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Dear Brothers
C. Douglas Simmons III
(Beta Tau–Mississippi State ‘95)
Knight Commander's Message
When I was installed in 2019, at the 78th Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, the next Convention and a global pandemic were not yet in view.
In January 2020, I attended Number I’s Leadership Institute (NLI) as usual. The Order was able to host our five inaugural regional Officer Training Conferences (OTC). On February 11, the disease known as COVID-19 was officially named, and on February 29, the U.S. reported a first death. The CDC announced a recommended maximum of 50 people gathering. On March 18, the Executive Council met via conference call, and Executive Director Larry Wiese reported that all campuses had closed in-classroom instruction and were expected to transition to virtual classes. All staff travel was cancelled, first through the end of March, and then for the rest of the term. While many precautions were taken, our National Administrative Office never closed, and with staff assistance, our chapters never ceased operations. I am proud that chapters and officers persevered during difficult times. Our COVID-19 Advisory Committee recommended that the 2021 NLI be split into several smaller, regional sessions, along with one virtual option.
There are successes to note: Spring 2020, our highest GPA was reached, a 3.338. Fall 2020, our highest fall GPA was reached 3.085—the first above a 3.0. From July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021, $57,283 was raised and more than $69,600 was granted to 65 recipients in the form of COVID Relief Grants, and, 131 brothers received more than $170,000 in academic scholarships. The National Internship Program was expanded beyond Washington,
D.C., to include Atlanta, Georgia, and Dallas, Texas. The Crimson & Gold Society, comprised of brothers and friends giving $1,000 annually, reached its highest level at 847 members—and will reach 1,000 members this calendar year. I presented a charter to Zeta at Randolph-Macon College in the fall of 2019, and in the fall of 2020, despite the pandemic and with protocols in place, we also safely hosted two rechartering events for Beta Gamma at the College of Charleston and Delta Lambda at Middle Tennessee
State University.
In our overall approach to this world-changing event, the Order did not shy away. As we lead out of this pandemic, in a world filled with uncertainty and angst, I ask each of you to: 1.) Remember your obligations ; 2.) Strenuously defend every brother’s reputation; 3.) Always exert yourselves for the honor and prosperity of this Order of Knights, and; 4.) Be proud to be a KA. Because I always will be.
Fraternally,
The Kappa Alpha Journal (ISSN #0888-8868, USPS #014-747) is an educational journal published four times a year by Kappa Alpha Order, 115 Liberty Hall Rd., Lexington, Virginia, 24450. Periodicals postage paid at Lexington, Virginia, and additional mailing offices.
The Kappa Alpha Journal seeks to reflect the Kappa Alpha experience by presenting news of active and alumni chapters, individual members, and the national organization; by addressing current issues facing the Greek system and the Order; by educating and entertaining those interested in the welfare of Kappa Alpha; and by serving as a historical record.
The Kappa Alpha Journal has been published since 1879. From 1883 to 1885 it was known as The Magazine of Kappa Alpha.
Kappa Alpha Order was founded in 1865 at Washington College (Washington and Lee University) in Lexington, Virginia. Today, Kappa Alpha boasts 125 undergraduate chapters and more than 60 alumni chapters across the nation.
SUMMER 2021
VOLUME CXXVIII NUMBER 1
HOW TO CONTACT: Editor, The Kappa Alpha Journal
P.O. Box 1865 Lexington, VA 24450 (540) 463-1865 jlyons@ka-order.org
TO CHANGE AN ADDRESS: Fill out the Alumnus Update on the website or send both your new and old address to Erika Brooke at the above mailing address or to ebrooke@ka-order.org.
MEMBER:
Copyright © 2021 Kappa Alpha Order
KAPPA ALPHA® is a registered trademark of Kappa Alpha Order.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Kappa Alpha Order, P.O. Box 1865, Lexington, Virginia 24450
Letter From the Editor
Very few of us want to recall much of the past 18 months.
Remember those initial feelings? Fear and angst about the unknown. Frustration and anger soon followed. The world was brought to a halt.
There is no question that the pandemic presented an equal opportunity to affect everyone, everywhere. And, the Kappa Alpha Journal, its production, and content intended for certain timeframes, have been affected as well.
Luckily, KA has been prolific for many years in producing and delivering excellent digital content through new channels, including social media, targeted e-newsletters, and websites, specifically KappaAlphaJournal.com. We continued that approach throughout the pandemic, including hosting live virtual events, engaging in new social media tactics, and more. There remain, however, traditional communication methods and the awardwinning Kappa Alpha Journal is number one on that list.
As you can imagine, producing a first-class publication takes many steps and an interesting timeline. To name just a few issues incurred: production has been delayed at the publishing house and a corporate restructuring there changed several staff roles, paper mills around the world are closing or are on minimal hours, creating a higher demand for the products we utilize, and the collection of content from chapters and others has been uniquely altered.
In addition, several important and atypical work paths at the National Administrative Office combined with production issues delayed the KAOEF Annual Report. While in this issue, you’ll read the 2019–2020 Annual Report, the 2020–2021 Annual Report will appear shortly. For instance, while 734 Crimson & Gold Society members are reported in this issue, this year’s count is 846, and the goal of 1,000 members will be met in December.
Nevertheless, it’s comforting to note that much of the content we include is timeless. No matter what quarter or even what year you pick up your copy of the Journal, our stories of success, perseverance, and values-in-action will surely resonate.
The Journal is just one minor example of the disruption we all faced and the hope of better times ahead. Our lives and professions are not without areas for improvement, but that’s the real journey—not just where we’ve traveled, not just where we are today, but where does our path lead in the future? I, for one, look forward to charting that course. A saying goes, “I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for them.” I like it better this way, “I can’t wait to see what we (meaning all of KA) have in store for the world.” With that approach, let us charge forward.
Fraternally,
Jesse S. Lyons
(Delta Alpha–Western Carolina ’98)
