The PODIUM - Spring 2024

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

STAFF

Kappa Kappa Psi National President

Tau Beta Sigma National President

National Accounting Manager

Projects & Systems Manager

Membership Services Coordinator

Membership & Expansion Coordinator

National Events Coordinator

Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter Field Representative

Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter Field Representative

Bang Co

Leslie Gartin

Kathy Webster

Aaron Moore

Debbie Morris

Nicole Brooks

Lisa Croston

Kennedy Struck

Jake January

MAILING ADDRESS

The PODIUM National Headquarters Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma P.O. Box 849 Stillwater, OK 74076-0849 (405) 372-2333 www.kkytbs.org e-mail: podium@kkytbs.org

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

Articles must be prepared using common word processing software or submitted by e-mail. Photographs must have captions attached with all individuals identified. Detailed author’s guidelines can be found on the NHQ web site at: podium.kkytbs.org

DEADLINES

May 1 December 1 Fall issue Spring issue

The PODIUM is produced at the National Headquarters of Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma in Stillwater, Okla., and printed and mailed by Modern Litho-Print, Jefferson City, Mo.

On the Cover:

The Aristocrat of Bands (AOB) performs at The National Battle of the Bands 2023. Last year, They became the first collegiate marching band ever to win a GRAMMY® Award for their album, “The Urban Hymnal” in the Best Gospel Roots Album category. See the story on pg 6!

bangco@kkpsi.org lesler@tbsigma.org webster@kkytbs.org moore@kkytbs.org morris@kkytbs.org brooks@kkytbs.org croston@kkytbs.org cfrkky@kkpsi.org kkycfr@kkpsi.org

May 1

• Online deadline for articles being submitted to the Fall 2024 issue of The PODIUM

• Submission & postmark deadline for ΤΒΣ National Scholarship applications

May 5

• ΤΒΣAA Virtual 5K

May 15

• Deadline for all KKPsiAA Awards and Grants

June 1

• On-time deadline for Spring Activity Reports

July 1

• Deadline for the KKΨ AEA Scholarship and Some National Awards

September 30 (October 15 for Quarter Schools)

• Submission & postmark deadline for KKΨ & TBΣ Chapter Personnel Reports, policy acknowledgments and fees.

Dec 1

• Online deadline for articles being submitted to the Spring 2025 issue of The PODIUM

Dec 1

• On-time deadline for Fall Activity Reports

what'sINSIDE

Writers Wanted!

The National Headquarters accepts the Podium submissions via e-mail at podium@kkytbs.org and online at podium.kkytbs.org. In order to make processing of articles easier please use the following format:

Remember that articles must be received by May 1 for the fall issue and December 1 for the spring issue. Within the subject line include "Podium Article for (your) Chapter."

Feature articles should be 1-2 pages, not including photos. You can figure 600 words per page, so a 2-page article would be about 1,200 words. Try to keep your article to a multiple of 300 words, with a 600 word/1-page minimum.

Fraternity/sorority-wide news items should be one-half page/300-word minimum, not including photo(s).

Chapter news items should be one-quarter page/150-word minimum, not including photo(s).

Articles may be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail message; save the article as either a Microsoft® Word document or in Rich Text Format.

Be sure to send photos illustrating your story. Photos must be 300dpi or higher and attached separately from the article, not embedded. We assume that the writer of the article has full rights to the photos and grants a license to us for publication purposes. Submissions containing photographs will receive priority for publication.

Every photo must have a caption! Be sure to include the photo captions within the e-mail for the article you send and be sure you identify everyone in the photo.

Original photos are preferred, either color or blackand-white.

Helpful Hints

- Make your article interesting and exciting to read.

- Focus on one or two topics and expand upon it.

- Try not to write a chapter summary report for your article.

- We like to hear about extraordinary things such as successful fundraisers, unique socials, or service projects.

FROM YOUR NATIONAL PRESIDENTS

As this issue of the Podium goes to Press, we wanted to give a hearty “hello” and set the tone officially for the rest of the biennium. As you are reading this, you’re probably loaded with activities and problems in your mind. That is life, and the stresses of the world seem to get heavier with every passing year. While you are taking a break for a moment to see what’s new in the world of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, please remember this: YOU MATTER.

If you are a brand new Sister in the exciting rush of your first few weeks in the organization, to a seasoned Past National President Brother who is reading this to see what their beloved friends for generations are up to, you all matter to us. While we do move mountains as a whole group of thousands of people, it is each individual Brother and Sister and their story that makes everything possible. As National Presidents of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi, please see this: we see you. We hear you. You matter to us.

In this exciting issue, we’re so excited for you to read about a plethora of stories of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood, from a very special article from our friends at Tennessee State University, to reading about the happenings from our Sisters at the University of North Carolina. We hope you are making plans to participate in the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association Virtual 5K, held May 5 on the track of your choice! We are especially humbled and solemn to share with you the life and legacy of Jean Newman, past National President of Tau Beta Sigma, who presided over the 50th anniversary of the Sisterhood.

Our vision statements may have been delivered months apart, but they share similar ideals: care about one another, give grace, and know that the world is better because you’re here. Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are influenced positively by your presence, and we’re so thankful for you! Onwards and upwards, and we hope you finish your Spring Semester strong!

Leslie K. Gartin

41st

National President

Kappa Kappa Psi Tau Beta Sigma

EXPANSION& MEMBERSHIP

KAPPA KAPPA PSI Re-Chartered Chapter

Eta Iota

Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach, Florida

KAPPA KAPPA PSI Re-Chartered Chapter

Kappa Pi

Claflin University Orangeburg, South Carolina

KAPPA KAPPA PSI Re-Chartered Chapter

Theta Psi

Virginia Union University Richmond, Virginia

KAPPA KAPPA PSI NEWly Installed Chapter

Xi Eta

Austin Peay State University Clarksville, Tennessee

TAU BETA SIGMA Re-Chartered Chapter

Theta Gamma

Alcorn State University Lorman, Mississippi

TAU BETA SIGMA Re-Chartered Chapter

Iota Gamma

Fort Valley State University

Fort Valley, Georgia

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ESTABLISHING A CHAPTER ON YOUR CAMPUS VISIT: kkpsi.org/membership/starting-a-chapter | tbsigma.org/expansion

A Year of Success Through Musical Achievements, the AristoKratiK Way

Cameron Ratcliff

Zeta Pi - ΚΚΨ

Tennessee State University

The date is February 5th, 2023 and a feeling of unease and nervousness filled the air while eager students looked on at a Watch Party in the Student Center on their campus. Then all of a sudden, at exactly 4:45pm CST, an eruption of cheers and chants filled the atmosphere. This particular group, the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands, has just made another historical moment in time. They became the first collegiate marching band ever to win a GRAMMY® Award for their album, “The Urban Hymnal” in the Best Gospel Roots Album category. The award was accepted at the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards inside of the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, CA by Professor Larry Jenkins, Assistant Director of Bands, Sir William James Baptist (Sir the Baptist), and Aaron Lockhart (more known

as Dubba-AA). Later on that night, they would win their second GRAMMY® Award for their work on the poet J Ivy’s album, “The Poet Who Sat By The Door” in the Best Spoken Word Album category. This band’s accomplishment is about to change the landscape of its program forever.

