While on the surface fraternities are synonymous with mid-day drinking games and weekend keggers, at their heart, fraternities remain true to the visions set forth by their founders. Fraternities offer college men a place to develop outside of the classroom, offering friendship, leadership development, academic accountability and a firm alumni base post-graduation.
There are 10 fraternities that stand-out as some of the largest and oldest collegiate Greek organizations. We’ll introduce you to those and share their histories, philanthropies and even famous alumni.
Kappa Sigma is one of the oldest fraternities in the country, and also currently a leader in new pledges annually. Kappa Sigma was founded at the University of Virginia in 1869 by five men to promote fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service. Kappa Sig currently leads in donation and service hours over all other Greek organizations, with each chapter choosing its own philanthropy. Famous Kappa Sig alumni include singer Jimmy Buffet and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
The Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was founded at Boston University in 1909, with this year marking its centennial celebration. It was the first fraternity to eliminate pledging and it also takes a fervent stand against hazing, being one of the founders of the Greek Anti-Hazing Hotline. The official philanthropy of Lambda Chi Alpha is the North American Food Drive. Famous Lambda Chis include singer Kenny Chesney and radio broadcaster Paul Harvey.
Several sororities were also founded at Miami University in Ohio, where Phi Delta Theta came to be in 1848. Since implementing alcohol-free housing in 2000, the fraternity has enjoyed an increase in membership. In 2002 the official philanthropy of Phi Delta Theta became the Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association. Famous Phi Delts include actor Burt Reynolds and astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.
Founded at Jefferson College in 1855, the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity was founded as an organization intended to help others. The fraternity creed mentions a brotherhood of honorable men who are cultured, moral and loyal. The official philanthropy of Phi Kappa Psi is the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Famous Phi Psi alumni include actor Zach Braff and Yahoo! co-founder and CEO Jerry Yang.
In 1868, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity was founded at the University of Virginia to share the ideals of friendship, truth, honor and loyalty. The fraternity takes the education of its members seriously, and has a program called Pike University, which includes leadership development and educational events. There is no official philanthropy, but each chapter supports its own causes. Famous Pikes include the founder of KFC Colonel Harland Sanders and singer Tim McGraw.
The fraternity of Sigma Alpha Epsilon was founded in 1856 on the University of Alabama campus, and was the first fraternity to be founded in the South. Suiting their Southern ties, the SAE’s motto is “The True Gentleman.” The official philanthropy of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the Children’s Miracle Network. Famous Sigma Alpha Epsilon alumni include LA Lakers head coach Phil Jackson and actor David Spade.
Sigma Chi fraternity is one of the oldest and largest fraternities, founded in 1855 on the campus of Miami University in Ohio. The two official philanthropies for the Sigma Chi fraternity are the Children’s Miracle Network and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Sigma Chi was the first Greek society to be honored by the United States Congress for the fraternity’s 150th birthday in 2005. Famous Sigs include actor Brad Pitt and actor John Wayne.
Sigma Nu fraternity was founded in 1869 by three cadets at Virginia Military Institute to stand against the hazing they saw taking place on campus. The official philanthropies of the Sigma Nu fraternity are Habitat for Humanity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Character Counts!. Famous Sigma Nu alumni include former Price is Right host Bob Barker and NFL quarterback Eli Manning.
Founded in 1901 at the University of Richmond, Sigma Phi Epsilon currently has the highest undergraduate membership of any fraternity in the country. Sigma Phi Epsilon has adopted YouthAids as its official philanthropy. In 1991 the Sig Eps eliminated pledging to fall more inline with their three principles — Virtue, Diligence & Brotherly Love. Famous Sigma Phi alumni include James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, and Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s.
The Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity was founded in 1899 at the Illinois Wesleyan University as a society for young men to develop mentally, morally and socially. The official philanthropy of TKE is the Alzheimer’s Association, adopted in 2001 in honor of alumnus former President Ronald Reagan. Other famous Tekes include singers Willie Nelson and Elvis Presley.
Also see our list of Famous Fraternity Members.
posted on April 30th, 2009 by Brandi
Tags: Celebrities, Colleges, fraternity, Greek Life, kappa sigma, lambda chi alpha, phi delta theta, phi kappa psi, pi kappa alpha, sigma alpha epsilon, sigma chi, sigma nu, sigma phi epsilon, tau kappa epsilon
Posted in Campus Life, Greek Life | 23 Comments »
May 3rd, 2009 at 1:01 am
[...] life, which can be a stepping stone to your entire social network. Universities offer sports, Greek life, and bonding with fellow collegians right out of the gates. The connections you make as a freshman [...]
May 6th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Dear Sir or Madam:
Please note that you have incorrect information listed regarding the philanthropic endeavors of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. Sigma Nu Fraternity counts three charitable organizations as ‘partners’ as part of the Helping Hand Initiative: Habitat for Humanity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Character Counts! While the organization certainly supports the work any chapters conduct to benefit the American Cancer Society, the fraternity currently has no official partnership. For more information, please see Sigma Nu Fraternity’s web site:
May 6th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Thank you James. The update has been made.
