Phi Rho Sigma
ΦΡΣ
FoundedOct 31, 1890; 133 years ago (Oct 31, 1890)
Northwestern University
TypeProfessional
AffiliationPFA (former)
EmphasisMedical
ScopeNational (formerly International)
Mission statementDedicated to the enhancement of medical education, service to humanity, and fellowship among its members
Colors  Scarlet and   Old Gold
PublicationThe Journal of Phi Rho Sigma
Chapters10 active, 47 chartered
HeadquartersPhi Rho Sigma Medical Society,
P.O. Box 90264
Indianapolis, IN 46290-0264
United States
WebsiteOfficial website

Phi Rho Sigma Society (ΦΡΣ) is a co-educational medical fraternity founded by medical students at Northwestern University in 1890.

History

Phi Rho Sigma Medical Fraternity was founded at the Chicago Medical College (now Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine) on October 31, 1890.[1][2] Its founder was Milbank Johnson, along with, H. H. Forline, J. A. Poling, and T. J. Robeson.[2] Johnson became the fraternity's first president and designed its badge.[3]

Charter members of Phi Rho Sigma

The fraternity expanded to include Beta chapter at the University of Illinois in the fall of 1894 and Gamma chapter at the University of Chicago in the fall of 1895.[2][4] Alpha chapter offer saw the general affairs of the fraternity until 1896 when a grand chapter was formed.[2] The grand chapter consisted of three members from each chapter who were elected annually. The grand chapter could issue charters and enact laws.[2]

In response to the addition of new chapters, the fraternity adopted a revised constitution on March 20, 1899, which specified that the grand chapter would meet biennially and would consist of two delegates from each chapter.[2] Its first general convention was held in Chicago on July 3, 1899 through July 5, 1899.[2] Conventions have been held as of 1920 biennially.[5] Between conventions, the executive power of the fraternity is vested in a grand council composed of seven members who all reside in the same vicinity.[5]

The fraternity's periodical, Phi Rho Sigma Journal, began in January 1900.[2][6] Its first editor was Dr. T. B. Swartz of the Alpha chapter; he served in this capacity for four years.[7] The Iota chapter also published a magazine called The Iota for many years.[8]

At the grand chapter meeting in July 1901, the constitution was amended to allow alumni chapters.[9] The Chicago Alumni chapter was chartered on November 5, 1901.[10] Its founders were Dr. E. W. Andrews, Dr. Charles M. Gleason, Dr. Frank Jay, Dr. Mortimer Frank, and Dr. D. E. W. Wenstrand.[10]

At the grand council meeting of February 20, 1908, the various chapters were divided into districts that were overseen by district managers.[11] The five districts included Eastern (Lambda), Erie (Kappa, Nu, Phi, Rho, Sigma, Skull and Septre, Upislon, and Zeta), Chicago (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Omicron, and Pi), Mississippi (Eta, Theta, Iota, Mu, and Tau), and Pacific (Delta).[11]

On April 17, 1911, Phi Rho Sigma absorbed Alpha Omega Delta, a former national fraternity that had a remaining chapter at the University of Buffalo.[12] The new chapter was allowed to keep the name Alpha Omega Delta because of its history.[12]

On April 6, 1929, the authorities of Chi Zeta Chi Fraternity signed an agreement in Cincinnati to merge into Phi Rho Sigma. By 1936, the fraternity had 27 active collegiate chapters and eighteen alumni chapters.[1] At the time, its membership had grown to 19,050 members.[1]

In 1960, the grand chapter established national awards in the form of gold medals that are given at the biennial meeting.[13]

Phi Rho Sigma oringal badge
Phi Rho Sigma badge, 1927

In 1973, the fraternity changed its name to Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society and started accepting women as members.[14]

Symbols

Phi Rho Sigma's colors are gold and scarlet.[2][5] Its badge was originally a gold shield with the letters Φ, Ρ and Σ in black enamel, surrounding a raised pair of clasped hands in gold over an open book in gold. The Φ was in the upper left-hand corner, the Ρ in the upper right-hand corner, and the Σ below at the apex of the shield.

