Alpha Gamma Kappa

American podiatric medicine fraternity

Alpha Gamma Kappa

ΑΓΚ
Founded| January 21, 1939; 85 years ago (January 21, 1939)
Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
Type| Professional
Affiliation| Independent
Status| Active
Emphasis| Podiatry
Scope| National
Motto| Pedis Studium
(Zeal for the Foot)
Colors|  Cardinal and  Gold
Symbol| Skull and Crossbones
Flower| White Rose
Patron Greek divinity| Asclepius
Patron Roman divinity| Mercury
Publication| The Mercurius
Chapters| 6 Active
Headquarters| 370 Hawthorne Avenue
Oakland, California 94609
United States
Website| www.samuelmerritt.edu/agk

Alpha Gamma Kappa (ΑΓΚ or AGK) is the oldest and largest professional fraternal organization for students and practitioners of podiatric medicine in the United States. The fraternity was founded in 1939 at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois.[1]

## Mission statement

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The mission of Alpha Gamma Kappa Podiatric Fraternity is "to promote and perpetuate the profession of podiatric medicine through social, educational, community service, and leadership events, which foster the growth and development of podiatric medical students and physicians."

## History

[edit]

On January 21, 1939, eight men at Illinois College of Chiropody and Orthopedics (now Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine) in Chicago, Illinois, founded a fraternity for "social spirit and fraternalism."[1] It was the first podiatry collegiate fraternity.[1] Samuel Abdoo was elected the fraternity's first president.[1]

It became a national fraternity in 1948 with the chartering of Beta chapter at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio.[1] The two chapters would occasionally correspond with one another, but for the most part remained separate entities with their traditions, except for the "Ritual of Initiation," which is still in use, written by the Alpha chapter in 1939. In the fall of 1961, the Gamma chapter was chartered at the California School of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco, California.

In 2007, a transfer student from Scholl College to the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami, Florida sought to create a fraternity there. The Delta chapter was established on October 2, 2007. This was followed by the Epsilon chapter at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in 2008 and the Zeta chapter at Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in 2009.

## Symbols and traditions

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The fraternity's colors are cardinal and gold and its jewel is the white pearl. The white rose is the official flower of the fraternity. Its color represents purity and truth, while its beauty and fragrance symbolize the affection and friendship of the brothers. Annually, chapters hold a spring White Rose Ball.

Its badge is diamond-shaped, trimmed in gold with the Greek letters ΑΓΚ appearing in gold and surmounting a skull and crossbones in gold on a background on black onyx. On the back of the badge is the motto Pedis Studium or "Zeal for the Foot." The pledge pin is a triangle of cardinal with the winged foot of Mercury in the center.

Asclepius, the Greek demigod of medicine and healing holds a special place in Alpha Gamma Kappa tradition and symbolism. The pledge manual of the fraternity is named The Asklepian. Each year on or near November 7, chapters hold a celebration known as Asclepius Day with a festive party or event. The Roman god Mercury is the Patron of Alpha Gamma Kappa. His winged sandal is a prominent symbol, displayed on the fraternity's coat-of-arms and the pledge pin.

The fraternity flag is rectangular and divided into three equal sections. The first and third sections are cardinal, with the middle section being white. In the middle section is the coat of arms of the fraternity. The flag is used only during ritualistic ceremonies and on special occasions.

## Governance

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Since 1939, the fraternity has functioned as a confederation with chapters being loosely affiliated with one another. There have been no national officers or conventions. Individual chapters are subordinate to the respective podiatric medical student association at their college or school.

## Activities

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In the 1960s, the Beta chapter started and maintained a free clinic completely run by students to provide podiatric medical care to the less fortunate in Cleveland. In 2013, the Alpha chapter saw a resurgence in social and fundraising activities, raising thousands of dollars to provide care for uninsured patients through Rosalind Franklin University's new Interprofessional Community Clinic.[2]

The fraternity's highest and most prestigious award is the "Pedis Studium Award" which is presented by chapters to podiatric physicians who are members of the fraternity and have, in their practice of podiatric medicine, exemplified the principles of Alpha Gamma Kappa through service, education, and leadership.

## Chapters

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Chapters  | Charter date  | Institution  | Location  | Status  | References

|
|
|
|
|

Alpha | 1939  | Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University | North Chicago, Illinois | Active  | [1][a]
Beta | 1948  | Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine | Independence, Ohio | Active  | [1][b]
Gamma | 1961  | California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt College | Oakland, California | Active  | [3]
Delta | October 2, 2007 | Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine | Miami Shores, Florida | Active  |
Epsilon | 2008  | Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Active  |
Zeta | 2009  | Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery | West Des Moines, Iowa | Active  |

1. ^ The Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine merged with the Rosalind Franklin University in 2001.
2. ^ Chapter was formed at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine that merged to become Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine.

