Over one hundred and fifty years ago, the foundation of a brotherhood
to be named Phi Kappa Psi was laid out. It was after the devoted service
to stricken friends during an outbreak of typhoid that William Henry
Letterman and Charles Page Thomas Moore founded the Phi Kappa Psi
Fraternity for the great joy of serving others. Their ideals have
been sent down through the ages by nearly 100 thousand members who
appreciate what Moore and Letterman accomplished on February 19th,
1852.
Phi Kappa Psi has become what it was initially intended to be, an
ensemble of outstanding students residing at esteemed colleges and
universities throughout the country. The Fraternity's purpose was,
and still is, to improve member's intellect and well-being by  cultivating
their humanity. Without the forces of proper love and empathy, an
educated man can only lose the good use of the intellect which he
has acquired. It is the intent of a fraternity to supplement the education
given by a university, with an education in life.
The first chapter of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity was established
at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, taking the name
of Pennsylvania Alpha. Yet, as soon as it was established, Charles
Page Thomas Moore left in search of another institution on which he
could spread his ideals. In a year after the original founding, the
second chapter was established at the University of Virginia, which
soon became the Second Grand Chapter becoming the executive head of
the Fraternity. By the end of 1855, six additional chapters had been
established. These include: Virginia Beta at Washington and Lee University;
Pennsylvania Beta at Allegheny College; Pennsylvania Gamma at Bucknell
University; Pennsylvania Delta at Washington College; Virginia Gamma
at Hampden-Sydney College; and Pennsylvania Epsilon at Gettysburg
College.
It occurred in 1885 that there was decision to form a new method of
government.  This
new government has had no likeness to any fraternal government even
until today. The basis of this government was constructed around the
idea of positioning central power in the hands of undergraduates.
It was drafted, along with the rest of the new constitution, by William
Clayton Wilson. Under this new constitution, the governing body of
the Fraternity is the Executive Council, which consists of four elected
graduates and six undergraduates from separate districts. This government
is still in effect today and adds to the uniqueness of the Phi Kappa
Psi Fraternity.
The Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity continues to flourish even still. It
has expanded to include nearly 100 thousand members and nearly one
hundered active chapters. It has also generated many influential alumni
such as former President Woodrow Wilson and current mayor of New York
City, Michael R. Bloomberg.
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