The GRAMMY® win is nothing short of historic, but it adds to another layer of historical mentions for the marching band. The Aristocrat of Bands, commonly known as the AOB, has earned an extensive reputation as being the “Band of Firsts’’. They were the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) marching band to appear on national television in 1955 during the L.A. Rams versus the Chicago

Prof. Larry Jenkins (Eta Omega KKΨ), Sir the Baptist, and Aaron Lockhart (Both Zeta Pi KKΨ Honoraries), photographed accepting the GRAMMY® win. Cr: Recording Academy Official Twitter Account

Bears NFL game, which also dubbed them the name of Aristocrats by one of the sportscasters. A few years later, they appeared as the first HBCU to perform at the Presidential Inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961. In 2002, the band became the official marching band of the Tennessee Titans, making them the first HBCU to be named as the official band for a NFL team. The Aristocrat of Bands has performed in over 40+ states here in the United States, but has also made appearences in Tokyo, Japan, Lagos, Nigeria, and has toured parts of Switzerland and Germany, and in recent years traveled throughout South America (mostly in the country of Columbia). In recent years, the band has continued to make groundbreaking and historical strides such as performing with Country music singer Keith Urban, appeared on First Take, the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, HBO’s The Cut, performed on the red carpet of the 2019 NFL Draft, the 2023 CMA Fest, and performed on the White House’s South Lawn twice: under President Barack Obama (for the opening of The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, 2016) and President Joseph Biden (for the nation’s first Juneteenth Concert, 2023).

While there have been so many accomplishments, the band continues to make strides as one of the premier bands in the country by performing for different big calliber events like against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Band, promoting the new movie, The Color Purple, being the first HBCU band to perform in the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, to hosting recruitment events in every state they travel to in order display why they’re considered one of the best HBCU band programs in the country.

TSU playing on the South Lawn for the nation’s Juneteenth Celebration, June 2023. Cr: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds

The AOB performing at the National Battle of the Bands 2023. Cr: Andrew Henry Caballero-Reynolds

To Strive Higher

by Maddie Olmos Nu Kappa - ΚΚΨ Georgia Southern University

Becoming a District Officer was never a position I thought I could hold. When I first came into Kappa Kappa Psi in the Fall semester of 2019, I was content with being a brother that served but never pursued an officer position, even in my chapter. That quickly changed the following semester, when the position of Sergeant at Arms became vacant, in which I was nominated and elected. Over the next few years, I held both the SAA and Historian positions in my chapter. As time passed, especially after Covid, I often found myself feeling undervalued, lost, and at a complete standstill. In 2022, my chapter, Nu Kappa, decided to attend the Southeast District Convention at Callaway Gardens. Since Covid came the semester after my initiation, this would be my first Psi event in-person. I was interested to see if attending would shift my emotions and opinions - and boy did it. It was life changing! I could just feel the commodity amongst everyone attending. I even remember crying after singing the hymn, as I could physically feel the passion for Kappa Kappa Psi rush back through me. I needed to be more involved! That same convention, I learned that the District Parliamentarian seat was becoming vacant and that applications would open soon. After many talks with Liz Duncan and Tony Shelton, two brothers that were (and still are) heavily involved in the fraternity, I decided to apply for the position.

After learning that I had been selected to serve as the Southeast District Parliamentarian for the 2022-2023 term, I was overwhelmed with joy and anxiety. On one hand, I was extremely excited and ready to step into the role of serving my district. On the other hand, I had never done anything to this magnitude before and was filled with immediate imposter syndrome. Thankfully, I had an amazing team of District Officers that helped me navigate through these feelings and encouraged me to do my best. Throughout my term, I was able to assist other chapters in making changes to their constitutions to better align with the National and District constitutions, provide resources to Sergeant at Arms and Parliamentarians across the district, and speak with chapters about how to best implement Robert’s Rules of Orders. I was able to meet so many new brothers that I otherwise wouldn’t have, had I continued to restrict myself to only Nu Kappa. I also developed a deeper understanding and respect towards National and District operations. The year had gone by quickly and I simply didn’t want it to end. Many happy and sad tears were shed when leaving the 2023 SEDC in Knoxville, Tennessee, as my time of serving on the Southeast District Council was over… or so I thought.

After numerous discussions with our Governors and past District Council, I decided to run for a new position. After applying, I was selected to serve as the Southeast District Vice President of Programs for the 2023-24 term. This position is very different from the last, because it requires a more hands-on approach. However, it has developed my communication, knowledge of social media,

and understanding programs within our District. Plus, I also get the opportunity to travel and meet new brothers in new settings, alongside an amazing council.

Becoming a District Officer was the most rewarding decision I have made. I’ve seen so much personal growth throughout my time on council. Becoming a District Officer has truly recharged me and my desire to do more within Kappa Kappa Psi. Whenever someone asks if they should run for a position, I immediately say yes and give a long list detailing why every brother should.

SED Meet Up at Disney Springs before 2023 National Convention in Orlando, Florida (Left to Right: Brandon Derricho, Liz Duncan, Savanna Perry, Maddie Olmos, Mike Ingenito)

The Nu Kappa Chapter at Georgia Southern University

2022-23 District Council at 2023 SEDC at Knoxville, Tennessee (Left to right: Alex Jenks, Maddie Olmos, Taylor Hughes, Jesse Jackson, Hunter Harris, Savanna Perry)

Bless The Rains (and bandsmen) in Africa

by Krystina Stevens

Theta Phi - TBΣ

Hampton University

It’s January 2023, the start of a new semester and the Marching Force is ready to continue the pep band season. Except, this season will be a bit different. Our Director of Bands, and U.S. Army Reservist, Dr. Thomas L. Jones Jr., has officially gone on active duty orders to serve his country. Dr. Jones began his ten-month deployment in the Republic of Djibouti in December of 2022 and had very limited access to his Home by the Sea at Hampton University.

Approximately five months into the endeavor, Theta Phi’s advisor and Soror, Coach Brint Martin tasked the newly initiated members of Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha to help out our fellow Marching Pirate by sending Dr. Jones a care package. Coach Brint appointed me as the spearhead of the project and asked that I ensure the care package had everything Dr. Jones and his battle buddies would need for both survival and leisure.

With this being my first project as a new member of Tau Beta Sigma, I wanted to make sure everything was completed as efficiently as possible and in a timely manner. The new members of Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha and Tau Beta Sigma chose which items would be shipped over to Dr. Jones. Inside the package were many sanitary items and snacks as well as fun activities to keep morale up. Sanitary items included baby wipes, lens wipes, a travel kit with toothpaste,

lotion, deodorant, razors, lip balm and medicine, and baby powder. The snacks were some of Dr. Jones’ favorites like smarties along with other candies, and chips. Morale boosters included handwritten notes from the members of the Marching Force, coloring books and crayons, water balloons and playing cards and more entertainment items for him and his battle buddies.

With the help of my SisTaus, including our Charter Mother Rosalyn McDonald, the care package mission was a success. I’d be remiss if I didn’t specifically mention my SisTau Sabriya Root. She was my right hand throughout this endeavor from gathering the supplies all the way to shipping the package. Sabriya reassured me and was there to support me every step of the way.

After the care package was shipped, we all felt a wave of relief knowing that we had successfully completed our first service activity as new members in our music organizations. We were so excited to serve our Director of Bands as he put his life on the line for his country, but specifically for his band; The Hampton University Marching Force, Pi Beta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha, Nu Omega Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, and Theta Phi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma appreciates Dr. Jones and everything he does for us.

Members of Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha ready to send off the care package for Dr. Jones. Top (left to right): Braedon Isom, Byron Riddick, Daylen Douglas. Bottom (left to right): Cleo White, Krystina Stevens, Kalailah Coleman, Tali Pinkett, Sabriya Root, McKenzie Neal

Sisters Bonding through Service

By Nathaly Aranda-Velez

Iota Lambda - TBΣ

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This semester, the sisters of the Iota Lambda chapter completed many projects as we execute service for greater bands through our love for music. Some of the completed projects and events stand out to many of us as we focused on strengthening the bond within our chapter but also with organizations in UNC-Chapel Hill’s Greek Music Council (which includes Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Phi Mu Alpha). We learned about the importance of balancing and completing our service requirements and sisterhood socials.

