"Highest in Brotherhood, Greatest Ever Known"
Phi Kappa National Fraternity
Vital Expansion
Probably the most important factor of Phi Kappa's growth has been the potential which was actualized by the Mu Theta brothers. This potential was that the brothers of Mu Theta came to Gulfport from towns throughout the South; thus they were enabled to scatter and tell the story of Phi Kappa to their friends at home during their vacations.
Mu Theta Brother Martin Allyn (who died in 1924) and Simpson Seldon established Beta Chapter on October 15, 1922, over seventy years ago in Memphis, Tennessee. The Fraternity's next movement was to Mobile, Alabama, where on October 10, 1923, H. Jamin Gordon and Jack Sutler — both G.C.M.A. cadets — installed Lambda Chapter in their hometown. The following year, Laurel, Mississippi's Delta Chapter was founded by another Mu Theta, Wall Griffen. Delta Chapter realized considerable success for a time, but needed to be revitalized again on July 26, 1930.
In the summer of 1924, a General Assembly was hosted by Mu Theta with Delta and Lambda participating. Beta was absent due to the distance and Gamma Beta had been forced out of existence. Epsilon Chapter was founded in Birmingham at this time, again with the help of Mu Theta brothers. These brothers were James Goodwin Scott (also a Mu Theta Grand Master), Leon Matthews, and the Guthrie brothers. Epsilon Chapter hosted the summer of 1925 Convention, but after this the chapter grew weak and had its charter revoked in 1930.
Four chapters attended an October 15, 1926 Conclave in Mobile, Alabama to improve the constitution and to make plans for more expansion. Apparently this meeting was one of motivation for in the next few years several chapters joined the fraternity. On June 17, 1927, several G.C.M.A. alumni brought Phi Kappa to Monroe, Louisiana. Monroe's Eta Chapter was the first chapter to own their fraternity house. One month after Eta's founding, Lambda's Winston Groom, Alfred Falck, James Overby, and Mike Patton journeyed to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, met some Delta's and initiated a group there into the Fraternity, thus Theta Chapter joined the Fraternity on July 17, 1927.
The first real work towards centralizing the control and strengthening the National Government was accomplished at the Memphis convention in the summer of 1927. Beta proved a good host by entertaining the visitors who were mostly from Mu Theta and Lambda. Results of this historic election were that James T. Overby of Lambda became the Exalted Grand Master; Frank Burch, Beta, the Exalted Worthy Master; and Winston F. Groom, Lambda, the Exalted Scribe. The Executive Council at that time was composed of all chapter Grand Masters. The results of this convention and the work that officers did is marked by the chapters that were founded in that year.
A Zeta Chapter was founded in Jackson, Tennessee, September 26, 1927, by Brothers Hamilton and Rice of Mu Theta, and by several Beta members. Zeta Chapter grew rapidly and showed membership and records of entertainment of which she could be proud. Five months later on February 12, 1928, through the efforts of Brothers Walters, Burnside, and Duvalle of Delta, along with brothers from Lambda and Theta, Delta Chi Chapter was chartered in Meridian, Mississippi. This chapter took its place as a fraternity leader.
In June, 1928, Mobile again hosted a convention which focused upon constitutional revision. The 1929 Convention was held in Meridian and Sidney L. Hargrove was elected the Exalted Grand Master. New officers were added and attempts to strengthen the central governing body were begun. Later in August, largely through the efforts of Brother Marshall Landrum and the Etas, a new chapter — Kappa — was installed in Alexandria, Louisiana. Eleven members were initiated.
Eta Chapter once more entered the spotlight of the fraternity by hosting a highly successful convention; composed of dances, banquets and a barbecue for the guests. With practically all chapters attending, this convention went over in a big way for the fraternity in June of 1930. Eta continued to lead the fraternity by establishing Alpha Eta in Minden, Louisiana, on March 1, 1931. This chapter's growth was slow but it soon became one of the most active of all, especially from the view of the National Office for their cooperation was almost perfect.
