| |
Delta Eta has a very rich history at
Arkansas State University. The chapter has been the definition of Southern
gentlemen at ASU for over 30 years. The chapter has seen its share of ups and
downs, but its has always survived.
Delta Eta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order was founded on
October 14, 1967. The charter members spawned from a group called the
"Statesmen." This was a group of guys founded in 1964 as a sports
organization. The Statesmen were founded to play intramurals on campus. Sammy
R. Gennuso was one of two faculty advisors to the Statesmen, and he continued as
a faculty advisor to Delta Eta for over 30 years. After three years, the
Statesmen formally petitioned for a charter with Kappa Alpha Order in May of
1967, and in July they received a letter of acceptance for the KA National
Headquarters. Thirty-four members of the Statesmen would compromise the charter
members of Delta Eta Chapter. William J. Graham, Assistant Executive Secretary
of KA, arrived in Jonesboro on October 9, 1967 for a week of lecturing to the
prospective KA initiates. On Friday, October 13, a banquet was held in ASU's
Reng Center to celebrate the occasion. William E. Forester, KA Executive
Secretary, was the featured speaker. Officers from Gamma Gamma Chapter, Memphis
State University, and Gamma Omicron Chapter, Lambuth College, performed the
initiation.
Delta Eta was located in a suite in ASU's State Hall. The
chapter remained there for over twenty years, until the current Kappa Alpha
Mansion was built. During the late 70's and the 80's, Delta Eta was hurt
because they did not have a permanent location for parties and rush functions.
In 1982 Tau Kappa Epsilon was the first fraternity on campus to build a house on
"Fraternity Row" on Robinson Street. Lambda Chi Alpha followed by building
their own house one year later. Small efforts were made to raise funds to build
a house, but there was reluctance by the chapter's Housing Corporation because
of a lack of involvement by the active chapter. In 1989, the active chapter
finally showed they were serious about building a house, and raised $10,000 for
the proposed house. This ignited the spark to build, and in April of 1990,
Delta Eta moved into their new home.
Since moving into the house, Delta Eta has reached new
heights. A full length basketball court was built in the back yard in 1995. In
1996, the shed and grill were built, and some major renovations were done
inside. Delta Eta has seen some of its largest pledge classes since 1990, and
continues to strive for excellence.
In 1997, the chapter celebrated its 30th anniversary. Newly
elected Knight Commander Jim Estes was the featured speaker at the banquet that
was held to celebrate the event. 1997 ended with the chapter earning its the
best overall grade point its has had in over five years.
When Delta Eta's officers returned from NLI in 1998, they
were holding an Ammen Award. This is a first for Delta Eta, but it will not be
the last.
There have been many changes since 1967, but many things
remain the same. Kappa Alpha has not changed. The qualities that attracted the
34 charter members in 1967--honor, integrity, chivalry, and brotherhodd--still
bind KAs today. |
| |
|
