Washington Alpha at a Glance:

Phi Kappa Psi Washington Alpha has been on the UW campus since 1914. We are an IFC recognized fraternity and we participate actively in many different Greek wide events as well as our own philanthropic events and national chapter events. Our current chapter house is located at 2120 NE 47th ST Seattle, Washington 98105. We have 32 active members.

The Alphan--Washington Alpha Chapter Newsletter

Washington Alpha History

Washington Alpha has enjoyed a storied history. From its founding in 1914, Washington Alpha has seen nearly 1,800 men contribute to its prosperity and traditions. Past, present and future—Washington Alpha is a byproduct of the efforts of many men. Although each of us has our own memories of our years there, here is a brief history of The Chapter since the beginning in 1914, and of the house that we’ve called home at 2120 North East 47th Street.
The Birth of The Chapter
In 1852, neither William Henry Letterman nor Charles Page Thomas Moore had any thought that a Phi Psi chapter would be started in the West Coast, in the new Oregon Territory, despite their intent on founding Phi Kappa Psi as a “national fraternity”. Most of the western territories were barely colonized, and could not have been further from their minds as they founded the first chapter of Phi Kappa Psi, Pennsylvania Alpha, located at Jefferson College in the small town of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
But, barely sixty years later, a banner of Phi Kappa Psi found a home in Seattle on December 12, 1914. The Chapter initially was a local organization known as Phi Phi, organized in 1912 by the Reverend Lee Bruchart and Charles C. Moore, both transplants from Pennsylvania Theta, Lafayette College in Lafayette, Pennsylvania, class of 1885. With membership recruited by Wilfred E. Lewis, Illinois Delta ’04 (University of Illinois), and YMCA Secretary at the University of Washington, and the endorsement of prominent University faculty, they formed the third Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi to be located on the West Coast.
None of these men, all from other schools, had to commit to establishing another chapter. Despite the turmoil of World War I, they and others worked to ensure that Phi Kappa Psi would thrive at Washington. Wilfred Lewis would soon lose his life in the Great War, and is commemorated on the brass plaque above the Chapter’s living room fireplace:
Wilfred E. Lewis Illinois Delta 1904 1st Lieutenant, USMC 91st Division Killed in action at Lyon, France February 9, 1918
His commitment and devotion made possible The Washington Alpha Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi
Growth and relocation
Phi Kappa Psi became the sixteenth fraternity to locate at the University. At the end of the First World War, around 1918, a small group of local alumni, including many from other chapters, raised the capital to buy a house for Washington Alpha. This original house was located west of the present Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, near the intersection of 17th Avenue N.E. and N.E. 47th Street.
Phi Psi quickly established prominence on campus, initiating around 175 men in the first decade, including members that held leading roles in student government, athletics, and campus activities. The Chapter house was soon too small to accommodate the growing undergraduate membership, and plans were laid to purchase a new chapter house for Phi Psi..
Only a few years later, the small alumni group had raised the money for a down payment on a three-story house to the east, the first house at 2120 North East 47th Street. At that time, the property provided unobstructed views of Lake Washington, the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier, making it one of the most desirable locations near campus.
The Great Depression and World War II
Whether it was bad luck or accidental good fortune, the second house was gutted by fire on Thanksgiving Eve 1929. Fortunately, because of the holiday, few Brothers were there and only one, Don Lauder ’26, received any injuries. With the help from $14,000 in insurance money, plans were immediately started to build a new chapter house. Seattle area alumni retained New York architect and Washington Alpha alumnus George Vernon Russell ’25 as the designer of the French Norman-style brick house which we presently occupy.
Despite the deepest economic depression that has ever gripped our nation, and the Stock Market Crash, alumni raised the $60,000 construction cost (equivalent to around $2 million now) through alumni contributions and loans. In comparison, a new car then cost $400, and a two-bedroom home was about $4,000, but few could afford either—eighteen million men were out of work.
