History

Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity was founded on May 30, 1879 at the Russel Military Academy (now known as the New Haven Collegiate & Commercial Institute) in New Haven, Connecticut. Established originally by F. Harvey Smith following a football game between the Russell Military Academy and Cheshire Military Academy, Kappa Psi eventually would emerge as a Greek Letter Society and a medical-pharmaceutical fraternity. The football game ended in a tie, being called by darkness. Then both sides got together and formed Kappa Psi.

In 1924, by mutual agreement, 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. Today, Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity has over 46,000 members with seventy-five collegiate chapters throughout the United States and British Columbia. In addition, Kappa Psi has retained a strong alumni support by establishing forty-two graduate chapters from coast to coast. Increasing annual membership has not only made Kappa Psi the most popular pharmaceutical fraternity but also the largest. As the first national pharmaceutical fraternity, Kappa Psi has acquired thousands of members who are actively practicing in many facets of pharmacy. Many prominent individuals in the profession pharmacy, both locally and nationally, are members of Kappa Psi. Known as an international professional fraternity, Kappa Psi strives to promote the field of pharmacy through the benefits of fraternal affiliation and innovation.

Xi Chapter was originally chartered to West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. When the fraternity split in 1924 into Theta Kappa Psi Medical Fraternity and Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, this original Xi Chapter became part of the medical fraternity.

The history of Xi Chapter in Columbus began in 1925, when the chapter was installed at the Chittenden Hotel in Columbus on May 21, 1925.

Grand Historian L.K. Darbaker presented the charter and performed the installation and initiation ceremonies, assisted by members of Gamma Delta Chapter. Xi Chapter was among the first of several new chapters which received charters soon after Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity was re-organized that same year. But for reasons unknown, the last initiation of the early Xi era occurred on October 15, 1929, and by 1932 the chapter slipped into dormancy. On January 27, 1939, the Columbus Graduate Chapter was chartered with the purpose of reviving Xi Chapter and to encourage and support local Kappa Psi fellowship and continuity. But another decade passed before Xi would hold another meeting.

Our first reactivation occurred at a special ceremony held at the Seneca Hotel in Columbus on March 11, 1949. Ray S. Kelley, Grand Secretary-Treasurer, presided at the ceremony with members of Gamma Delta Chapter at Ohio Northern University assisting in the ritual of initiation. Following the installation, honorary membership was conferred on Dr. B.V. Christensen, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Ohio State University.

Following the 1949 reactivation, the chapter prospered for many years, adding to our rich history and legacy. During the late 1950's and 1960's especially, the chapter was very active within our college and fraternity. On January 9, 1971, the brothers of Xi reactivated the Columbus Graduate Chapter, which was very active for several years after it was chartered but went dormant. During 1977, Kappa Psi became a coed fraternity. By the late 1980's and early 1990's, declining membership trends began, and in 1992 Xi Chapter went dormant again. Fortunately, this time reactivation came much sooner.

Four years later on January 20, 1996 with the help of Grand Regent John Grossomanides, Executive Director Bob Magarian, Province V Satrap Scott Mark, Province V Historian Cameron "Radar" Van Dyke, Dr. Jenny Matt, brothers of Gamma Delta Chapter again and the Columbus Graduate Chapter, another reactivation ceremony for Xi Chapter was conducted. A small but determined group of students had resurrected Xi again. In October 2000, the Province V Midyear Convention was held at the Westin Hotel in Columbus to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Xi. Awards were presented to the chapter to commemorate the anniversary and to Dr. Larry Robertson for his years of dedicated service to Xi Chapter.