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Greek Life

History

The first fraternity was founded at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, VA on December 5, 1776, when a group of students formed a secret society, which they called Phi Beta Kappa. The name of their organization came from the first initials of the Greek motto: “Love of wisdom, guide of life.”

Phi Beta Kappa set the tone and instituted many of the characteristics which are typical in Greek organizations today – the Greek-letter name, a Greek motto, an oath of secrecy, a badge, a ritual, a seal, and a secret handshake.

Sororities came about shortly after the Civil War, when women began to enter college and wanted "something of their own." Pi Beta Phi was the first women's fraternity, founded at Monmouth College in Illinois on April 28, 1867.

By the 1900s men's and women's groups had established themselves as national groups.

In the 1930s eight historically black organizations had united and formed the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Five of these organizations were founded at Howard University

Fraternities and Sororities were formed to fill a void in students' lives - to foster friendship, to encourage sociability, to provide an outlet for free expression. Today few people identify Greek Organizations as agents of philanthropy, instruments for self improvement, and as opportunities to enhance leadership skills - yet that is what they are: in order to become a member you must have maintained a satisfactory grade point average, and each chapter provides excellent opportunities for leadership training due to chapter affairs and responsibilities.

Current National Statistics

  • 26 Panhellenic Organizations (Sororities)
  • 63 Interfraternity Conference Organizations (Fraternities)
  • 9 National Pan-Hellenic Organizations (Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities)
  • 12 million people are Greek
  • 23,000 fraternity and sorority chapters nation wide


Carnegie Mellon University Fraternity and Sorority History

Information compiled summer 2007 by Greek Intern, Mary Katica.

Do you have knowledge of important events in the history of fraternity and sorority life at Carnegie Mellon? Send this information to