## See also

[edit]

* Professional fraternities and sororities

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g "AGK History | Samuel Merritt University". 2017-05-29. Archived from the original on 2017-05-29. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
2. ^ "RFUMS - Alpha Gamma Kappa". Sites.google.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
3. ^ "Alpha Gamma Kappa | Samuel Merritt University". Archived from the original on 2017-07-21. Retrieved 2023-08-27.

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Professional fraternities and sororities organizations and members

Currently active members of the
Professional Fraternity Association|

* Alpha Zeta
* Alpha Kappa Psi
* Alpha Rho Chi
* Alpha Phi Omega
* Alpha Chi Sigma
* Alpha Omega Epsilon
* Delta Chi Xi
* Delta Epsilon Mu
* Delta Theta Phi
* Delta Kappa Alpha
* Delta Omicron
* Delta Sigma Pi
* Delta Sigma Chi
* Epsilon Nu Tau
* Theta Tau
* Kappa Epsilon
* Kappa Epsilon Psi
* Kappa Eta Kappa
* Kappa Kappa Psi
* Kappa Lambda Chi
* Kappa Psi
* Lambda Kappa Sigma
* Mu Beta Phi
* Mu Phi Epsilon
* Pi Sigma Epsilon
* Rho Pi Phi
* Sigma Alpha
* Sigma Alpha Iota
* Tau Beta Sigma
* Phi Alpha Delta
* Phi Beta
* Phi Gamma Nu
* Phi Delta Epsilon
* Phi Delta Chi
* Phi Sigma Pi
* Phi Chi Theta

Former and formerly active members of
the Professional Fraternity Association
or its predecessors:
Professional Panhellenic Association
or Professional Interfraternity Conference|

* Alpha Delta Theta
* Alpha Delta Sigma
* Alpha Kappa Kappa
* Alpha Sigma Alpha
* Alpha Tau Delta
* Alpha Omega
* Beta Alpha Psi
* Gamma Eta Gamma
* Gamma Iota Sigma
* Delta Epsilon Iota
* Delta Sigma Delta
* Delta Psi Kappa
* Epsilon Eta Phi
* Zeta Phi Eta
* Theta Kappa Psi
* Theta Sigma Upsilon
* Theta Sigma Phi
* Iota Sigma Pi
* Kappa Alpha Pi
* Kappa Beta Pi
* Kappa Delta Epsilon
* Kappa Phi Kappa
* Nu Sigma Nu
* Xi Psi Phi
* Omicron Delta Kappa
* Omicron Nu
* Pi Lambda Theta
* Sigma Delta Chi
* Sigma Nu Phi
* Sigma Sigma Sigma
* Sigma Phi Delta (now social)
* Phi Beta Gamma
* Phi Beta Pi
* Phi Delta Delta
* Phi Delta Gamma
* Phi Delta Kappa
* Phi Delta Pi
* Phi Delta Phi (now honor society)
* Phi Epsilon Kappa
* Phi Lambda Kappa
* Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (now social)
* Phi Rho Sigma
* Phi Upsilon Omicron
* Phi Chi
* Chi Beta Phi
* Psi Omega
* Omega Tau Sigma
* Omega Upsilon Phi
* Pershing Rifles
* Scabbard and Blade
* Scarab

North American Interfraternity Conference|

* Alpha Gamma Rho
* Alpha Gamma Sigma

Active independent professional fraternities|

* Alpha Gamma Kappa
* Alpha Zeta Omega
* Alpha Eta Rho
* Alpha Iota
* Alpha Psi
* Gamma Epsilon Tau
* Delta Sigma Theta
* Delta Theta Sigma
* Delta Kappa Gamma
* Delta Kappa Phi
* Delta Phi Epsilon
* Kappa Gamma Psi
* Kappa Pi
* Nu Beta Epsilon
* Phi Delta Kappa (sorority)
* Phi Sigma Gamma
* Phi Psi
* Chi Delta Mu
* Chi Eta Phi
* Block and Bridle
* Queens' Guard

Inactive independent professional fraternities|

* Aleph Yodh He
* Alpha Epsilon Iota
* Alpha Tau Sigma
* Chi Zeta Chi
* Delta Omicron Alpha
* Pi Delta Nu

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