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Dear Parents:
As parents, you may have a variety of questions about the fraternity experience. We hope to provide you with some useful information about Kappa Alpha Order (known as “KA” or “the Order"), one of the oldest and largest national fraternities.Kappa Alpha’s national philosophy of gentlemanly conduct and its unending quest for excellence are directly attributed to the example set by Robert E. Lee, our spiritual founder. As president of the college where KA was founded, Lee personified the traits of gentility and chivalry. KA strives to translate these timeless values into the mainstream of student life at colleges and universities across the nation.Established in 1865 and thriving ever since, the Order is a proven support network for young men as they make the transition to a four-year institution of higher education. Additionally, it provides many opportunities for enrichment and development. KA can better your son’s higher education experience by providing scholastic support, experience in leadership, interaction with faculty and administrators,
exposure to potential careers through educational programs and alumni, an opportunity for individual development through community service projects, and friendships that will last a lifetime.Belonging to a fraternity like KA is like nothing else your son will ever experience. Living together, growing together and learning about each other in a healthy environment are core principles of Kappa Alpha Order.
Sincerely,
Larry Stanton Wiese
Executive Director
Leadership
Today
With 134 chapters and 132,514 initiated members, Kappa Alpha Order continues to be a leader among fraternities. Kappa Alpha is positioned to meet the challenges of an ever changing society. Campuses have refocused their missions to meet the demands of information age careers and fluctuating demographics. Educational institutions at the same time have placed heavy emphasis on students’ development of values and ethics. Kappa Alpha Order, in the same spirit, has developed new programs and reinforced timeless ideals to compliment the undergraduate experience. The Crusade, KA’s total membership development program, focuses on scholarship, campus and community involvement, leadership development, and career-building skills.
Kappa Alpha’s Number I’s Leadership Institute (NLI) is the second-oldest continuing fraternity leadership school in the nation. The Institute focuses on preparing and educating our chapter presidents (Number I’s) to lead their chapter. Each spring, undergraduates have the opportunity to attend regional educational meetings, called Province Councils, that center on leadership development, personal development, and membership education, providing them with many tools for success. KA continues to develop and introduce new and exciting educational opportunities for undergraduates.
Scholarship
From the very beginning, Kappa Alpha Order was designed to be an adjunct to and promoter of higher education. Our primary focus is to ensure the academic
achievement of all our chapters and members. This philosophy is consistent with a founding principal of the acquisition of knowledge and the development of character. Kappa Alpha Order’s minimum
standard to remain an active member of a chapter is a 2.5 term grade point average. Many chapters set their own grade point average goals higher in their quest for excellence.
Furthermore, our Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation awards approximately $100,000 in scholarships annually to deserving members.
Philanthropy & Community Service
From the very beginning, Kappa Alpha Order was designed to be an adjunct to and promoter of higher education. Our primary focus is to ensure the academic achievement of all our chapters and members. This philosophy is consistent with a founding principal of the acquisition of knowledge and the development of character. Kappa Alpha Order’s minimum standard to remain an active member of a chapter is a 2.5 term grade point average. Many chapters set their own grade point average goals higher in their quest for excellence. Furthermore, our Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation awards approximately $100,000 in scholarships annually to deserving members.
Kappa Alpha Order recognizes the value of performing volunteer service. Project Outreach is the philanthropic program of Kappa Alpha and it educates members about fundraising and serving for the community. The program also recognizes chapters that excel in philanthropy and service. Every KA chapter is expected to make contributions to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, our national philanthropy. Collectively, KA chapters raise approximately $130,000-$150,000 annually and have tallied $2.5 million for MDA over the past 30 years.
Associated Costs:
The costs of joining KA are only a small percentage of your son’s college/university expenses. Beyond the national fees, each chapter is supported through local dues charged to all members. Chapter fees vary depending on meal plans, housing, social expenses and programs. In most situations, when chapters provide housing, it is at the same price or slightly less than comparable college/university housing. National fees as of 2007 are as follows:
One time induction fee (joining) $80
One time initiation fee (membership) $250
Annual national dues $85
Annual insurance charge $160
(annual dues and insurance are waived the first semester)
Our position on hazing
Hazing and all activities associated with hazing are strictly forbidden in the Order. Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. We assert that a chapter whose practices are not providing a healthy environment for their members has no place in Kappa Alpha Order.
Every KA chapter is expected to make contributions to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, our national philanthropy. Collectively, KA chapters raise approximately $130,000-$150,000 annually and have tallied $2.5 million for MDA over the past 30 years.
Current Kappa Alpha chapters:
Appalachian State University
Arizona State University
Arkansas State University
Auburn University
Bethany College
Birmingham-Southern College
Bowling Green State University
California State University, Bakersfield
Centenary College
Clemson University
College of Charleston
College of William and Mary
Davidson College
Delta State University
Drury University
Duke University
East Carolina University
Eastern Kentucky University
Elon College
Emory University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Southern College
Florida State University
Francis Marion College
Furman University
George Mason University
Georgetown College
Georgia College & State University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Southern University
Goldey-Beacom College
Hampden-Sydney College
Houston Baptist University
Indiana State University
Jacksonville State University
James Madison University
Lamar University
Lambuth University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana Tech University
Marshall University
McNeese State University
Mercer University
Miami University
Middle Tennessee State University
Midwestern State University
Millsaps College
Mississippi State University
Missouri Southern State College
Murray State University
Newberry College
Nicholls State University
North Carolina State University
Northern Arizona University
Northwestern State University
Oglethorpe University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma State University
Pennsylvania State University
Presbyterian College
Princeton University
Purdue University
Queens University
Randolph-Macon College
Rhodes College
Roanoke College
Sam Houston State University
San Diego State University
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southern Methodist University
Southwest Missouri State
Southwestern University
Stanford University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Tarleton State University
Tennessee Tech University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas State University
Texas Tech University
Texas Wesleyan University
Transylvania University
Tulane University
Univerisity of Tennessee
University of Alabama
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
University of Arkansas at Monticello
University of California at Berkeley
University of California at Riverside
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Kentucky
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Maryland
University of Memphis
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri at Columbia
University of Missouri at Rolla
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of North Florida
University of Oklahoma
University of Richmond
University of South Alabama
University of South Carolina
University of Southern Indiana
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Tennessee at Martin
University of Texas at Austin
University of the South
University of Tulsa
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of West Florida
Valdosta State College
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Tech University
Virginia Wesleyan College
Wake Forest University
Washington & Lee University
Washington College
West Georgia State University
West Texas A & M University
West Virginia University
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Western Carolina University
Western Kentucky University
Westminster College
William Jewell College
Wingate University
Wofford College