At UNC-Chapel Hill, some bathrooms in different buildings are supplied with free menstrual products for students. Unfortunately, music buildings do not always have the advantage of being supplied with these free resources. The sisters of Tau Beta Sigma (Iota Lambda) and Sigma Alpha Iota (Iota Tau) became aware of this issue and joined forces to serve Women in Music within our campus. Both organizations collect donations of menstrual products and put together care bags that contain pads and

Bottom 4 individuals: members of the Iota Tau chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota Top 7 individuals (from left to right): Grace Foland (parliamentarian), Tygia DrewHowell (VPM), Jazmin Valdez (Assistant Treasurer & Assistant VP), Nathaly Aranda-Velez (Corresponding Secretary & Assistant VPM), Kellie Finch (Historian), Eden Gordon (VPSP), Allison Ranatza (Webmaster & Assistant VPSP).

tampons. These bags were then distributed within the bathrooms of our music buildings. Signs were made for students to become aware of the resources we provided in the bathrooms. Completing this service project in collaboration with Sigma Alpha Iota not only completes service requirements for both organizations but also fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose among all of the participating members. Members of both Greek organizations were able to realize the importance of working together to make an impact and give back to our community.

This semester, the sisters of Iota Lambda also focused on strengthening the bond as a chapter. In order to do this we planned and attended many more bonding events (compared to other semesters). These events were planned by the Sisterhood and Social chair with ideas from the whole chapter. In November, the sisters of Iota Lambda had a movie night combined with PowerPoint night. We watched the movie Five Nights at Freddy’s and some of us enjoyed delicious snacks. This event also allowed

the sisters to be creative, make PowerPoints, and present to the whole chapter. The sisters had the freedom to decide their PowerPoint themes and the opportunity to be creative while designing them. Some of the PowerPoints included: what reminds me of the sisTAUS (objects, places, movies, etc), the sisters as restaurants, the sisters as cartoon characters, the sisters as My Little Pony, etc. This social bonding event helped destress many of the sisters as well as challenged our imagination and thinking of our members individually. Many of the PowerPoint were funny and helped us learn more about each other.

As a chapter, the sisters of Iota Lambda realized that we focus most of our time doing service and having meetings. Typically, the only bonding events that were planned were the mandatory sisterhood retreats. In order to continue serving for greater bands, we realized the importance of sisterhood. Therefore, this semester, many of the sisters made the effort to become close with each other by getting lunch together, going to the library, or attending concerts and events together. We were able to support each other by attending the recital and concert performances of one another as we exercised our mutual interest in the Art of Music in its performance and in the aesthetic qualities it can project to others. We realized how important it is to have bonding social events in order to bring each other together, strengthen the bond as a chapter, and get to know each other better! As a chapter, we focus on continuing to have the fortitude and courage to see an ideal, seize upon it, and follow it wherever it may lead us in Tau Beta Sigma! What better way than through service and sisterhood bonding events?

From left to right: Kellie Finch (TBS), Jazmin Valdez (TBS), Eden Gordon (TBS), and Alyssa Wilson (SAI).

Menstrual products in bags ready to be distributed!

Marching Chiefs Field Day 2023

By Jonathan Weiss Gamma Nu - ΚΚΨ Florida State University

First, thank you for taking the time to read this article. I am a spring 2022 brother from the Gamma Nu chapter at Florida State University. I serve the Marching Chiefs and played trumpet during the 2022 season. I am also the Ways and Means chairman for Gamma Nu and webmaster for the Southeastern district. I would love to share information regarding our annual Marching Chiefs Field Day and the lessons I learned along the way.

Field Day

The Marching Chiefs Field Day is a new event hosted by our chapter for our bands. The event invites all members, friends, and alumni to come out and celebrate a day of activities and rest. During our first iteration of this event, our Ways and Means committee took responsibility for organizing and running field day. This year brought new logistical challenges that required more hands and a broader scope of activities.

Organizing the event was a challenge for me. The scale and scope of the event seemed to grow daily. I reached out to my fellow chairman and split the work amongst us for full chapter implementation. I am incredibly proud of my fellow chairs as they truly helped facilitate this project and kept me on my feet. Instead of holding the event at Chiefs Field, scheduling conflicts required us to relocate the event to an inconvenient location, the intramural fields. We had to orchestrate a way to get tents, tables, merchandise, and other supplies to the site. We developed a detailed itinerary of what we needed and a map of exactly what needed to go where on the field. This proved extremely effective as we had a team running the materials to the site and another setting up the materials.

Brothers Jared Milligan and Moses Alti plant pies on each other at Gamma Nu’s Field Day.

Our activities included relay races, face painting, tug of war, corn hole, and flag football. This turned out to be a huge hit as there was an activity that anyone could do. We sold apparel and held our banquet fundraiser. We raised money by allowing Chiefs to pie leadership and brothers on a volunteer basis. The pieing is always fun and a great opportunity for hilarious pictures!

Closing Thoughts

The biggest takeaway from this event is to be flexible, prepare for the worst, and trust your team. I could have not done this event alone and truly take pride in the efforts of my fellow brothers. I would recommend a recreational day for any chapter to host! Don’t be a stranger if you have any questions!

Brothers Courtney Sims and Moses Alti face painting

Brother John Justice pastes Jonathan Weiss with a pie

A Mixture of brothers and chiefs for the conclusion of the event

Brothers Jared Milligan and Moses Alti square off with foam noodles.

Service with Sandwiches!

by Catherine Krause

Iota - ΚΚΨ

Georgia Institute of Technology

Throughout my time as a brother I have mostly only thought about our pillar of service in relation to brothers serving the band and the surrounding community. Never had I considered an initiative to involve the full band to participate in opportunities to be able to serve locally until talking to Iota’s Vice President of Service, Anna-Racquel Perez. She mentioned that our vision statement says that Kappa Kappa Psi empowers and influences the vibrant and diverse college band movement through purposeful programming, unified messaging, and excellence in service and operations. This does not apply just to brothers, but Psi should influence their community to participate in excellent service. Anna had been wanting to do a full band service project for awhile, so once she was able to learn about the sandwich project she knew that it would be a perfect fit for our band community. The sandwich project is a local non-profit that serves the Atlanta community’s food insecure population through individuals making sandwiches at home with proper food safety precautions and dropping them off at specified locations across town. Anna set a lofty goal of 200 sandwiches for our entire band community to make. To be able to prepare for this large scale service event, Anna reserved a large space with tables, invited the Epsilon Theta TBS chapter, and bought all the materials to make 200 sandwiches.

By the end of the night 250 sandwiches were made in less than an hour and dropped off with the sandwich project as well as engaging in casual conversations about both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma in relation to how we strive to serve our band and surrounding community. About 30 people were able to make the event with about half being affiliates and the other half being non-affiliates. Many people were excited to be able to set some time aside to give back to the Atlanta community mid-way through the semester as our joint recruitment service event is usually overshadowed by the craze of the beginning of the semester at Georgia Tech. Overall, both KKPsi and TBS chapters were able to casually mingle with other band members as well as answer any questions people might have about our influence & service to our music programs.

We want to encourage every chapter to be able to invite their music community to be able to give back locally. At first, it seemed like a lofty task to plan, coordinate, and succeed in making over 200

sandwiches for our community but after everything was said and done the event ran smoothly and every single person was having a blast. Being able to do this event jointly also created bonds across our two organizations and helped the band community understand that both organizations have commitments to serve our music community. To put on an event similar like this one, we recommend planning it early in the beginning of the semester to be able to implement the project around mid-semester. Team up with a nonprofit you are passionate about and create flyers, advertisements, or electronic reminders to send out to the band a minimum of two weeks before the event. We planned ours to happen right after band practice and created a social hour before it started for people to gather at a local sandwich shop to eat before the event to get to know people in the organizations as well as eat some yummy food. If you are interested in planning a similar event like this feel free to reach out to Anna-Racquel Perez at aperez315@gatech.edu. Our KKPsi and TBS chapter at Tech both want to implement this to be a joint semesterly service event with continued invitations to the Tech music community.

