Excerpted and paraphrased from the Manual of Phi Kappa Psi, Sesquicentenial Edition

William Henry Letterman and Charles Page THomas Moore, students at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, founded Phi Kappa Psi fraternity on February 19, 1852. Their goal was to create a new kind of fraternity, one that would supplement the university's goal of improving students' intellect by cultivating its members' humanity. At the time of the founding, Jefferson College was part of "The Big Three" in the "Jeffersonian Cradle" which also included Harvard and Princeton. All institutions were of about the same size and of equally high esteem.

Recognizing the need and value of education, Phi Kappa Psi urges its members to secure the best and broadest education possible. The Fraternity believes that members' talents should be cultivated and then used to benefit humanity and improve the lives of people everywhere. This has been the basis of Phi Kappa Psi since the founders originally set out to develop the organization.

Affectionately referred to as the "Rockpile," the men of Phi Kappa Psi have a truly unique house to call home. The current house was built in 1922 and extensively remodeled in 1986. During this renovation, the house was nearly completely gutted, leaving just a shell to be filled and retrofitted. Additionally, a library was completed above the "new" (circa 1960) section of the house allowing the brothers access to 24-hour study space. The Emison Library boasts numerous desks, internet access -- both wired and wireless -- along with house-owned computers and printers. A copy and fax machine is available for use as well.

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