Al Rein ’32, now 93 years old, remembers some of the details: “The Brother who really saved the Chapter was Anson Moody ’15, whose family owned a lumber mill in Everett. Anson loaned or contributed much of the cost, and any of us who had a job, and could afford a dollar or two, contributed to a Bond Fund. The general contractor was Brother Art Strandberg ’15, and his older brother Ed Strandberg ’14, a Boeing engineer, also helped.”
In 1931, Washington Alpha moved into its first new home, built to last forever. In a University Daily article on the dedication, it was described as “a large white brick structure overlooking Lake Washington and the Cascades. The handsome building, designed by George Vernon Russell, a New York architect, is typical of a southern French country mansion.”
Ruddick Lawrence (who became a vice-president of the New York Stock Exchange) recalled in his speech at the Chapter’s 75th Anniversary Dinner in 1989, “In January 1931, we were the first pledge class to move into our beautiful new house. Outside, it was gleaming white-washed brick but, since Russell wanted it to look like an old French mansion, we pledges had to take long-handled brushes and try to scrape off some of the new whitewash. Inside, the house was furnished with handsome custom heavy oak and rich red leather furniture, the same furniture that’s there today. The Mothers’ Club—bless their hearts—did all the decorating.”
The Chapter thrived, attracting larger pledge classes with the new facilities. The Fire Party, commemorating the Thanksgiving Eve disaster became, and remains today, one of the highlight social events among the Greek organizations.
In less than a decade came the challenges of World War II and the national mandatory military draft. By early 1942 some members were already in the service, and one Brother, Wayne Garber ’42 had been killed in action. By spring 1943, virtually all of the Brothers were in officer’s training or had enlisted.
Fortunately, both the University and the military needed housing. There were no men’s dorms then so men in military training took over the women’s dorms, and many displaced women students were housed in leased fraternities. The alumni were able to contract with the Army to use the chapter house as a dormitory for nurses-in-training. (Frank Nolan ’43 remembers the surprise of seeing potted ferns in the bathroom urinals!)
Phi Psi was still able to maintain a core group of about eight members during these years from those stationed in the Seattle area and, they continued to have meetings in the chapter room. Five others also died in the War: Art Fallon ’37, Bob Knight ’37, Ralph Cummings ’40, John Harris ’40, and Ben Little Jr. ’42.
The “Magic of 14”
Interestingly, Brother Russell cleverly alluded to the 1914 founding year in his design of the Chapter House: by including 14 beams in the living room ceiling; 14 chairs around each hand-built oak dining room table; and 14 notches in each matching chair (some that still exist today). The same notches were in the oak living room couches and chairs, plus 14 sconce lamps around the living room. There were also 14 original study rooms (before the north wing was built).
Post-War years, 50’s and 60’s
The War fractured the existing pre-war membership, most of whom had not completed their educations. A few were killed in the war; others stayed in the service, or went to work in the booming post-war economy. But, the Chapter benefited from the enormous infusion of new men out of the service and into the University, with the GI Bill supporting their education.
All of the fraternities at Washington experienced growth in the late 40’s and on through the 50’s, making it one of the strongest Greek Systems in the country. Washington Alpha was in the forefront, with campus leaders in academics, sports—varsity and intramural, campus activities, with even a Phi Psi Quartet, well known for its community service and serenades of the sororities. For about ten years, the entire Seafair Celebration Kings Guard was comprised of Phi Psi Brothers.
Phi Psi active membership averaged around 100 men with each new class. It soon outgrew the house capacity. Through the 50’s, approximately 50 men lived in the house with a nearly equal number of live-at-home “town men”. Many of these Brothers would have preferred to “live in” but there was not enough room. At the same time, a strong Mothers’ Club raised the money for many interior improvements.
In 1955, with the help from alumnus and realtor Don Kennedy ’44, the house and property directly to the north was purchased. The old house, affectionately dubbed “Toad Hall,” temporarily helped ease the overflow from the main building.

