Alpha Phi Gamma () was an Honor Society in the field of Journalism founded in 1919 at

Ohio Northern University Ohio Northern University (Ohio Northern or ONU) is a private United Methodist Church–affiliated university in Ada, Ohio. Founded by Henry Solomon Lehr in 1871, ONU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It offers over 60 programs to ...

. It merged with

Pi Delta Epsilon The Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) is an American honor society for student journalists. It was formed on June 1, 1975 as a merger between the two journalism honor societies Pi Delta Epsilon (ΠΔΕ) and Alpha Phi Gamma (ΑΦΓ). Many ...

to form the

Society for Collegiate Journalists The Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) is an American honor society for student journalists. It was formed on June 1, 1975 as a merger between the two journalism honor societies Pi Delta Epsilon (ΠΔΕ) and Alpha Phi Gamma (ΑΦΓ). Many ...

in 1975.

History

Alpha Phi Gamma was founded on December 11, 1919 under the name Phi Alpha Gamma. The founders were B. H. Focht, Lloyd W. Reese, R. S. Lyman, Tom B. Haber and Fred C. Slager. In 1923, the group called its first national convention, at which delegates from six other Ohio colleges attended and were granted charters. Also at this meeting, the group changed its name to Alpha Phi Gamma due to another fraternity being called

Phi Alpha Gamma Phi Alpha Gamma () is a professional fraternity founded at the New York Homeopathic Medical College, March 25, 1894, by Thomas D. Buchanan, Thomas F. Davies, Edmund M. De Vol, Robert M. Jones, Brooks DeF. Worwood, Arthur B. Smith and Harry S. Wil ...

and initiated its first female member. In 1929 the fraternity merged with Omega Xi Alpha, a similar California group, which became Alpha Phi Gamma's western section. After activity came to a standstill during World War II, Gil A. Cowan of the

Los Angeles Examiner The ''Los Angeles Examiner'' was a newspaper founded in 1903 by William Randolph Hearst in Los Angeles, California. The afternoon ''Los Angeles Herald-Express'' and the morning ''Los Angeles Examiner'', both of which had been publishing in the ...

was responsible for its revival and post war growth. In 1949, Cowan was named President Emeritus, a unique honor to the organization. In the spring of 1957, Alpha Phi Gamma welcomed Alpha Delta, likewise a journalistic recognition society, in another merger. Alpha Delta had been formed on at Rock Island, Illinois by the editors-in-chief and business manager of three weekly newspapers, which had been recognized as leaders within the Illinois College Press Association. Alpha Phi Gamma itself merged with Pi Delta Epsilon to form the Society for Collegiate Journalists in 1975.

Symbols

The Symbols of Alpha Phi Gamma *Badge: A rectangular key with the three greek letters, Alpha Phi Gamma diagonally from upper left to lower right, three stars in the upper right and an inkwell in the lower left. *Coat of Arms:Three wreath and quill-surmounted inkwells and a secretary bird at the crest *Pledge Emblem:White Bridge Emblem with Alpha Phi Gamma inscribed in black. *Black and White are the society colors *White Carnation is the society flower

Chapters

Chapters of Alpha Phi Gamma: *Alpha -

*Beta -

University of Akron The University of Akron is a public research university in Akron, Ohio. It is part of the University System of Ohio. As a STEM-focused institution, it focuses on industries such as polymers, advanced materials, and engineering. It is classified ...

*Gamma - Wilmington College *Delta -

Baldwin-Wallace College Baldwin Wallace University (BW) is a private university in Berea, Ohio. It was founded in 1845 as Baldwin Institute by Methodist businessman John Baldwin. The school merged with nearby German Wallace College in 1913 to become Baldwin-Wallace Co ...

*Epsilon -

Muskingum College Muskingum University is a private liberal arts college in New Concord, Ohio. Chartered in 1837 as Muskingum College, the institution is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Collectively, the university's alumni are referred to as the ...

*Eta -

University of Toledo The University of Toledo (UToledo or UT) is a public research university in Toledo, Ohio. It is the northernmost campus of the University System of Ohio. The university also operates a Health Science campus, which includes the University of T ...

*Theta -

Cotner College Cotner College, also known as Nebraska Christian University, is a former religious college located in present-day Lincoln, Nebraska, which was founded in 1889 by the Nebraska Christian Missionary Alliance. History In 1886, several local busi ...

*Iota -

Louisiana State Normal College Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) is a public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the Univer ...

*Kappa - New York State Teacher's College, Albany *Lambda -

Redlands University The University of Redlands is a private university headquartered in Redlands, California. The university's main, residential campus is situated on 160 acres (65 ha) near downtown Redlands. An additional eight regional locations throughout Califo ...

