Knight Commander's Message
Ben Satcher, Jr. | 10/01/2003 Ben Satcher, Jr. writes his first message as Knight CommanderDear Brothers:
As I write my first message as your 37th Knight Commander, I look back over my service to KA and what a privilege it has been for me to work with all of the Knight Commanders since my initiation into the Order at Delta Omicron Chapter in 1979. All of these men have led this Order to the very best of their abilities and for the good of the Order as they saw it. I pledge to each of you the same. I am truly honored and humbled to serve in this capacity.
I also write this article with a heavy heart. Our Order lost a great leader in July when Former Knight Commander and National Chaplain Dr. W. McLeod Frampton, Jr. passed away at the age of 95. He was the only Chaplain the Order has ever known, and he was a dear friend and mentor to me. He personified the true southern gentleman and exemplified the character and integrity that all of us, as Kappa Alphas, should strive to achieve. He will be missed, but he left a great legacy.
The Order has just held its most successful Convention in Tampa, Fla., where we had over 500 brothers in attendance. Friendships were renewed, excellent training for our undergraduates and alumni was provided, and the work of the Order was conducted.
We also had the privilege of initiating Bill Wood, the grandson of James Ward Wood. This, in a sense, brought us back to the beginnings of our Order and it should cause us to recognize how important it is for every active chapter to focus on all legacies who come through the chapter doors each year during rush. By recognizing and acknowledging someone with ties to KA, we perpetuate our strengths and we solidify our role in the families that these young men represent. I hope that each active chapter will go to great efforts to recruit young men whose fathers, grandfathers, brothers and uncles have helped to make our Order great.
As Kappa Alphas we have so much to be proud of, yet we have much work still to do. I outlined for you, during my speech at Convention, my goals as we move forward and I’d like to summarize them again for all of you:
- The Order will maintain its zero tolerance toward hazing and continue to focus on all areas of risk management
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Increase participation in The Crusade program to 50 chapters by 2005
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Grow our number of active chapters by 4-5 per year over the next two years
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Continue to look for opportunities to assist chapters in the purchase of fraternity housing
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Grow the membership in The Loyal Order program to 2,000 alumni by 2005 I realize that I have set some lofty goals, but I am confident that our undergraduates, alumni, and volunteer leaders will rise to the challenge. I pledge my commitment to work diligently for the betterment of our Order. I know that through all of our efforts we can achieve our goals.
I wish each of our active and alumni chapters much success this year. I look forward to the progress we will make in all areas as we remember to live in honor and strive for excellence.
Fraternally,
Ben W. Satcher, Jr. Knight Commander
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