A question to the NPHC Greeks

[Finer Woman10-A-91]

Originally posted by Rain Man
Is there a way we can get more info on these orgs b/c I think this is a very interesting topic, especially considering that these orgs were founded at an HBCU?

Yep. You can do like the rest of us and research in the Moorland Spingarn room (research facility) at Howard U. or on the campus where said organization was founded. Good luck!

[Wolfman]

In fact the history of the development of Greek-letter fraternities at HBCUs parallels that at other colleges and universities. This has been somewhat obscured by focusing on the historical trajectory from Alpha Phi Alpha to those groups founded at Howard that have made a lasting impact through their longevity.

In truth, there were local African American fraternities at HBCUs that predated this period. As Dr. Herman Dreer rcounts in the Introduction to his oeuvre,The History of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the lifespan of these groups were about two years. Their major goal was to put on a "prom" where faculty and spouses were invited. These groups also had pennants with their names, some Greek-lettered and some named after Greco-Roman philosophers or movements. Similarly, at HBCUs the literary/debating societies had a formative influence on the development of Greek-letter fraternities. Bishop Edgar A. Love, a Founder and first Grand Basileus (national president) of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc. served as president of the Kappa Alpha debating society at Howard during his matriculation there.

This is the broader context which has not been fully exegeted and interpreted by historians of Greek-letter fraternities at HBCus.

"Que Psi Phi 'til the day I die!"

[DST4A00]

Originally posted by Intense1920
This does not surprise since there were many orgs that were founded at Howard but went defunct over the years.

as well as many who are still kicking.

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by Wolfman
In fact the history of the development of Greek-letter fraternities at HBCUs parallels that at other colleges and universities. This has been somewhat obscured by focusing on the historical trajectory from Alpha Phi Alpha to those groups founded at Howard that have made a lasting impact through their longevity.

In truth, there were local African American fraternities at HBCUs that predated this period. As Dr. Herman Dreer rcounts in the Introduction to his oeuvre,The History of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the lifespan of these groups were about two years. Their major goal was to put on a "prom" where faculty and spouses were invited. These groups also had pennants with their names, some Greek-lettered and some named after Greco-Roman philosophers or movements. Similarly, at HBCUs the literary/debating societies had a formative influence on the development of Greek-letter fraternities. Bishop Edgar A. Love, a Founder and first Grand Basileus (national president) of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc. served as president of the Kappa Alpha debating society at Howard during his matriculation there.

This is the broader context which has not been fully exegeted and interpreted by historians of Greek-letter fraternities at HBCus.

"Que Psi Phi 'til the day I die!"

Good stuff, Wolfman!

I think it's high time we dug up some info on these now-defunct Black GLOs and do some research on them. As you indicated, the history of Black Greekdom is a lot bigger than the current roster of NPHC orgs, and I think we are doing ourselves a disservice by ignoring them.

[Rain Man]

OK, here is another batch of defunct fraternities (there will be one more after this one, then on to the sororities).

Here we go.

Kappa Alpha
- Primary cause of decease: Revealing fraternity secrets, creating dissention among the ranks.
- Founded 1812 at University of North Carolina by 4 members of Phi Beta Kappa
- Had 21 chapters
- 1 chapter joined Delta Kappa Epsilon
- 1 chapter joined Chi Phi
- 1 chapter reorganized as Phi Mu Omicron in 1858 (see separate listing on Phi Mu Omicron)
- 1 chapter (UNC) dissolved; most of the members joined Chi Psi in 1855. It was revived as KA in 1859 and died in 1866 due to a 2nd exposure of the secrets.

