Pi Kappa Sigma

Pi Kappa Sigma (ΠΚΣ or Pi Kap) was a national collegiate sorority operating in the United States from November 17, 1894, until it was absorbed by Sigma Kappa in 1959. Pi Kap was the first pedagogical sorority.

Pi Kappa Sigma
ΠΚΣ
Founded	November 17, 1894 (1894-11-17) Michigan State Normal School, (Ypsilanti, Michigan)
Type	Social
Former Affiliation	NPC
Status	Merged
Merge Date	1959
Successor	Sigma Kappa
Emphasis	Pedagogy
Scope	National
Colors	Turquoise and   Gold
Symbol	Lamp, Star, Phi, Open Book, Laurel Wreath, Scroll
Flower	Forget-me-not, Jonquil
Publication	The Laurel
Chapters	51
Headquarters	United States
Website	Sigma Kappa home page

History

Beginnings

On November 17, 1894, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, nine female students from Michigan State Normal School formed a secret club called J.P.N. In a nod to the fashion of the day, the letters of this club stood for Jolly Petticoats Nine. Other J.P.N. members recall the secret meaning as Just Progressive Normalites. For three years, J.P.N. grew as a Latin-lettered club. In 1896, membership was thirteen.

In 1897, Alice Eddy Snowden assisted the J.P.N.s to transform themselves into a Greek-lettered organization. After careful consideration of Greek syntax and semantics, Pi Kappa Sigma was chosen as the name.

Pi Kappa Sigma planted chapters at different campuses throughout the United States. In 1915, the sorority worked to become national. The first national convention was held. There, goals for increasing membership and chartered chapters were established. A new membership pin was designed. The constitution was revised. Authorization for a publication (the Laurel) was given.

Pi Kappa Sigma's status as a "pedagogical sorority" prevented it from being admitted into the National Panhellenic Conference.

Association of Education Sororities

In 1917, two members of the Association for Pedagogical Sororities (A.P.S.), Sigma Sigma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Alpha, invited Pi Kap to join their association. Pi Kap accepted and was soon joined by Delta Sigma Epsilon. At the third national convention of A.P.S., the sororities changed A.P.S. to Association of Education Sororities (A.E.S.) Over the next decade, Theta Sigma Upsilon, Alpha Sigma Tau, and Pi Delta Theta became A.E.S. members.

NPC sorority

In November 1947, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) invited Pi Kappa Sigma and her A.E.S. peers into "associate membership with reservations." With this invitation, the A.E.S. immediately dissolved. In June of the following year, the reservations cited by the NPC were removed. The former A.E.S. sororities became associate members of the NPC. Pi Kappa Sigma, in a 1949 publication, hoped to become a full member by 1951.

There were two problems for Pi Kappa Sigma and the move into the NPC. First, many Pi Kaps also held membership in NPC groups, having joined before 1947. These sisters were forced to choose between Pi Kap and their NPC sorority. Pi Kap, like all sororities faced with this adjustment, suffered losses.

The second problem was the chartering of chapters at "unqualified institutions". Under the rules of the NPC, Pi Kap had to withdraw such chapters from the roll until those institutions could attain the proper accreditation. Again, Pi Kap lost members.

The history book (1949) included total membership records after the NPC affiliation. The total membership was 9,241 sisters. There were 32 active chapters and 15 inactive.

National conventions were held every two years from 1915 up to 1931, then every three years.

Merging with Sigma Kappa

Pi Kappa Sigma remained an NPC-affiliated sorority for only ten more years. In 1959, it was absorbed by Sigma Kappa. Total membership reported in the 1957 Baird's Manual was 11,013, two years before the merger with Sigma Kappa.

Insignia and traditions

The first badge was a shield design with "thirteen turquoise set in laurel leaves surrounding Pi Kappa Sigma"

At the first convention, a new badge was designed. The younger Pi Kaps wanted more definite shield patterns and "something symbolic of secrecy". The sisters claimed that since other sororities had pins symbolizing secrets, so should the Pi Kappa Sigmas.

