Phi Delta Kappa (fraternity)
Encyclopedia
Phi Delta Kappa was an American collegiate fraternity
.
in Washington, Pennsylvania
when a chapter of Iota Alpha Kappa
resolved to continue after Iota Alpha Kappa's dissolution. Chapters were founded at Western University
in 1876, Thiel College
in 1876, Lafayette College
in 1876, and the University of Louisiana
in 1878. By 1880, all of the chapters except for Washington & Jefferson College had become extinct. That chapter sought to survive by joining another fraternity. In 1881, the Washington & Jefferson College chapter joined Phi Gamma Delta
, taking the designation of Alpha chapter, a designation that had belonged to the founding chapter of Phi Gamma at Jefferson College.
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
.
History
It was founded in 1874 at Washington & Jefferson CollegeGreek organizations at Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College is host to 10 Greek organizations and a significant percentage of the undergraduate student body is active in Greek life. With 37% of the student body participating in "greek life," The Princeton Review named Washington & Jefferson College 12th on their 2010 list of...
in Washington, Pennsylvania
Washington, Pennsylvania
Washington is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Pittsburgh Metro Area in the southwestern part of the state...
when a chapter of Iota Alpha Kappa
Iota Alpha Kappa
Iota Alpha Kappa was an American collegiate fraternity.-History:It was founded at Union College in 1858. Roughly 20 chapters developed, including at Lafayette College, Washington & Jefferson College, Columbia College and Norwich University. Membership was not restricted to college students...
resolved to continue after Iota Alpha Kappa's dissolution. Chapters were founded at Western University
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
in 1876, Thiel College
Thiel College
Thiel College is a private, liberal arts, sciences and professional studies college related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Thiel provides affordable high-quality college experience with dedicated faculty, numerous leadership opportunities and a wide variety of student activities and...
in 1876, Lafayette College
Lafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
in 1876, and the University of Louisiana
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
in 1878. By 1880, all of the chapters except for Washington & Jefferson College had become extinct. That chapter sought to survive by joining another fraternity. In 1881, the Washington & Jefferson College chapter joined Phi Gamma Delta
Phi Gamma Delta
The international fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta is a collegiate social fraternity with 120 chapters and 18 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and its headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA...
, taking the designation of Alpha chapter, a designation that had belonged to the founding chapter of Phi Gamma at Jefferson College.