Social fraternities are seen all over the University of Oregon campus. With 17 current houses and thousands of members, it’s hard to ignore. What some fail to see is that the university is home to one the longest lasting business fraternities, Alpha Kappa Psi.

Like a social fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi engages in philanthropic work, social gatherings and secret rituals. However, they are a professional fraternity and because of that, they have different goals.

“A business fraternity is a combination of building professional skills and the brotherhood aspect,” Samantha Twardoch, President of Alpha Kappa Psi, said.

Alpha Kappa Psi has been at Oregon for almost 100 years (they will celebrate their centennial in May) and continues to help students learn important business skills for when they enter the professional world.

“We’re a professional business fraternity that is in the business of professional development for individuals,” James Hadid, Vice President of Alpha Kappa Psi, said.

The fraternity enhances professional development by educating its members on resumes, cover letters, interviews, public speaking, professional dress, executing events and even something as simple as a handshake.

To improve professional development for its members, the fraternity brings guest speakers to meetings, gives interview practice and even gives them the opportunity to tour some of the biggest companies in the country. This past weekend, all members had the opportunity to go to San Francisco to tour three big technology companies, Twitter, Google and Facebook, as well as attend the Oregon vs. California football game which Twardoch said was “a perfect showing of the balance between professionalism and fun.”

Although the fraternity is focused on business, students of any major are encouraged to join and reap the benefits of being a member.

“In life you’re going to need some type of business experience and you’re going to have to walk in the door and get an interview for whatever area you’re going in to,” Collin Samples, a senior in Alpha Kappa Psi, said.

Alpha Kappa Psi is one of the larger chapters in the country and has finished their fall rush through in which they gained 22 new members to add to their count of 64 active members. “If we have the resources, we’re going to try to keep it as big as possible,” Twardoch said. Alpha Kappa Psi also plans to recruit in the spring.

To be a member of the fraternity, students must go through an application process in the first two weeks of the term. This application includes the student’s grade point average, transcripts and an essay. Once the application is done, a majority of those applicants will be interviewed.

“A lot of it comes down to personality. Just like how sororities and fraternities go through recruitment and try to find people that they think would be a good fit, it’s the same way for us,” Twardoch said.

Alpha Kappa Psi has helped many members enhance their professional skills while also maintaining a fun social environment.

“We’re a diverse group of men and women that are motivated and here to help each other succeed in the school and outside of the school, for now and forever,” Hadid said.

For more information about Alpha Kappa Psi, contact James Hadid at jhadid@uoregon.edu