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)
- 73 North American Interfraternity Conference Members Organizations (Fraternities)
- 101 National Cultural Interest Frataernities and Sororities
- 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 Statistics
- 1,106 of Carnegie Mellon University's undergraduates are members of Greek Social organizations
- 21% of the campus population is Greek
- 359 of Carnegie Mellon University's female students are Greek
- 747 of Carnegie Mellon University's male students are Greek
Greek Organization Breakdown
- 24 Greek organizations total
- 12 Fraternities
- 5 Panhellenic Sororities
- 4 Asian Interest Fraternities & Sororities
- 3 NPHC (historically black) organizations
Academics
- University Grade Point average is 3.18
- All Greek Grade Point average is 3.09
- All Women's Grade Point Average is 3.19
- Sorority Grade Point Average is 3.20
- All Men's Grade Point Average is 3.18
- Fraternity Grade Point Average is 3.09
Did you know?
Chapter service projects resulted in a total of 4,106 hours of hands-on service to neighborhood and community agencies. This number does not include individual service performed by members or hours spent raising money through philanthropic activities.
In addition, eighteen of the twenty-four Greek chapters raised a total of $26,369 for donations to local and national charities this semester.
Do you have knowledge of important events in the history of fraternity and sorority life at Carnegie Mellon? Send this information to Monica Bebie.
*Historical information compiled summer 2007 by Greek Intern, Mary Katica.
