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National History
Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity was founded on May 30, 1879 at the Russel Militray Academy in New Haven, Connecticut. The founding father of Kappa Psi is F. Harvey Smith who would later become the Grand Alpha (Grand Regent) of the national Alpha Chapter. Kappa Psi originated as a Greek Letter Society that developed into a medical/pharmaceutical fraternity. In 1924, by agreement, the brothers of Kappa Psi separated the fraternity on the basis of profession, giving rise to Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity and Theta Kappa Psi Medical Fraternity. Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity has always paved the road in pharmacy for other fraternities to follow by becoming the first Pharmaceutical Fraternity to become a member of the Professional Interfraternity Conference in 1928.
The first official journal of Kappa Psi was published in 1904 with the name, The MASK. The journal recieved its unusual name from the historic association with the first membership badge/pin which was in the form of a domino or half-mask. The name of the journal was suggested by the first Editor of Ths MASK, Preston W. Eldridge. The Constitution of Kappa Psi states:
"The Kappa Psi Fraternity shall publish a journal in the interests of and for the convenience and instruction of the members of the order, to be known as The MASK. Ths said journal shall be devoted to chapter correspondence and to the expression of such thoughts and the exhibition of such matter as will redound to the progress and advancement of this society."
Today, Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity has over 46,000 brothers with 75 collegiate and 43 Graduate chapters throughout North America. Due to increasing membership annually, Kappa Psi is the largest and most popular pharmaceutical fraternity in North America. Kappa Psi will continue to grow because of its high caliber of students and leaders that Kappa Psi constantly produces.
Gamma Psi History
Gamma Psi Chapter of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity at Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences was installed in 1953. Gamma Psi is a member of Province IV, consisting of the seven southeastern chapters of Kappa Psi. Currently, there are 53 collegiate brothers, nine professors and many alumni spread throughout other areas of the nation. Activities that Gamma Psi sponsors range form a school wide blood drive in the fall and spring semesters to a Ski Trip during the winter semester. Kappa Psi members at the Mercer College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are actively involved in many school and national organizations.Kappa Psi is an active organization where our members build close relationships to students, faculty, alumni and practitioners. The relationships that our members develop will help them meet their goals and aspirations in pharmacy.
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