Alpha Gamma Kappa Fraternity
Encyclopedia
Alpha Gamma Kappa was founded in 1939 at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
in Chicago
, Illinois
. The Fraternity exists as the oldest and largest professional fraternal organization for students and practitioners of podiatric medicine in the United States
and Canada
.
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 the purposes of "social spirit and fraternalism." It was the first of its kind at a college of podiatric medicine, and quickly the small social club grew into one of the most prominent organizations at the institution.
In April, 1939, in the earliest recorded minutes that are possessed, the Alpha Gamma Kappa Fraternity at the Illinois College of Chiropody and Orthopedics had some nineteen members, with Samuel Abdoo elected first president. Abdoo would later serve as president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons from 1968 to 1969. According to the minutes, the young fraternity had $119 in their name and dues were $5 per year.
The fraternity remained a large part of the student community at Illinois for the next several years, until in 1948 a second chapter (Beta) was chartered at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
in Cleveland, Ohio
. This chapter was inspired by several students whom had met at national convention of the National Association of Chiropodists in that year. This chapter, in recent years has borne a resurgence likely in part to the efforts of recent executive members.
The fraternity saw little growth during the 1950s. The two chapters of Alpha Gamma Kappa, Alpha and Beta, would occasionally correspond with one another, but for the most part remained separate entities with their own traditions, except for the "Ritual of Initiation," which is still in use, written by the Alpha chapter in 1939. In fall 1961, a third chapter would be chartered at the California School of Podiatric Medicine
in San Francisco, California
. This marked the first chapter to be founded on the West Coast.
For the next three decades, Alpha Gamma Kappa Fraternity remained a small yet integral part of the campus community of the colleges at which it existed. At the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
it started and maintained a free clinic completely run by students to provide podiatric medical care to the less fortunate in Cleveland. At Scholl and California, it provided a cornerstone for student social life and grew to be a “vivid social experience” for podiatric medical students. It was not until 2007 that another chapter would be chartered. A transfer student from Scholl College to the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine
in Miami, Florida
sought to create a fraternal organization at the school that would encourage fraternalism and a kindred spirit amongst a diverse student population. Through the efforts of many, this dream was realized and on October 2, 2007, the Delta chapter of Alpha Gamma Kappa Fraternity was founded.
Subsequent chapters have been chartered at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
in 2008 and the Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in 2009, respectively.
with chapters being loosely affiliated to one another. There have been no national officers or convention. Individual chapters are subordinate to the respective podiatric medical student association at their college or school.
Alpha Gamma Kappa has long been considered the oldest and most prestigious of the podiatric medical fraternities; the other major podiatric medical fraternity being Kappa Tau Epsilon, established at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
in 1965.
The official jewel of Alpha Gamma Kappa is the white pearl. It is often used to adorn the Fraternity's badges.
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 nearest November 7, chapters hold a celebration known as "Asclepius Day" with a festive party or event. Mercury
, the Roman God is referred to as the "Patron of Alpha Gamma Kappa." His winged sandal is a prominent symbol, which is displayed upon the coat-of-arms and the pledge pin.
The official badge of Alpha Gamma Kappa is a diamond of black onyx, trimmed in gold with the Greek letters “ΑΓΚ” appearing in gold and surmounting a skull and crossbones in gold. Upon the back of the badge is the open motto Pedis Studium. The pledge pin is a triangle of cardinal with the winged foot of Mercury in the center.
The flag of the Fraternity is rectangular in shape 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 Alpha Gamma Kappa flag is used only during ritualistic ceremonies and on special occasions.
Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine is the college of podiatric medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Founded in 1912 by Dr. William M. Scholl along with five medical doctors, a pharmacist, a chiropodist, a chemist and a shoe fitter SCPM was originally...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The Fraternity exists as the oldest and largest professional fraternal organization for students and practitioners of podiatric medicine in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Mission statement
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
The history of Alpha Gamma Kappa Fraternity lies deep in the roots of our nation’s podiatric medical colleges. Existing as the oldest and largest professional fraternity within podiatric medicine, AGK has long held a fraternal tradition of excellence.On January 21, 1939, eight men at Illinois College of Chiropody and Orthopedics (now Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine is the college of podiatric medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Founded in 1912 by Dr. William M. Scholl along with five medical doctors, a pharmacist, a chiropodist, a chemist and a shoe fitter SCPM was originally...