At the grand chapter meeting on December 2, 1896, the badge was updated to a monogram design submitted by Gamma chapter.[15] The modified badge consists of the letters Φ, Ρ, and Σ as a gold monogram outline, with Φ on a separate plane above the other two letters, set in pearls.[5]

Chapters

Collegiate chapters

The chapter roll for Phi Rho Sigma is as follows.[2][16][17] Some names reflect the chapter's origin as a previous local fraternity. The Chi series of chapters resulted from the merger with Chi Zeta Chi. These chapters originated as part of Chi Zeta Chi, were the only active chapter of the two fraternities at the time of the merger, or were a Chi Zeta Chi chapter that was older than the Phi Rho Sigma chapter at the same institution. Chapters that are active are indicated in bold; inactive chapters and institutions are indicated in italic.

Chapter Chartered/Range Institution Location Status References
Alpha October 31, 1890 Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois Active
Beta November 24, 1894 – 1969 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign and Urbana, Illinois Inactive [a]
Gamma October 16, 1895 – 1969 University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois Inactive [18][b]
Delta 1896–1919, 19xx–1969 University of Southern California Los Angeles, California Inactive
Epsilon February 20, 1897 – 1965 Wayne State University School of Medicine Detroit, Michigan Inactive [c]
Zeta May 29, 1897 University of Michigan Medical Department Detroit, Michigan Active
Eta March 3, 1900 – 1973; 19xx ? Creighton University Medical College Omaha, Nebraska Active [19][d]
Eta Tau Creighton University Phoenix, Arizona Active
Theta (see Theta Tau) April 28, 1900 – 1907 Hamline University Medical School Saint Paul, Minnesota Consolidated [20][e]
Iota first (see Iota Alpha, Iota Beta and Iota) March 2, 1901 – 1902 Omaha Medical College Omaha, Nebraska Inactive [21][f][g]
Kappa April 2, 1901 – xxxx ? Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio Inactie
Lambda (see Lambda Phi) May 3, 1901 – 1916 Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Consolidated [22][23][h]
Mu February 12, 1902 University of Iowa Medical Department Iowa City, Iowa Active [i]
Nu April 30, 1902 – 1923 Harvard Medical School Cambridge, Massachusetts Inactive [24][j]
Iota Alpha (see Iota first and Iota) 1902–1968 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska Consolidated [21][g]
Iota Beta (see Iota first and Iota) 1902–1968 University of Nebraska Omaha Omaha, Nebraska Consolidated [21][g]
Xi 1903–1904 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland Inactive [25][k]
Omicron March 21, 1903 – 1918 Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin Inactive [26][l]
Pi October 31, 1903 – xxxx ? Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana Inactive [27][m]
Chi Alpha October 4, 1903 – xxxx ? University of Georgia Athens, Georgia Inactive [28][n]
Chi Beta October 24, 1904 – 1959 Emory University Atlanta, Georgia Inactive [28][o]
Chi Gamma October 14, 1904 – 1936 University of Maryland College Park, Maryland Inactive [28][p]
Rho February 27, 1904 – 1965 Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Inactive [q]
Sigma May 6, 1904 – 1929 University of Virginia Medical Department Charlottesville, Virginia Inactive
Tau (see Theta Tau) April 15, 1905–1907 University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota Consolidated [29][30][r][e]
Chi Delta 1906–xxxx ? University of South Carolina Columbia, South Carolina Inactive [28][s]
Chi Epsilon October 14, 1906 – xxxx ? University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Inactive [28][t]
Chi Eta November 26, 1906 – xxxx ? Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis, Missouri Inactive [28][u]
Chi Zeta November 15, 1906 – 1939 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas Inactive [28][v]
Upsilon April 28, 1906 – xxxx ? Medical College of Virginia Richmond, Virginia Inactive [w]
Phi (see Lambda Phi) October 6, 1906 – 1916 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Consolidated [x]
Skull & Sceptre March 2, 1907 – 1919 Yale University New Haven, Connecticut Inactive [y]
Theta Tau 1907 University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota Active [e]
Chi March 12, 1908 – 1970 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Inactive [11][z]
Psi January 22, 1909 – 1972 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado Inactive [31][aa]
Alpha Omega Delta April 17, 1911 – 1931 University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York Inactive [12][ab]
Omega 1913–1943 Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Inactive [ac]
Alpha Beta 1913–1932 Columbia University New York City, New York Inactive
Alpha Gamma 1913–1938 McGill University Montreal, Quebec, Canada Inactive
Lambda Phi 1916–1973 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Inactive [ad]
Delta Omicron Alpha 1918–1950 Tulane University New Orleans, Louisiana Inactive [ae]
Alpha Delta 1921–1944 University of Washington Seattle, Washington Inactive
Alpha Epsilon 1922–1942 University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario, Canada Inactive
Alpha Zeta 1923–1959 Stanford University Stanford, California Inactive
Chi Theta 1924–1965 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, North Carolina Inactive [af]
Alpha Eta 1924–xxxx ? Dalhousie University Nova Scotia, Canada Inactive
Alpha Theta 1927–1935 University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio Inactive
Alpha Iota 1929–1944 University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Inactive
Alpha Kappa 1932–1938 University of Rochester Rochester, New York Inactive
Alpha Lambda 1933–xxxx ? Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Inactive
Alpha Mu 1935–1941 Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana Inactive
Alpha Nu 1939 University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Texas Active
Alpha Omicron 1939–1944, 1956 University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, Texas Inactive
Alpha Pi 1948–1965 University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah Inactive
Alpha Rho 1958–1969 Seton Hall University South Orange, New Jersey Inactive
