation ritual was that of J.P.N. In October 1902, there was a new initiation and pledge rituals recorded by hand. These rituals were "very similar" to what the sorority was using in 1949. Minor changes in phrasing and a few additions were done in later years (Seaton, p. 402).
Pledge ribbons were given to new members before the official pledging ceremony (Seaton, p. 402).
Founder's Day Prayer
Written by Ruth S. Neidig, Grand President
Our heavenly Father, we thank thee for the joy of this day. We lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving for the blessings and comforts which come to us through our founders. We thank thee for all the tender mercies of the past and the great hopes that lead us into the future. We pray to fix in all our hearts the bright resolves to live nobly, truly, simply, and in the real spirit of Pi Kappa Sigma. May we, as loving children, remember that we are in the springtime of life. Help us to seize and improve every opportunity for the cultivation of our minds, the foundation of habits the preparation for future usefulness and gaining good. Lord, be near all on this day, and when we come together again, with thy help, O Lord, may we be better able to help each other and live that we may not forget the purpose for which we were founded and the all embracing love enclosed in the everlasting chain of friendship for Pi Kappa Sigma. We ask all these things in Jesus' Name. Amen. (Seaton, p. 44)
An Ideal of Pi Kappa Sigma
Pledges herself to service of all on campus within the limits of her capacity.
In at home in the universe because in giving self she finds herself.
Keeps her sense of values, especially in emergencies.
Appreciates the contributions of townspeople,faculty, and students.
Promises to do only what she can see through to a finish.
Praises rather than blames the efforts of others.
Adjusts to situations where the good of her group surpasses her own personal opinion.
Stands by her ideals of Christian living.
Ignores gossip and fault finding.
Grows in poise and confidence.
Matures in her relationships with people.
Adds to life because of her humor, buoyancy, and wholesomeness.
-Virginia Wielandy, Faculty Advisor Alpha Chapter (Seaton, p. 56)
References
- Seaton, Emma Newell. (1949) Golden Years with Pi Kappa Sigma 1894-1949. Har-Lo Printing Company, Highland Park, IL.
- Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (multiple editions)