The second badge was a "modified triangular shield with a narrow gold bevel surrounding a field of black enamel. At the top is a small diamond surrounded by thirteen points of gold. Across the center of the field are the Greek letters Pi Kappa Sigma in gold, and beneath them a Greek lamp in gold."

The pledge pin was a modified triangle in turquoise-blue enamel with the Greek letters ΠΚΣ in gold.

The coat-of-arms was authorized by the Grand Chapter in 1927 and is described as a "quartered shield [gold and blue] shaped like the pin. The upper dexter quarter is a Greek lamp; in the lower sinister quarter, a five-point star; at the point of interest, overlapping the quarters is an open book. The crest is an effulgent star of thirteen points resting upon a wreath. Beneath the shield are two crossed laurel branches; below them is a scroll with Pi Kappa Sigma in Greek letters."

The first initiation ritual was that of J.P.N. In October 1902, there was a new initiation and pledge ritual recorded by hand. These rituals were "very similar" to what the sorority used in 1949. Minor changes in phrasing and a few additions were made in later years.

Pledge ribbons were given to new members before the official pledging ceremony.

Founder's Day Prayer

Our heavenly Father, we thank thee for the joy of this day. We lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving for the blessings and comforts which come to us through our founders. We thank thee for all the tender mercies of the past and the great hopes that lead us into the future. We pray to fix in all our hearts the bright resolves to live nobly, truly, simply, and in the real spirit of Pi Kappa Sigma. May we, as loving children, remember that we are in the springtime of life. Help us to seize and improve every opportunity for the cultivation of our minds, the foundation of habits the preparation for future usefulness and gaining good. Lord, be near all on this day, and when we come together again, with thy help, O Lord, may we be better able to help each other and live that we may not forget the purpose for which we were founded and the all embracing love enclosed in the everlasting chain of friendship for Pi Kappa Sigma. We ask all these things in Jesus' Name. Amen.

—Written by Ruth S. Neidig, Grand President

An Ideal of Pi Kappa Sigma

Pledges herself to service of all on campus within the limits of her capacity.
In at home in the universe because in giving self she finds herself.
Keeps her sense of values, especially in emergencies.
Appreciates the contributions of townspeople, faculty, and students.
Promises to do only what she can see through to a finish.
Praises rather than blames the efforts of others.
Adjusts to situations where the good of her group surpasses her own personal opinion.
Stands by her ideals of Christian living.
Ignores gossip and fault finding.
Grows in poise and confidence.
Matures in her relationships with people.
Adds to life because of her humor, buoyancy, and wholesomeness.

—Virginia Wielandy, Faculty Advisor Alpha chapter

Chapters

Pi Kappa Lambda chartered 51 chapters. Following is a list of chapters of Pi Kappa Sigma. Inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.

