Alpha Kappa Psi is the oldest and largest co-ed professional business fraternity in
the world. Our history begins in the fall of 1902, when four gentlemen began attending evening business classes at New York University, which had only been offering business classes since 1900. These four men occupied the same seats five nights a week. They became acquainted with each other, and began walking home from school together, across the Brooklyn Bridge. These four men are now known to Alpha Kappa Psi as the "Brooklyn Four". The spirit of brotherhood grew so strong in their hearts and minds that, early in their second year of school, they suggested to the other members of the class that something be done to perpetuate it. An organizational meeting was held on October 5, 1904, and Alpha Kappa Psi was founded.
On March 20, 1905, a formal application was made to the State of New York for a charter of incorporation for Alpha Kappa Psi. It was signed by the Brooklyn Four and six others. These ten people, pictured below, are considered by us as the Ten Founders of Alpha Kappa Psi.
On May 20, 1905, the application was approved and the charter of incorporation was officially issued. This officially made Alpha Kappa Psi the first professional business fraternity in the United States.
Today, Alpha Kappa Psi is among the twenty largest national college fraternities in the country and is the only worldwide professional business fraternity. AKPsi currently has chapters in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our members are found in over 240 active college chapters and 40 alumni chapters. With over 225,000 men and women initiated since our founding, AKPsi is a complete, integrated, capably administered, international business fraternity, standing for the highest levels of conduct and achievement in university and professional life. Of the many who have joined AKPsi, more than 4,500 of them are successful business executives.
Prominent alumni include investor Malcolm Forbes, Jr., Wal Mart's Sam Walton, Chrysler's Lee Iacocca, Winn-Dixie's J.E. Davis, retailer J.C. Penney, former US Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, and many other highly successful businesses and community leaders.
In the local area, St. Louis Metro Alumni members have served in distinguished Fraternity roles such as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Member of the Board, President, Vice President, Central Region Director, plus AKPsi Foundation Chairman.
Alpha Kappa Psi's Vision is to be "recognized as the premier developer of principled business leaders"
Our Vision, as adopted by the Board of Directors, embodies the Purposes, Objects and Rituals of our Fraternity. Our Vision statement is a clear, concise guide that allows us to objectively measure each program and policy of the organization.
To support our Vision, we embrace the following Core Values:
Brotherhood Trust, respect, cooperation, companionship, and aid to Brother Members is the expected norm
Knowledge Education and experience, whether gained in the classroom or the workplace, is emphasized and shared
Integrity All actions, whether in business or in life, are guided by honesty, ethics, and fairness
Service Sharing of time, talent, and treasure with both communities and with our Organization is a priority
Unity A common understanding of our vision and values that transcends chapter, generation, and profession is utilized to anticipate and create the future
Our overall goal is a special one, the preparation of men and women for future success. Colleges and Universities teach valuable lessons in the classroom. However, the living laboratory of Alpha Kappa Psi gives our collegians the practice they need in developing advanced communication skills, a true understanding of the value of teamwork and firsthand experience with the unique challenges of motivating a team through project completion.
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