Pi Beta Phi
Pi Beta Phi is one of the three national sororities on Knox College's campus in addition to Delta Delta Delta and Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Recent Awards: Greek Week 2007
- Campus Involvement Award
- Alumni Relations Award
- New Member Education Award
- Community Service:
- Most Service Hours Per Member: Honorable Mention
- Best Service Project: Cure-a-palooza
- Advisor of the Year: Jean Tulin
- Greek Woman of the Year: Casey Norton
The History of Pi Beta Phi
Pi Beta Phi was founded on April 28, 1867, becoming the first women's fraternity based on the men's Greek system. Initially named I.C. Sorosis, the organization initially consisted of 13 founders:
Emma Brownlee Kilgore: A true leader and our first president. Clara Brownlee Hutchinson: Emma’s gentle and compassionate younger sister. Fannie Thomson: A sweet singer and ardent advocate of extension. Libbie Brook Gaddis: The youngest Founder, who established our second chapter at Iowa Wesleyan. Nancy Black Wallace: First secretary and an enthusiastic extentionist. Jennie Nicol, MD: A pioneer among women physicians. Inez Smith Soule: beautiful, independent and loyal friend. Fannie Whitenack Libbey: Her cheerful presence and womanly grace endeared her to Pi Phis everywhere. Margaret Campbell: The first treasurer and a promoter of philanthropic work. Rosa Moore: Generous and sensitive to the needs of others. Ada Bruen Grier: A true friend, a teacher and a minister’s wife. Jennie Horne Turnbull: Quiet and charming, she was devoted to Pi Phi throughout her life.
Today the Holt House is used for small weddings, receptions, meetings and social gatherings. Nearby Pi Phi chapters and alumnae clubs use it for meetings, initiations and ceremonies. The Knox College chapter of Pi Beta Phi has the privilege of using the house for initiation and other events.
Pi Phi Firsts:
* First Fraternity for Women (1867) * First to have a national philanthropy, Settlement School (now the Arrowmont School for the Arts and Crafts) * First to have a Canadian philanthropy, Northern Libraries Project (now Arrow in the Arctic) * First to have an alumnae department * First to form Alumnae Advisory Committees to support collegiate chapters * One of seven founders of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
Knox Chapter
Knox College's Illinois Beta-Delta Chapter is the only dually chartered Pi Beta Phi Chapter in the world. Illinois Beta was originally at Lombard University, and Illinois Delta was at Knox. The Great Depression during the 1930s caused Lombard to close down and subsequently the two chapters combined in 1930.
Symbols
Pi Beta Phi's colors are wine and silver blue.
The symbol for Pi Beta Phi is the arrow, worn as a badge over member's hearts. The arrow reminds members to aim high, and aspire to achieve great things.
The official flower of Pi Beta Phi is the wine carnation.