) in Chicago, Illinois, founded a fraternity for the purposes of "social spirit and fraternalism." It was the first of its kind at a college of podiatric medicine, and quickly the small social club grew into one of the most prominent organizations at the institution.
In April, 1939, in the earliest recorded minutes that are possessed, the Alpha Gamma Kappa Fraternity at the Illinois College of Chiropody and Orthopedics had some nineteen members, with Samuel Abdoo elected first president. Abdoo would later serve as president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons from 1968 to 1969. According to the minutes, the young fraternity had $119 in their name and dues were $5 per year.
The fraternity remained a large part of the student community at Illinois for the next several years, until in 1948 a second chapter (Beta) was chartered at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, known colloquially as OCPM, is a four-year, private medical college in the greater Cleveland, Ohio metro area, in the Southern Suburb of Independence, Ohio. It has graduated 5,000 podiatric physicians and surgeons since its inception as The Ohio College of...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. This chapter was inspired by several students whom had met at national convention of the National Association of Chiropodists in that year. This chapter, in recent years has borne a resurgence likely in part to the efforts of recent executive members.
The fraternity saw little growth during the 1950s. The two chapters of Alpha Gamma Kappa, Alpha and Beta, would occasionally correspond with one another, but for the most part remained separate entities with their own traditions, except for the "Ritual of Initiation," which is still in use, written by the Alpha chapter in 1939. In fall 1961, a third chapter would be chartered at the California School of Podiatric Medicine
California School of Podiatric Medicine
California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University is a podiatric medical school based in Oakland, California. It is one of nine podiatric medical schools in the United States. The school was originally founded in 1914 as the California School of Chiropody and was located in San...
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. This marked the first chapter to be founded on the West Coast.
For the next three decades, Alpha Gamma Kappa Fraternity remained a small yet integral part of the campus community of the colleges at which it existed. At the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, known colloquially as OCPM, is a four-year, private medical college in the greater Cleveland, Ohio metro area, in the Southern Suburb of Independence, Ohio. It has graduated 5,000 podiatric physicians and surgeons since its inception as The Ohio College of...
it started and maintained a free clinic completely run by students to provide podiatric medical care to the less fortunate in Cleveland. At Scholl and California, it provided a cornerstone for student social life and grew to be a “vivid social experience” for podiatric medical students. It was not until 2007 that another chapter would be chartered. A transfer student from Scholl College to the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine
Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine
The Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine is one of the nine podiatric medical schools in the United States. It is located at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida...
in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
sought to create a fraternal organization at the school that would encourage fraternalism and a kindred spirit amongst a diverse student population. Through the efforts of many, this dream was realized and on October 2, 2007, the Delta chapter of Alpha Gamma Kappa Fraternity was founded.
Subsequent chapters have been chartered at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
The Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine is a podiatric medical school part of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school is located at 8th and Race Streets in downtown Philadelphia. The school was founded in 1963 as the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine...
in 2008 and the Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in 2009, respectively.
Government
Since 1939, the Fraternity has functioned as a confederationConfederation
A confederation in modern political terms is a permanent union of political units for common action in relation to other units. Usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution, confederations tend to be established for dealing with critical issues such as defense, foreign...
with chapters being loosely affiliated to one another. There have been no national officers or convention. Individual chapters are subordinate to the respective podiatric medical student association at their college or school.
Alpha Gamma Kappa has long been considered the oldest and most prestigious of the podiatric medical fraternities; the other major podiatric medical fraternity being Kappa Tau Epsilon, established at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, known colloquially as OCPM, is a four-year, private medical college in the greater Cleveland, Ohio metro area, in the Southern Suburb of Independence, Ohio. It has graduated 5,000 podiatric physicians and surgeons since its inception as The Ohio College of...
in 1965.
Symbols and Insignia
The white rose is the official flower of the Fraternity. Its significance is explained in the pledge ceremony as “the white rose is emblematic of purity and truth, which you shall endeavor to strive for not only as a pledge, but most especially as a member. Last, but far from least, its beauty and fragrance are symbolic of the real affection and strong abiding friendship which characterize us as sworn brothers, striving together for one common objective and purpose, the promulgation of the philosophy of Alpha Gamma Kappa — a spirit which will improve the world around us, improve the profession of podiatric medicine, and most importantly improve ourselves.” Each year chapters hold a formal in the spring, which is referred to as, “White Rose Ball.”The official jewel of Alpha Gamma Kappa is the white pearl. It is often used to adorn the Fraternity's badges.