*Nu - Southwestern University (Los Angeles) *Omicron - State College of Fresno *Pi - Santa Barbara State Teacher's College *Rho -

Hanover College Hanover College is a private college in Hanover, Indiana, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Founded in 1827 by Reverend John Finley Crowe, it is Indiana's oldest private college. The Hanover athletic teams participate in the H ...

*Sigma - Pennsylvania State Teacher's College - Indiana *Tau -

Albion College Albion College is a private liberal arts college in Albion, Michigan. The college was founded in 1835 and its undergraduate population was approximately 1,500 students in 2014. They participate in NCAA Division III and the Michigan Intercolle ...

*Chi -

Georgetown College Georgetown College is a private Christian college in Georgetown, Kentucky. Chartered in 1829, Georgetown was the first Baptist college west of the Appalachian Mountains. The college offers 38 undergraduate degrees and a Master of Arts in educat ...

*Psi -

College of Puget Sound The University of Puget Sound (UPS or Puget Sound) is a private university in Tacoma, Washington. The university draws approximately 2,600 students from 44 states and 16 countries. It offers 1,200 courses each year in more than 50 traditional an ...

*Omega - Ball State Teacher's College *Alpha Beta -

Gustavus Adolphus College Gustavus Adolphus College ( ) is a private liberal arts college in St. Peter, Minnesota. It was founded in 1862 by Swedish Americans led by Eric Norelius and is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Gustavus gets its nam ...

*Alpha Gamma - San Francisco State Teacher's College Chapters of Alpha Delta in 1957, at the time of the merger into Alpha Phi Gamma: *Illinois Alpha - 1930 -

Augustana College (Illinois) Augustana College is a private Lutheran college in Rock Island, Illinois. The college enrolls approximately 2,500 students. Its campus is adjacent to the Mississippi River and covers of hilly, wooded land. History Augustana College was founded ...

*Illinois Beta - 1930 -

Bradley University Bradley University is a private university in Peoria, Illinois. Founded in 1897, Bradley University enrolls 5,400 students who are pursuing degrees in more than 100 undergraduate programs and more than 30 graduate programs in five colleges. The ...

*Illinois Gamma - 1930 -

Illinois Wesleyan University Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockfor ...

(dormant in 1932) *Iowa Alpha - 1930 -

Parsons College Parsons College was a private liberal arts college located in Fairfield, Iowa. The school was named for its wealthy benefactor, Lewis B. Parsons Sr., and was founded in 1875 with one building and 34 students. Over the years new buildings were cons ...

(dormant in 1931) *Georgia Alpha - 1930 -

Brenau University Brenau University is a private university with its historic campus in Gainesville, Georgia. Founded in 1878, the university enrolls more than 2,800 students from approximately 48 states and 17 foreign countries who seek degrees ranging from asso ...

*Illinois Delta - 1933 -

Wheaton College (Illinois) Wheaton College is a Private college, private Evangelical, Evangelical Christian Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois. It was founded by evangelical abolitionists in 1860. Wheaton College was a ...

(dormant 1950) *Georgia Beta - 1937 - Georgia State Women's College (Valdosta) (dormant in 1941) *Colorado Alpha - 1939 -

Colorado State College The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is a public university in Greeley, Colorado. The university was founded in 1889 as the State Normal School of Colorado and has a long history in teacher education. The institution has officially changed ...

(now UNC) *Wisconsin Alpha - 1941 -

St. Norbert College St. Norbert College (SNC) is a private Norbertine liberal arts college in De Pere, Wisconsin. Founded in October 1898 by Abbot Bernard Pennings, a Norbertine priest and educator, the school was named after Saint Norbert of Xanten. In 1952, the c ...

*Illinois Epsilon - 1941 -

Western Illinois University Western Illinois University (WIU) is a public university in Macomb, Illinois. It was founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. As the normal school grew, it became Western Illinois State Teachers College. History Western Illin ...

*Illinois Zeta - 1942 -

Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois. It was founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895, by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld as part of an expansion of the state's system ...

*Michigan Alpha - 1947 -

Central Michigan University Central Michigan University (CMU) is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Established in 1892 as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, the private normal school became a state institution and renamed Cen ...

*Illinois Eta - 1949 -

Knox College (Illinois) , mottoeng = Truth , established = , type = Private liberal arts college , endowment = $170.2 million (2019) , president = C. Andrew McGadney , city = Galesburg, Illinois , country = U.S. , enrollment = 1,200 , faculty = 120 , cam ...

*Oklahoma Alpha - 1950 -

East Central University East Central University (ECU or East Central) is a public university in Ada, Oklahoma. It is part of Oklahoma's Regional University System. Beyond its flagship campus in Ada, the university has courses available in McAlester, Shawnee, and Duran ...

