Phi Kappa Psi is the only fraternity (as far as I can tell) that can boast of a U.S. President who was an active member of two chapters and served as a delegate to the fraternity’s Grand Arch Council (Convention).
Woodrow Wilson became a member of Phi Kappa Psi in 1879 when he was initiated into the Virginia Alpha chapter at the University of Virginia. He was 23. He had already graduated from Princeton and was at UVA to study law. In 1883, he affiliated with the chapter at Johns Hopkins University.
The minute books from the Virginia Alpha chapter include this mention of Wilson. On January 31, 1880, 139 years ago today, a successful motion was made to “subscribe $3.00 each to pay the expenses of Bro. Wilson, our delegate to Washington.” On February 28, 1880, it was noted in the minutes that “Bro. Wilson, delegate to the G.A.C. made a verbal report of his trip and was listened to with marked attention.”
Phi Psi’s Woodrow Wilson Leadership School is named in his honor. From 1902-10, Wilson served as President of Princeton University. In 1911, he became Governor of New Jersey. In 1913, he began his term of office as the 28th President of the United States.
Did being a Phi Psi and attending the G.A.C. give Wilson a leg up on his journey to President? Who really knows? I am a strong proponent of undergraduates getting a first hand look at their inter/national organization by attending as many GLO sponsored educational events as possible. Exposure to inter/national programs and events usually help and encourage one to remain connected to their organization, at least in my opinion.
My twitter feed for 2019 weekends has been filled with pictures of collegians at GLO workshops. It will continue for the next few months, with AFLV, AFLV West and NGLA, and then it becomes convention season.
What better way to segue into how I spent my weekend among Pi Phi friends at College Weekend in St. Louis. It was a much needed shot in the arm for me as I have been caregiving for many months now. It was an opportunity to connect with Maggie and Bianca who were in my Halo Huddle at Leadership Institute this summer. They asked if they would make it into the blog and how could I not oblige? (And a shout out to my 2018 co-facilitator Kristi, who was there on Friday before the picture was taken, and to 2016 co-facilitator Mackenzie and collegian Katie.)
It was also an opportunity to spend some time with my daughter, a 2011 alumna initiate. She is an Alumnae Advisory Committee member. She serves alongside the daughter of a long-time friend (we go way back!), Pi Phi past Grand Council member and its former NPC Delegate Linda Ibsen.
Please note that before she married Calvin Coolidge, Grace Goodhue attended the 1901 Pi Beta Phi Convention which was held at Syracuse University. She was a loyal member of the organization her entire life, at one point entertaining 1,100+ members in the White House when the portrait of her was given by Pi Phi to the U.S.
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