The NDSU Phi Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi

Prior to 1900, schools of business had been established at the University of Pennsylvania (1881), the University of Chicago (1889), and the University of California (1989). However, business still was not widely recognized as a formal field of professional study. Thus, when New York University announced in 1900 that it would open an evening school for instruction in commerce, accounts, and finance, the announcement was received with doubt throughout the country. The doubt manifested, and the need for student loyalty to support these new ideas was a major reason for the founding of Alpha Kappa Psi. The class that entered NYU in the fall of 1902, four months after the first of the new degrees had been awarded by the university included some special students, men of vision. <img style="WIDTH: 368px; HEIGHT: 216px" src="https://websitebuilder.1and1.com/xml/wfxdirect/res;jsessionid=5E4DF2765F85FC58C533F31425A8435C.TC127a?name=founders1.jpg&type=image" border="0" wfxtype="resource" wfxsrc="founders1.jpg" /> The Fraternity's Founders attended classes together five nights a week. Occupying the same seats nightly, they quickly became well acquainted with one another. The four men from Brooklyn (Bergen, Jefferson, Lane, Leach), later known as the "Brooklyn Four," walked home from school together over the Brooklyn Bridge and discussed the need for an organization. The spirit of brotherhood grew so strong in the hearts and in the minds of the men from Brooklyn, that early in their second year, they decided to suggest to the other members of the class that something be done to formalize and perpetuate it. Alpha Kappa Psi, the first professional fraternity in business, was founded at an organizational meeting held on October 5, 1904. In the Spring of 1905, formal application was made to the State of New York for a charter of incorporation for Alpha Kappa Psi. This application was drawn up in the handwriting of Frederic R. Leach and was signed by nine of the Founders: George L. Bergen, Irving L. Camp, Robert S. Douglas, Daniel V. Duff, Howard M. Jefferson, Nathan Lane, Jr., Frederick R. Leach, Morris S. Rachmil, and Herbert M. Wright. William O. Tremaine is the only Founder's signature not found on the application. The application was approved, and the charter of incorporation for our Alpha chapter was officially issued in the name of Alpha Kappa Psi on May 20, 1905. In 1910, the Beta Chapter of the Fraternity was installed at the University of Denver; in 1911, Gamma at Northwestern University; in 1912 Delta was established at the University of Pittsburgh. Thus began the national expansion of Alpha Kappa Psi. In August 1976, women were admitted into the Fraternity under President Richard Rais at the Minneapolis convention. Beverly Carter was the first female National Officer when she was elected to the position of Vice President - College Chapters at the St. Louis Convention in 1985. In 2000, the Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity Board of Directors approved expansion oversea and established the United Kingdom as the Fraternity's 14th region. Today, AKPsi has chapters in Manchester, England and is the first and only American Professional Fraternity to expand overseas. Today, more than 295 college chapters and 90 alumni chapters have been installed, and more than 200,000 members have been initiated. Alpha Kappa Psi is one of the largest American college fraternities. Through a variety of professional, community service, fundraising, and social events, Alpha Kappa Psi interacts with other organizations allowing for mutually beneficial relationships. Through our four objectives, as adopted at our founding, we seek:<h2 style="FONT-FAMILY: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif"></h2><ul style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif"><li>to further the individual welfare of its members;</li><li>to foster scientific research in the fields of commerce, accounts, and finance;</li><li>to educate the public to appreciate and demand higher ideals therein;</li><li>to promote and advance in institutions of college rank, courses leading to degrees in business administration.</li></ul>Alpha Kappa Psi is recognized as the premier developer of principled business leaders. Our core values of Brotherhood, Knowledge, Integrity, Service and Unity are exemplified through our members and through our involvement in the community. We strive to create a prestigious reputation for ourselves by displaying a high level of professionalism & being the premier business organization at NDSU.Founded in 1904, Alpha Kappa Psi is the oldest and largest co-ed professional business fraternity in the United States. Alpha Kappa Psi attracts achievement-minded & goal-oriented business students. We provide these students with personal development opportunities as well as enhancing their professionalism. This enables Alpha Kappa Psi's members to become better business leaders for tomorrow.