Phi Rho Sigma

Phi Rho Sigma
Phi Rho Sigma
ΦΡΣ
Founded	Oct 31, 1890; 130 years ago; Northwestern University
Type	Professional
Affiliation	PFA (former)
Emphasis	medical
Scope	International
Mission statement	Our mission is dedicated to the enhancement of medical education, service to humanity, and fellowship among its members.
Colors	Scarlet and Old Gold
Publication	The Journal of Phi Rho Sigma
Chapters	47 chartered, 9 active
Headquarters	Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society,; P.O. Box 90264; Indianapolis, IN 46290-0264; USA
Website	Phi Rho Sigma Homepage

Phi Rho Sigma (ΦΡΣ) is a professional fraternity founded by medical students at Northwestern University in 1890.

Early History[]

Phi Rho Sigma was founded at the Northwestern Medical School, then the Chicago Medical College on October 31, 1890.

Its founder were:

Milbank Johnson
T. J. Robeson
H. H. Forline
J. A. Poling

The Alpha chapter granted charters to Beta and Gamma chapters and was the head of the fraternity until early in 1896, when three members from each of the then-existing chapters were appointed to take charge of the affairs of the general fraternity. These nine representatives were elected yearly and the body was known as the Grand Chapter. They elected their own officers and had full power to grant charters, enact laws, and perform other duties devolving upon them. By this body charters were granted to Delta, Epsilon and Zeta. A revised constitution was adopted March 20, 1899, which specifies that the grand chapter shall consist of two delegates from each chapter, and that it shall hold its meetings biennially. In accordance with this act the first general convention was called to Chicago, July 3–5, 1899. From this meeting dates in reality the national scope of the fraternity. In the interim 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.^[2]

Conventions have been held As of 1920 biennially.^[2]

Chapter Formation and Later History[]

Many of the chapters were formed from prior existing organizations. Gamma chapter from the "Ancient Order of Ananias," Epsilon chapter came from Mu Kappa Phi founded in 1890, Eta chapter from a local called Tau Sigma, Iota chapter from Lambda Pi, Lambda chapter came from a local called "A n T", Mu chapter from Delta Sigma, Omicron chapter from Phi Alpha Phi, Rho chapter from Tau Beta Alpha, Chi chapter from Alpha Kappa Phi, and the Buffalo chapter from the parent and sole surviving chapter of Alpha Omicron Delta, the name of which has been retained as its chapter name. The Yale chapter was formed from a local society called the Skull and Sceptre which had been founded in 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. The Hamline Medical College where the Theta chapter was located united with the Medical department of the University of Minnesota where the Tau chapter was located and the two chapters united under the name of Theta Tau chapter. In 1902 the Omaha Medical College where Iota chapter is located became the medical department of the University of Nebraska, and as part of the instruction was carried on at Lincoln and part at Omaha, the chapter divided into two parts Iota-Alpha chapter at Lincoln and Iota-Beta chapter at Omaha. All of the medical course is now given at the State University and thus those chapters are once again consolidated. The Iota chapter publishes a small magazine called the Iota. The Ohio State chapter was formerly a chapter of Phi Delta. The Upsilon chapter was originally at the University College of Medicine which was merged into the Medical College of Virginia. Omicron chapter was originally at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons which was merged into Marquette University.^[2]

On April 6, 1929, a merger agreement was signed in Cincinnati by the authorities of Chi Zeta Chi Fraternity to merge into Phi Rho Sigma.

By 1940, two chapters were reported as inactive, namely, those at Johns Hopkins University (its charter was withdrawn in 1904) and the University of Toronto (last year of recorded activity is 1940.^[3]

In 1960 the Grand Chapter established a group of national awards in the form of gold medals, given biennially at the Grand Chapter meeting.

The Irving S. Cutter Medal is presented to a member of the Society who has provided extraordinary service to the field of medicine.
The Jesse Ansley Griffin Medal is awarded to a Phi Rho who has given outstanding service to the Society over the past years.^[4]
The student medal, the Paul McLain Student Research Award, is given to a student member who has done significant research while in medical school. Dr. McLain was a physician and scientist who dedicated his life to the education of the medical student. Winners get both a gold medal and a cash award and will present their research at the Grand Chapter.

The Fraternity welcomes suggestions from alumni for the Cutter and Griffin Medals.

