Kappa Nu
Defunct Jewish-interest collegiate fraternity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kappa Nu (ΚΝ) was an American college fraternity that was active from 1911 to 1961 when it merged with Phi Epsilon Pi.[1]
| Kappa Nu | |
|---|---|
| ΚΝ | |
![]() | |
| Founded | November 12, 1911 University of Rochester |
| Type | Social |
| Former affiliation | NIC |
| Status | Merged |
| Merge date | October 14, 1961 |
| Successor | Phi Epsilon Pi |
| Emphasis | Jewish |
| Scope | National |
| Member badge | |
| Colors | Purple and White |
| Symbol | Star |
| Jewel | Amethyst |
| Publication | Kappa Nu |
| Chapters | 27 |
| Headquarters | Rochester, New York United States |
History
Kappa Nu was founded at the University of Rochester on November 12, 1911.[2] The founders were:
- Joseph Bernhardt
- Abraham Levy
- Joseph Lazarus
- Harold Leve
- Morris Lazersohn
- Louis Gottlieb
All six were pre-medical or medical students.[1] Their intention was to create a local-only fraternity for Jewish students.[2]
In 1917, five loosely connected groups (U of Rochester and others created by men who had left Rochester) held a convention in Rochester and set up Kappa Nu as a National Fraternity. By the 1918 convention, Kappa Nu had ten chapters. It continued to add chapters through 1931.[3] Its executive offices were in Rochester, New York.[2]
On October 14, 1961, Kappa Nu's thirteen active chapters voted to merge with Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity.[2] Of these, three chapters declined to participate in the merger at campuses where Phi Epsilon Pi already existed.[2] In 1970, Zeta Beta Tau absorbed Phi Epsilon Pi.[4][2]
Symbols
The badge is a diamond shield displaying a monogram of the Greek letters ΚΝ arranged horizontally along one plane below which is a six-pointed star and above which are קנ (Kuf Nun, the equivalent letters in Hebrew), standing for קשר נעורים or Kesher Neurim ("Ties of Youth").[1]: 54 The jeweled base of the pin is surrounded by twenty pearls with an amethyst set at each of the corners. Its colors were purple and white.[5][4]
As of 1920, the fraternity had a semi-annual publication called Kappa Nu.[5] It also published a magazine, The Reporter, three times a year.[2]
Chapters
Kappa Nu established 27 chapters.[1][5][4][2]
- Chapter formed from Rho Sigma Alpha. After going dormant, it was re-established as a colony in 1946.
- Chapter formed from Rho Sigma Beta.
- Chapter formed from the Apollo Club, established in 1917.
- Became a Zeta Beta Tau chapter.
- Became a Pi Lambda Phi chapter
- Chapter formed from Omega Kappa (local), established in 1920. After dormancy, it reformed as a colony in 1947.
- Chapter formed from Rho Delta Rho, established in 1920.
- Chapter formed from Alabama Club, established in 1920.
- Chapter formed from Kayen Club, established in 1921.
- Chapter formed from Phi Epsilon, established in 1930.
- Chapter formed from Kappa Eta Phi, established in 1930.
- Chapter formed from Garson Club (local), established in 1927.
- Chapter formed from Beta Tau Delta.
- Became a Phi Sigma Epsilon chapter.
- Chapter formed from Delta Nu, established in 1947.
Notable members
- Mel Allen (Pi), play-by-play announcer for New York Yankees
- Mortimer Rogoff (Kappa), inventor and businessman

