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Kappa Psi

Kappa Psi History

Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, began as a secret society at the Russell Military Academy in New Haven Connecticut. The founder, F. Harvey Smith, established this original chapter on May 30, 1879. Kappa Psi emerged as a GreekLetter Society that evolved into a medical- pharmaceutical fraternity. In 1924, the members of Kappa Psi decided to separate the fraternity in terms of profession. The medical group became known as Theta Kappa Psi while the pharmaceutical group retained the name of Kappa Psi. Kappa Psi currently is the world’s oldest and largest Pharmaceutical Fraternity with 75 collegiate chapters and 43 graduate chapters in the United States and Canada with upward of 50,000 brothers. Kappa Psi has also just recently celebrated its 125th birthday. The foundation of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity reinforces itself on the four cornerstones of Fellowship, Industry, Sobriety, and High Ideals.

Rho Chapter History

"Rho Chapter was installed at the University of Kansas at Lawrence, April 23, 1932. Ferdinand D. Stoll, Grand Ritualist, installed the chapter and administered the Ritual of Initiation. The chapter remained active through the war years but became dormant in 1957. The chapter was reactivated on April 29, 1967, with initiation ceremonies conducted by Gamma Theta Chapter. Following the initiation of sixteen new brothers a banquet was held at the Kansas Union with Executive Secretary, Gerald C. Henney as the speaker. Sam Garbo was installed as Regent. Rho continued to be an active chapter with Dr. Gary Grunewald serving as Grand Council Deputy from 1967 to 1982. On May 2, 1978 the first two women brothers were initiated, Susan J. Heuchert and Lynette J. Rittgers. Under leadership of Lynette as Regent, Rho initiated 35 brothers in the Fall of 1978, its largest initiation class ever. From 1980 until 1982 there was another semi-dormant period. In 1982 Dean Howard Mossberg became Grand Council Deputy and the chapter returned as an all male chapter."

As taken from "The History of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity" written by Dewey D. Garner

Since then the chapter has returned to a co-ed chapter. Our purpose is to promote the prosperity of the profession of pharmacy; we also strive to promote sobriety and fellowship among the men and women of our organization.

Numerous distinguished alumni and friends of the KU School of Pharmacy are Kappa Psi brothers, including Associate Dean Gene Hotchkiss, Larry Davidow and Grand Council Deputy Dave Henry. Other distinguished alumni include four past presidents of the Kansas Pharmacist Association: Roger Miller, Larry Shaw, Keith Unrein, and John Baughman. Roger Miller also received the Kansas Bowl of Hygeia award in 1969. Randy Hilgers, Mark Barnett, Mark Woods, and Dave Henry also represented Kappa Psi as Presidents of the Kansas Society of Hospital Pharmacists.

• Rho Chapter Officers 2008-2009

• Regent: Kimberly Guess kguess@ku.edu
• Regent Elect: Sloane Schulz smschulz@ku.edu
• Secretary: Erin Byrne hawk1213@ku.edu
• Treasurer: Jennifer Nemnich jen03@ku.edu
• Historian: Jia Yin Feng jiayin@ku.edu
• Chaplain: Austin Horner ath8888@ku.edu
• Sergeant-At-Arms: Steven Schebler schebler@ku.edu

• Committees

  • Community Service:
  • Lea Acuff leaa@ku.edu
  • Abbey Martin amvsb41@ku.edu
  • Social Chairs:
  • Lance Freeman lancef@ku.edu
  • Fundraising:
  • Jennifer Nemnich jen03@ku.edu
  • Pledge Masters:
  • Dan Jucan danjucan@ku.edu
  • Anne Kelly amkelly@ku.edu
  • Kendra Morrison knm817@ku.edu
  • Meghan Watson megwat87@ku.edu
  • Chapter Advisor:
  • Dave Henry dhenry@kumc.edu

• Rho Chapter Events

• August:
• September:
  • Chapter meeting September 9 at noon
  • Back to School Barbeque
  • Volleyball Game/Meet your Pledge Pop
• October:
  • Chapter meeting October 7 at noon
  • Initiation Week Initiation
  • YMCA Community Service Event
• November:
  • Chapter meeting November 4 at noon
  • Thanksgiving Dinner
  • YMCA Community Service Event
• December:
  • White Elephant Gift Exchange
• January:
• February:
  • Chapter meeting February 3 at one
  • Valentine’s Project for KUMC patients
  • Polar Bear Club
  • Province VII meeting in St. Louis, Missouri February 27-March 1
• March:
  • Chapter meeting March 3 at one
• April:
  • Chapter meeting April 7 at one
  • Chapter meeting April 30 at one
  • Pharmacy School Formal
  • Thomas Mikkelson Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit HealthCare Access
• May:
  • 5P Appreciation & Officer Appreciation Dinner
  • Graduation
• June:
• July:
• August:
  • Grand Council Convention meeting in Clearwater Beach, Florida August 4-9

• DUES

• All Members: $80 per year or $45 per semester

Community Service

This year our chapter is coordinating events and raising money for the YMCA. If you would like to help, please make checks out to Kappa Psi and we will be sure to forward the money to the YMCA. Checks can be mailed to:

KU School of Pharmacy
Attn: Kappa Psi
Malott Hall
1251 Wescoe Hall Drive, Room 2055
Lawrence, KS 66045

• Alumni:

• We would love to hear from you if you are an alumnus of the University of Kansas. Please email us at rho@kappapsi.org

Our Province VII website link is http://province7.kappapsi.org

Our National website link is http://www.kappapsi.org

Last Updated: May 29, 2009 (CDT)