GaBeta¹³⁸

The founding of Phi Kappa Psi was in distinct contrast to the beginning of most other fraternities which grew, for the most part, from local clubs, formed without any idea of expansion. Phi Kappa Psi was founded as a national fraternity which should assemble within its folds outstanding students of kindred spirits at well-established colleges throughout the country.

Over 150 years ago two college students, William H. Letterman and Charles P.T. Moore, in the little college town of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, in the hills of Western Pennsylvania were nursing and watching their stricken friends during an epidemic of typhoid fever at the college. Through the long night vigils, an appreciation of the great joy of serving others came into their lives. Calling a number of others to join them, a Brotherhood was founded on February 19, 1852. It grew, survived and gradually spread among the college men of the country. Idealists all, these founders of Phi Kappa Psi taught a new fraternity - a fraternity which should supplement the work of the university by cultivating those humanities without which the educated man fails of his greatest usefulness.

At the time of Phi Psi's founding, Jefferson College was considered part of "The Big Three" in what was known as the "Jeffersonian Cradle." The other two institutions comprising this group, Harvard and Princeton, were of very nearly equal size and equal high esteem, graduating predominantly ministers, then lawyers, then physicians, in descending numbers. Jefferson College merged with nearby Washington College in 1865, as did our Penn Alpha and Penn Delta Chapters merge coincident with their host institutions that same year.

Recognizing the need and value of education, Phi Kappa Psi urges upon her members the securing of the best and broadest education possible. But unless actuated by a proper love for and service to mankind, the educated man is too apt to shrink from the human race, to waste his talents. It is to counteract this tendency that Phi Kappa Psi was founded.

Phi Kappa Psi believes that talents should be cultivated to be used for the benefit of our fellowmen, and she seeks to develop among her members a purpose so to use theirs. But life is dreary, indeed, for him who, from a sense of duty alone, pursues and unloved task. He who would serve his fellowman must love his work and exalt those whom he would serve.

It is this heart-filling desire to serve, and this high enthusiasm for an idealized task, that is Phi Psi's mission to supply. It is when a man realizes that he is doing his part of the world's work that he can approach his task with the exaltation of soul that compels success. When to education and the ability to do this is added the desire to render loving service, and that enthusiasm which is born of high ideals, the result is the development of manhood for which Phi Kappa Psi exists.
- Taken from The Manual of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, Sixteenth Edition

The history of the GA Beta Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi begins with two men from Headquarters, Kevin Kozlen and David Reed. These two men put together the groundwork for working with administration and gathering a group of men together to form the chapter at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

They put out flyers across campus and in student mailboxes to come meet them and find out about this new fraternity. After holding a few information sessions and social nights at the bowling ally & pool hall, they were ready to give out bids. They invited several students, but only 11 men initially accepted. The most prominent was Evan Gibson, who had helped the Headquarter's men in finding people who might be interested. Evan was a member of the chorale and convinced several of those members to check out the new fraternity. The group also consisted of people who had no connections with anyone else or only knew 1 or 2 other men.

It was a motley group with only 1 freshmen and the majority of guys being sophomores or juniors. The majors ranged from mechanical engineers to computer science to civil engineers. This group officially became the GA Beta Colony of Phi Kappa Psi on April 12, 1998, when Georgia Tech's Student Organization Office and Greek Affairs Office chartered the new student group.

Life as a colony was very difficult at a campus with such a long tradition in Greek Life as Georgia Tech. It was very important for the young group to grow and get their name out on campus. The members not only worked hard with becoming organized, but were able to maintain their grades and stay involved in other student groups, like chorale, housing, IFC, and the Technique. They also made sure to take part in campus wide events like Homecoming, TEAM Buzz, blood drives, and Greek Week.

Since there was no land available at the time of the colony's founding, the group held their meetings in empty classrooms or meeting rooms at the Student Center. Rush was conducted out of a couple of tents between the 4th Street Apartments. The rush location proved to be a good choice as it was in the middle of Greek row. The colony had to be creative with a limited budget to make each night of rush unique and fun. Spring rush was primarily held at the Rec. Center, which holds the pool hall and bowling alley. When it came to parties, the group looked to local clubs as host locations. Some of the best times were held at the brotherhood retreats. Usually the group would go camping somewhere away from Atlanta and were led by the chaplain. The retreat would be a focus on building the group together and realizing where we wanted the group to go in the future. These retreats also allowed for the brothers to vent about any conflicts they may have and find some way to resolve those conflicts and reconnect with their brothers.

After 2 years of working hard and completing the requirements set forth by the national fraternity with the guidance of chapter advisor Flynn Brantley and chapter presidents, Evan Gibson and Jared Kee, the colony submitted their bid from becoming a charter member. The charter was approved and installation was held on May 20, 2000. The GA Beta Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi received two charters at installation, both with the incorrect spelling of the university's name. There were more than 30 men to be initiated as the founding fathers of the GA Beta chapter.