How Exactly Did “Greek Life” Start?
The American college fraternities are a relativity modern institution. They formed in the 1700s when universities and colleges reflected their founders’ religious roots, many were thoroughly protestant and emphasize religious instruction. Within these institutions Literary Societies formed as a means of student-to-student communication and interaction beyond the walls of the college and the control of the faculty. These Literary Societies are the root of the modern college fraternity.
In 1776, John Heath (then a student studying Greek at The College of William & Mary) found himself rejected by the two Latin secret societies on campus. Heath decided to take matters into his own hands and, along with some friends, created the first collegiate Greek-letter society, Phi Beta Kappa. As a Greek scholar, Heath chose Greek letters to honor the ancient Greek tradition of scholarship, philosophy, and leadership, and provide a way to symbolizing their values and principles. In the case of Phi Beta Kappa’s motto is Philosophia Bios Kybernethes, which can be translated to “Philosophy [is the] guide to life,” uses the Greek letters Phi, Beta and Kappa (the first letter of each word) as their society’s public name.