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 in casual conversation, are known for diversity among their brothers and a dedication to service.
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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, in 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. 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.
[edit] The ideals
Phi Kappa Theta is a national social fraternity founded on 4 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] Active chapters
[edit] Philanthropic efforts
Phi Kappa Theta's chapters across the country organize unique fundraising efforts to benefit the fraternity's national philanthropy, the Children's Miracle Network, and other charitable organizations:
- The Gamma Tau chapter at Georgia Tech has independently established Extra Life 4 Kids, a video game-playing fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network.
- The annual Pirate Queen competition, a Miss America-style pageant hosted by the Phi Beta chapter at Seton Hall University, raises money for the Children's Miracle Network.
[edit] Notable Phi Kaps
Famous Phi Kaps include:
- President John F. Kennedy (honorary)
- Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen
- Motorola founder Paul Galvin
- His Eminence Theodore Edgar Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington
- His Eminence John Joseph Cardinal Krol, Archbishop of Philadelphia
- Vince Dooley - Member of the College Football Hall of Fame
- Senator Eugene McCarthy (Minnesota 1959-1971)
- Actor Ed McMahon
- Actor Gene Kelly
- Actor Bob Hope (honorary)
- Pope John Paul II (honorary)
- Jim Stillwagon - College Football Lombardi Award Winner
[edit] External links
- Phi Kappa Theta – National Website
- Children's Miracle Network
- Extra Life For Kids
