Phi Kappa Tau, by admitting me to membership,

 has conferred upon me a mark of distinction in which I take just pride.

I believe in the spirit of brotherhood for which it stands.  I shall strive to attain its ideals,

and by so doing bring to it honor and credit. I shall be loyal to my college and my chapter

and shall keep strong my ties to them that I may ever retain the spirit of youth.

I shall be a good and loyal citizen.

I shall try always to discharge the obligation to others

which arises from the fact that I am a fraternity man.

Roland Maxwell

President Emeritus

U.S.C.

Founded: March 23, 1969 as the Delta Gamma chapter.

Flower: Red Carnation

Colors: Harvard Red & Old Gold

Symbol: Unicorn

1909
March 6 - Name Changes to Phrenocon

1916
March 9 - Miami withdraws from National Phrenocon and adopts Phi Kappa Tau as name
December 21 - National Phrenocon adopts name Phi Kappa Tau Miami returns as Alpha Chapter

1917
The United States enters WWI; More than 250 Phi Taus perish in service to their country; WWI ends

1929
October 29- "Black Thursday" -The Great Depression Begins

1931
Phi Kappa Tau becomes second National Fraternity to build a National Headquarters

1934
Phi Kappa Tau has two chapters close due to the effects of Great Depression (Delta and Iota)
Roland Maxwell is elected national president

1936
National Constitution is adopted which limits membership on basis of race Constitution establishes governing structure of National Fraternity still used today

1940
Founder Douglass dies

1941
December 7, "A day that will live in infamy;" The United States enters WWII

1942
Roughly 500 Phi Taus called into service

1945
September 2-End of WWII, 8,000 Phi Taus had served proudly for the war effort

1947-48
Memorial Service held at Lake Wawasee, Indiana "Victory Convention" for 151 members of Phi Kappa Tau who died during the war
Rapid Expansion, thanks in part to the G.I. Bill, takes place in the aftermath of the war 12 colonies established across the nation

1949
30th National Convention, Excelsior Springs, Missouri Language is adopted removing racial membership restrictions from the constitution

1950
November 19-Roland Maxwell writes the Creed of Phi Kappa Tau
Founder Boyd dies

1953
First African-American initiated as a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fred Hall, a Phi Tau from U.S.C., is elected governor of Kansas

1954
Brown vs. Board of Education decided

1956
50th Anniversary of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity - Golden Jubilee
Total Assets: $328,936
Endowment Contributions: $20,054.02
Laurel Endowment Fund: $220,498.98
Total Number of Initiates: 22,705 men
Total Number of Charters: 71 1958 William H. Shideler, Miami '06
Founder Shideler dies

1959
National President Maxwell retires from office to become the first Phi Tau Chairman of the NIC

1964
First member of Phi Kappa Tau dies in Vietnam "Conflict"

1967-68
1,724 members initiated into Phi Kappa Tau

1969
March 23 - 100th chapter of Phi Kappa Tau chartered - Delta Delta, Bryant College

1970
The term "associate member" is introduced at National Convention
Kent State University - four students shot during riot - one, Jeff Miller, had been associated at the Alpha Alpha chapter of Phi Kappa Tau (Michigan State)

1971-72
977 men initiated, symbolizing the drastic decline in men joining fraternities during the 1970s.

1977
Founder Borradaile, the last living founder, dies at age 92

1978
" National Lampoon's Animal House" released

1979
Eileen Stevens speaks at National Convention concerning the death of her son, Chuck Stenzel, due to a hazing incident at a local fraternity at Alfred University - Phi Kappa Tau was the first national fraternity to invite her to speak

1981
200-person increase in total initiates into Phi Kappa Tau, first increase in ten years
Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of Phi Kappa Tau - Diamond Jubilee
Phi Tau Circle Memorial dedicated at Miami University

1982
December - Ewing T. Boles issues the "Boles Challenge" stating that he will match any gift to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation up to $1,000,000. Boles' gift was the largest ever made to a fraternity foundation up to that time

1984 November
Mitch McConnell, Louisville, '61, wins election to U.S. Senate
Dec. 31- The "Decision for Phi Kappa Tau" ends raising $3,230,000
Ewing T. Boles receives NIC gold medal.

1985
Jack Anson receives NIC gold medal

1988
First Phi Kappa Tau Leadership Academy at Miami University
First risk management policies introduced

1990
George Voinovich, Ohio '56, elected governor of Ohio

1992
TEAM Discovery begins
Ewing T. Boles passed away

1993
Ewing T. Boles bequeaths announced $3.7 million to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation

1994
Astronaut Leroy Chiao, UC-Berkeley '79, becomes first Phi Tau to walk in space

1995
Phi Kappa Tau adopts Hole in the Wall Camps as its National Philanthropy at 52nd Biennial Convention

1999
The Fraternity and Foundation move to a new headquarters building

2000 Bill Jenkins, EVP/Centennial Coordinator, NIC President
Bill Jenkins election as NIC president
Bill Jenkins wins the AFA Jack Anson Award

2001
Beginning of Officers Institute
July 1- Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and Foundation consolidate
Sept 11- Terrorism strikes a major blow to the US. (Two Phi Taus perish in the attacks)