The opportunity to head the communications of the Order and serve as editor of the already-award-winning KA Journal was going to be one of the biggest challenges I’d ever faced. To be honest, I was pretty scared. But Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ‘em, ‘certainly I can’ - and [then] get busy and find out how to do it.” This bit of wisdom certainly applied in my case. Taking on this job was indeed a huge risk, but one that I am profoundly grateful that I took.
During my tenure as director of communications/Journal editor, I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of the very best that KA has to offer. I won’t forget talking with Bill Owens (Delta Kappa ‘70 - Stephen F. Austin State), the governor of Colorado who was recently dubbed the best governor in America. I won’t forget the special tour of Quantico military base in northern Virginia that Executive Director Larry Wiese and I took with LtCol. Lee B. Ragland (Nu ‘78 - Auburn), a presidential pilot for Marine I.
I won’t forget the many wonderful stories of brothers doing such great things in our world today. I won’t forget how difficult it was to write the heart-wrenching obituaries of brothers found in the memoriam section. And I certainly won’t forget this special ‘family’ I’ve been fortunate to work with here in our beloved headquarters.
It is a great honor to have carried the light as the 33rd editor of The Kappa Alpha Journal. I’ve followed in the footsteps of many great writers and historical figures of our past, dating back to the first issue, published in 1879. I’m grateful for joining this group of esteemed brothers. I’m also excited about the great things to come in the future from my successor, Todd Shelton (Delta Lambda ‘91-Middle Tennessee State) who will no doubt carry on the long tradition of excellence associated with The Journal and this department.
The Order has truly blessed me with unique experiences and opportunities that I could not have gotten otherwise. Going back to my first position with KA as an ELC, I can’t imagine having a better job straight out of college; it gave me the opportunity to travel the country, see the awesome landscapes of the West, and most importantly, to visit chapters and universities in order to make a difference in the lives of our active brothers. To say that I’ve grown and learned many valuable skills from KA is an understatement. Where else can you take a job as the sole editor, author, layout designer, and photographer for a nationally published magazine at age 22? To that end I would encourage anyone interested in working for the Order to try and do so, because the experience gained here is unlike any other; mine will provide a solid foundation upon which I build my career.
KA has touched the lives of many people in special ways. It never ceases to amaze me how far the arms of KA reach out to the people of our organization, our country and to our world.
Ironically, the woman I’ve fallen in love with was the KA Rose for the Gamma Omicron Chapter at Lambuth University. It is also quite fitting that this issue be published around the date that Khakki and I first met a year ago on February 17, 2002. To that end, I’d like to dedicate this issue to her and the adventure that lies ahead for us.
KA has given me more than I could possibly give in return. I believe, however, that it is our duty to forever strive to give back, not only to this organization, but in all aspects of life. Once during a sermon at my home church in Brentwood, Tenn., the head pastor, Dr. J. Howard Olds, said, “You were made to serve, not to be served...it’s time now to replace the image of success with the image of service. It’s time to put in more than you take out.”
With that perspective, we must continue to ask ourselves, “What am I doing to keep the spirit and practice of modern day chivalry alive? Am I leaving behind footprints worthy of being followed?” We must strive to leave behind a legacy of honor, integrity, gentility and service.
Thank you for your support, continued interest and love for Kappa Alpha Order. May excellence always be your aim in everything you do.
Fratres Usque Ad Aram Fideles
