Phi Kappa Sigma: Difference between revisions

Phi Kappa Sigma
ΦΚΣ
The Coat of Arms of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity
Founded	University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Type	Leadership & Social
Scope	International
Motto	Stellis Aequus Durando ("Equal to the Stars in Endurance.")
Colors	Black and Old Gold
Symbol	Maltese Cross
Flower	Yellow Chrysanthemum
Nickname	Phi Kaps or Skullhouse
Headquarters	2 Timber Drive Chester Springs, Pennsylvania USA
Website	Phi Kappa Sigma Website

Phi Kappa Sigma (ΦΚΣ) is an international all-male college leadership and social fraternity. Its members are known as "Phi Kaps" or "Skulls", 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 on August 16, 1850.

The Objects of Phi Kappa Sigma

The objects of the Fraternity shall be the promotion of good fellowship and the cultivation of the social virtues among its members; the protection of the just rights and the advancement of the best interests, present and future, individual and collective, of all those who shall be associated together as members of the Fraternity; the encouragement of good scholarship and breadth of training for its members; and cooperation in the educational and cultural programs of institutions of higher education in which Chapters are located.

Badge

Dr. Mitchell designed the fraternity's badge composed of a Maltese cross supporting the six-pointed star, the Greek letters Phi, Kappa, and Sigma, and a skull and crossbones. No modification, except in size, has ever been made to the badge originally designed by Dr. Mitchell.

In the 1850s, the Southern chapters inaugurated the custom of wearing silver skulls on their badges, and thus were known as the "Silver Skulls." Iota Chapter, at Columbia University, adopted a smaller badge in 1861 than had been worn previously by the membership of any chapter and also copied the Southern custom of utilizing the silver skull. The silver skull on the badge was never re instituted by any chapter after the Civil War, and is now a mere legend of the fraternity.

The Statement of Core Values

We commit to the value of Trust, the foundation of a relationship based on a belief in oneself as well as others, which is earned and strengthened through experience. The value of trust is found in our reliance on each other and enables an open comfort in interacting with brothers.

We commit to the value of Honor, staying true to a set of higher standards and morals in the face of adversity. Membership in Phi Kappa Sigma means a commitment to leading an honorable life.

We commit to the value of Respect, which begins with yourself and the practice of the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This statement is the acceptance of the ideals of others. In order to move forward as a brotherhood, we must continue to consider each other's viewpoints.

We commit to the value of Knowledge, the acquisition of thought, theory and principles following in the footsteps of our founding fathers in accordance with our oath of brotherhood. With this knowledge we will come closer to self-discovery, the improvement of society and the translation of knowledge into power.

We commit to the value of Wisdom, a virtue gained through experiences of self and others. Wisdom is the application of knowledge and past experiences to make decisions regardless of the situation. Through sharing wisdom, a bond is formed between young and old, teacher and student; this bond is what brings us together.

We commit to the value of Responsibility, by being reliable in the fulfillment of the objectives of our Fraternity and our personal obligations, enduring the consequences of our actions.

We commit to the value of Integrity, our inner foundation for holding true to our values of trust, honor, respect, knowledge, wisdom, and responsibility that guides us to make the best decisions.

As we have seen these values to be critical in the past, they will become even more important in the future!

As adopted by the 90th Grand Chapter, Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 2000

Public mottos

Phi Kappa Sigma has taken on multiple public mottos, each pertaining to a different aspect of the fraternity.

• "Brotherhood is more than skin deep": Brothers are chosen based on the worth of their character, not their religion, race, or wealth.
• "Once a Phi Kap, always a Phi Kap": Phi Kappa Sigma is a life-long commitment not limited to college years.
• "Stellis Aequus Durando": Latin for “equal to the stars in endurance”, this motto pays tribute to the many years Phi Kappa Sigma has survived.
• "Early is on time, On time is Late, and Late is unacceptable": Phrase used with pledge's to teach respectable time managment skills.

See also

• Gamma Delta Chi, former Kappa chapter at Dartmouth College.

External links

• Home Page of Phi Kappa Sigma