Asclepius
Asclepius
Asclepius is the God of Medicine and Healing in ancient Greek religion. Asclepius represents the healing aspect of the medical arts; his daughters are Hygieia , Iaso , Aceso , Aglæa/Ægle , and Panacea...
, 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 nearest November 7, chapters hold a celebration known as "Asclepius Day" with a festive party or event. Mercury
Mercury (mythology)
Mercury was a messenger who wore winged sandals, and a god of trade, the son of Maia Maiestas and Jupiter in Roman mythology. His name is related to the Latin word merx , mercari , and merces...
, the Roman God is referred to as the "Patron of Alpha Gamma Kappa." His winged sandal is a prominent symbol, which is displayed upon the coat-of-arms and the pledge pin.
The official badge of Alpha Gamma Kappa is a diamond of black onyx, trimmed in gold with the Greek letters “ΑΓΚ” appearing in gold and surmounting a skull and crossbones in gold. Upon the back of the badge is the open motto Pedis Studium. The pledge pin is a triangle of cardinal with the winged foot of Mercury in the center.
The flag of the Fraternity is rectangular in shape 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 Alpha Gamma Kappa flag is used only during ritualistic ceremonies and on special occasions.
Awards
The Fraternity's highest and most prestigious award presented by a chapter is the "Pedis Studium Award." This award is presented 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 and have given themselves of the highest degree to the benefit and perpetuity of podiatric medicine.Active collegiate chapters
- Alpha: Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric MedicineDr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric MedicineDr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine is the college of podiatric medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Founded in 1912 by Dr. William M. Scholl along with five medical doctors, a pharmacist, a chiropodist, a chemist and a shoe fitter SCPM was originally...
at Rosalind Franklin University - Beta: Ohio College of Podiatric MedicineOhio College of Podiatric MedicineThe Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, known colloquially as OCPM, is a four-year, private medical college in the greater Cleveland, Ohio metro area, in the Southern Suburb of Independence, Ohio. It has graduated 5,000 podiatric physicians and surgeons since its inception as The Ohio College of...
- Gamma: California School of Podiatric MedicineCalifornia School of Podiatric MedicineCalifornia School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University is a podiatric medical school based in Oakland, California. It is one of nine podiatric medical schools in the United States. The school was originally founded in 1914 as the California School of Chiropody and was located in San...
at Samuel Merritt CollegeSamuel Merritt CollegeSamuel Merritt University, formerly Samuel Merritt College, was founded in 1909 as a hospital school of nursing. It is a fully accredited health sciences institution located on the Summit campus of the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, California, United States... - Delta: Barry University School of Podiatric MedicineBarry University School of Podiatric MedicineThe Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine is one of the nine podiatric medical schools in the United States. It is located at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida...
- Epsilon: Temple University School of Podiatric MedicineTemple University School of Podiatric MedicineThe Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine is a podiatric medical school part of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school is located at 8th and Race Streets in downtown Philadelphia. The school was founded in 1963 as the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine...
- Zeta: Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Other Professional societies and organizations
- American Podiatric Medical AssociationAmerican Podiatric Medical AssociationThe American Podiatric Medical Association is a professional medical organization representing Doctors of Podiatric Medicine within the United States. The organization was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Approximately 80% of podiatrists in the US are members of the APMA...
(APMA) - American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)
- American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS)
- American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine (ACFAOM)
- American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine (ABPOPPM)
- American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM)
- American Society of Podiatric Dermatology (ASPD)
- Federation Internationale des Podologues (FIP)
- Student National Podiatric Medical Association (SNPMA)
- American Podiatric Medical Students' Association (APMSA)
- Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons (ACPS)
- Australasian Podiatry Council (APodC)
See also
- PodiatryPodiatryPodiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. The term podiatry came into use first in the early 20th century United States, where it now denotes a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine , a specialist who is qualified by their...
- American Association of Colleges of Podiatric MedicineAmerican Association of Colleges of Podiatric MedicineAmerican Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine is the collective union for the nine colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States and the more than 200 hospitals and institutions that offer postdoctoral training in podiatric medicine...
- List of disorders of foot and ankle