Alpha Phi Gamma (honor society)
Alpha Phi Gamma () was an Honor Society in the field of Journalism founded in 1919 at Ohio Northern University. It merged with Pi Delta Epsilon to form the Society for Collegiate Journalists in 1975. History. Alpha Phi Gamma was founded on December 11, 1919 under the name Phi Alpha Gamma. The founders were B. H. Focht, Lloyd W. Reese, R. S. Lyman, Tom B. Haber and Fred C. Slager. In 1923, the group called its first national convention, at which delegates from six other Ohio colleges attended and were granted charters. Also at this meeting , the group changed its name to Alpha Phi Gamma due to another fraternity being called Phi Alpha Gamma and initiated its first female member. In 1929 the fraternity merged with Omega Xi Alpha, a similar California group, which became Alpha Phi Gamma's western section. After activity came to a standstill during World War II, Gil A. Cowan of the Los Angeles Examiner was responsible for its revival and post war growth. In 1949, Cowan was named President Emeritus, a unique honor to the organization. In the spring of 1957, Alpha Phi Gamma welcomed Alpha Delta, likewise a journalistic recognition  society, in another merger. Alpha Delta had been formed on at Rock Island, Illinois by the editors-in-chief and business manager of three weekly newspapers, which had been recognized as leaders within the Illinois College Press Association. Alpha Phi Gamma itself merged with Pi Delta Epsilon to form the Society for Collegiate Journalists in 1975. Symbols. The Symbols of Alpha Phi Gamma Chapters. Chapters of Alpha Phi Gamma: Chapters of Alpha Delta in 1957, at the time of the merger into Alpha Phi Gamma: Chapters of Pi Delta Epsilon in 1915: Officers. Presidents. The presidents of Alpha Phi Gamma  were: Executive Directors. Executive Secretaries of Alpha Phi Gamma: National Conventions. National Conventions for Alpha Phi Gamma: