Phi Theta Kappa (professional)
| Phi Theta Kappa | |
|---|---|
| ΦΘΚ | |
| Founded | 1918 University of Denver |
| Type | Professional |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Merged |
| Successor | Phi Chi Theta |
| Emphasis | Commerce |
| Scope | National |
| Colors | Orchid and Gold |
| Chapters | 5 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Phi Theta Kappa (ΦΘΚ) was an American professional sorority for students of business administration, commerce, and accounting. It was established in 1918 at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado and chartered a total of five chapters in the four states. In 1924, Phi Theta Kappa merged with Phi Kappa Epsilon, a similar organization, to form Phi Chi Theta.
History
Phi Theta Kappa was established in 1918 at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado.[1][2][3] It was incorporated in the State of Colorado on March 3, 1919.[4] It was a collegiate professional sorority for business administration, commerce, and accounting.[5][4] The society's purpose was to promote academic achievement and high professional standards.[6] Its chapters were chartered at institutions that provided three years or more of training in business administration and higher accountancy.[4]
A second chapter, Beta, was chartered in April 1920 at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, followed by Gamma chapter at Oregon Agricultural College in Corvallis, Oregon in May 1920.[4][7][8] Next, it chartered Delta chapter at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.[4] Its Epsilon chapter was established in April 1921 at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[4][9] The sorority held a convention in Denver on July 6 through July 9, 1922.[10]
On June 16 and 17, 1924, three representatives of Phi Theta Kappa and met at the La Salle Hotel in Chicago with three representatives of Phi Kappa Epsilon.[2][11] Phi Kappa Epsilon was another professional business sorority that was also established in 1918.[1][2] The meeting resulting in the merger of the two professional sororities, forming Phi Chi Theta.[2][1][12]
Symbols
Phi Theta Kappa's badge was crescent shaped and set in pearls, with the Greek letters "ΦΘΚ".[13] Its colors were orchid and gold.[14]
Membership
Members of Phi Theta Kappa were female juniors and seniors who had completed one year of study in commerce or business administration.[6][3] They were selected based on their scholarship, leadership in student activities, and "qualities of womanhood".[3]
Chapters
Following are the chapters of Phi Theta Kappa.[4][2][1]
| Chapter | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | 1918 – June 16, 1924 | University of Denver | Denver, Colorado | Merged (ΦΧΘ) | [3][a] |
| Beta | April 13, 1920 – June 16, 1924 | University of Oregon | Eugene, Oregon | Merged (ΦΧΘ) | [6][7][5][15][b] |
| Gamma | May 8, 1920 – June 16, 1924 | Oregon Agricultural College | Corvallis, Oregon | Merged (ΦΧΘ) | [3][8][c] |
| Delta | 192x ? – June 16, 1924 | Northwestern University | Evanston, Illinois | Merged (ΦΧΘ) | [d] |
| Epsilon | April 1921 – June 16, 1924 | University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Merged (ΦΧΘ) | [9][e] |
- ^ Became the Colorado Alpha chapter of Phi Chi Theta, after the sorority's national merger with Phi Kappa Epsilon.
- ^ Chapter formed from the Women's Commerce Club. It the Oregon Beta chapter of Phi Chi Theta, after the sorority's national merger with Phi Kappa Epsilon.
- ^ Chapter formed from Phi Kappa (local). It became the Gamma chapter of Phi Chi Theta, after the sorority's national merger with Phi Kappa Epsilon.
- ^ Became the Delta chapter of Phi Chi Theta, after the sorority's national merger with Phi Kappa Epsilon.
- ^ Chapter formed from Phi Gamma Sigma (local). It became the Epsilon chapter of Phi Chi Theta, after the sorority's national merger with Phi Kappa Epsilon.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Anson, Jack L.; Marchesani Jr., Robert F., eds. (1991). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. pp. V.36 – V.38. ISBN 978-0-9637159-0-6. OCLC 25278937.
- ^ a b c d e Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. (1930). "Phi Theta Kappa". Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (12th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company. p. 516 – via HathiTrust.
- ^ a b c d e "Honor Fraternity Granted to Women". Corvallis Gazette-Times. 1920-06-05. p. 4. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. (1927). "Phi Theta Kappa". Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (11th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company. p. 503 – via HathiTrust.
- ^ a b "Commerce Charter Expected". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. 1919-11-01. p. 12. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Eight Women Honored". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. 1924-05-11. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Fraternity Chapter Chartered". The Sunday Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. 1920-04-11. p. 20. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Honor Fraternity for Women Adds Chapter at O.A.C." The Oregon Daily Journal. Portland, Oregon. 1920-05-16. p. 11. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Here and There". The Pittsburgh Post. 1921-04-20. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Social News". The Denver Jewish News. 1922-06-21. p. 6. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Local Hotel Notes". National Hotel Reporter. Chicago, Illinois. 1924-06-17. p. 4. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Women's Fraternities Unite". The Oregon Daily Journal. Portland, Oregon. 1924-10-16. p. 31. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lost-Fraternity Pin". The Pittsburgh Press. 1924-09-19. p. 43. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Phi Theta Kappa". The Pittsburgh Press. 1924-06-06. p. 34. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Phi Theta Kappa to Install Chapter in University Campus". The Oregon Daily Journal. Portland, Oregon. 1919-10-19. p. 32. Retrieved 2025-11-05 – via Newspapers.com.