Phi Rho Sigma

Phi Rho Sigma (ΦΡΣ) is a professional fraternity founded by medical students at Northwestern University in 1890.

Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society
ΦΡΣ
FoundedOct 31, 1890 (Oct 31, 1890)
Northwestern University
TypeProfessional
Emphasismedical
ScopeInternational
Mission statementOur mission is dedicated to the enhancement of medical education, service to humanity, and fellowship among its members.
Colors  Scarlet and   Old Gold
PublicationThe Journal of Phi Rho Sigma [1]
Chapters47 chartered, 9 active
HeadquartersPhi Rho Sigma Medical Society,
P.O. Box 90264
Indianapolis, Indiana 46290-0264
USA
WebsitePhi Rho Sigma Homepage

Early History

Phi Rho Sigma was founded at the Northwestern Medical School, then the Chicago Medical College on October 31, 1890.

Its founder were:

  • Milbank Johnson
  • T. J. Robeson
  • H. H. Forline
  • J. A. Poling

The Alpha chapter granted charters to Beta and Gamma chapters and was the head of the fraternity until early in 1896, when three members from each of the then-existing chapters were appointed to take charge of the affairs of the general fraternity. These nine representatives were elected yearly and the body was known as the Grand Chapter. They elected their own officers and had full power to grant charters, enact laws, and perform other duties devolving upon them. By this body charters were granted to Delta, Epsilon and Zeta. A revised constitution was adopted March 20, 1899, which specifies that the grand chapter shall consist of two delegates from each chapter, and that it shall hold its meetings biennially. In accordance with this act the first general convention was called to Chicago, July 3-5, 1899. From this meeting dates in reality the national scope of the fraternity. In the interim between conventions the executive power of the fraternity is vested in a Grand Council composed of seven members who all reside in the same vicinity.[2]

Conventions have been held As of 1920 biennially.[2]

Chapter Formation and Later History

Many of the chapters were formed from prior existing organizations. Gamma chapter from the "Ancient Order of Ananias," Epsilon chapter came from Mu Kappa Phi founded in 1890, Eta chapter from a local called Tau Sigma, Iota chapter from Lambda Pi, Lambda chapter came from a local called "A n T", Mu chapter from Delta Sigma, Omicron chapter from Phi Alpha Phi, Rho chapter from Tau Beta Alpha, Chi chapter from Alpha Kappa Phi, and the Buffalo chapter from the parent and sole surviving chapter of Alpha Omicron Delta, the name of which has been retained as its chapter name. The Yale chapter was formed from a local society called the Skull and Sceptre which had been founded in 1894. It was allowed to retain its name as a chapter designation although its name is not in harmony with the fraternity's system of chapter nomenclature. The Hamline Medical College where the Theta chapter was located united with the Medical department of the University of Minnesota where the Tau chapter was located and the two chapters united under the name of Theta Tau chapter. In 1902 the Omaha Medical College where Iota chapter is located became the medical department of the University of Nebraska, and as part of the instruction was carried on at Lincoln and part at Omaha, the chapter divided into two parts Iota-Alpha chapter at Lincoln and Iota-Beta chapter at Omaha. All of the medical course is now given at the State University and thus those chapters are once again consolidated. The Iota chapter publishes a small magazine called the Iota. The Ohio State chapter was formerly a chapter of Phi Delta. The Upsilon chapter was originally at the University College of Medicine which was merged into the Medical College of Virginia. Omicron chapter was originally at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons which was merged into Marquette University.[2]

On April 6, 1929, a merger agreement was signed in Cincinnati by the authorities of Chi Zeta Chi Fraternity to merge into Phi Rho Sigma.

By 1940, two chapters were reported as inactive, namely, those at Johns Hopkins University (its charter was withdrawn in 1904) and the University of Toronto (last year of recorded activity is 1940. [3]>

In 1960 the Grand Chapter established a group of national awards in the form of gold medals, given biennially at the Grand Chapter meeting.

  • The Irving S. Cutter Medal is presented to a member of the Society who has provided extraordinary service to the field of medicine.
  • The Jesse Ansley Griffin Medal is awarded to a Phi Rho who has given outstanding service to the Society over the past years.[4]
  • The student medal, the Paul McLain Student Research Award, is given to a student member who has done significant research while in medical school. Dr. McLain was a physician and scientist who dedicated his life to the education of the medical student. Winners get both a gold medal and a cash award and will present their research at the Grand Chapter.

The Fraternity welcomes suggestions from alumni for the Cutter and Griffin Medals.

Certificates of Meritorious Service may also be given out by the Grand Chapter.[2]

Chapters

The chapter roll is as follows: [2] Some names reflect the chapter's origin as a previous local fraternity. Chi series chapters indicate those originating as Chi Zeta Chi, such as Chi Alpha, or merged chapters where the Chi Zeta Chi chapter was oldest, or the only active chapter of the two. Bold indicates a chapter that is active.

As of 1940: Active chapters 28, inactive 2. Membership 4,498. As reported at that time, "The Nebraska, Minnesota, and Michigan chapters own houses."

There are nine active chapters as of September 2020.[1]

Symbols

The fraternity issues a periodical called the Phi Rho Sigma Journal. Its publication was begun in 1901. After some little irregularity in issue it became a quarterly in 1910. As of 1920 it is published twice a year. In 1912 a history and directory edited by Dr. D. E. W. Wenstrand of Milwaukee was published. This was a large octavo volume with many illustrations.

The badge of the fraternity was originally a gold shield with the letters Φ, Ρ and Σ in black enamel, surrounding a raised pair of clasped hands in gold over an open book in gold. The Φ was in the upper left hand corner, the Ρ in the upper right hand corner, and the Σ below at the apex of the shield. As of 1920 the official badge consists of a gold monogram outline of the letters Φ, Ρ and Σ, the Φ being placed on a separate plane above the other two letters and its face set with pearls. The change was made in 1895.

The colors of the fraternity are scarlet and gold.[2]

See also

References
  1. Phi Rho Sigma website, accessed 3 Sept 2020.
  2. Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. V-47-49. ISBN 978-0963715906.
  3. Noted in Torontonensis, vol.42 (1940), p.476
  4. Named after the founder of Chi Zeta Chi.
  5. Originated as a local group named Ancient Order of Ananias.
  6. Originated as a local group named Tau Sigma.
  7. Originated as a local group named Lambda Pi.
  8. For a time this chapter was split into two branches, where Iota-Alpha chapter served students at Lincoln and the Iota-Beta chapter served students at Omaha. These branches later consolidated. The Iota chapter published a small magazine called The Iota.
  9. Originated as a local group named A n T.
  10. Originated as a local group named Delta Sigma.
  11. Originated as a local group named Phi Alpha Phi at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons, which later merged into Marquette.
  12. This chapter had originally been a chapter of Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity.
  13. This chapter may include alumni from a chapter of Chi Zeta Chi medical fraternity.
  14. Originated as a local group named Tau Beta Alpha.
  15. Originally located at the University College of Medicine, which later merged into the Medical College of Virginia.
  16. Originated as a local group named Skull and Sceptre, dating from 1894.
  17. Originated as a local group named Alpha Kappa Psi.
  18. Originated as the original founding Alpha chapter of Alpha Omicron Delta, where it was the last surviving chapter.
  19. Originated as a chapter of Phi Delta.
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