Phi Delta Kappa (fraternity)

Phi Delta Kappa (ΦΔΚ) was an American collegiate fraternity which dissolved in 1881.

Phi Delta Kappa
ΦΔΚ
Founded1874; 150 years ago (1874)[1]
Washington & Jefferson College
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndependent
StatusDefunct
Defunct Date1881
ScopeNational
Chapters5
HeadquartersWashington, Pennsylvania
United States

History

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It was founded in 1874 at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania when a chapter of Iota Alpha Kappa resolved to continue after Iota Alpha Kappa's dissolution.[1] A total of five chapters were formed, but by 1880, four of the five, except for Washington & Jefferson College had become extinct.[1] That chapter sought to survive by joining another fraternity.[1] 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 Delta at Jefferson College.[1]

Chapters

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Five chapters were established, but all failed by 1880 except for the Alpha chapter which was absorbed to restore the Alpha chapter of Phi Gamma Delta. Following is a list of the chapters of Phi Delta Kappa.[2]

Chapter Charter date and range Institution City State Status References
Alpha 1874–1881 Washington & Jefferson College Washington Pennsylvania Withdrew (ΦΓΔ) [2][a]
Beta 1876–1880 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Inactive [2][b]
Gamma 1876–1880 Thiel College Greenville Pennsylvania Inactive [2]
Delta 1876–1880 Lafayette College Easton Pennsylvania Inactive [2]
Epsilon 1878–1880 Tulane University New Orleans Louisiana Inactive [2][c]
  1. ^ This chapter had its origination in an unnamed chapter of Iota Alpha Kappa, in 1873. Withdrew when that fraternity dissolved to form Phi Delta Kappa, eventually creating five chapters. When these failed, it was affiliated to restore Phi Gamma Delta's Alpha chapter in 1881.
  2. ^ At the time this chapter was formed, the school was called Western University of Pennsylvania.
  3. ^ At the time this chapter was formed, Tulane was called Tulane University of Louisiana.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e William Raimond Baird (1898). "Phi Delta Kappa". Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (5th ed.). G. Banta Co. pp. 344–345.
  2. ^ a b c d e f William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive)". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 6 October 2023. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.