The History of Psi Phi Delta Fraternity

Psi Phi Fraternity was founded in the winter of 1917 by two Cornell University graduates living at the Binghamton YMCA. It began as an independent social organization not affiliated with any college or university. It attracted mainly young businessmen who were often new to the community and wanted to meet people. It played more the role of an Elks Lodge than a present day fraternity. On September 9, 1920, after three years of meeting at the YMCA, the men chose to call themselves by the Greek letters "Psi" and "Phi."

Psi Phi brother Harley Salisbury left Binghamton in the fall of 1922 to attend Buffalo Normal School. One of the first things he did was to get permission from the college president to form a chapter of Psi Phi Fraternity on that campus. With 21 original members, the Beta chapter of Psi Phi Fraternity was chartered and became a recognized campus fraternity in 1923.

Harley Salisbury and fellow member Herb Shear graduated from Buffalo Normal in 1924 and settled in Syracuse, N.Y. Knowing some young men who were attending Oswego Normal School, Salisbury and Shears got permission from the college president in 1925 to start the Gamma chapter of Psi Phi Fraternity.

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