Iota Gamma 1964–1974 University of California, Irvine School of Medicine Irvine, California Inactive
Iota (see Iota Alpha and Iota Beta) 1968 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska Active [g]
Alpha Upsilon 2012 Wright State University Dayton, Ohio Active
  1. ^ Merged with Gamma chapter in 1936.
  2. ^ Gamma chapter formed by absorbing a local group named The Ancient Order of Ananias, established in 1993 at Rush Medical College (later the University of Chicago). The chapter merged with the Beta chapter in 1936.
  3. ^ Chapter was formed by absorbing Mu Kappa Phi, established in 1890, at the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery which became Wayne University in 1934 and Wayne State University in 1956.
  4. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing a local group named Gamma Sigma, established in 1898
  5. ^ a b c This chapter formed by absorbing the local group The Hamline Medical Fraternity, established in 1898. When Hamline's Medical School merged with the medical department of the University of Minnesota in 1907, Theta and Tau chapters were consolidated to form Theta Tau chapter.
  6. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing the local group Lambda Pi.
  7. ^ a b c d In 1902, the Omaha Medical College became a medical department of the University of Nebraska Lincoln, with the first two years of study being at Lincoln and the last two years at Omaha. As a result, the Iota chapter divided into the Iota Alpha chapter at Lincoln and the Iota Beta chapter at Omaha. These two chapters were later re-consolidated as Iota chapter at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
  8. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing a local group named A n T (Alpha Pi Upsilon). Later, it merged with Chi chapter to form Lambda Chi chapter.
  9. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing a local group named Delta Sigma.
  10. ^ Chapter was formed by absorbing the local group, Society of the Interest of Medical Research, established on April 7, 1902.
  11. ^ The chapter's charter was withdrawn.
  12. ^ Chapter formed at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons, by absorbing a local group named Phi Alpha Phi, established in 1902. The Wisconsin College later merged into Marquette.
  13. ^ Pi chapter was formed by absorbing a local fraternity at the Medical College of Indiana. In 1905, all medical schools in Indiana were consolidated at the Medical College. At this time, a local fraternity at the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons was absorbed into Pi chapter.
  14. ^ This chapter was formed by absorbing the Alpha chapter of the Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity following the national merger of the two fraternities. Its founding date goes back to the origins of Alpha chapter.
  15. ^ This chapter was formed by absorbing the Alpha Alpha chapter of the Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity following the national merger of the two fraternities. Its founding date is from the Epsilon chapter of Chi Zeta Chi, a chapter that merged into Alpha Alpha.
  16. ^ This chapter was formed by absorbing the Delta chapter of the Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity following the national merger of the two fraternities. Its founding date is from the chartering of Delta.
  17. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing a local group named Tau Beta Alpha. In 1929, it merged with the Tau chapter of Chi Zeta Chi after the national merger of the two fraternities.
  18. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing a local fraternity.
  19. ^ This chapter was formed by reforming the 'Iota chapter of the Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity following the national merger of the two fraternities. Its founding date comes from "Iota".
  20. ^ This chapter was formed by absorbing the Lambda chapter of the Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity following the national merger of the two fraternities. Its founding date is from the chartering of Lambda.
  21. ^ This chapter was formed by absorbing the Xi chapter of the Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity following the national merger of the two fraternities. Its founding date is from the chartering of Xi.
  22. ^ This chapter was formed by absorbing the Nu chapter of the Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity following the national merger of the two fraternities. Its founding date is from the chartering of 'Nu.
  23. ^ Chapter was originally located at the University College of Medicine, which later merged into the Medical College of Virginia. In 1929, it merged with the Psi chapter of the Chi Zeta Chi following the national merger of the two fraternities.
  24. ^ Merged with Lambda chapter to form Lambda Phi chapter.
  25. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing a local group named Skull and Sceptre Society, which was established on April 26, 1894. It was allowed to retain its name as a chapter designation although its name is not in harmony with the fraternity's system of chapter nomenclature.
  26. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing a local group named Alpha Kappa Psi, established in 1894, at the University of Western Pennsylvania. Western Pennsylvania later became the University of Pittsburgh.
  27. ^ Chapter was formed by absorbing a local fraternity.
  28. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing the Alpha chapter of Alpha Omega Delta, the last surviving chapter of that medical society which was established on October 24, 1874.
  29. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing the Alpha Beta chapter of Phi Delta.
  30. ^ Chapter formed by the merger of Lambda and Phi chapters.
  31. ^ In 1929, this chapter merged with the Mu chapter of the Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity following the national merger of the two fraternities.
  32. ^ Although this chapter's name indicates that it originated with the national merger of Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity, documentation is needed on a Wake Forest chapter.

Alumni chapters

Chapter Chartered Location Status References
Chicago Alumni November 12, 1901 Chicago, Illinois [10]
Milwaukee Alumni February 1905–1905 Milwaukee, Wisconsin [30]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Wright, H. G.; Rogers, M. C.; Sparks, J. D. (1936). Professional Fraternities (PDF) (2nd, 1950 ed.). United States: Professional Interfraternity Conference.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Shepardson, Francis W., ed. (1927). Baird's Manual American College Fraternities: A Descriptive Analysis With a Detailed Account of Each Fraternity (11th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: George Banta Publishing Company. pp. 423–424 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 21 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. pp. 24–25 – via Internet Archive.
  5. ^ a b c d e Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991). Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. V-47–49. ISBN 978-0963715906.
  6. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 98 – via Internet Archive.
  7. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. pp. 33 and 35 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 43 – via Internet Archive.
  9. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 44 – via Internet Archive.
  10. ^ a b c Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 45 – via Internet Archive.
  11. ^ a b c Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 90 – via Internet Archive.
  12. ^ a b c Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. pp. 109–110 – via Internet Archive.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "About Phi Rho Sigma". Phi Rho Sigma. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  14. ^ "Phi Rho Sigma". Ph Rho Sigma - Zeta Chapter | University of Michigan. 2016. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  15. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. pp. 27–28 – via Internet Archive.
  16. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. – via Internet Archive.
  17. ^ "Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society Chapters". Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  18. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. pp. 25–26 – via Internet Archive.
  19. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. pp. 35–37 – via Internet Archive.
  20. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 39 – via Internet Archive.
  21. ^ a b c Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 43 – via Internet Archive.
  22. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 45 – via Internet Archive.
  23. ^ "Medico-Chirurgical College and Hospital of Philadelphia Records". University Archives and Records Center. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  24. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 51 – via Internet Archive.
  25. ^ The Torontonensis, vol. 42 (1940), University of Toronto, p.476.
  26. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 61 – via Internet Archive.
  27. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. pp. 63–65 – via Internet Archive.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g Toomey, Thomas Noxon (1923). "The History of the Fraternity". The Chi Zeta Chi Medical Fraternity "national" A Retrospect and a Prospect: An Official Document. St. Louis: Chi Zeta Chi Fraternity. p. 12-17. – via Google Books.
  29. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 75 – via Internet Archive.
  30. ^ a b Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 78 – via Internet Archive.
  31. ^ Wenstrand, David E. W.; Wilson, C. Stuart; Joyce, William M.; Grulee, C. G.; Nusbaum, P. L. (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Chicago, Illinois: Phi Rho Sigma. p. 95 – via Internet Archive.

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