Kappa Psi
Kappa Psi is a Pharmaceutical Fraternity for men and women whose common interest is the prosperity of the profession of pharmacy. Kappa Psi Rho Chapter was chartered in 1932 with the purpose to join its members for a lifetime of service to their communities, as well as provide quality friendships during their pharmacy education and well beyond into their professional careers. Rho Chapter is one of the oldest active Kappa Psi chapters in the country. Our members are not only active in Kappa Psi, but also in other student organizations such as ASP, SSHP, Rho Chi, Phi Lambda Sigma, CPFI, Student Senate, and NCPA. This list is only that of the organizations through the Pharmacy School. Many students are involved in organizations outside of that, such as greek programs, international programs, scholar programs, and community service programs.
Kappa Psi emphasizes giving back to the community and offers a wide range of community service activities. Each year, Rho Chapter hosts the annual Thomas Mikkelson Golf Tournament in Lawrence, KS to help raise funds to donate to a local organization. Along with this annual event, our chapter hosts the Mr. Pharmacy Pageant that also helps raise money to an organization of the contestant who wins the crown of Mr. Pharmacy. In the past, we have donated to the Lawrence Human Society, Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City, and more.
Kappa Psi provides a lifetime of fellowship by hosting many social events throughout the year. Kappa Psi members acquire the skills of organization, teamwork, and leadership. Various socials that Brothers attend include the Back to School BBQ, Pledge & Pledge Pop Bowling Night, and Thanksgiving Potluck with the Gamma Theta chapter from UMKC. In addition, Initiation Week provides many Brothers with lasting memories. Each day of Initiation Week, pledges dress up for the various themes. Each night, an activity is scheduled to help the Brothers meet the pledges. Kappa Psi also hosts the annual Pharmacy Formal each spring.
The provinces have been realigned as of 2012 and KU’s Rho Chapter is now part of the Mid-America Province – stay up to date with us and check out our Facebook page! (https://www.facebook.com/kansasky/)
Our National website link is http://www.kappapsi.org
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, Dave Henry, Jessica Bates, and Abigail Winter. 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.
We would love to hear from you if you are an alumnus of the University of Kansas. Please e-mail our Regent at kansaskyregent@gmail.com. Kappa Psi has been a self-sufficient organization for the past 7 years. If you would like to make a donation of any size and help Rho Chapter continue our wonderful traditions, your kindness would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Each year, our chapter coordinates and hosts the annual Thomas Mikkelson Golf Tournament to raise money for a different local organization. In previous years, we have donated to Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City, Ronald McDonald House Charities, HealthCare Access, and we hope to continue to add more organizations to this list as the years go on. If you would like to donate any funds to help us coordinate the tournament and benefit to the chosen organization for this upcoming year, please contact thomasmikkelsonmgt@gmail.com. Any donations are greatly appreciated and recognized! Checks can be mailed to:
KU School of Pharmacy
ATTN: Kappa Psi
2010 Becker Drive Lawrence, KS 66047
Along with the golf tournament, Rho Chapter also helps at Jubilee Café in Lawrence, KS to help feed breakfast to the homeless community throughout the academic school year. Our chapter also organizes Travel-Sized Toiletry Drives to help donate hygiene products to the homeless community as well.
- Chapter Meetings are held bi-monthly, and are usually held on Wednesdays over the Noon hour
- Annual Thomas Mikkelson Golf Tournament (Spring)
- Pharmacy Formal (Spring)
- Mr. Pharmacy Pageant (Spring)
Each year, Kappa Psi hosts various social events to get to know prospective members. Students interested in joining Kappa Psi are highly encouraged to attend these social events and attend an informational Chapter meeting to get to know our current Brothers while learning more about our wonderful Fraternity. The Pledging Process for Kappa Psi is approximately 8 weeks long, filled with fun social events, philanthropy opportunities, and education about Kappa Psi. Returning Brothers: $70/semester ($140 yearly) New Brothers/Initiates: $95/semester ($190 yearly)
