11-26: the "real" Founders Day for us all

[hoosier]

On this date (Nov. 26):

In 1825, the first college social fraternity, Kappa Alpha, was formed at Union College in Schenectady, New York.

[DeltAlum]

The following would lead me to believe that the original Phi Beta Kappa was a social fraternity...

"Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and largest academic honor society, was founded on Dec. 5, 1776, by five students at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. It was the first society to have a Greek letter name. And in its early years it introduced the essential characteristics of such societies: an oath of secrecy (discarded in 1831), a badge, mottoes in Latin and Greek, a code of laws, and an elaborate initiation ritual.

The members held regular meetings, generally with an emphasis on literary exercises, especially composition and debating. Fraternal sentiments were fostered, and the purpose of some meetings was simply good fellowship. Anniversaries were celebrated in the Apollo Room of the Raleigh Tavern, which the College of William & Mary has recreated on its campus in Phi Beta Kappa Hall."

For more: http://www.pbk.org/about/history.htm

[USCTKE]

Phi Beta Kappa was the first social fraternity...but Kappa Alpha is the oldest social fraternity still in existence today...if Im not mistaken there were other social fraternities established between Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Alpha but none of them have remained around.

[UNLDelt]

Originally posted by USCTKE
Phi Beta Kappa was the first social fraternity...but Kappa Alpha is the oldest social fraternity still in existence today...if Im not mistaken there were other social fraternities established between Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Alpha but none of them have remained around.

Phi Beta Kappa still exists, sure it's not a 'social fraternity' in today's standard terms, but its an honors organization, and still very strong after so many years

[Rain Man]

I guess you could say that this year, Kappa Alpha did a "180"






OK, bad pun

Sorry.