Kappa Alpha & Gamma Sigma History

"Kappa Alpha Order was founded at Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, on December 21, 1865, and was chartered with that name and title as a non-stock organization by the Commonwealth of Virginia on March 18, 1907. It may be properly referred to as "the Order."

"The Order has continuously operated for subordinate units, designated as Active Chapters, chartered by it, in accordance with its Constitution and Bylaws on campuses of colleges and universities in the United States. It is military in organization and government, religious in feeling, dedicated to the principles of Judaeo-Christian tradition, and pledged to the preservation of the highest ideals of gentlemanly conduct among its members."

"In pursuit of its concept and dedication, duly constituted representatives of Kappa Alpha Order in Convention assembled do hereby and herein ordain and establish this Constitution, which together with the Bylaws, shall constitute the corporate Bylaws of the Order and be known as the Kappa Alpha Laws."

- Preamble of the Kappa Alpha Order Constitution

The following information was obtained from the “Formal Petition to Kappa Alpha Order” from the members of Alpha Sigma Xi at West Texas State College dated March 23, 1959.

HISTORY OF ALPHA SIGMA XI

Alpha Sigma Xi, the oldest men’s social fraternity on the campus of West Texas State College, was founded October 16, 1934, thus being the first men’s Greek letter organization of the campus. The group prior to this time was known as the “Redmen.” This early organization banned together in order to promote school spirit and enthusiasm for all competitive sports participated in by the West Texas State “Buffaloes.” During the Greek letter movement in the 30’s, the Redmen reorganized taking the Greek name, ALPHA SIGMA XI. Their nick-name in the early years was the “Ruff-Nexs.”

The emblem of Alpha Sigma Xi remains the same today as it did in the days of the hearty Ruff-Nex ----- the Ace of Clubs. The Ruff-Nex adopted this emblem because of the significance felt the Ace of Clubs had with their club ----“Not only the first, but the best.”

Through the years, Alpha Sigma Xi has taken part in all activities available to the students on the campus. Its members have proven to be the campus leaders, Student Senate officer holders, Personalities of West Texas, Student Managers, Dormitory Supervisors, Class Officers, Inter-Club Council Officers, Members of the W.T. Honor Roll, and at present, has an officer on the newly formed Inter-Fraternity Council.

The “Sigs” enter into the festivities of homecoming each year with a float entered in the homecoming parade and conduct a smoker for the Alpha Sigma XI Alumni. One of the most popular activities sponsored by the “Sigs” is ASMAR (Alpha Sig Minstrel and Review). Each year the fraternity also conducts as Annual Ugly Man Dance in his honor. As did the Ruff-Nex, the “Sigs” presently serenade frequently at the girl’s dormitories and draw large crowds at pinning ceremonies. Intra-mural sports are a big part of “Sig” life.

Alpha Sigma Xi is a fraternity which encourages scholarship among its members, exemplifies a strong bond of brotherhood, strives to build character of its individuals, and develops the moral, physical, and social status of its brotherhood.

KAPPA ALPHA HISTORY

Defining Our Creed

"We have but one rule here, and it is that every student must be a gentleman." ------ Robert E. Lee

Defining Our Duty

Our members understand the importance of helping others as well as the rewards and personal development offered from performing community service and philanthropic activities.

For fourteen years, the Muscular Dystrophy Association has been the national philanthropy of Kappa Alpha Order. KA is responsible in donating just over $1.4 million in support of muscular dystrophy.

Defining Our Scholarship

From its beginning, Kappa Alpha was designed to be an adjunct to and promoter of higher education. Our primary focus is to provide programs to ensure the academic achievement of all our chapters and members. To be initiated, each member must have a "C" average.

In addition many chapter scholarship programs are reinforced with incentives from the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation. The Foundation annually awards over $50,000 in scholarships to our undergraduates. To find out more about this year's scholarship contributions, visit the KA's national website.

Defining Our Future

Our primary goal is to build character and develop men into leaders. We strive to add to the individual's collegian experience and help prepare him for his future. We promote self-respect, leadership, community awareness, gentlemanly conduct and academic excellence.

Kappa Alpha has created programs that educate our members on issues facing today's college student, responsible use of alcohol, ethical leadership and the value of lifetime membership in Kappa Alpha.

Defining Our Present

With 130 chapters and 114,000 initiated members, Kappa Alpha continues to be a leader among fraternities. Kappa Alpha is positioned to meet the challenges of an ever-changing American society. From community service to scholarship, KA provides programs to compliment the educational system.

Defining Our Past

James Ward Wood, Stanhope McClelland Scott, William Nelson Scott and William Archibald Walsh , were among the first 50 students to return to Washington College (Now Washington & Lee University) following the war, sought to bind their friendship by "mutual pledge of faith and loyalty." They formed Phi Kappa Chi, adapting a ritual from an extinct fraternity. However, the members of the group soon changed the name to Kappa Alpha, by request of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity that already existed on campus. The Kappa Alphas met at the Ann Smith Academy where the Scott brothers' father was headmaster. During the first year, KA initiated seven new men -- among them was Samuel Zenas Ammen. Ammen, unimpressed with the borrowed ritual, said it was "mere verbal pyrotechnics in florid sophomoric style with nothing to touch the imagination of initiates nor stir their fancy." He collaborated with Wood and William Nelson Scott to write a new ritual which changed Kappa Alpha from a fraternity into an Order of Christian knights pledged to the highest ideals of character and achievement. Their emulated that college's president, Robert E. Lee, a great man eminent in character. Lee was not a member of Kappa Alpha, but his influence on the early members shaped the destiny of the young fraternity. Kappa Alpha's coat-of-arms, in accord with heraldic rules, is as follows: the badge is the escutcheon; the well-known KA motto, Dieu et les Dames, adorns the scroll; the helmet is from the knight; the crest is from the Knight Commander's seal, a battle-ax in the right hand in the act of striking; the supporters are lions, representing courage; and the background is formed by 63 streams of light radiating from the cornet. The coat-of-arms was designed by Samuel Zenas Ammen.

Kappa Alpha has two flags. The official flag, adopted in 1893, is divided into three equal vertical bands of color: crimson, white and old gold (in that order, left to right). A crimson Greek cross is centered in the white band. The supplemental flag, adopted by the 52nd Convention in 1967, is a field divided by the colors crimson and old gold with a white shield (badge) bearing a Greek cross and letters KA in crimson.

Defining Our Philosophy

Kappa Alpha Order is a way of life significant to the development of young men. Emulating chivalric ideals and genteel ethic, kA translates these timeless philosophies into the mainstream of American colleges and universities. These gentlemanly traits are the hallmark for men who have chosen our unique lifestyle.