Phi Kappa Tau

Phi Kappa Tau. It is a prominent American social fraternity founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Established in the early 20th century, it has grown into a national organization with a strong emphasis on character development, leadership, and service. The fraternity is a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference and operates chapters at universities across the United States.

History

The organization was founded on March 17, 1906, by four students at Miami University: Taylor A. Borradaile, Clinton D. Boyd, Dwight I. Douglass, and William H. Shideler. Their initial vision was to create a non-sectarian senior honor society, which they originally called the "Non-Fraternity Association." This group sought to recognize men of character who were not affiliated with the existing Greek letter organizations on campus. The movement quickly evolved, and by 1909, the group adopted the Greek letters Phi Kappa Tau. The fraternity received its national charter in 1916, expanding beyond its Ohio roots. Key milestones include the establishment of its national headquarters, known as the Founders Memorial, in Oxford, Ohio in 1953, and its admission into the North American Interfraternity Conference. Throughout the 20th century, it weathered challenges such as the Great Depression and World War II, emerging as a stable national institution focused on its founding principles.

Symbols and traditions

The primary symbols include its official colors of Harvard Red and Old Gold, and its badge features a black enamel shield bearing the Greek letters Φ, Κ, and Τ. The official flower is the red rose, and the fraternity publishes a magazine called The Laurel. Its open motto is "Give, expecting nothing thereof," reflecting a core value of selfless service. Significant traditions include the annual celebration of Founders' Day on March 17, which commemorates its establishment at Miami University. The fraternity's ritual and ceremonies, which are private to members, emphasize the development of moral character, friendship, and community responsibility. These traditions are maintained through educational programs at the national level and within individual chapters.

Chapters and membership

The national organization oversees approximately 135 active collegiate chapters and colonies across the United States, from institutions like the University of California, Berkeley to the University of Florida. Its membership includes over 6,000 undergraduate students and a total initiated membership exceeding 100,000. The governing structure is led by a National Council and supported by professional staff at the National Headquarters in Oxford, Ohio. The fraternity emphasizes a continuous membership development model, focusing on areas such as academic achievement, leadership training, and personal wellness. Prominent chapters include the Alpha Chapter at Miami University and the Beta Chapter at Ohio State University.

Philanthropy and service

The national philanthropic partner is the SeriousFun Children's Network, a global community of camps and programs for children with serious illnesses founded by alumnus Paul Newman. This partnership, formalized in 2005, focuses on raising funds and volunteer support for camps like The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Annually, chapters across the country host events such as golf tournaments, benefit concerts, and "Phi Tau Fights Cancer" campaigns to support this cause. Beyond the national partnership, individual chapters engage in extensive local community service, volunteering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, local food banks, and campus clean-up initiatives. These efforts are central to the fraternity's commitment to its motto and to developing socially responsible citizens.

Notable alumni

Members have achieved distinction in numerous fields including politics, entertainment, business, and sports. In government and law, notable figures include former United States Senator John Warner of Virginia and former Governor of Ohio Bob Taft. The entertainment world counts actor and philanthropist Paul Newman and television host Mark Steines among its members. Leaders in business and industry include James R. Moffett, former chairman of Freeport-McMoRan, and John L. Clendenin, former CEO of BellSouth. The fraternity also counts accomplished athletes such as Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Don Drysdale and former National Football League quarterback Boomer Esiason. These individuals exemplify the fraternity's impact on American society.