{"id":541,"date":"2026-04-30T07:44:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T11:44:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inside.wooster.edu\/pbk\/?page_id=541"},"modified":"2026-05-01T09:53:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T13:53:37","slug":"history-kappa-of-ohio","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/inside.wooster.edu\/pbk\/history-kappa-of-ohio\/","title":{"rendered":"History of our Kappa of Ohio Chapter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Phi Beta Kappa had a presence on campus long before Wooster obtained a national charter, with the earliest member being Dr. W. Z. Bennett, who started working at Wooster in 1902 or earlier.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Sepia-toned
Portrait of Professor William Z. Bennett <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Scanned
1916 appeal from President J. Campbell White seeking influential support for Wooster\u2019s forthcoming Phi Beta Kappa charter vote. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n


In February 1916, Wooster applies for membership. President White informs a correspondent that he is enclosing the roster of the Phi Beta Kappa Senate, which will review Wooster\u2019s membership application on March 10, and seeks support for the chapter application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wooster’s application was initially rejected by PBK, with leadership stating that they found the college unready for a chapter. This decision may have been impacted by division among faculty following the resignation of President Holden and the termination of the Dean of Women, Winona Hughes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

In 1921 Wooster reapplies for a charter. Oscar M. Voorhees, Secretary of the Society sends a letter to President Wishart describing a \u201crapid spread of a spurious organization – a travesty on Phi Beta Kappa – known as Kappa Beta Phi.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He continues that \u201cthis fraternity initiated at least 3000 members last year.\u201d He requests to know whether Kappa Beta Phi had entered our institution, \u201cand if so what action has been taken respecting it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For an emblem they have copied the exact specifications of the Phi Beta Kappa key. The insignia on the key consists of a hand pointing at an object which varies from a beer keg to a whiskey bottle. The emblem on the reverse side consists of a monogram \u2018B.S.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Typed
Secretary Oscar M. Voorhees cautions President Wishart about the nationwide spread of Kappa Beta Phi – a knockoff of Phi Beta Kappa – while Wooster\u2019s own charter bid awaits Senate action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Scanned
1921 Wooster letter assuring Rev. Oscar M. Voorhees that no Kappa Beta Phi fraternity operates on campus and vowing expulsion for any who might surface.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

November 25, 1921, President Wishart replies to Secretary Voorhees that no \u201cKappa Beta Phi\u201d fraternity exists at Wooster and warns that any members discovered would be immediately expelled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Scanned
November 1923 typed letter on letterhead listing officers Charles F. Thwing (president), Francis W. Shepardson (vice-president), Rev. Oscar M. Voorhees (secretary), and David Layton (treasurer) in which Oscar M. Voorhees arranges a campus visit with President Wishart and discreetly shares that Wooster is in line for a coveted charter. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

November 5, 1923, Secretary Voorhees writes to President Charles F. Wishart of The College of Wooster to share that he can visit the campus on November 15 or 16 and notes that Wooster is being seriously considered for recommendation for a charter. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Charter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wooster reapplies for a charter, finally reaching the standard of quality required to have their request granted during the triennial meeting of the Council in September 1925. Wooster became the 105th<\/sup> charter and as the 10th<\/sup> chapter in Ohio was named Kappa of Ohio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The September 17, 1925 edition of The Wooster Voice featuring an article about the Phi Beta Kappa “Charter Given Sept 8”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

William Z. Bennett writes to President Wishart on Oct. 5, 1925. He thanks him for promptly reporting that Phi Beta Kappa has granted Wooster a chapter and remarks that the honor would have come sooner, \u201cbut for the disloyalty of some persons who owed better allegiance to Wooster.\u201d Bennett suggest that Wooster adopt a cautious approach when electing new Phi Beta Kappa members – especially alumni – to avoid unfavorable impressions. He praises President Wishart\u2019s leadership, voices concern that the church\u2019s controversy over evolution is alienating \u201csome of the best brains,\u201d and sends regards to Mrs. Wishart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n