Kappa Psi - History
 

Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Incorporated is the oldest and largest professional pharmacy fraternity in the world. Currently, there are 72 Collegiate and 43 Graduate Chapters across the United States and Canada, and that number continues to grow with each passing year.

Kappa Psi was founded on May 30th, 1879 at the Russell Military Academy -- known prior as the New Haven Collegiate and Commercial Institute -- in New Haven, Connecticut. Established originally by F. Harvey Smith following a football game between the Russell Military Academy and Cheshire Military Academy, Kappa Psi eventually would emerge as a Greek Letter Society and included medical and pharmaceutical students in the one fraternity. During this era, all Greek Letter Societies were secret. The football game eventually ended in a tie, being called on account of darkness. Then the "cripples" of both sides got together and formed Kappa Psi. A second chapter was later added on November 30th, 1879.

There were the only two chapters of Kappa Psi until 1894, when a third Chapter was started at Hillhouse Academy in New Hampshire.

In 1924, by mutual agreement, the members of Kappa Psi decided to separate the fraternity in terms of profession. This moved was debated for three years within the fraternity. The medical group became known as Theta Kappa Psi while the pharmaceutical group retained the name of Kappa Psi.

Today, Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity has over 46,000 members throughout the United States and Canada's British Columbia province. In addition, Kappa Psi has retained a strong alumni support by establishing forty-three graduate chapters from coast to coast. Increasing annual membership has not only made Kappa Psi the most popular pharmaceutical fraternity but also the largest.

As the first national pharmaceutical fraternity, Kappa Psi has acquired thousands of members who are actively practicing in many facets of pharmacy. Many prominent individuals in the profession pharmacy, both locally and nationally, are members of Kappa Psi. Known as an international professional fraternity, Kappa Psi strives to promote the field of pharmacy through the benefits of fraternal affiliation and innovation.