The Seventieth Convention
Todd Shelton | 9/23/2003 Though stormy weather raged outside, a commitment to excellence reigned on the inside.And the winner is . . .
Trophies, plaques, and jewelry were the haul of the evening on Saturday night as undergraduates and alumni alike donned formal wear and congregated for the George C. Marshall Awards and Installation Banquet. Over 480 people attended this premier event. The evening started with entertainment by the KA Chorus. Everyone in attendance was touched as the chorus sang “My Kappa Alpha Rose” to Claudia Forester, widow of former Executive Director Bill Forester.
The music was great. The food was good too. But, the focus of the night was awards.
Three chapters earned the coveted Marshall Award for Chapter Excellence this year: Alpha Upsilon (Univ. of Mississippi), Beta Omega (Washington College) and Zeta Lambda (Bowling Green State Univ.).
Alpha Upsilon Chapter raised over $53,000 for MDA through their annual Fight Night, led in the creation of a Students Against Drunk Driving chapter, had a high percentage on the dean’s list and strengthened their communications efforts.
“During the past year, this chapter [Alpha Upsilon] has increased its size, gotten more involved on campus and refined its internal operations,” said Larry Wiese, executive director.
The Crusade program was instituted at Beta Omega Chapter this year. They hit the ground running participating in 30 community service projects with 84.8 hours per man. Every member is actively involved in other student organizations.
“The brothers of Beta Omega Chapter have truly improved in every area of chapter operations and continue to strive for excellence on a daily basis,” said Wiese.
With over 5,000 man hours of community service and $5,000 donated to charities, the brothers of Zeta Lambda Chapter continue their successes from previous years.
Every member of the 74-man chapter is actively involved with other organizations including the director of the largest philanthropic event on campus. Zeta Lambda Chapter also recently received the Gold Achievement Award for best chapter on campus from the campus office of Greek Life.
“For the past two years this chapter has earned the Marshall Award,” said Wiese. “They continued their success and aim of excellence again this year.”
Twenty-four chapters received the Samuel Z. Ammen Award (see awards summary). MG John W. Knapp (Beta - Virginia Military Institute ‘54) was recognized with the Distinguished Public Service Award. Nancy Leonard of Alpha Chi Omega was awarded the Accolade for Interfraternity Service. Michael Ruff (Gamma Eta - Florida State ‘67) was named Alumnus Advisor of the Year and Dr. Steven Hastings (Beta Epsilon - Delaware ‘70) was named Faculty Advisor of the Year.
The North-American Interfraternity Conference presented an Award of Distinction to Wogan Bernard (Alpha - Washingon & Lee ‘00) and Bill Dreyer (Alpha Delta - William Jewell ‘57).
From the Convention floor
After an invocation and introduction of the Executive Council and special guests, members of Troop 4 of the Gulf Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America presented the colors and Councilor Tom Faircloth led the Convention in singing the national anthem.
Knight Commander David M. Warren presented his biennial report. In his closing report, he thanked everyone for giving him the honor of serving Kappa Alpah Order and urged each person in the room to continue to work hard for KA.
“Work as hard as you can, be the best you can,” said Warren. “Somewhere in this room, just like I was back in Florida in 1979, my very first KA Convention, is sitting a future Knight Commander. Live the dream, live the honor, do your duty.”
Several legislative amendments were proposed. The Convention voted to allow a Knight Commander to serve up to two terms. This action reversed a vote made in 2001 at the Savannah Convention. Also, a constitutional amendment passed allowing for joint province councils.
By a vote of 145-16, the Convention passed a constitutional amendment to allow a chapter to elect to membership the father, stepfather or grandfather of a member.
A bylaw change was passed setting the election of chapter I, II, III to a date between November 1 and December 1, except in special cases to be approved by the executive director.
After a great deal of discussion and strong support for both sides of the issue, a motion to change the constitution to allow for the appointment of province commanders by the Knight Commander, rather than election by the undergraduate chapters failed. After the vote, Knight Commander Warren praised all the delegates for their efforts.
“I would just like to tell you, gentlemen, what an outstanding job as delegates each of you has done,” said Warren. “I applaud you very much for your time, effort, thoughts, consideration and comments.”
Ben W. Satcher, Jr. (Delta Omicron - Clemson ‘79) was elected the thirty-seventh Knight Commander of Kappa Alpha Order. J. Michael Duncan (Delta Kappa - Stephen F. Austin ‘69) was elected Senior Councilor. The gentlemen elected to serve as councilors on the thirty-second Executive Council are: Russell C. Brown (Delta Sigma - Houston Baptist ‘82), William E. Dreyer (Alpha Delta - William Jewell ‘57), M. Tom Faircloth (Kappa - Mercer ‘61), Sam O. Leake, Jr. (Beta Xi - Oklahoma State ‘61) and David M. O’Dell (Delta Gamma - Old Dominion ‘79).
Doug Bostick (Beta Gamma - College of Charleston ‘75) was elected Chief Alumnus. The Deputy Chief Alumnus is Joe Van Name (Beta Omega - Washington College ‘87).
Undergraduate Conference
Bruce Cannon, national undergraduate chairman, opened the conference with an address to the members. He reported a successful completion of the first membership needs assessment survey.
“It was mostly positive comments,” said Cannon. “The national office is going to be [using the survey] to give you better services.”
A bill before Congress, insurance rates, Operation Crimson Gift, the Number I’s Leadership Summit and scholarship were also presented in the opening address.
Elections were held for the new national undergraduate chairman and vice-chairman. Rusty English from Kappa Chapter was elected NUC. Tim Weaver from Omicron Chapter was elected vice-NUC.
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