Kappa Nu
- Premary cause of decease: Merger with Phi Epsilon Pi
- Founded 11/12/11 at University of Rochester
- Had 26 chapters, lost 9 due to WWI and the Great Depression
- Merged with Phi Epsilon Pi (see that listing) 10/14/61

Kappa Phi Lambda
- Primary cause of decease: Weak organization
- Founded 8/3/1862 at Jefferson College
- Had 9 chapters, 4 died out
- 1 chapter joined Psi Upsilon
- 1 chapter joined Delta Tau Delta
- 1 chapter joined Sigma Chi
- 1 chapter joined Beta Theta Pi
- 1 chapter joined Sigma Nu

Kappa Sigma Kappa
- Primary cause of decease (original): Small college enrollments and schools with anti-fraternity faculty
- Primary cause of decease (revival): Merger with Theta Xi
- Founded 9/28/1867 at Virginia Military Institute
- Last 3 chapters of original version merged with an unknown org in 1886.
- Was revived in 1935 at University of Virginia
- Merged with Theta Xi 2/22/62 (21 chapters)

Mu Pi Lambda
- Primary cause of decease: Weak organization
- Founded 1895 at Washington & Lee University
- Had 5 chapters
- Was disbanded in 1904
- One chapter: 1/2 the brotherhood joined Kappa Sigma, the other 1/2 joined Phi Delta Theta
- 1 chapter joined Kappa Sigma
- 1 chapter joined Theta Delta Chi
- 2 chapters disbanded

Omega Pi Alpha
- Primary cause of decease: Weak organization
- Founded 1/1/1901 at College of the City of New York
- Had 5 chapters, all but one died out by 1907
- Alpha Chapter reverted back to a local org under the name of Nayati which existed for a while after that.

Omicron Alpha Tau
- Primary cause of decease: Weak organization
- Founded spring 1912 at Cornell University
- Had 20 chapters
- Was dissolved in 1934

Phi Beta Delta
- Primary cause of decease: Merger with Phi Lambda Pi
- Founded 4/4/12 at Columbia University
- Had 34 chapters
- Merged with Pi Lambda Phi 10/1/40

Phi Delpta Kappa
- Primary cause of decease: Various unknown reasons
- Founded at Washington & Jefferson College in 1874 by former Iota Alpha Kappa members.
- Had 5 chapters, all but Alpha Chapter died out by 1880
- The Alpha Chapter of PDK joined FIJI which revived the Alpha Chapter of that org.

Phi Epsilon Pi
- Primary cause of decease: Merger with Zeta Beta Tau
- Founded 11/23/04 at College of the City of New York
- Had 66 chapters, 17 of which were as a result of the Kappa Nu merger.
- Merged with Zeta Beta Tau in March 1970

*Will put the rest in a separate post*

[suntzu1963]

Originally posted by Rain Man
Good stuff, Wolfman!

I think it's high time we dug up some info on these now-defunct Black GLOs and do some research on them. As you indicated, the history of Black Greekdom is a lot bigger than the current roster of NPHC orgs, and I think we are doing ourselves a disservice by ignoring them.

Check out Black Greek 101 by Dr. Walter Kimbrough. The book has a lot of information about defunct and currently active BGLOs.

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by suntzu1963
Check out Black Greek 101 by Dr. Walter Kimbrough. The book has a lot of information about defunct and currently active BGLOs.

Bruh, I've been trying to. But all the bookstores here in town can't even put the da[r]n thing on order for one reason or another. C'mon B&N, it ain't the Watergate papers I'm asking for. Get it together.

[mulattogyrl]

Try www.borders.com for Black Greek 101.

[mccoyred]

Thanks, Rainman. You have posted a lot of good information.

You have demonstrated that the overwhelming majority of now defunct NIC/IFC fraternities (please correct me on the conference if I am incorrect) either merged or dissolved due to weak organization or specifically an external event (like War) which IMHO demonstrates a weak organization. I don't know whether the information on the sororities will demonstrate a similar pattern or not.

As for fledgling or now defunct HBGLOs, there are many smaller non-NPHCs now and in the past. I think the original topic was specifically asking whether there are orgs out there who can meet the stringent organizational criteria for joining the NPHC. Pulling out information on orgs who could never meet this criteria further demonstrates WHY this policy has been put in place.

I have Black Greek 101 at home; the last time I read it, I do recall several pages, I think a whole chapter, about other HBGLOs past and present.

