In 1906 a local sorority known as Alpha Tau was organized. It flourished for two years and became the Kappa Chapter of Phi Mu on May 15, 1908. Phi Mu was founded in 1852 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, (as the Philomathean Society). In 1904 consent of the thousand alumnae was obtained to establish chapters elsewhere, and a charter was issued to the group as Phi Mu by the State of Georgia.
The Phi Mu colors are rose and white, and the flower is the rose-colored carnation. The open motto is Les Soeurs Fideles (The Faithful Sisters). The mascot of Phi Mu is Sir Fidel the lion. Notable alumnae of the national organization include Pat Mitchell, president of PBS; Jerrie Mock, the first woman to successfully fly solo around the world; Mary Ellen Weber, astronaut; Susan Harlig, inspiration for the play and movie Steel Magnolias; Kathleen D. Morrison, first female commanding officer of the Naval Medical Clinic; and Joyce Carol Oates, author.
Kappa Chapter of Phi Mu operated the university’s secondhand book exchange for the benefit of students from 1927 until the store was purchased by the UT Cooperative Bookstore in 1935. Its philanthropies are Children’s Miracle Network and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
The Phi Mu house in Sorority Village was designed by the Knoxville firm of Studio 4 Architects and cost $3.4 million to design and construct. It was one of the first houses to begin construction, but the contractor, TG Constructors, declared bankruptcy. The Phi Mu house was one of two being built by TG Constructors—the other being Alpha Omicron Pi. The Phi Mu house was mostly finished at the time of the bankruptcy and needed few remedial repairs. It was finished by Hickory Construction. The performance bondholder for TG Contractors was Great American Insurance.
The sorority moved into the house in time for 2013 recruitment. The house comprises twelve thousand square feet and houses 41 collegiate members.