Anna (VPS) adding ham to the sandwiches

Everyone celebrating after making 250+ sandwiches for our community.

Epsilon Beta Welcomes a New Brother, Sponsor, Director of Bands

by Emma Parrish Epsilon Beta - ΚΚΨ University of Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas welcomed a new band director this Fall and with that the Kappa Kappa Psi Epsilon Beta Chapter welcomed a new sponsor: Dr. Derek Stoughton! Back in April members of the Epsilon Beta chapter had the privilege of watching Dr. Stoughton become an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi at the Southwest District Convention. To give Dr. Stoughton and his wife Ashley a warm welcome to Conway, over the Summer members of Epsilon Beta assisted them with moving into their new home. Dr. Stoughton has shown that he takes great pride in the band and in Kappa Kappa Psi through his hard work and dedication. He has attended chapter, gotten to know each brother personally, and frequently checks in on the chapter as a whole. Dr. Stoughton is also working with Epsilon Beta to help strengthen alumni connections through various events like alumni luncheons, and football game invites. Epsilon Beta is proud to have Dr. Stoughton as our sponsor and we cannot wait to see what he does in the future!

Kappa Kappa Psi has been an influential part of my life for the better part of 20 years. The lessons that we learn through our rituals are guiding principles in my life, and each time I have the pleasure of witnessing 3rd Degree, it serves as a tremendous reminder about how our organization shapes and influences its members to be the best versions of themselves in society. In addition to having the opportunity to serve college and university band programs, I have met some of my best friends and the greatest people that I know through Kappa Kappa Psi.

I would not be anything without our fraternity and I am grateful for the amazing brothers who have paved the way for our generation to have success and for our future brothers who will continue to allow Kappa Kappa Psi to strive for the highest!

– Dr. Derek Stoughton

Dr. Derek Stoughton is the new Director of Bands and KKPsi sponsor at University of Central Arkansas

From left: Jake January, Kennedy Struck, Bang Co, Dr. Derek Stoughton, Nicole Brooks and Ayleen Sanchez spend some time together at the 2024 Texas Music Educators Association Conference in San Antonio, TX. February 2024

Keeping Yourself Grounded in College through Kappa Kappa Psi

Navigating Academic Challenges with Musical Fellowship

By Savanna Perry Gamma Nu - ΚΚΨ Florida State University

College life can be a whirlwind of academic challenges, social dynamics, and personal growth. For those who find solace in the world of music, Kappa Kappa Psi emerges as a grounding force, offering not only a musical haven but also a community that navigates the ups and downs of college life together. In this article, I explore how being a part of Kappa Kappa Psi has provided me a stabilizing influence, helping me stay grounded amid the chaos of my academic pursuits.

Fostering a Supportive Community

One of the key aspects of Kappa Kappa Psi is the sense of community it provides. Joining the fraternity means becoming a part of a network of individuals who share a passion for music and a commitment to each other’s success. In the often overwhelming environment of college, having a supportive community becomes crucial for maintaining a sense of belonging and purpose. Within Kappa Kappa Psi, members find mentors, friends, and allies who understand the unique challenges of balancing musical commitments with academic responsibilities. Whether it’s navigating a challenging class or seeking advice on time management, the fraternity offers a built-in support system that helps students remain grounded and focused on their goals.

This semester has been rough for me. For context: I am a full time

graduate student, working 30+ hours a week in my assistantship, 10+ hours a week in my internship, and heavily involved in this organization. I was really struggling for a while to not only balance all of those things, but also take time for myself and my needs. Thankfully, I had built a strong support system with my brother’s (both in my chapter and outside of my chapter) that were there for me through this. I constantly had people checking in on me to make sure I was doing okay and to go out of their way to make sure I was taking time for myself. If it weren’t for this supportive community I honestly think I would have spiraled and gotten so lost in my work.

Balancing Academics and Musical Pursuits:

College is a time of exploration and self-discovery, but it also comes with the demands of rigorous academic schedules. For those involved in Kappa Kappa Psi, the challenge lies in balancing these academic commitments with the dedication required for musical pursuits. The fraternity, however, recognizes the importance of academics and provides a framework that encourages members to excel in both areas. Through study groups, mentorship programs, and a shared commitment to academic success, Kappa Kappa Psi becomes a guiding force, reminding members that they can pursue their musical passions without compromising their academic endeavors.

Above: The brothers and membership candidates of Gamma Nu after hosting the annual Marching Chiefs 5k.

A big way this organization has helped me balance my academic and musical pursuits was through study nights. Once a week this semester my chapter held a study night where we booked a private room in the library for the brothers to use for a few hours. On top of that, by attending the study night we would gain 0.5 involvement points towards the required points (Gamma Nu runs on an involvement point system where the majority of points come from service opportunities). This not only provided me with a space where I was encouraged to work on my academics, but also allowed me to spend quality time with my brothers and meet chapter requirements.

Time Management and Organizational Skills:

Being a member of Kappa Kappa Psi inherently involves juggling various responsibilities. From rehearsals and performances to fraternity meetings and community service initiatives, members learn the art of effective time management and organizational skills. These skills, honed within the fraternity, prove invaluable in the broader context of college life. As students navigate a myriad of assignments, extracurricular activities, and social engagements, the discipline instilled through Kappa Kappa Psi becomes a toolkit for success. Members find themselves better equipped to meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Kappa Kappa Psi helped me figure out a system that works for me when it comes to organization and time management. I am a very disorganized person by nature, but this organization has afforded me the tools and resources necessary to succeed. It also ties back into the strong support system I have built through my time in Kappa Kappa Psi, as they hold me accountable when it comes to these types of things.

Coping with Stress through Musical Expression:

The college experience often comes with its fair share of stressors, from exams to personal challenges. Kappa Kappa Psi provides a unique outlet for members to cope with these stresses through musical expression. Whether it’s playing an instrument, composing music, or simply being part of a musical ensemble, the fraternity becomes a haven where members can channel their emotions and find solace in the power of music. The act of making music together fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose. In times of stress, the camaraderie within the fraternity becomes a source of strength, reminding members that they are not alone in their struggles. The shared musical experiences create lasting bonds that go beyond the notes on a page, serving as a reminder of the resilience and support found within Kappa Kappa Psi.

As mentioned before, I have had a very rough semester. I truly don’t know if I have ever been as stressed as I have been throughout this. However, Kappa Kappa Psi gave me an outlet. No matter what I was going through, I was able to put that energy into this organization. I may have been stressed about a project, but I was able to turn that around into joy and excitement when it came to selling marching band merchandise at the football games. I may have been worried about some work tasks that needed to get done, but I got so much happiness working the Marching Chiefs 5k. I was able to put my worries aside and do something fulfilling.

Building Lifelong Friendships:

Kappa Kappa Psi is not just a fraternity; it’s a family. The relationships formed within the organization often extend far beyond the college years, evolving into lifelong friendships. These connections become a source of stability and continuity, grounding members as they navigate the transitions from college to the professional world. The

fraternity’s alumni network provides a wealth of resources and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that members are supported not only during their college journey but also as they embark on their post-graduation endeavors. This sense of continuity reinforces the idea that being a part of Kappa Kappa Psi is not just a college experience but a lifelong commitment to musical excellence and mutual support. The connections I have made in my (almost) 6 years of Kappa Kappa Psi so far (and know I will continue to make in the future) will be there for life. Our connection goes beyond just friendship. We’re brothers.

Conclusion:

Keeping yourself grounded in college through Kappa Kappa Psi is a multifaceted journey that encompasses community, academics, time management, stress relief, and lasting friendships. As members navigate the challenges of college life, the fraternity becomes a stabilizing force, providing the support and inspiration needed to thrive academically and musically. Through shared experiences, mutual support, and a commitment to excellence, Kappa Kappa Psi offers more than just a membership; it offers a pathway to personal and musical growth that extends far beyond the college years. For those seeking not only a musical outlet but a community that understands and uplifts, Kappa Kappa Psi becomes a grounding force, anchoring individuals in the transformative power of music and shared camaraderie.