Chapter	Charter date and range	Institution	Location	Status	References
Alpha	November 17, 1894 – 1959	Eastern Michigan University	Ypsilanti, Michigan	Merged (ΣΚ)
Beta	1900–1959	Northwestern Oklahoma State University	Alva, Oklahoma	Merged (ΣΚ)
Gamma	1902–1918, 1940–1959	Central Michigan University	Mount Pleasant, Michigan	Merged (ΣΚ)
Delta	1905–1918	Eastern Washington University	Cheney, Washington	Inactive
Epsilon	1907–1911	Wisconsin State College of Milwaukee	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	Inactive
Zeta	1909–1918, 1930–1959	Indiana University of Pennsylvania	Indiana, Pennsylvania	Merged (ΣΚ)
Eta	1915–1938	Miami University	Oxford, Ohio	Inactive
Theta	1917–1919	University of Cincinnati	Cincinnati, Ohio	Merged (ΣΚ)
Iota	1918–1959	Emporia State University	Emporia, Kansas	Merged (ΣΚ)
Kappa	1919–1923, 1929–1959	Southeastern Oklahoma State University	Durant, Oklahoma	Merged (ΣΚ)
Lambda	1920–1959	University of Central Missouri	Warrensburg, Missouri	Merged (ΣΚ)
Mu	1920–1959	University of Northern Colorado	Greeley, Colorado	Merged (ΑΦ)
Nu	February 15, 1922 – 1956	East Central Oklahoma University	Ada, Oklahoma	Inactive
Xi	1923–1933	Ohio University	Athens, Ohio	Inactive
Omicron	1923–1959	Marshall University	Huntington, West Virginia	Merged (ΣΚ)
Pi	1924–1959	Northeast Missouri State Teachers College	Kirksville, Missouri	Merged (ΣΚ)
Rho	1925–1954	Buffalo State University	Buffalo, New York	Inactive
Sigma	1925–1932	Drake University	Des Moines, Iowa	Inactive
Tau	1925–1959	California State University, Chico	Chico, California	Merged (ΣΚ)
Upsilon	1925–1930	Florida State University	Tallahassee, Florida	Inactive
Phi	1926–1939	University of California, Los Angeles	Los Angeles, California	Inactive
Chi	1926–1959	Black Hills State University	Spearfish, South Dakota	Merged (ΣΚ)
Psi	December 10, 1926 – 1947	Kent State University	Kent, Ohio	Merger (ΑΓΔ)
Omega	1927–1940	University of Southern California	Los Angeles, California	Inactive
Alpha Alpha	1927–1937	Auburn University	Auburn, Alabama	Inactive
Alpha Beta	1928–1941	Pittsburg State University	Pittsburg, Kansas	Inactive
Alpha Gamma	1928–1959	Wayne State University	Detroit, Michigan	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Delta	1928–1959	Northwestern State University	Natchitoches, Louisiana	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Epsilon	1928–1959	Longwood University	Farmville, Virginia	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Zeta	1929–1959	Western Colorado University	Gunnison, Colorado	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Eta	1929–1937	Millikin University	Decatur, Illinois	Inactive
Alpha Theta	1929–1940	Stetson University	DeLand, Florida	Inactive
Alpha Iota	1929–1937	Butler University	Indianapolis, Indiana	Inactive
Alpha Kappa	1930–1938	Harris–Stowe State University	St. Louis, Missouri	Inactive
Alpha Lambda	1930–1936	Wittenberg University	Springfield, Ohio	Inactive
Alpha Mu	1930–1940, 1957–1959	Fort Hays State University	Hays, Kansas	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Nu	1935–1969	Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania	Lock Haven, Pennsylvania	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Xi	May 14, 1939 – 1959	Southern Illinois University Carbondale	Carbondale, Illinois	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Omicron	1939–1959	James Madison University	Harrisonburg, Virginia	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Pi	1943–1959	Western Illinois University	Macomb, Illinois	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Phi	1944–1959	University of Central Arkansas	Conway, Arkansas	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Chi	1945–1959	Ball State University	Muncie, Indiana	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Rho	1945–1959	Northern Illinois University	DeKalb, Illinois	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Sigma	1946–1952	Henderson State University	Arkadelphia, Arkansas	Inactive
Alpha Tau	1946–1957	Wilson Teachers College	Washington, D.C.	Inactive
Theta Nu	1947–1959	Missouri State University	Springfield, Missouri	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Omega	1948–1959	Fairmont State University	Fairmont, West Virginia	Merged (ΣΚ)
Alpha Upsilon	1950–1959	Central Oklahoma University	Edmond, Oklahoma	Merged (ΣΚ)
Gamma Theta	1951–1959	Radford University	Radford, Virginia	Merged (ΣΚ)
Delta Psi	1954–1958	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Champaign, Illinois	Inactive
Beta Alpha	1956–1959	Waynesburg University	Waynesburg, Pennsylvania	Merged (ΣΚ)

See also

• List of social sororities and women's fraternities