Led by Brothers Merrill P. McDougall and Richard Calhoun,
both of the Beta, the
fraternity adopted a new constitution, by-laws, and a complete new system of
government at
the
1931 Convention in
Jackson,
Tennessee (left).
There were no changes in the original as the
fraternity accepted the sweeping reform for a stronger system. The new
officers were elected
for
two years. Merrill McDougall headed the Council. Paul Kink and Arthur
Tidwell, Eta; A. J.
Williams and W.O. Dement, Delta Chi; and Gerald Boylan of Lambda were also
chosen to
serve
on the Council. Under this Council the Treasury grew to considerable size,
the Scimitar
was
enlarged and published more regularly, historical and membership cards were
gotten
together and members were catalogued and listed numerically. Then on April
18, 1932 the
fraternity went way West. Through the instigation of James S. Pooles,
Lambda, the Sigma
Chapter was formed in El
Paso,
Texas. Also at this time the ill fated Gamma Chapter, which
only lasted for nine months in Jackson, Mississippi was chartered.
The 14th of June, 1932, marked the opening of the Memphis Convention. This convention was attended by many Brothers and a great deal of the Constitution was again revised and many amendments added. The following year the Council advised that the Assembly revoke the Charter of Kappa Chapter and the Assembly responded and did so. The assembly met on June 19, 1933 at Mobile, Alabama. An excellent attendance at the meeting talked mostly of the reformation of the Fraternal Finance Department, the successful fight against anti-fraternity legislation in Mississippi, and the first efficiency cup which Zeta of Jackson, Tennessee walked away with.
September 1, 1935 found five chapters attending the 35th Annual Anniversary Convention at Meridian, Mississippi. A four-man council was formed and anew plan for the governing officers was set up. Two great social successes were held. The first was the 36th Anniversary in Monroe, La., June 15,1936. The second was the Memphis Convention June 21,1937. Nothing of outstanding importance was accomplished other than to more firmly entrench the spirit of brotherhood within Phi Kappa.
Alpha Eta Chapter, Minden, Louisiana, was declared inactive and all the members of the Executive Council were elected from Delta Chi Chapter at the 38th Annual held June 30, 1938 at Jackson, Tennessee. Due to the extensive program of chapter expansion set up at that time, Phi Kappa once more entered Jackson, Mississippi. Alpha Beta was chartered May 19, 1939, with Joe Odom as first Grand Master and the members of Delta Chi on the initiating teams.
Theta Chapter had the honor of claiming all the Council in 1939 at the 39th Convention at Meridian. This affair was very successful and once again the fraternity spent much time on the financial status of the fraternity. Later in this year a group of boys meeting under the T.A. Club were inspired by the members of the Delta Chapter to join Phi Kappa, and on December 17,1939, Tau Chapter was established in Biloxi, Mississippi, with John White, the first Grand Master.
A year later on June 9, 1940, Gulfport, Mississippi claimed our 40lh Annual Convention, and all the members of the council were elected from Delta Chapter. It was at this time that Guy D. Campbell began an unsurpassed era of distinguished service to the fraternity. He had already served in council offices during the past six years but until that time his schooling had hampered his service. Through college he began almost undevoted work toward the betterment of Phi Kappa.
Radical changes were made in the Council and also on our pledge education and ritual at Monroe on June 8, 1941, this being the site of the 41st Annual. At this time Sigma was declared an alumni chapter and Zeta was declared inactive.
The Founding
(1900-1916)
The Early Years
(1916-1922)
Vital Expansion
(1922-1941)
The War Years
(1942-1946)
More Battles
(1947-1957)
The Golden Era
(1957-1960)
The Sixties
(1961-1969)
The Prosperous
Years
(1970-1974)
The Diamond
Anniversary
(1975-1979)
The Decade of
Determination
(1980-1989)
The Nineties
(1990-1997)
Covington and After
(1998-2002)
A New Attitude
(2003-the future)
The History
of Phi Kappa National Fraternity
By: Robert L. Pugh &
Frank Liddell (1900-1970)
Patrick D. Thrash (1970-1985)
William Kyle Ingle (1985-1993)
Gerald Everett and Brent McCarty (1993-2004)