(from left to right) Brother Jalen Smalls, Band Member Camille, Brother Savanna Perry, and Band Member Fiona at Gamma Nu’s fall recruitment week.

Brother Logan Walchshauser and Brother Savanna Perry attending the 50th anniversary vow renewal of Alumni Brother Bert King and Alumni Sister Linda King.

In Memoriam: Jean Newman

by Zachary Rebarchek Board of Trustees Member, TBΣ

On November 5, 2023, the Sorority learned of the sudden and unexpected passing of Jean Newman, who served as the 25th National President of Tau Beta Sigma, from 1993-1995.

Jean had the honor of presiding over the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Sorority during the 1995 National Convention in Orlando, FL. A life member of the Zeta Xi chapter at San Diego State University, she also served as Vice Chair and Chair of our Board of Trustees.

Jean’s love of music and band started when she joined the orchestra in the 3rd grade, playing the violin. By the time she reached high school, music had become a part of her life, and she picked up clarinet because her high school did not have an orchestra for her to play in.

With all her heart, Jean loved Tau Beta Sigma and for more than 40 years, unselfishly gave her time, talents, and gifts to our organization. Jean was a true mentor who inspired others with her independence, strength, and consistent leadership. She will forever be remembered for her kindness, loyalty, and for living the ideals and principles of our organization in every aspect of her life.

During her time on National Council, Jean was part of the implementation of several projects and initiatives that strengthened the foundation of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. In 1991, Project SOS (Save our Station) was launched to provide renovations and much-needed maintenance to our newly purchased National Headquarters Building at Stillwater Station. Jean participated in the launch of the TBS Chapter Field Representative, the framework for the Chapter Visitation Associates we use today. During her Presidency and in recognition of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, Tau Beta Sigma commissioned the bust of Founder Wava Banes Turner Henry, now located at Stillwater Station.

During an interview in 1999, Jean stated her time in the organization had helped her become a leader and in her professional life. “It taught me a lot about myself and also about people, and that’s what I’ll always cherish.” When asked what members should be focused on in our history, she replied that we needed to remember why the Sorority was started: “women, who

are now in college bands. It’s our common bond.”

The Sorority fondly remembers Jean in the words she used during the 50th Anniversary of Tau Beta Sigma:

“Most importantly, enjoy the Sisterhood and all that goes with it. At the end of our convention, you will have formed many new friendships and even greater feeling for the ideals of the Sisterhood. Tau Beta Sigma for Greater Bands!”

A Lifelong Commitment:

Finding Your KKWhy, Cultivating Philanthropy, and Sustaining “The

Kappa Kappa Psi

Journey”

By Bang Co, Kappa Kappa Psi National President

“Our Fraternal Journey extends far beyond our Active years.”

Time and time again, I’ve encountered alumni who, with a wistful tone, mention that they “used to be” a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi. While these encounters are often tinged with nostalgia, they also highlight a sobering reality–most of our Brothers become disengaged with the Fraternity after college.

While our Fraternity is undeniably student-centric, with a continued emphasis on the Active experience, the majority of our fraternal journey unfolds during our years as an alum. The Kappa Kappa Psi Journey is shared by thousands of alumni–71,720 to be precise. Yet, despite this sizable community, our Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association boasts fewer than 150 paid members (only 0.2% of our alumni base) and around 530 Life Members (only 0.7% of our alumni base).

Before I go any further, I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to the members of our alumni association and to those who have made a gift to the Fraternity. Now, the challenge ahead: how can we inspire more alumni to reconnect with our alumni association and support the KKPsi Giving Program? Here are some questions that have been on my mind that I’d like your help with.

• Why should alumni re-engage with an organization that they are not actively gaining from?

• What incentives are there for former members to invest their time, resources, and energy back into the Fraternity?

• What benefits await those who choose to reconnect with their fraternal roots?

Our Ritual teaches us that the true measure of our service lies not in what we stand to gain, but in our duty and dedication to sustaining the mission, vision, values, and people of our organization. As an alumnus myself, I proudly contribute to our Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association and General Fund to support our programs, initiatives, and students. My decision to give stems not from self-interest, but from a belief in the transformative power of collective action and investment. For some, however, the notion of giving back to an organization that no longer directly impacts their lives may seem perplexing, so I am writing this article to start a conversation about the benefits of giving back to Kappa Kappa Psi.

Expanding upon these sentiments, it’s crucial to dive deeper into the significance of our lifelong commitment to Kappa Kappa Psi. The motivations that drive us as alumni members often evolve, and is a natural progression that requires periodic reflection and reassessment–just like our Ritual teaches us from time to time. This

type of introspection and discovery is not always easy, especially when our time and mental capacity are spread so thin in our post-collegiate lives. Something that has helped me with this type of reflection is the concept of ikigai–a Japanese philosophy that emphasizes the importance of finding purpose in life. Through a fraternal perspective, ikigai can offer a powerful lens to help us examine our motivations and aspirations as alumni members. By exploring what we love about Kappa Kappa Psi, identifying our strengths and contributions, discerning the needs of the Fraternity, and envisioning the impact we wish to make, we can chart a course toward meaningful engagement, support, and fulfillment.

So to any of our alumni members who are questioning their current or future involvement, I would like to offer you some prompts to reflect on:

Thinking back on your journey, what do you love about Kappa Kappa Psi? Are there certain people, activities, traditions, or events related to Kappa Kappa Psi that bring you joy?

• What do you think Kappa Kappa Psi needs to be a stronger organization and Brotherhood?

• What sort of impact do you want to make on Kappa Kappa Psi? As a Brother, what is the legacy that you want to leave behind for future generations of Brothers to benefit from?

• What are you good at that can benefit Kappa Kappa Psi? What are your professional or personal “superpowers” that will strengthen Kappa Kappa Psi?

In addition, as alumni members, we possess a wealth of resources, both financial and non-financial, that can be channeled toward the betterment of our Fraternity. Embracing the philosophy of the “5 Ts”––Time, Talent, Treasure, Ties, and Testimony––enables us to channel our energies toward meaningful engagement and support. The act of giving back encompasses a spectrum of possibilities, extending far beyond financial contributions. While monetary support is undeniably valuable, it’s equally important to consider how we can leverage our Time, Talent, Treasure, Ties, and Testimony to advance the mission of Kappa Kappa Psi.

Join Us in Action: How You Can Contribute to The Kappa Kappa Psi Journey

TIME

• Volunteer on National or Alumni Association Committees: Take a leadership role and help shape the future of our Fraternity.

• Join a “Friend & Advocate” Cohort: Support smaller chapters through the “recharge” process or advise a new petitioning group.

• Provide Professional Development to Chapters: Share your expertise to enhance the skills and knowledge of current members.

TALENT

• Conduct Seminars, Workshops, or Webinars: Utilize your professional or musical talents to teach and guide current members.

• Fundraising Expertise: Help chapters raise funds more effectively with your knowledge and experience in fundraising strategies.

• Digital Marketing Skills: Assist chapters in enhancing their online presence and outreach through your digital marketing acumen.

TREASURE

• Support Student Scholarships & Leadership Development: Invest in the future of our members by funding scholarships and our national leadership development program, The Founders’ Circle.

• Contribute to the National Intercollegiate Band: Donate to the Stanley G. Finck Fund and the Max Mitchell Grant Program to support this prestigious ensemble.

• Gift a Life Membership: Participate in the Kappa Kappa Psi Giving Program to obtain and gift a life membership, fostering long-term engagement.

TIES

• Find Partners for Collaboration: Identify potential partners who can add value and enhance our Fraternity’s projects and initiatives.

• Invite Guest Speakers: Bring in experts and influential speakers to inspire and educate our members.

