Phi Kappa Alpha

Quick Facts

• Letters – ΦKA
• Nickname – Cosmos
• Motto – Unity through diversity
• Colors – Lincoln green and pearl white
• Founding Year – 1890
• Sister Sorority – Delta Phi (Delphis)

History

The Cosmopolitan Fraternity has been at Hope College for over a century and has welcomed hundreds of brothers since their inception in 1890. Founded by the freshman class as a literary society and led by William Medema, Cosmopolitan is the oldest fraternity on Hope’s campus and is represented by the Greek letters Phi Kappa Alpha. The Cosmopolitans value the differences and growth of each of their members through a rich and diverse experience of brotherhood, inspiring the motto, “unity through diversity.” Besides fostering a compassionate environment within the fraternity and at campus events, members can be found giving back to the community, participating in co-curriculars and handling their studies with zeal. Traditional Cosmo events include camping trips, golf outings, formals and date nights, themed events with other organizations, and much more. 

Phi Kappa Alpha, or Philia, Kinema, Aletheia, are the three virtues that every Cosmo lives by. Phi stands for the word Philia, meaning friendship and representing the unbreakable bond all Cosmos share. Kappa is the first letter of the word Kinema, meaning progress and symbolizing the never ending perseverance that embodies the fraternity. Alpha comes from the Greek word Aletheia, meaning truth and epitomizing each member’s transparent and unending pride, honesty, authenticity. The Greek letters ΦΚΑ are not just any Greek letters... they are the spirit which characterizes the society and emphasizes the shared brotherhood and interconnectedness of Cosmopolitan.

Creed 

The core of Phi Kappa Alpha shall be the development of its members socially, intellectually and morally and to the betterment of society through its actions. Members of the Cosmopolitan Fraternity shall have the ability to perform their studies and duties with zeal and act in accordance with the three virtues of friendship, progress and truth. 

Through differences and similarities, members of Phi Kappa Alpha find unification and solidarity in a brotherhood reveled in a sea of Lincoln Green with a field of Pearl White.