Kappa Theta Pi (ΚΘΠ, also known as KTP) is a co-ed professional fraternity specializing in the field of information technology. Kappa Theta Pi was founded on January 10, 2012, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is the University of Michigan's first professional technology fraternity. The goals of the fraternity are to create bonds between students of Informatics, computer science, business, design, computer engineering, Information,[2] and any others who are interested in technology, to develop networks through facilitation of professional and social growth, and to expose members to career options in the technology field.

Kappa Theta Pi
ΚΘΠ
FoundedJanuary 10, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-01-10)
University of Michigan
TypeProfessional
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisTechnology
ScopeNational
SloganThe love for technology
Colors  Blue and   Green [1]
MascotNinja
Chapters16
Colonies8
Members147 active
314 lifetime
Headquarters105 S State Street
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
United States

History

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In December 2011, two students, Louise Vongphrachanh and Jing Guo, founded a professional fraternity aimed towards informatics students. As many of these students were often in multiple classes together, a fraternity was organized to foster both professional and social relationships. After gaining support and conducting interviews, a group of seven Informatics students became the founding class and first executive board. These seven individuals are:

  • Nisha Dwivedi
  • Jacqueline Fontaine
  • Jing Guo
  • Brian Mansfield
  • Denny Tsai
  • Julie Varghese
  • Louise Vongphrachanh

Vongphrachanh and Guo signed the charter and became co-presidents of the fraternity. Later, the fraternity's focus was broadened to include all students interested in information technology. Although the fraternity is aimed toward information technology, Kappa Theta Pi has made continuous efforts to connect with students regardless of their technical and academic backgrounds.

In Spring 2014, the University of Michigan School of Information[3] formally sponsored the fraternity.

According to Kappa Theta Pi's constitution, the purpose of the fraternity can be detailed in six statements: Kappa Theta Pi works to build an active community of students with a shared interest in technology; it sponsors events and activities aimed toward intellectual, social, and professional development; it provides academic and professional resources to members; it fosters relationships among the local community, and with corporations; it provides service and philanthropy to the local community; and it works to maintain lifelong cooperation and friendship among its members.[4]

Symbols

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The Colors of the fraternity are blue (#458FFF) and green (#19FF19). The hexadecimal color values represent the technical roots of the fraternity.[1]

Membership

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Kappa Theta Pi's process for membership follows standard Greek rush and pledge guidelines. The fraternity's rush process occurs in both Fall and Winter semesters.[4]

Governance

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The executive board of the Alpha chapter of Kappa Theta Pi currently consists of the President, Vice President of External Affairs, Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Engagement, Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Professional Development, and Vice President of Technical Development.[4] Elections for each Executive Board position occurs at the beginning of every calendar year. Each active member of the fraternity is required to complete community service hours as well as attend professional development events. There are committees dedicated to fostering the growth and development of the fraternity. Each member must be part of a committee to actively contribute to the fraternity as a whole.

Chapters

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The fraternity lists 23 active chapters or colonies formed since it emerged in 2012. Active chapters are noted in bold. Inactive chapters are noted in italics.

Name Chartered Institution Location Status Notes Reference
Alpha January 10, 2012 University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan Active Founding chapter [5]
Beta pre- 2016 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Active [6]
Gamma pre- 2016 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, Indiana Active
Delta November 9, 2017 Syracuse University Syracuse, New York Active [7]
Epsilon November 8, 2017 University of Maryland College Park, Maryland Active [8]
Zeta November 7, 2019 The College of New Jersey Ewing, New Jersey Active [9]
Eta June 2020 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina Active
Theta November 7, 2020 University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois Active [10]
Iota March 9, 2022 University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas Active [11]
Kappa August 2, 2022 Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois Active [12]
Lambda October 27, 2022 Boston University Boston, Massachusetts Active [13]
Mu April 30, 2023 University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, Texas Active [14]
Nu March 20, 2023 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado Active [15]
Xi Inactive
Omicron Inactive
Pi Inactive
Rho April 26, 2023 Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee Active
Sigma August 30, 2023 University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida Active
Tau April 6, 2023 University of Southern California Los Angeles, California Active
Upsilon Colony Status Lewis University Romeoville, Illinois Active
Phi Colony Status University of Georgia Athens, Georgia Active
Chi Colony Status Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, Florida Active
Psi Colony Status Cameron University Lawton, Oklahoma Active
Omega Colony Status Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts Active
Alpha Alpha Colony Status University of Central Arkansas Conway, Arkansas Active
Alpha Beta Colony Status New Brunswick, New Jersey Active
Alpha Gamma Colony Status Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia Active

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b These are the correct hex codes, per its Constitution, available through Maize Pages at UMich.edu, accessed 19 Apr 2021.
  2. ^ "Bachelor of Science in Information | University of Michigan School of Information". www.si.umich.edu.
  3. ^ University of Michigan School of Information
  4. ^ a b c Kappa Theta Pi Constitution
  5. ^ Noted on the Michigan chapter's website, "About Us" page, accessed 19 Apr 2021.
  6. ^ The Pitt chapter is noted on the university's website, accessed 19 Apr 2021.
  7. ^ Formation of the Syracuse chapter is noted on the Professional Fraternity Council website for the school, accessed 19 Apr 2021.
  8. ^ The Maryland chapter is noted on its Terplink website, accessed 19 Apr 2021.
  9. ^ The TCNJ chapter is noted on the University's Student Organization List, accessed 19 Apr 2021.
  10. ^ The Theta chapter website is noted on the chapter's website
  11. ^ The Iota chapter instagram is noted on the chapter's instagram
  12. ^ The Kappa chapter website is noted on the chapter's website
  13. ^ The Lambda chapter website is noted on the chapter's website
  14. ^ The Mu chapter website is noted on the chapter's website
  15. ^ The Nu chapter website is noted on the chapter's website