TESTIMONY

• Advocate for Expansion with Band Directors: If you know a collegiate band director at a school without a KKPsi chapter, discuss the significant impact a KKPsi chapter can have on their music program.

• Include KKPsi in Your Professional Bio: Strengthen our branding by mentioning your KKPsi affiliation in your professional bio, highlighting how the Fraternity prepared you for real-world challenges.

• Share Your #KKPsiJourney on Social Media: Your personal narrative may deeply resonate with fellow Brothers who have traversed similar paths, reminding them that they are not alone.

• Introduce Potential Donors: Connect us with individuals or organizations interested in supporting our mission and activities.

Throughout my time in various roles within Kappa Kappa Psi, I have observed situations where Brothers have stopped their support due to dissatisfaction with certain decisions, actions of the National Leadership Team, or the general direction of the Fraternity. It’s crucial to acknowledge these feelings and the impact they can have on our sense of connection and commitment. Yet, when we consider the essence of our Oath and the spirit of philanthropy, we are reminded of our duty to support the Fraternity unconditionally. True philanthropy is rooted in a belief in the greater good, not in personal gain or influence. It is about contributing positively and selflessly, not leveraging donations as a tool for manipulation or to drive personal agendas. I urge everyone to reflect on the foundational principles of our Fraternity. Let us not allow individual disagreements to overshadow our collective mission to support and uplift our students and their work to serve the college and university bands. If there have been moments where my actions have caused harm, I offer my sincere apologies. However, withdrawing or withholding support harms those who benefit most from our Fraternity—the students.

In closing, let us continue to focus on what truly matters: nurturing and guiding the next generation of Brothers. As alumni, we have the unique opportunity to serve as stewards of our Fraternity’s legacy, ensuring that future generations of Brothers inherit a vibrant and thriving organization. By harnessing the power of finding your KKWhy and the 5 T’s of philanthropy (Time, Talent, Treasure, Ties, and Testimony), we can forge a path toward a brighter future for our Fraternity and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. I humbly call upon each and every one of our alumni Brothers to lend a hand to help us sustain our impact on college and university bands across the nation. Together, let’s continue to advance The Kappa Kappa Psi Journey

AEA.

My Vision as Your Next Tau Beta Sigma National President

By Leslie Gartin

National President, TBΣ

The following address was delivered by Leslie Gartin on March 1 directly following her installation as the National President of Tau

As I deliver this message earlier than I anticipated, I am beyond honored and excited to lead this organization for the remainder of this biennium. As we hit a time of uncertainty and anxiety, I am a full believer of knowing that everything happens for a reason, and I am fully confident and prepared to lead Tau Beta Sigma.

One of my mantras as an educator is the saying “students won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” That being said, dear Sisters, know the National Leadership team cares about each and every one of you. You matter. You are part of this massive and impressive collective of Active and Alumni Sisters in which we work to make the collegiate band world a better place. Here are three words I want to lean into for our future.

The first word is consistency. Set your goals for the next week, the next month, the next year. Check in with yourself with your progress on these goals. Set mini goals with this. Set goals as a chapter. Make benchmarks for these goals. My goal as National President to you is to be consistent with my communication to you, and you will know important updates as soon as it is available.

The next word is reliability. The way you build trust with your music department and directors is by being there, and doing what is needed. Be reliable. Show up, even when you don’t want to. It’s what separates you from the other college organizations, and for your future careers. Be known as reliable, and the sky’s the limit.

My goal is to respond when you reach out, and also reach out to anticipate what you need.To kickstart this, I hope to see you and talk with you at your District Convention!

The last word I want to focus on for the remainder of this biennium is compassion. This matters more than anything else-to treat others like the way they want to be treated. It is easy to react in anger when we are feeling frustrated-when another Sister fails to pull their weight, when a professor or coworker makes poor choices that misalign with your goals. It is more difficult and the right choice always when we care about one another, and show kindness towards them. I encourage you to keep these words in mind and choose to be kind the next opportunity you’re given.

More than anything, I want you to feel proud when you think of the words Tau Beta Sigma. We have such an amazing crew of Chapter Visitation Associates, Counselors, and National Council members who are so proud of Tau Beta Sigma, and are so proud of you! Let’s keep being proud of what we do together. We got this!

Respectfully Submitted

Leslie Gartin 41st Tau Beta Sigma National President

Beta Sigma.

Leslie Gartin addresses her sisters July 2023 at National Convention in Orlando, FL.

Strive for Five:

Introducing Our Chapters’ Crown Pearl Goals

Dr. Nic Rorrer

National Vice President for Membership & Expansion, KKΨ

As you may have heard us discuss, the Strive for Five Initiative is both about Striving for the Highest in all things we do while celebrating the things that make us great. As Brothers we also recognize that the best intentions are often nothing without proper planning, preparation, and goal setting. Thus, that is why we are excited to launch the Crown Pearl Goals as part of the Strive for Five Initiative. Just like there are 15 pearls around the Crown Pearl Badge, our National Leadership Team (NLT) has outlined 15 goals for our Chapters which aim to advance College and University Band Programs, our >200 Chapter, and the Fraternity as a whole. These 15 goals are broken into sets of five aimed at strengthening a give aspect of our Fraternity and Chapters.

The first five goals we charge Chapters to meet are based around Chapter Operations, or what refer to as CHOPs. In the years since the pandemic, we have noticed that as a National Organization, we are all taking different approaches to Chapter Operations, which was thus our call to action in making these goals, which are:

1. Turn in your 2024 Chapter Personnel Report CPR with Dues Early or On Time

2. Submit your Chapter’s Road to Wisdom Calendar Two Weeks Before Your Start Recruitment or by October 1st for the Fall and February 1st for the Spring Semester.

3. Turn in all Initiate Registration Forms (IRFs) and Dues OnTime (within 30 days of Initiation! Remember, Dues should be collected before 3rd Degree)

4. Turning in your 2025 Spring Activity Report On-Time

5. Interact with your District Officers and Governors by inviting them to call into one of your Chapter Meetings and discuss District programming.

The second set of five goals revolve around participation in the Strive for Five Initiative, or capturing the things that make Kappa Kappa Psi so special. As a NLT, not only do we want to celebrate our organization, but we want to hear directly about our student experience so that we can better communicate the benefits of Kappa Kappa Psi to the college and university band movement. Thus, aligned with the strive for five initiative, these goals are:

1. Participate in the Month of Service by highlighting a service project that your Chapter Does

2. Participate in the Month of Musicianship through the various opportunities announced that Month

3. Participate in the Month of Leadership by having Brothers attend Founders Circle Talks or by hosting a Leadership workshop for your band

4. Participate in the Month of Brotherhood by registering and sending Brothers from your Chapter to District Convention

5. Participate in the Month of Celebration by completing your Graduating Senior Report

Our final set of goals may be our most important set of goals as they are focused on the sustainable growth of our organization. Now more than ever we have to make our impact clear while growing as a National organization. These goals are:

1. Have regular meetings with your Director of Bands and Sponsor - (Take a picture with them!)

2. Initiate five members into your Chapter. If your Chapter routinely initiates large classes, we challenge you to initiate five more members than last year!

3. Fundraise 5% more than last year

4. Host a social event for your entire band

5. Find an intentional way to interact with another Chapter - be it attending their ritual, doing a joint service project, or by hosting an online game night.

Recognizing that “Striving for the Highest” means progress, not perfection, we want to recognize the Chapters who are making progress on this list. Thus, chapters who complete at least 10 out of the 15 goals will be recognized as Crown Pearl Chapters during NatCon 2025.

In the fall we will share with you all what the Crown Pearl Goals are for our Districts and our National Leadership Team. Ultimately, we hope that this program helps you find you Kappa Kappa Why and truly highlights what makes Kappa Kappa Psi so special. We look forward to hearing about your Chapters Journey as we Strive for the Highest together.