[PsychTau2]

Originally posted by Rain Man
Bruh, I've been trying to. But all the bookstores here in town can't even put the da[r]n thing on order for one reason or another. C'mon B&N, it ain't the Watergate papers I'm asking for. Get it together.

I happened to find ONE hardback copy at my local B&N. When I went to the register to purchase it, I found that it was FIFTY DOLLARS!!! Now, I am really interested in reading the book...but I can't drop that kind of cash!! They told me the reason it was so expensive is that it is "published on demand" (meaning they print more as it is ordered) and that one just happened to be an order that wasn't picked up.

I don't understand why they couldn't give me a clearance discount if they really didn't want the book in the first place.

In any case, one of my students found a softcover copy on amazon.com for about $20.

PsychTau

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by mccoyred
Thanks, Rainman. You have posted a lot of good information.

You have demonstrated that the overwhelming majority of now defunct NIC/IFC fraternities (please correct me on the conference if I am incorrect) either merged or dissolved due to weak organization or specifically an external event (like War) which IMHO demonstrates a weak organization. I don't know whether the information on the sororities will demonstrate a similar pattern or not.

As for fledgling or now defunct HBGLOs, there are many smaller non-NPHCs now and in the past. I think the original topic was specifically asking whether there are orgs out there who can meet the stringent organizational criteria for joining the NPHC. Pulling out information on orgs who could never meet this criteria further demonstrates WHY this policy has been put in place.

I have Black Greek 101 at home; the last time I read it, I do recall several pages, I think a whole chapter, about other HBGLOs past and present.

Mccoyred, I find your post interesting, but I want to reserve comment until I finish my research. I am only about 2/3 of the way done with the fraternities and I haven't even touched the sororities (though their listing isn't nearly as big as the fraternities, thank goodness--I have been researching like crazy).

Just wanted to acknowledge your post and that I read it. Stay tuned...

[Rain Man]

Phi Eta
- Primary cause of decease: World War I
- Founded 1904 at University of Pennsylvania
- Had 5 chapters

Phi Kappa
- Primary cause of decease: Well, believe it or not it is still in existence; it is now known today as Phi Kappa Theta, a full-fledged NIC org. Phi Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi merged 4/29/59 and became PKT. Nonetheless, PKT's history is rooted in Phi Kappa's history. For more information, do a google search on Phi Kappa Theta and read away.

Phi Kappa Alpha
- Primary cause of decease: Weak organization
- Founded 1870 at Brown University.
- Was originally started as an outgrowth of Wayland Literary Society. Changed its name to Sigma Phi in 1973 and then to Phi Kappa Alpha in 1874.
- Had 2 chapters, one died out, the other joined Beta Theta Pi in 1880.

Phi Kappa Phi
- Was a local org
- Founded 1849 at Baldwin Institute
- Merged with Alpha Tau Omega 4/18/41

Phi Kappa Pi
- Was a local org
- Founded 9/21/1885 at Monmouth College
- Original name was Theta Sigma Phi until 1902
- Merged with Alpha Tau Omega 5/3/47

Phi Mu Omicron
- Primary cause of decease: Civil War
- Founded 1858 at the University of South Carolina as an outgrowth of the defunct Kappa Alpha Fraternity
- Had 18 chapters, some of them arose from former Kappa Alpha circles (chapters)

Phi Phi Phi
- Primary cause of decease: Weak organization
- Founded 11/22/1894 at Austin College
- Had 5 chapters
- 1 chapter joined Phi Kappa Psi in 1904, the rest died out.

