Education: A. D.'s 100th

A century ago, U. S. college fraternity life was quietly taking form in three genteel Eastern institutions. Phi Beta Kappa, first Greek letter society (1776), had already become nonsecret and purely honorary, with half a dozen chapters. Union College at Schenectady, N. Y. produced the next three: Kappa Alpha, Sigma Phi and Delta Phi, between 1825 and 1827. A Kappa Alpha branch was formed at Williams College, a Sigma Phi branch at Hamilton College. The earnest youths who founded these orders adopted Phi Beta Kappa's early mottoes, secret rituals, badges, grips.

Fifth...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!