How Do We Talk About Tau Beta Sigma?

By Allison Leemann National Vice President for Membership & Expansion, TBΣ

In the life of a Tau Beta Sigma member, it is a near guarantee that at some point you’ll be asked the question “What is Tau Beta Sigma?”. Here are just a few of the possible scenarios:

• It is time for band camp this summer and a new member sees your letters t-shirt for the first time. They ask “What is Tau Beta Sigma?”

• While attending an all-college leaders summit you are called on to talk about how Tau Beta Sigma makes a difference on your campus.

• You are being interviewed for a new role in your company and the interviewer asks “What kind of group is Tau Beta Sigma?”

There are many ways you might think to quickly answer: “We’re a band Sorority,” “It’s the band service organization,” “it’s a leadership organization”. While each of these answers may be true, none of them fully captures what Tau Beta Sigma is or does.

Tau Beta Sigma is a Mission-driven organization that focuses in the following areas:

• Service to Bands

• Empowerment of Women in the Band Profession

• Leadership Development

• Educational Achievement

• Musicianship

• Community Engagement

Each of these areas is important to the Sorority and makes Tau Beta Sigma, Tau Beta Sigma. Our communications, national programs, recognition and awards, and general operations are all directed towards furthering these areas for our members, bands, and greater community.

How we speak about Tau Beta Sigma impacts how our Chapters are seen within the band and wider university communities. It also impacts our ability to recruit excellent band members and distinguish ourselves from other organizations on campus. When talking about your Chapter to band members interested in the organization, rather than list all of the areas mentioned above, use specific examples that connect to our Mission and highlight what you love about your Tau Beta Sigma experience. That could sound like:

• During marching band, we’re the right-hand of our Director of Bands and band staff. We set up the yard lines, assemble the Drum Major podiums, and fill the water coolers. It makes me proud that we ensure the band has all it needs to have a great rehearsal. We like to think of our Chapter as the little bit of magic that keeps the band going in the background!

• We support women in music. Every year in the spring we host a Women in Music Speaker bringing a new faculty member

to speak to the band about her background, experience as a musician and professional, and what inspires her in her work and musical life. It’s one of my favorite projects because we get to learn more about faculty and connect them to Tau Beta Sigma for the first time.

• We connect with different parts of the community to music and our college band. One of my favorite events is our Crescendo project where we go to the local elementary school to introduce the incoming band students to different instruments. We show them the basics of each instrument and then perform a few game day tunes for them to dance and sing to! There are now a few members of the Chapter who were first introduced to Tau Beta Sigma at this event when they were younger.

As individuals, how we speak about our Sorority participation also highlights the experience and growth possible through Tau Beta Sigma. Talking about your experiences might sound like:

• For the past four semesters I’ve been recognized for my GPA with the Outstanding Scholarship Award by the national organization. I’m proud of the work I put into my academics and it is celebrated in Tau Beta Sigma!

• As a Treasurer, I planned and executed fundraising events for my Chapter to purchase new brass instruments for our school after inventory was lost in a fire. I was able to connect my interest in fundraising and skills in event planning with a cause that I care about and help to rebuild a part of the band program.

• While I was Vice President for Membership I led a new member intake class of 8 individuals. Their process included following a national curriculum and customizing the activities to meet the needs of our members. As a future teacher I learned how to think on my feet, be clear and concise with information, and recognize when individuals needed assistance. Now all eight members are upperclassmen in the organization and are thriving in their officer and leadership roles!

• As a performance major I found that Tau Beta Sigma helped me to connect with music in a new way. I was outside the practice room, working with young band students on their sectionals, getting inspired by women from all fields of music, and learning from my non-major friends how music connects us all even if it isn’t all of our future professions.

There are many, many ways that we can each talk about Tau Beta Sigma. And hopefully there are many opportunities to do so! When we speak about Tau Beta Sigma let us highlight all of the features that make the Sorority and our members stand out. Let us celebrate how we work each day ‘For Greater Bands!’

TBΣAA Strategic Mission: Recognition of You!

By Jessica Smith, TBΣAA Executive Council, LAA Relations Director

The members of the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association wear many hats. We are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, teachers, doctors, caregivers, friends, confidants, students, and leaders. Our members continually take the 8 and 5 that they learned during their membership process and apply it to their everyday lives. Our job, as members of the Executive Council, is to find a way to showcase the talents, accomplishments, and successes that our members are living in the real world just as often as we celebrate their accomplishments in our sorority world.

The TBΣAA has chosen Awards and Recognition as one of its pillars for our strategic planning. Our members can complete an entry for our Alumni Notes to share their successes from engagements, new jobs, promotions, publications, or paying off student or car loans! Let our sisters share in your joys and accomplishments. This spring we awarded two outstanding alumni on their journey to continue their higher education. Congratulations to Katie Dukes and Misty Lovejoy. Katie is a Life member of the Theta Theta chapter at Henderson State University. Katie will attend Lamar University to pursue a Masters of Education in Educational Administration. Misty is a Life member of the Alpha Xi chapter at Bowling Green State University. She will pursue a Doctor of Education in Leadership for Organizations at the University of Dayton. We applaud these lifelong learners and all of our applicants for taking steps to continue their education.

The highest honor that TBΣAA awards is the Sue Robash Carr Distinguished Alumni Award. This honor goes to a formerly active or associate member of Tau Beta Sigma. Award nominees must demonstrate outstanding contributions to TBS, TBΣAA, and/or society. Nominations can be made with evidence to support one or more of the following: Service and Support to Tau Beta Sigma, Professional Achievement and Career or Military Service Distinction, Service to Society. At National Convention in Orlando, FL we awarded Terri White with this honor! Terri was initiated into the Eta Delta chapter and graduated from Howard University.

As stated in her award speech, Terri “brings an impressive combination of corporate management experience together with development and operations roles. Having previously worked at both the Heinz History Center and the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, and the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum in CD, Terri now serves as President and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History. Her new role allows her to inspire community engagement and to create common ground through education and inclusive storytelling...Because of her skills, knowledge, willingness to help others, and dedication to her profession and community, it is our honor and privilege to present the 2023 Sue Robash Carr Distinguished Alumni Award to Terri White!” This is a great example of TBΣAA members doing great work in the world!

Learn more about our award winners and other programs by visiting www.tbsalumni.org. We cannot wait to celebrate the achievements of all of our alumni, including you!

Terri White, Eta Delta is this year’s recipient of the Sue Robash Carr Distinguished Alumni Award.

Katie Dukes, Theta Theta and Misty Lovejoy, Alpha Xi are this year’s recipients of the TBΣAA National Scholarship for Graduate Studies.

Don’t Take Our Grants for Granted!

by Daniel Miller National Vice President for Programs, Kappa Kappa Psi

Kappa Kappa Psi administers three different national grant programs to support our chapters and districts in advancing our shared purposes. Hundreds of dollars are available to chapters and districts through these grants, and our national fraternity needs YOU to apply for these grants for your chapter and your college bands.

Chapter Development Grants of up to $1,000 are available to help brothers obtain chapter operations training, which, in turn, can bolster how our chapters serve their band programs. In particular, these grants can help chapters offset the costs associated with hosting one or more presenters on their college campuses for such training. Presentations supported by this grant can focus on one or more topics, including chapter financial operations, chapter officer development and planning, resolution of interpersonal issues, forming strong relationships of brotherhood, membership recruitment and retention, completion of fraternity reports, and best practices for chapter meetings. Applications for Chapter Development Grants are prepared and submitted by the Chapter President with the approval of the Director of Bands or Chapter Sponsor. Chapters awarded these grants are strongly encouraged to invite brothers from nearly chapters to the programs funded through the grants. The application form and additional information about Chapter Development Grants can be found at www.kkpsi.org/programs/chapter-dev.

