The first Southern fraternity to adopt a periodical was ΚΑ, which began the publication of the Kappa Alpha Journal in 1879 at Richmond, Va. But three numbers were published, when it suspended. In November, 1883, a quarterly periodical was commenced under the name of the Kappa Alpha Magazine. In 1885 it resumed its original name, which has since been retained.
These were the pioneer periodicals in different sections of the country. Now almost every fraternity (except a group of smaller societies of Eastern origin) issues a journal of some kind, and these will be mentioned under the articles relating to each fraternity.
In 1887, ΣΧ took a new departure in fraternity journalism by commencing the publication of a secret monthly journal called the Bulletin, printed on thin paper, and sent to members in sealed envelopes, and which contained matters deemed to be too private to insert in their regular journal, which was continually read by outsiders.
This kind of private official circular in periodical form has been adopted by ΣΑΕ, ΦΔΘ, ΒΘΠ, ΚΣ, ΑΧΡ, ΦΚΨ, ΚΑ and some of the women's fraternities.
Many of the fraternity chapters issue little periodicals for circulation among their own members primarily and which are practically circular letters in periodical form.
In December, 1912, George Banta, ΦΔΘ, who conducts a printing business at Menasha, Wis., and who prints many and possibly a majority of the fraternity journals, commenced the publication of a quarterly, under the title "Banta's Greek Exchange," devoted to the interests of all the fraternities. It has been ably edited and contained
