Phi Kappa Phi (Syracuse University Chapter) Records
An inventory of its records at the Syracuse University Archives
Finding aid created by: Wren Martin
Date: 5 Apr 2023
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Finding aid created by: Wren Martin
Date: 5 Apr 2023
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Summary |
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| Creator: | Phi Kappa Phi. Syracuse University Chapter |
| Title: | Phi Kappa Phi (Syracuse University Chapter) Records |
| Dates: | 1915-1991 (bulk: 1916-1939) |
| Size: | 4 linear feet, 6 boxes |
| Abstract: | Administrative records, correspondence, membership materials, and printed materials of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (Syracuse University Chapter) |
| Language: | Collection materials are in English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 |
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 at the University of Maine. Its mission is "to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engage the community of scholars in service to others."
In 1897, ten senior students, two faculty members, and the University of Maine president created a new kind of honor society, one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines covering a wider range of students than any other honor society in existence at that time. Under the leadership of student Marcus L. Urann, who created the bylaws and constitution for the organization, the group formed the Lambda Sigma Eta Society. Upon Urann's graduation, the school's president Abram Harris led the way for promoting the Society.
In 1900, the Society was renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the letters of the Greek words forming its motto, Philosophía Krateítõ Phõtôn, "Let the love of learning rule humanity." The group also gained support from the presidents of Pennsylvania State College and the University of Tennessee to expand into a national organization. In June 1916, the Syracuse University Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi was founded.
As of 2023, the Society has chapters on more than 325 campuses in the United States, its territories, and the Philippines; the Syracuse University chapter is inactive.
The Phi Kappa Phi (Syracuse University Chapter) Records contains administrative records, correspondence, membership materials, and printed material.
Administrative records (1916-1936) consists of the chapter constitution and bylaws, meeting minutes, treasurer reports, initiation ceremony materials, and so on, relating to the founding and operation of the Syracuse Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.
Correspondence (1919-1937) consists of general correspondence, including with different state chapters of Phi Kappa Phi.
Membership materials (1921-1955) consists of member lists, membership cards, eligibility and recommendation materials, and certificates of membership.
Printed materials (1915-1991) consists of copies of the national organization's bylaws and constitution, bulletins, circulars, catalog, and initiation invitations and programs.
Access Restrictions:
Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.
Use Restrictions:
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Files of the Pi Delta Epsilon Honorary Journalism Fraternity, with inclusive dates of 1909-1923, have been removed from the collection for separate processing.
Names
Phi Kappa Phi.
Syracuse University -- History
Syracuse University.
Subjects
Education -- United States -- Societies,
etc.
Education, Higher.
Greek letter societies.
New York (State)
Types of Material
Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence.
Invitations.
Membership cards.
Minutes (administrative records)
Newsletters.
Programs (documents)
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Phi Kappa Phi (Syracuse University Chapter) Records,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
The University Archives does not have information regarding the acquisition of these materials.
Processing Information
Folders containing multiple copies of blank forms, and a binder half full of blank paper, were discarded.
Series are arranged alphabetically. Within each series, materials are organized at the folder level by document type, and then put in roughly chronological order in the folders. Wherever possible, the original labeling has been retained.
Administrative records
Correspondence
Membership materials
Printed materials
| Administrative records | |||||||||||
| Oversize 1 | Charter, blank | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Constitution and bylaws 1916 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Correspondence and clippings 1916 - letters, clipping, etc. relating to the founding of the Syracuse chapter; originally in 3-ring binder | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Founding History 1916-1926 - meeting minutes, membership lists, initiation programs, etc.; originally in 3-ring binder (2 folders) | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Initiation ceremony 1916-1926 - meeting minutes, membership lists, initiation programs, etc.; originally in 3-ring binder | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | [Membership committee, elections] 1923-1926 - originally in 3-ring binder | ||||||||||
| Box 4 | Rubber stamp, "Syracuse University-Chapter Phi Kappa Phi" | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Miscellaneous 1919-1937 - letters, ledger, newsletters, convention notes, list of fall 1930 initiates, proposed amendments to constitution and bylaws, etc. (3 folders) | ||||||||||
| Correspondence | |||||||||||
| Box 4 | National office, Knoxville, Tennessee 1926-1933 - circulars; petition for formation of chapter at Louisiana State University | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | General 1919-1933 - circulars, letters, etc. some with meeting minutes attached (4 folders) | ||||||||||
| Box 2 | General 1933-1937 (4 folders) | ||||||||||
| Membership materials | |||||||||||
| Oversize 1 | Certificates | ||||||||||
| Box 2 | Eligibility and recommendations 1926-1937 (5 folders) | ||||||||||
| Box 2 | Member lists 1921-1937 (2 folders) | ||||||||||
| Box 3 | Member lists 1932-1937 | ||||||||||
| Box 5 | Membership cards - card file with names, addresses, membership number (highest number seen: 1088), date of election, date of initiation, and college or department of study | ||||||||||
| Box 2 | Miscellaneous 1940-1955 | ||||||||||
| Printed materials | |||||||||||
| Box 3 | Catalogue of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi 1927 - directory of 12,000+ members across the United States | ||||||||||
| Box 3 | Circulars and bulletins, national 1916, 1928, 1930, 1933 | ||||||||||
| Box 3 | Initiation invitations and programs 1918-1991 (3 folders) | ||||||||||
| Box 3 | Phi Kappa Phi Journal 1915, 1924, 1928-1929 (2 folders) | ||||||||||