timeline of events · 2017-12-22 · timeline of events. 1818 william h. seward (uc 1820) is...
TRANSCRIPT
1776
The Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) Society is
organized at the College of William
and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Established as an intellectual
debating society, Phi Beta Kappa is the
first “Greek-letter” society. The William
and Mary chapter frames the essential
characteristics of PBK’s organization:
secrecy, a badge, mottoes in Greek
and Latin, a constitution, an elaborate
initiation, token of salutation, and a
seal. Regular meetings are held with
attention given to literary exercises,
especially in composition and debate.
Freedom of inquiry is critical for the
Society, so meetings are secretly
held behind closed doors. The
students debate an array of highly
controversial issues, including the
role of religion in government,
whether a public or private education
is more advantageous, and the
issue of African slavery.
1780
The Alpha Chapter of Connecticut
is founded at Yale (granted by the
Alpha Chapter of Virginia at William
and Mary College).
1781
The Alpha Chapter of Virginia at
William and Mary College dissolves
on January 6, due to invading
British forces off the Virginia coast;
members seal up records and
deliver them to the college steward
“until the desirable event of the
Society’s resurrection.”
The Alpha Chapter of Massachusetts
is founded on September 5 at Harvard
College (granted by the Alpha Chapter
of William and Mary with the assistance
of the Alpha Chapter of Connecticut).
1787
The Alpha Chapter of New Hampshire
at Dartmouth College is granted
a charter by the Alpha chapters of
Connecticut at Yale and Massachusetts
at Harvard.
1804
Dr. Eliphalet Nott becomes President
of Union College
1808
Union College’s request for the first
charter in New York is rejected by the
Alpha Chapter of Connecticut at Yale
on the grounds that the College is
“lacking in academic standards.”
1813
With the encouragement of President
Nott, 14 members of Union’s senior
class reapply for the Alpha Chapter
of New York. Dr. Nott endorses the
application in a letter, ensuring that
the students are “young gentleman
of unblemished moral character of
respectable literary acquirements.”
1817
The Alpha of New York chapter
at Union College is granted a
charter by the Alpha Chapters of
Connecticut, Massachusetts and
New Hampshire. Union becomes
the fifth chapter in the nation.
Instead of delivering the charter
to the students, it’s sent to three
friends of the College deemed ‘
commissioners.’ The commissioners
meet in Albany to organize the
“New York Alpha of Union College,”
electing Dr. Eliphalet Nott as the
first chapter president.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
1818
William H. Seward (UC 1820) is
elected to the Alpha Chapter of
New York on May 9.
The Alpha Chapter of New York
begins sponsoring annual addresses
by notable orators.
1838
Responsibility for electing new PBK
members is turned over to the
Union faculty after elections become
increasingly political.
1848
Future U.S. President Chester Arthur
(UC 1848) is elected to the Alpha
Chapter of New York.
1851
Two William and Mary professors,
PBK members from Union College,
successfully revive the Alpha
Chapter of Virginia at William and
Mary College.
1858-1882
The Alpha Chapter of New York
at Union College grants charters
for other PBK chapters in New
York State:
New York University (1858)College of City of New York (1867)Columbia (1869)Hamilton (1870)Hobart (1871)
Colgate (1878)
Cornell (1882)
1861-1863
U.S. Secretary of State William H.
Seward (UC 1820) serves as President
of the Alpha Chapter of New York.
1866
The PBK chapter at the University
of Vermont is the first to admit
African Americans.
1875
The PBK chapter at the University of
Vermont is the first to admit women.
1883
The National Phi Beta Kappa
organization is established.
1914
The Alpha Chapter of New York
launches an organization of
PBK members who live in the
Capital District (now called the
Upper Hudson Association) that
functions independently of Union
College and other chapters.
1917
The Alpha Chapter of New York
celebrates its 100th anniversary.
As part of the ceremonies, former
U.S. President William H. Taft speaks
at the anniversary dinner.
1971
Skidmore College acquires a Phi
Beta Kappa chapter.
1974
State University of New York
at Albany acquires a PBK chapter.
2017
The Alpha Chapter of New York
at Union College celebrates its
200th anniversary.