A Brief History
The Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Kappa, also known as the Society of Asclepiades, was established at Jefferson Medical College in 1900 to provide housing for students and serve as an academic and social hub at the College. The chapter roll contains many of the immortal names of American medicine. Among famous members are William Williams Keen, credited with being the first brain surgeon in the United States and serving six U.S. presidents, Francis Xavier Dercum, who treated President Woodrow Wilson, and John Chalmers DaCosta, the first Samuel D. Gross Chair of Surgery at Jefferson. The house at 317 S. 11th St, has an interesting historical background as well, as it was built upon the site of the old Almshouse, the scene of the reunion of the two Arcadian sweethearts of Longfellow's "Evangeline." Located along the Clinton Street Historical District, the house enjoys a view of the Louis I. Kahn Park to the front, with a large backyard behind. While the national organization Alpha Kappa Kappa, previously headquartered in Illinois, ceases to exist, the Epsilon Chapter still remains, providing affordable housing to twelve male members of Jefferson Medical College. In addition, the house still serves as a site for social gatherings, with seasonal cocktail parties and the Annual Halloween Party, hosted continuously since 1910. AKK leads the way to bringing together the students of Jefferson. |