(drawing of the front of the house)
By 1961 a planning group had the designs for a new north wing to the Chapter House. Once again, the alumni stepped forward to ensure that the chapter would grow. Brothers such as Bill Olson ’47, Bob Berst ’49, Joe Taller ’54, Dick Anderson ’42, and Kerry McMahan ’55 played major roles in the fundraising, design and completion of the new wing. Toad Hall was torn down, and architect Bill Olson designed a 3-story brick addition with eleven study rooms, an all-purpose social room, a second sleeping porch, an expanded bathroom, plus updating of the existing kitchen. This newer wing, in combination with the original 30’s structure, now has sustained the Chapter for nearly four decades.
The maturing of the post War baby boom produced even larger numbers of entering freshmen and pledge classes throughout the 60’s. At one point, Gary Glein ’62 remembers that even with the added space in the new wing, several members were temporarily housed in the windowless mattress storage room on the 3rd floor, until the House Corporation found out! The classes of ’68 and ’69 each had around 30 initiated members.
Through the 70’s
As with most institutions, Washington Alpha felt the effects of the social upheaval of the Vietnam War years. The Greek System at Washington experienced a significant decline in membership, and the University separated itself from any direct role in fraternity life. The Office of The Dean of Men and the Interfraternity Council both lost sanctioning by the University and formal rush was eliminated. The cohesion that the University provided to Greek organizations was lost.
In effect, the University divorced itself from any support of off-campus living organizations. It also greatly increased its competition for student housing by constructing a series of high-rise dormitories. Fraternities, in particular, had to be much more self-reliant. The identifying of new rushees became less organized and more competitive, a difficult year-around word-of-mouth process. The changes continue to have an effect today.
But, Washington Alpha managed to fare pretty well during these challenging times. In 1972, when fraternity membership was at an all-time low, Phi Psi initiated 33 men. Much of the success our Chapter enjoyed during those times can be credited to a dedicated House Corporation.
By the late 70’s, Washington Alpha membership fell to under forty men. Much of this decline can be attributed to poor retention of initiates. As with many organizations, the UW fraternities experienced a decline in principles, and in many ways, the system became overly focused on social events and parties. This trend toward a one-dimensional existence deprived the Chapter of many tangible benefits to membership. Fraternity houses, including our own, paid an unnecessary and unfortunate price in poor care and maintenance.
Into the 80’s and 90’s
The early 1980’s witnessed a small renaissance in fraternity membership. Core values began to return, thanks to dedicated alumni, and the Chapter stabilized in its role as “finishing school” for members.
Doug McCallum ’58 summed up the experience of so many alumni: “Fresh out of small town high school, the fraternity brought the overwhelming intro to the U down to a manageable size. It offered guidance both in academics and social life. Study hours and counsel by more seasoned Brothers put me on the right track to learning and tolerable grades. My parents taught me basic social skills, but the fraternity became my finishing school: what to wear; how to knot a necktie; how to wear formal attire; how to converse; etiquette and table manners; proper conduct with women—all skills that helped me to move within any social circle. With education and social confidence, there are few limits on what one can achieve. I know of no better way to achieve both than through the fraternity experience”.
Unfortunately, not all men who joined fraternities in the 1980’s shared goals of nurturing and bettering their chapters. Maintenance and care of chapter house facilities were lacking. Risk management issues—injuries, hazing, alcohol consumption, and property damage—became an ever-greater concern for national fraternities, including Phi Kappa Psi.
Despite the general trend, Washington Alpha continued to have many good classes and some outstanding members. In the late 80’s new efforts by the undergraduates to increase the size of the Chapter and to develop the diversity of its programming began to pay dividends. By 1990, membership had grown to over 70. These men dedicated a lot of effort to restoring parts of the Chapter House, and the increased membership permitted an investment of surplus funds into the house. With the approval of the House Corporation, the Chapter members remodeled the basement, added an exercise room, and restored the ceiling in the dining room. Again, much of the credit for this belongs to a dedicated group of alumni advisors.
By the mid-90’s, Washington Alpha was thriving. Membership had increased to nearly 80. The House Corporation was able to invest in more maintenance and repairs. In 1994, John Quick ’49 passed away, leaving the House Corporation a substantial estate gift. This bequest paid for some major maintenance, and also became the foundation of the Washington Alpha Scholarship Fund account held by our National Endowment Fund.
Washington Alpha - Now
About four years ago, we converted the third floor “penthouse” officers’ room to a fully equipped computer lab, with a grant from Paul Wineman ’55. To provide more quiet space for studying and meetings, the one of the two sleeping porches was converted to a comfortable Study Hall, with desks, chairs and sofas. Cosmetic changes have been made –new dining room floor, new hall carpeting, and a completely carpeted, painted and draped north sleeping porch with new beds.