Phi Pi Phi
- Primary cause of decease: Merger with Alpha Sigma Phi
- Founded 11/15/15 at Northwestern University
- Joined NIC in 1924
- Had 20 chapters
- 5 remaining chapters merged with Alpha Sigma Phi in 1939

Phi Sigma
- Primary cause of decease: Weak organization
- Founded at Lombard University by some students who graduated in the class of 1857
- Had 7 chapters, all but one died out, the Alpha chapter joined Phi Delta Theta in 1879

Phi Sigma Delta
- Primary cause of decease: Merger with Zeta Beta Tau
- Founded 11/10/09 at Columbia University
- Had 71 chapters, 16 of which were acquired from the Phi Alpha merger.
- Merged with Zeta Beta Tau in 1969

Phi Sigma Epsilon
- Primary cause of decease: Merger with Phi Sigma Kappa
- Founded 2/20/10 at Kansas State Teachers College
- Had about 60 chapters
- Joined NIC as a junior member org in 1953 and became a senior member in 1965.

Pi Epsilon Phi
- Was a local org
- Founded 1854 at what is now Evansville College
- Merged with Sigma Alpha Epsilon 12/14/57

Pi Rho Phi
- Primary cause of decease: AFAIK, it isn't dead, b/c every time it dies, it comes back in a different form. Truly a Frankenstein GLO
- Founded at Westminster College in 1854
- Had 6 chapters, all but one died out
- The last surviving chapter (Alpha) joined Delta Tau Delta in 1868, lost its charter in 1872 when the entire chapter was ousted from the school, and was revived in 1874 as a sub-rosa (renegade) org until the college finally recognized it as an official org in 1920.
- Helped form Theta Upsilon Omega (see listing) with 9 other orgs in 1924.
- A group of women who found the old traditions, badge and rituals of this extinct org revived it again, this time as a sorority.

Psi Alpha Kappa
- Primary cause of decease: Weak organization
- Founding date and location unknown
- Had 3 chapters, at Lehigh, Lafayette, & MIT
- 1 chapter died out
- 1 chapter joined Alpha Tau Omega
- 1 chapter joined Alpha Chi Rho

Psi Theta Psi
- Primary cause of decease: Weak organization
- Founded at Washington & Lee University c. 1885
- Had 4-6 chapters
- 1 chapter joined Delta Tau Delta, the rest died out.

[Tom Earp]

Rain Man!! ETAL!

Cool!

This is very interesting infomation for those with an inquiesitive mind to see where We as GLOs all genereated from .

Its not all black and white. We all as GLOs have backgrounds that are Historical in some form or another!

Thanks to one and all for the info!

Try to learn everyday!

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Rain Man!! ETAL!

Cool!

This is very interesting infomation for those with an inquiesitive mind to see where We as GLOs all genereated from .

Its not all black and white. We all as GLOs have backgrounds that are Historical in some form or another!

Thanks to one and all for the info!

Try to learn everyday!

No problem, Tom.

I got more coming next week.

I was going to go to the library today to dig up more but the library is closed for the Labor Day weekend.

[mccoyred]

Originally posted by Rain Man
Mccoyred, I find your post interesting, but I want to reserve comment until I finish my research. I am only about 2/3 of the way done with the fraternities and I haven't even touched the sororities (though their listing isn't nearly as big as the fraternities, thank goodness--I have been researching like crazy).

Just wanted to acknowledge your post and that I read it. Stay tuned...

Okay, I pulled out my copy of BG101. It has an entire chapter dedicated to the question "Was Eight Enough?" (p91 - 110) where it looks at non-NPHC BGLOs as well as the acceptance of IPT into the NPHC. It mentions Sigma Pi Phi, Alpha Kappa Nu and Pi Gamma Omicron fraternities among others. It also mentions social groups like Groove Phi Groove, cultural organizations like Malik Sigma Psi as well as Christian groups.

It seems that the non-NPHC organizations that existed between 1910 and 1960 were either local, literary or other honor societies or social non-Greek letter organizations; after 1960, groups were primarily cultural or specialized (ie Christian, multicultural). In several references, the books indicates that these organizations pre-dated the establishment of NPHC chapters then declined but nowhere does it specifically state that these groups were incorporated as chapters of the NPHC groups.

Unlike the NPC and IFC where locals petition to become chapters of the National organizations, the NPHC groups seemed to have supplanted the other groups rather than incorporated them.