June 1st, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I agree with SAE but Sigma Chi? Just because Wikipedia says that the fraternity is “one of the largest and oldest” doesn’t make it true. Same with Kappa Sigma, considering half of the fraternity’s on this list alone are older than it. Suprised that DKE, which was the progenitor of Sigma Chi, and a fraternity that has produced 5 US and one Cuban president was omitted.
June 1st, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Thanks Jeff for the feedback. We did a lot of research to find the leading fraternities. The information varied source to source, so we had to use our best judgment to compile our list.
Thanks for pointing out DKE. We’ll add that to our Greek list soon.
June 17th, 2009 at 9:45 am
if i have the right to nominate for this category, i will add alpha phi omega, international service fraternity/sorority. i believe that this fraternity had a very large numbers of members including chapters (inside & outside of united states of america). members includes former president of usa bill clinton, first lady michelle obama, secretary robert gates, and many more to mention,…
June 28th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
[...] Scout the Greek System. If you’re considering rushing a fraternity or sorority, it’s better to start doing your homework now to learn more about the different [...]
June 28th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Just so you know Jeff, Kappa Sigma was founded in 1400 in Bononia, Italy, which is one of the 4 first ever universities. So the others may be older for founding in the States, but overall Kappa Sigma is the oldest.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:56 am
[...] even more tips on how to rush a fraternity and the top 10 fraternities here at [...]
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:01 am
[...] have anyone to blame for the stereotypical boozing, girl-chasing, trouble-bound picture we have of college fraternities, it’s Hollywood. Some of the funniest movies anyone can name have to do with college [...]
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:22 am
I am trying to research the top 10 party frat houses in the U.S. Any suggestions?
August 29th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Listing fraternities by size and age are not such a problem because there is less dispute and some factual basis. Prestige doesn’t work because it is there are
A number of sites that try to include people like J.P. Morgan (who attended the University of Göttingen in Germany and never belonged to any college fraternity. And then there are the honorary members. President Kennedy for instance received an honorary membership in Catholic Phi Kappa Theta, Eisenhower was sent an invitation and protocularly accepted Tau Epsilon Phi, President Rutherford Hayes was given honorary membership to DKE.
The presidents (besides honorary DKE’s) all have a connection to Yale. Yale had only a handful of northeastern fraternities such as Alpha Delta Phi and Psi Upsilon, the latter two being the most distinguished (if age and blue blood members counts as that) at the time. Even Eisenhower went and begged his way into Yale Law, hanging around the DKE’s there, taking football, baseball and boxing jobs so he could get to know the wealthy and influential men at Yale and finally attend Yale Law.
In the same spirit, Harvard’s fraternities broke off and formed as final clubs because of their dislike with dealing with others and only Sigma Chi as a chapter of a national remains in any significant way today. I wouldn’t bad mouth Sigma Chi as they are one of the five largest numerically and they also are the most successful at being active at Ivy League schools today (all but Dartmouth I believe, where their chapter went local because of “discrimination”) and they have 230 chapters, 220,000 members and I believe more regional alumni chapters than any Greek letter org.
DKE was not the progenitor of Sigma Chi, since progenitor would imply an offshoot of some sort whereas the Sigma Chi founding men were unhappy with DKE and thus started a new fraternity.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:27 pm
[...] most well-known men from acting, music, politics and business walked the hollowed halls of campus fraternity houses. For some college men, it’s an ideal setting to be groomed and prepare for life on the [...]
September 4th, 2009 at 1:00 am
[...] avoiding contact might be difficult in crowded dorms, fraternity houses and apartment buildings, consider wearing a mask and keeping eating utensils and hygiene supplies [...]
September 17th, 2009 at 9:24 am
[...] of all CEOs on the Forbes Super 500 list of America’s largest corporations were members of college fraternities. Charles R. [...]
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:03 am
[...] time – Whether through an organization like Habitat for Humanity or as part of a sorority or fraternity, volunteer work is a great addition to your resume, not to mention it does a soul good. Visit your [...]
December 18th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Hiya – I found this site by mistake. I was looking in Yahoo for Accounting software that I had already bought when I found your site, I must say your site is really cool I just love the theme, its amazing!. I don’t have the time at the moment to fully read your site but I bookmarked it and also will sign up for your RSS feeds. I will be back around in a day or two. Thanks again for a great site.
January 8th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Thank you for your great article. I also must say that your layout is a pleasure to view. Keep up the good work.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Good blog. I got a lot of great data. I’ve been keeping an eye on this technology for awhile. It’s intriguing how it keeps shifting, yet some of the core elements stay the same. Have you seen much change since Google made their latest acquisition in the area?
February 14th, 2010 at 4:35 am
Delta Epsilon NU is the best…
February 14th, 2010 at 4:38 am
it was founded during 16 AD.. it was the best fraternity founded by a roman soldier….
February 14th, 2010 at 4:44 am
ask only.. why is apo not included in the list??? just asking
February 26th, 2010 at 7:03 am
[...] of Frats and Sororities are not just party animals. They perform a lot of good work in the local communities, and this will look good on your [...]