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What is Alpha Kappa Psi?

Alpha Kappa Psi, the first professional fraternity in business, was founded at New York University in 1904. The Delta Phi Chapter at UWM was founded in 1957. Alpha Kappa Psi was the first professional business fraternity to become co-ed.The objects of Alpha Kappa Psi, adopted at the time of its founding, are:


  • To further the individual welfare of its members.

  • To foster scientific research in the fields of commerce, accounts, and finance.

  • To educate the public to appreciate and demand higher ideals therein.

  • And to promote and advance in institutions of college rank, courses leading to degrees in business administration.

Over 140,000 members have been initiated into Alpha Kappa Psi. Of this number about 4,000 are faculty members, approximately 6,000 are college students working for degrees in business administration, and the remainder are engaged in business throughout the United States and Canada , and in other parts of the world. Of Alpha Kappa Psi's alumni membership, over 17,750 are life members. 
Each member of Alpha Kappa Psi has the opportunity to participate in a number of chapter activities and to be a part of an organization with a strong sense of pride, honor, history and tradition. Every member is encouraged to take an active role in the fraternity. There are tremendous opportunities for growth and leadership on various committees and serving on the executive board. 

History of Alpha Kappa Psi

When New York University announced in 1900 that it would open an evening school for instruction in commerce, accounts, and finance, and would give a university degree to those who, having successfully qualified for admission, should successfully complete the course, the announcement was received with doubt throughout the country. The doubt manifested and the need of student loyalty in supporting the new idea were in no small measure the reason for Alpha Kappa Psi's coming into being.

Prior to 1900, schools of business had been established at the University of Pennsylvania (1881), the University of Chicago (1898), and the University of California (1898). The class that entered NYU in the fall of 1902, four months after the first of the new degrees had been awarded by the university, was unique in several respects. First, it was the three-year class; second, all students studied the same subjects; third, there were no textbooks--everything was new and somewhat crude; fourth, Dean Haskins died during the first semester; and fifth, Dean Johnson was promoted to the deanship during the same year. Other things occurred that had a strong bearing on the early development of the Fraternity. The Founders occupied the same seats five nights a week. They became acquainted with one another. Four men from Brooklyn (Bergen, Jefferson, Lane, Leach), later known as the Brooklyn Four, walked home from school together over the Brooklyn Bridge.

The spirit of brotherhood grew so strong in the hearts and in the minds of the men from Brooklyn that early in the second year they decided to suggest to the other members of their class that something be done to perpetuate it, and Alpha Kappa Psi, the first professional fraternity in business, was founded at an organization meeting held on October 5, 1904. On March 20, 1905, formal application was made to the State of New York for a charter of incorporation for Alpha Kappa Psi. This application was drawn up in the handwriting of Frederic R. Leach and was signed by the ten Founders: George L. Bergen, Irving L. Camp, Robert S. Douglas, Daniel V. Duff, Howard M. Jefferson, Nathan Lane Jr., Frederic R. Leach, Morris S. Rachmil, William O. Tremaine, and Herbert M. Wright. The application was approved and the charter of incorporation officially issued in the name of Alpha Kappa Psi on May 20, 1905. In 1910, Beta Chapter at the University of Denver was installed; in 1911, Gamma at Northwestern University ; in 1912, Delta was established at the University of Pittsburgh . Thus began the national development of Alpha Kappa Psi.

In August 1976 women were admitted into the Fraternity under President Richard Reis at the Minneapolis Convention. Beverly Grimm, Mideast Region, became the first female Regional Director in 1981, and Carol R. Carter was the first female National Officer when she was elected to the position of Vice President - College Chapters at the St. Louis Convention in 1985. Now, over 250 College Chapters and over 80 Alumni Chapters have been installed, over 170,000 members have been inducted, and Alpha Kappa Psi is one of the largest of American college fraternities.

The Delta Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi was established on December 8, 1957 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with 57 members. We are proud to say that we are the oldest professional business fraternity on campus. 

For a detailed history of Alpha Kappa Psi, click here. 

Chapter Activities

Alpha Kappa Psi's professional aspects give our brothers advantages not just in the classroom, but in the boardroom as well. Today's employers place great emphasis on skills such as teamwork, organization, interpersonal, and public speaking skills. Chapter activities allow our members to sharpen skills which lead to success in the business world. Employers want students with proven leadership experience. Alpha Kappa Psi provides the opportunity to prove yourself as a leader. Each year, we plan a variety of activities to include:


  • Professional Program - Speakers on business and educational subjects, field and industrial trips, career fairs and workshops.

  • Service - Projects designed to assist the school of business or its faculty members, the university, or the surrounding community.

  • Social - Dinners, softball games, football games, outings to festivals, and other activities. Fund Raising - Projects to raise funds for various purposes, including the Kurt Klumb Memorial Scholarship open to all Business Students at UWM.

  • Performance Evaluation - Participation in the national performance evaluation rating for chapters by observance of its conditions which cover professional activities, finances, scholarship, membership, and general administration.

  • National Conventions and Regional Leadership Conferences - Attendance of members at national conventions and regional leadership conferences.

Membership offers tremendous networking opportunities. As a brother, you will make numerous contacts with alumni brothers and business professionals in the Milwaukee Metropolitan area. These contacts can assist you in receiving vocational guidance, obtaining employment, and securing more desirable positions.

Our organization helps you get to know your fellow classmates in the School of Business Administration . Being that UWM is such a large institution, it sometimes is hard to get know your fellow classmates. Alpha Kappa Psi will introduce you to many new friends who are all there to support you, and help you along your college career. The academic benefits of this include having someone to study with and exchange class notes with, as well as getting help if you need it. This also gives you someone to talk to and have fun with before and after class.

Perhaps the most important benefit of brotherhood in Alpha Kappa Psi is the lifetime friendships that you will form. The friendships that we form in college are the ones that we will have the rest of our lives. We are not just another business club. Our fraternity prides itself on our unity as a brotherhood.

As you can see, Alpha Kappa Psi gives you the opportunity to build your professional career and social skills while making friendships that will last a lifetime. To learn more about our fraternity, we invite you to join us at rush.

Alpha Kappa Psi at a Glance


  • AKPsi was founded at New York University in 1904. Today, it is among the twenty largest national college fraternities with more than 170,000 members.

  • AKPsi now has more than 230 college and alumni chapters.

  • The men and women of Alpha Kappa Psi reflect the world's diversity and are united by a common interest in business and other related fields.

  • Alpha Kappa Psi chapters are located on more than three-fourths of the nation's top 50 business schools (U.S. News and World Report).

  • Members have the incredible opportunity to put their business education into action through management of Alpha Kappa Psi chapters.

  • Through strong relationships with the business community, Alpha Kappa Psi is a powerful addition to any resumé.

  • National publications, alumni chapters, and a national web site give members the opportunity to communicate and network with brothers all over the world.

  • Alpha Kappa Psi members can take advantage of many leadership development opportunities through the national Success Institutes, the Academy, and the College of Leadership.