Certificates of Meritorious Service may also be given out by the Grand Chapter.^[2]

Chapters[]

The chapter roll is as follows:^[2] Some names reflect the chapter's origin as a previous local fraternity. Chi series chapters indicate those originating as Chi Zeta Chi, such as Chi Alpha, or merged chapters where the Chi Zeta Chi chapter was oldest, or the only active chapter of the two. Bold indicates a chapter that is active.

1890 - Alpha - Northwestern University
1894 - Beta - University of Illinois (dormant in 1969, had merged with Gamma chapter in 1936)
1895 - Gamma - University of Chicago (includes Rush) (dormant in 1969, had merged with Beta chapter in 1936)^[5]
1896 - Delta - University of Southern California (dormant in 1969)
1897 - Epsilon - Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery (dormant in 1965)^[6]
1897 - Zeta - University of Michigan
1900 - Eta - Creighton University (dormant, 1973-19xx. Later known as Eta Tau chapter.)
1900 - Theta - Hamline Medical College (united with Tau to form Theta Tau chapter)
1901 - Iota - University of Nebraska^[7]^[8]
1901 - Kappa - Case Western Reserve University
1901 - Lambda Phi - Medico-Chirurgical College (Perelman, UPenn) (dormant in 1973)^[9]
1902 - Mu - University of Iowa^[10]
1902 - Nu - Harvard University (dormant in 1923)
1903 - Xi - Johns Hopkins University (dormant in 1904)
1903 - Omicron - Marquette University (dormant in 1921)^[11]
1903 - Pi - Indiana University Bloomington (Indianapolis)
1903 - Chi Alpha - University of Georgia^[12]
1904 - Chi Beta - Emory University (dormant in 1959)^[12]
1904 - Chi Gamma - University of Maryland (dormant in 1936)^[13]
1904 - Rho - Thomas Jefferson University (dormant in 1965)^[14]^[13]
1904 - Sigma - University of Virginia (dormant in 1929)^[13]
1905 - Tau - later Theta Tau - University of Minnesota
1906 - Chi Delta - University of South Carolina
1906 - Chi Epsilon - University of Tennessee^[12]
1906 - Chi Eta - Saint Louis University School of Medicine^[13]
1906 - Chi Zeta - University of Arkansas (dormant in 1939)^[12]
1906 - Upsilon - Medical College of Virginia (dormant in 1943)^[15]
1906 - Phi - University of Pennsylvania (see Lambda Phi chapter)
1907 - S&S - Yale University (dormant in 1919)^[16]
1908 - Chi - University of Pittsburgh (dormant in 1970)^[17]
1909 - Psi - University of Colorado (dormant in 1972)
1911 - Alpha Omicron Delta - University at Buffalo (dormant in 1931)^[18]
1913 - Omega - Ohio State University (dormant in 1943)^[19]
1913 - Alpha Beta - Columbia University (dormant in 1932)
1913 - Alpha Gamma - McGill University (dormant in 1938)
1918 - Delta Omicron Alpha - Tulane University (dormant in 1950)^[13]
1921 - Alpha Delta - University of Washington (dormant in 1944)
1922 - Alpha Epsilon - University of Toronto (dormant in 1942)
1923 - Alpha Zeta - Stanford University (dormant in 1959)
1924 - Chi Theta - Wake Forest University (dormant in 1965)
1925 - Alpha Eta - Dalhousie University
1927 - Alpha Theta - University of Cincinnati (dormant in 1935)
1929 - Alpha Iota - University of Manitoba (dormant in 1944)
1932 - Alpha Kappa - University of Rochester (dormant in 1938)
1933 - Alpha Lambda - Temple University
1935 - Alpha Mu - Louisiana State University (dormant in 1941)
1939 - Alpha Nu - University of Texas
1939 - Alpha Omicron - University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (dormant between 1944–56)
1948 - Alpha Pi - University of Utah (dormant in 1965)
1958 - Alpha Rho - Seton Hall University (dormant in 1969)
1964 - Iota Gamma - University of California, Irvine School of Medicine (dormant in 1974)
2012 - Alpha Upsilon - Wright State University

As of 1940: Active chapters 28, inactive 2. Membership 4,498. As reported at that time, "The Nebraska, Minnesota, and Michigan chapters own houses."