(Oklahoma) *South Dakota Alpha - 1950 -

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (South Dakota Mines, SD Mines, or SDSM&T) is a public university in Rapid City, South Dakota. It is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and was founded in 1885. South Dakota Mines offers ba ...

*Michigan Beta - 1951 -

Ferris State University Ferris State University (FSU or Ferris) is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan. It was founded in 1884 and became a public institution in 1950. Ferris is the ninth-largest institutions of higher education by enroll ...

*Oklahoma Beta - 1951 -

Phillips University Phillips University was a private university Enid, Oklahoma. It opened in 1906 and closed in 1998. It was affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It included an undergraduate college and a graduate seminary. The university wa ...

(Oklahoma) *Wisconsin Beta - 1951 -

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UW–Milwaukee, UWM, or Milwaukee) is a public urban research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is the largest university in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and a member of the University of Wiscons ...

*Illinois Theta - 1951 -

Illinois State University Illinois State University (ISU) is a public university in Normal, Illinois. Founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University, it is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university emphasizes teaching and is recognized as one of th ...

Chapters of Pi Delta Epsilon in 1915: *Alpha - pre-1915 -

Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...

*Beta - pre-1915 -

University of Nebraska A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, the ...

*Gamma - pre-1915 -

Ohio Wesleyan University Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio. It was founded in 1842 by methodist leaders and Central Ohio residents as a nonsectarian institution, and is a member of the Ohio Five – a consortium ...

*Delta - pre-1915 -

Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of the ...

*Epsilon - 1915 -

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

Officers

Presidents

The presidents of Alpha Phi Gamma were:Past Excutive (sic) Directors – Society for Collegiate Journalists
/ref> *1923-1926 Charles McCorkhill, Ohio Northern University *1926-1927 George McNamara, Ohio Northern University *1927-1928 Ralph L. Ropp, Ohio Northern University *1928-1929 Maxwell P. Boggs, Muskigum University *1929-1930 Richard P. Overmyer, Ohio Northern University *1930-1933 Russell H. Fitzgibbon, Hanover College *1933-1936 John Allan Smith, University of California, Santa Barbara *1937-1939 Richard P. Overmyer, Ohio Northern University *1940-1042 Erwin W. Bischoll, San Francisco State University *1942-1943 Lawrence J. Freeman, Ohio Northern University *1945-1947 Gil A. Cowan, Southwestern College (Los Angeles) *1948 Paul S. Conklin, Hanover College *1949 Gilbert L. Brown, University of Redlands *1950-1951 J. Paul Boushelle, New Mexico State University *1952 Ira G. Hawk, Wilmington College (Ohio) *1953-1954 Paul V. Sheehan, Fresno State University *1954-1955 Lloyd Ritter, Occidental College *1955-1956 Clyde Parker, Sacramento State University *1956-1957 Louis E. Ingelhart, Ball State University *1957-1958 John H. Duke, Fresno State University *1958-1959 Frank S. Basker, Hanover College *1959-1960 Wilfred P. James, California State Univ. at Long Beach *1960-1961 John A. Boyd, Indiana State University *1961-1962 Leo V. Young, San Francisco State University *1962-1964 J. William Click, Central Michigan University *1964-1965 Erling H. Erlandson, California State Univ. at Northridge *1965-1967 Arthur H. Margosian, Fresno State University *1967-1969 Ira L. Baker, High Point College *1969-1971 Marilyn A. Walker, Taylor University *1971-1975 Glen A. W. Kleine, Eastern Kentucky University

Executive Directors

Executive Secretaries of Alpha Phi Gamma: *1927-1934 Sherrill E. Leonard, University of Akron *1934-1935 Terrence H. Ellsworth *1935-1938 Iola Rust, University of Redlands *1945-1946 Frank J. Waters, Southwestern (Los Angeles) *1947-1949 Betty Acheson Mann, Indiana State University *1949-1950 James R. Bash, Indiana State University *1950-1957 Charles L. Brown, University of Redlands *1957-1964 Margaret E. McConnell, Oakland City (Ind.) *1964-1975 J. William Click, Central Michigan University/Ohio University

National Conventions

National Conventions for Alpha Phi Gamma:National Meetings History
/ref> *1923 — Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio *1924 — University of Akron, Akron, Ohio *1926 — Ohio Northern University *1927 — Ohio Northern University *1928 — University of Akron, Ohio *1929 — Hanover College, Hanover, Ind. *1930 — Albion College, Albion, Mich. *1933 — University of California at Santa Barbara *1946 — Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Ind. *1948 — University of Redlands, Redlands, Calif. *1949 — Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Minn. *1954 — Fresno State University, Fresno, Calif. (After 1954 Alpha Phi Gamma discontinued National Conventions.)

References

{{authority control Student organizations established in 1919 1919 establishments in Ohio American journalism organizations Honor societies