Phi Kappa Sigma

Phi Kappa Sigma
ΦΚΣ
Founded October 19, 1850 (1850-10-19)
University of Pennsylvania
Type Social
Scope International
United States
Canada
Motto Stellis Aequus Durando ("Equal to the Stars in Endurance")
Colors      Black
     Old Gold
Symbol Maltese Cross
Flag
Flower Yellow Chrysanthemum
Publication Maltese Cross Magazine
Philanthropy Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Chapters 42 active, 2 colonies
Nickname Skulls, Skullhouse, Phi Kap, PKS
Headquarters 716 Adams St, STE A
Carmel, Indiana 46032
United States
Website pks.org

Phi Kappa Sigma (ΦΚΣ) is an international all-male college secret and social fraternity. While nicknames differ from institution to institution, the most common nicknames for the fraternity are Skulls, Skullhouse, Phi Kap, and PKS (the first two because of the skull and crossbones on the fraternity's badge and coat of arms). Phi Kappa Sigma was founded by Dr. Samuel Brown Wylie Mitchell at the University of Pennsylvania. Mitchell recorded the initial ideas and concepts of Phi Kappa Sigma on August 16, 1850. He then began to discuss the idea with other students, first Charles Hare Hutchinson, and then Alfred Victor du Pont (son of Alfred V. du Pont), John Thorne Stone, Andrew Adams Ripka, James Bayard Hodge, and Duane Williams. The seven men formally founded the fraternity on October 19, 1850 becoming the founding fathers of Phi Kappa Sigma[1] Phi Kappa Sigma is a charter member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference, and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.

Badge

The fraternity's badge was designed by its founder, Dr. Samuel Brown Wylie Mitchell. Outside of changes in size, its official design has remained the same. In the shape of a Maltese cross, the badge is old gold with black decoration. The center of the cross is anchored by a skull and crossbones. The four leaves of the cross display, individually, the Greek letters Phi, Kappa, and Sigma, starting at the left leaf and rotating counter-clockwise. The fourth and top leaf display a six-pointed star. The back of the badge has an engraved serpent echoing the serpent from the fraternity's coat of arms.

Chapter listing

See List of Phi Kappa Sigma chapters

Notable members

The Phi Kappa Sigma chapter at Washington & Jefferson College in 1872

See also

References

  1. "Phi Kappa Sigma International Fraternity – History". Retrieved March 20, 2007.
  2. "NASA Bio of Chaffee". Retrieved April 4, 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Famous Phi Kaps, Greek 101". Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  4. "Phi Kappa Sigma Maltese Cross 2003" (PDF). Retrieved April 4, 2008.
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