There are nine active chapters as of September 2020.^[1]

Symbols[]

The fraternity issues a periodical called the Phi Rho Sigma Journal. Its publication was begun in 1901. After some little irregularity in issue it became a quarterly in 1910. As of 1920 it is published twice a year. In 1912 a history and directory edited by Dr. D. E. W. Wenstrand of Milwaukee was published. This was a large octavo volume with many illustrations.

The badge of the fraternity 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. As of 1920 the official badge consists of a gold monogram outline of the letters Φ, Ρ and Σ, the Φ being placed on a separate plane above the other two letters and its face set with pearls. The change was made in 1895.

The colors of the fraternity are scarlet and gold.^[2]

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Phi Rho Sigma website, accessed 3 Sept 2020.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. V-47–49. ISBN 978-0963715906.
^ Noted in Torontonensis, vol.42 (1940), p.476
^ Named after the founder of Chi Zeta Chi.
^ Originated as a local group named Ancient Order of Ananias.
^ Originated as a local group named Tau Sigma.
^ Originated as a local group named Lambda Pi.
^ For a time this chapter was split into two branches, where Iota-Alpha chapter served students at Lincoln and the Iota-Beta chapter served students at Omaha. These branches later consolidated. The Iota chapter published a small magazine called The Iota.
^ Originated as a local group named A n T.
^ Originated as a local group named Delta Sigma.
^ Originated as a local group named Phi Alpha Phi at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons, which later merged into Marquette.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d This chapter had originally been a chapter of Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e This chapter may include alumni from a chapter of Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity.
^ Originated as a local group named Tau Beta Alpha.
^ Originally located at the University College of Medicine, which later merged into the Medical College of Virginia.
^ Originated as a local group named Skull and Sceptre, dating from 1894.
^ Originated as a local group named Alpha Kappa Psi.
^ Originated as the original founding Alpha chapter of Alpha Omicron Delta, where it was the last surviving chapter.
^ Originated as a chapter of Phi Delta.

Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities. Alcolm Company. 1920. pp. 517–519. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
David E. W. Wenstrand; Phi Rho Sigma (1912). Phi Rho Sigma History and Directory. Phi Rho Sigma. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

[PhiRhoSigmaWebsite-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b Phi Rho Sigma website, accessed 3 Sept 2020.

[Baird's-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. V-47–49. ISBN 978-0963715906.

[3] Noted in Torontonensis, vol.42 (1940), p.476

[4] Named after the founder of Chi Zeta Chi.

[5] Originated as a local group named Ancient Order of Ananias.

[6] Originated as a local group named Tau Sigma.

[7] Originated as a local group named Lambda Pi.

[8] For a time this chapter was split into two branches, where Iota-Alpha chapter served students at Lincoln and the Iota-Beta chapter served students at Omaha. These branches later consolidated. The Iota chapter published a small magazine called The Iota.

[9] Originated as a local group named A n T.

[10] Originated as a local group named Delta Sigma.

[11] Originated as a local group named Phi Alpha Phi at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons, which later merged into Marquette.

[ChiZetaChi1-12] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d This chapter had originally been a chapter of Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity.

[ChiZetaChi2-13] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e This chapter may include alumni from a chapter of Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity.

[14] Originated as a local group named Tau Beta Alpha.

[15] Originally located at the University College of Medicine, which later merged into the Medical College of Virginia.

[16] Originated as a local group named Skull and Sceptre, dating from 1894.

[17] Originated as a local group named Alpha Kappa Psi.

[18] Originated as the original founding Alpha chapter of Alpha Omicron Delta, where it was the last surviving chapter.

[19] Originated as a chapter of Phi Delta.

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Currently active members of the Professional Fraternity Association	Alpha Zeta Alpha Kappa Psi Alpha Rho Chi Alpha Phi Omega Alpha Chi Sigma Alpha Omega Epsilon Delta Epsilon Mu Delta Theta Phi Delta Kappa Alpha Delta Omicron Delta Sigma Pi Delta Sigma Chi Epsilon Nu Tau Theta Tau Kappa Epsilon Kappa Epsilon Psi Kappa Eta Kappa Kappa Kappa Psi Kappa Lambda Chi Kappa Psi Lambda Kappa Sigma Mu Beta Phi Mu Phi Epsilon Pi Sigma Epsilon Rho Pi Phi Sigma Alpha Sigma Alpha Iota Tau Beta Sigma Phi Alpha Delta Phi Beta Phi Gamma Nu Phi Delta Epsilon Phi Delta Chi Phi Sigma Pi Phi Chi Theta
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