Phi Pi Phi
Phi Pi Phi was a social fraternity founded at Northwestern University in 1915. It merged with Alpha Sigma Phi in 1939.
History
Phi Pi Phi was founded on at Northwestern University as a graduate fraternity. On June 8, 1923, it reorganized as an undergraduate social collegiate fraternity, with Northwestern University becoming the Alpha chapter. Several chapters were established at midwestern universities, many by absorbing existing local fraternities. The original founders became the Alpha Omega alumni chapter.The fraternity joined the National Interfraternity Conference as a junior member November 1924. The fraternity's national office was established in Chicago. In 1925, it absorbed the two chapters of the regional fraternity Epsilon Alpha Chi.
The fraternity's magazine was The Quarterly of Phi Pi Phi, established in 1924. It published a songbook in 1927.
Phi Pi Phi had chartered 21 chapters by 1930. However, the fraternity was impacted by the Great Depression and only seven remained active by 1930. Phi Pi Phi and Alpha Sigma Phi discussed merging between 1937 and 1938.
The merger was announced in 1938 took place in 1939. At the time, Phi Pi Phi had five active chapters that were absorbed by Alpha Sigma Phi: Case Institute of Technology, Baldwin Wallace College, Westminster College, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Purdue University. The chapter at the University of Mississippi had been considered for participation in the merger but it failed before initiation.
Special initiations of Phi Pi Phi alumni took place from the time of the merger through 1944.
Symbols and traditions
The colors of Phi Pi Phi were turquoise blue and black. Its flower was the bluebell.Its badge was a monogram of the three Greek letters, with the letter Π superimposed upon intertwined letters Φ and Φ. The left hand Φ could be rendered chased or engraved with scrollwork, and the Π, normally set with pearls, was occasionally set with other precious stones at the corners to denote grand officers.