It all begins with an idea.
The founding of Phi Kappa Psi nationally was in distinct contrast to the founding of most other fraternities of the time. Those groups grew, for the most part, from local clubs, formed without any idea of expansion. Phi Kappa Psi was founded as a national fraternity which would assemble within its folds the best men at outstanding colleges throughout the country.
Over 150 years ago, the Fraternity’s founders, William Henry Letterman and Charles Page Thomas Moore, were attending Jefferson College in the western Pennsylvania town of Canonsburg. An epidemic of influenza had struck the campus, and Letterman and Moore spent many long night vigils nursing and watching over their stricken friends. From these humanitarian efforts, an appreciation of the great joy of serving others came into their lives. Calling a number of others to join them in an association to promote service, scholarship and leadership, a Brotherhood was founded on February 19, 1852. It grew, survived and gradually spread among college men of the country.
Since 1852, Phi Kappa Psi has granted over 140 charters to college and university chapters and initiated over 120,000 members. Today, 104 chapters and colonies are active in promoting the Phi Kappa Psi experience. The Ohio Lambda Chapter was founded in 1972.
Yesterday
It began in contrast to the community. With strong fraternal competition, Ohio Lambda was established as an alternative to the traditional fraternity concept at Miami University. At the helm, 17 young men on May 13, 1971, formed the Ohio Lambda Colony. Their approach to fraternity life quickly gained popularity with others who also sought personal enrichment from their collegiate experience, setting themselves apart from other fraternities on campus with a strong moral compass, academic achievements, and student leadership. The group’s non-conformist approach was optimized by adoption of ‘Help Week’ rather than the Greek community’s traditional ‘Hell Week’, which was believed by the colony members to be detrimental and immature.
From these early beginnings, the chapter embraced new members expressing a responsibility to do something for him, not to him; to stress the importance of good scholarship, University involvement and community service. Based upon these principles, the group was officially chartered on May 6, 1972, when 38 young men became Phi Psis.
Ohio Lambda continued to prosper and found itself on top of the Miami Greek letter ladder, as athletic, social, and academically astute gentlemen. As Miami’s 25th national fraternity, Phi Psi was within the first few years, learning to operate a chapter house located at 205 East Vine, consisting of 10 units. The apartment style design was unique within the fraternal community, but quickly embraced by the young chapter. An early initiate commented, “the apartment design provides an excellent opportunity for late-night talk sessions and committee meetings without diminishing unity or group spirit.”
Shortly after the move into the new house at 122 South Campus Avenue, the chapter saw exceptional growth. The men joined a chapter that was a leader in the University and community. With strong representation in all aspects of campus life, the chapter’s undergraduates’ fraternal commitments did not detract from prominence as members and officers of other campus organizations and assets to many of Miami’s varsity athletic teams.
The 1980s continued with chapter members heavily involved in campus leadership positions. Academics were a focus, with the group receiving numerous academic awards semesters after semester. The group also remained competitive in many other campus-wide competitions. A commitment to philanthropy and volunteer service was also evident with significant involvement with local affiliates of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the chapter remained active within the University and greater Miami community. With brothers serving on the Associated Student Government and within the Interfraternity Council, numerous student life organizations, and campus honor societies, as well as resident assistants, and members of athletic teams. The chapter members were leaders on campus. Overall dominance continued as did a commitment toward community service. In 1992, 1994 and 1998 the chapter received national top honors as Phi Psi’s Grand Chapter. The group was also honored with numerous campus awards year after year including the Academic Achievement Award, Membership Development Award, Interfraternity Council All Sports Trophy and Chapter Achievement Award.
Throughout its history, Phi Psi has enjoyed the social bonds of the fraternal experience. Date parties, homecoming pairings with sororities and special events were always highlights.
Learning From Our Past
Ohio Lambda held strong until the spring of 2015 when the undergraduates lost sight of our fraternal values and struggled culturally to hold one another accountable. After repeated risk management violations, the chapter was suspended until the spring of 2022. This unfortunate event led to the establishment of a Vision Committee, comprised of our fellow chapter brothers, and appointed by the House Corporation. During the process of drafting a plan for the future of Ohio Lambda, the Committee analyzed the incidents and environment that led to the chapter’s closure, making several observations.
Reliance on a few, young, highly dedicated volunteers was unsustainable. Alumni, volunteers, and advisors are critical to the success of today’s chapter.
Acclimation to the median and a desire to ‘fit in’ with the negative stereotypes of Greek life were prevalent. No longer was there a desire to lead the Greek community or look to Phi Psi’s creedal principles. This led to poor decision-making based upon popularity.
Lack of accountability and student leadership within the undergraduate ranks caused a tolerance of poor decisions and unacceptable behavior.
Absence of recruitment/membership standards resulted in membership classes of varying sizes who were joining solely for the social aspects and were not exposed to the true purpose of joining Phi Psi or any Greek organization.
Unwillingness to engage and utilize the National Fraternity and University resources and guidance ensured there was no outside influence to assist in gauging and guiding performance.
Communications were limited and insular, often suggesting that the chapter was healthy. Alumni were not fully informed or aware of the chapter’s true status and need for alumni involvement.
The results of the Committee’s research were unexpected and in stark contrast to what those serving on the Committee recalled from their undergraduate days. The Committee concluded that for Ohio Lambda to be successful in both its return and future at Miami, it must take a bold new approach.
Phi Kappa Psi at Miami University is a fraternity built on the foundation that although our men will make mistakes – as we all do – we will return to our values and allow the Phi Psi Creed to guide our way. Along with the renovation of our chapter home, the House Corporation will establish programs and policies to assist in creating an environment which ensures our future members’ success and to guarantee the facility will be properly managed and maintained.
Today
Phi Kappa Psi reestablished an official, recognized presence at Miami University with seven men in the Spring of 2022. Though small at first, the new brothers rose to the occasion and tackled the challenges of learning to lead and building a fraternity from the ground up. The new Phi Psi hit the ground running and quickly became a presence on campus, being heavily involved in community service, on-campus student organizations, and working with other fraternities and sororities in philanthropy and social events. The brothers of Phi Kappa Psi have earned it the second-highest chapter GPA at Miami University, and the brothers continue to strive for excellence in everything they do at Miami. With the guidance of a strong alumni network including members of the original founding class of ‘72, the new Phi Psi colony continues to grow as the brothers work to provide a fraternity experience like no other.