Phi Alpha (fraternity)

Phi Alpha was founded at George Washington University on October 14, 1914.^[1] It was a Jewish fraternity.^[1] Its founders were David Davis, Maurice H. Herzmark, Edward Lewis, Reuben Schmidt, and Hyman Shapiro. The first pledge ceremony was held in February 1915, and was followed by the establishment of a chapter house.^[1]

Dr. Edward Cafritz transferred to University of Maryland, Baltimore and helped start Beta chapter, which was installed on February 22, 1916.^[1] This was followed by Gamma chapter at Georgetown University on December 26, 1916.^[1]

In 1921, Phi Alpha became a member of the National Interfraternity Conference.^[1] In 1926, the fraternity was incorporated nationally.^[1] Its national convention was held annually during the latter part of December.^[1]

On April 6, 1959, Phi Alpha merged with Phi Sigma Delta. Phi Sigma Delta's records note that there were sixteen active Phi Alpha chapters at the time of the merger.^[2] Both fraternities had chapters at three campuses, two of which were "readily resolved," and in the case of the third, this chapter was released to join another fraternity.^[3] At the time of the merger, Phi Alpha had initiated around 7,000 members.^[2]

Ten years later in 1969, Phi Sigma Delta merged with Zeta Beta Tau.^[4][2]

The fraternity's badge was a gold rectangular plaque, wider than it was tall, and superimposed with the raised letters ΦΑ and surrounded with a row of pearls.^[1] Its pledge button was circular, containing a blue circle within a red circle.^[1] Phi Alpha's colors were maroon and blue.^[1] Its flower was the rose.^[1]

Its magazine, the Phi Alpha Quarterly began publication in 1917.^[1] Its member-only, "esoteric" publication was the Phi Alpha Bulletin.^[1]