Leadership Grants of up to $1,000 are available to assist brothers and college band members receive leadership development and skills training. Kappa Kappa Psi offers this grant program because the betterment of these leaders allows our chapters and college bands to reach greater heights of success. Three types of programs can be supported by leadership grants:

• Leadership programs intended for an audience of brothers within a chapter (with the grant application prepared and submitted by the Chapter President with the approval of the Director of Bands)

• Leadership programs intended for an audience of band members (and potentially other students) at a specific college (with the grant application prepared and submitted by the Chapter President at that college with the approval of the Director of Bands)

• Leadership programs for attendees at a district event of the fraternity, such as a leadership conference or convention (with the grant application prepared and submitted by the District President with the approval of the District Governors)

The application form and additional information about Leadership Grants can be found at https://www.kkpsi.org/programs/ leadership-grant-program.

Matching Grants of up to $500 are available to support college band programs in bringing guest conductors, composers, and performing artists to their campuses. By making more of these guest musician opportunities available to college bands across the nation, this grant program helps Kappa Kappa Psi to fulfill

its purpose of promoting the existence and welfare of college bands. Matching Grants are available to all band programs, including programs on college campuses without Kappa Kappa Psi Chapters. Accordingly, applications for Matching Grants can be prepared and submitted by a wide range of applicants, including Kappa Kappa Psi chapters, Directors of Bands, and college grants administrators. The application form and additional information about Leadership Grants can be found at https://www.kkpsi.org/programs/matchinggrant-program.

The ability to attain positive outcomes for your chapter and bands through these grants is almost boundless! Imagine all of the band service your chapter could complete once its internal operations have been improved and its culture of collegiality and brotherhood have been reinforced. Consider for a moment how much more your chapter and your college bands could accomplish once its members have honed their leadership skills. Envision how your fellow band members would enjoy hosting a prominent conductor, composer, or performing artist on your campus. These are all feasible results of successful applications to Kappa Kappa Psi’s national grant programs!

Every chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi should consider applying for one or more of these grants. Every group and organization can find ways to improve, and these improvements can often be made more achievable through financial support. These grants are meant just for that purpose! Even the collaborative effort required of your chapter to develop a proposal for one or more of these grants can be an immense help in identifying areas for the chapter’s growth and recognizing new means of contributing to your college bands’ continued success.

Your chapter’s discussions about these grants should involve early engagement with your Director of Bands. Such early discussions can introduce your Director of Bands to the availability of these grants, underscore how these grants express our fraternity’s focus on the success of your particular chapter and college bands, and reflect your chapter’s interest in helping your Director of Bands find new support for such success. Your Director of Bands may be able to help identify future band events and programs that require additional financial support and would benefit from a Leadership Grant or a Matching Grant. Your Director of Bands may also provide a unique perspective on how a Chapter Development Grant or Leadership Grant could enhance your chapter’s effectiveness in supporting your college bands.

You can submit applications for these grant programs right now! These three national grant programs of Kappa Kappa Psi only make a difference when their funds are used on behalf of our chapters and band programs. Few things are as exciting as seeing the amazing service, leadership, brotherhood, and musicianship made possible by funds awarded through these band programs. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to obtain additional resources for your chapter and your college bands!

KAPPA KAPPA PSI NATIONAL

RECOGNITION, SCHOLARSHIP, AND GRANT PROGRAMS: UPCOMING DEADLINES TO REMEMBER

PROGRAM

Academic Excellence Awards

• Chapter Certificate of Excellence in Academics

- Recognizing chapters with average GPAs of 2.75 or better among their brothers for a given academic term

• Top Chapter Scholar Award

- Recognizing the active, associate, or conditional brother from the chapter with the highest GPA for a given academic term

• Outstanding Academic Achievement Award

- Recognizing any active, associate, or conditional brothers from the chapter with GPAs of 3.5 or better for a given academic term

Chapter Development Grant Program

• Offering up to $1,000 per grant to support programmed events to help chapters in their fiscal operations, officer development, chapter and member development, and membership recruitment, retention, and education

Matching Grant Program

• Offering up to $500 per grant to help bring guest conductors and performing artists to campus for the benefit of college bands

AEA Scholarship Program

• “AEA Distinguished Scholars” with 3.75 GPA or better – selected scholars receive scholarships (each up to $2,000)

• “AEA Honored Scholars” with a 3.5 GPA or better – selected scholars receive scholarships (each up to $1,000)

A. Frank Martin Award

• Recognizing regionally-known band directors and laymen who have made contributions to the band field

J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award

• Recognizing active, associate, or conditional brothers who have made outstanding contributions to college bands and Kappa Kappa Psi

Leadership Grant Program

• Offering up to $1,000 per grant to support leadership programs and events to presented to brothers of one or more chapters, to college or university band members, and/or to individuals attending a district event

Distinguished Service to Music Medal

• Serving as the highest award presented by Kappa Kappa Psi and recognizing individuals for their outstanding contributions to bands in the fields of composition, concert band, marching band, instrumental music education, artist performer, industrial research and progress, contributing laymen, alumni achievement, and fraternity service

Bohumil Makovsky Memorial Award

• Recognizing outstanding conductors in the college bands

W. Francis McBeth Student Musicianship Award

• Recognizing active, associate, or conditional brothers who exemplify the highest standards of musical achievement

Silver Baton Award

• Recognizing individuals, including band educators, volunteers, administrators, and others, for service to bands of noteworthy, sustained, and continuous quality

Band Excellence Awards

• Citation of Excellence

- Recognizing junior high and high school band members for their outstanding achievement during summer band camp activities

• F. Lee Bowling Musical Excellence Award

- Recognizing junior high and high school band members who have demonstrated excellence in their band programs

DEADLINE

6 months following the end of the relevant academic term

EXAMPLE: If the Fall 2023 academic term ended on December 15th, 2023, then the deadline for awards based on that term would be June 15th, 2024.

June 30, 2024 (for grants supporting projects beginning in the Spring 2024 academic term)

July 1, 2024 (for consideration by the National Council in Summer 2024)

July 1, 2024 (for consideration by the National Council on or before Summer 2024)

NOTE: Applications are accepted at any time and may be considered prior to this deadline in order to accommodate earlier award presentations.

No deadline

NOTE: While District Councils are asked to submit Leadership Grant requests by January 1, 2024, District Presidents can apply for any remaining Leadership Grant funds after notification by the National Council in mid-January.

No deadline (applications are accepted at any time)

President Bang Co bangco@kkpsi.org

Vice President for Membership & Expansion

Dr. Nicholas Rorrer nic@kkpsi.org

Vice President for Programs Daniel Miller daniel.miller@kkpsi.org

Vice President for Professional Relations

Dr. William L. Lake, Jr. wlake@gmu.edu

KKΨ Alumni Association Board of Directors Chair Marina Peña Guiot marina@kkpsi.org

Immediate Past President

Jessica Lee jessicalee@kkpsi.org

Board of Trustees

Dr. Malinda Matney, Chair; Evan Thompson, Vice Chair; Dr. Kevin James; Franklin “Frankie” Johnson-Norwood, Eric B. Morson; Jessica Lee, Immediate Past President; Bang Co (ex-officio)

Midwest

Denali D. Pearce-Alt denali@kkpsi.org

Dr. Anthony Walker walker@kkpsi.org

Việt Nguyễn vietnguyen@kkpsi.org

North Central

Marc D. Renaud mrenaud@kkpsi.org

Michelle Banis mbanis@kkpsi.org

Akilah Thomas akilahthomas@kkpsi.org

Northeast

Rassii A. Elliott rassii.elliott@gmail.com

Marcia “Marci” Jones marci@kkpsi.org

Matthew Parent mattparentNED@gmail.com

Southeast

Arupa Gopal agopal@kkpsi.org

Kalem Graham kalem.graham@gmail.com

Justyn “JP” Davis jpdavis@kkpsi.org

Southwest

Andy Melvin andy@kkpsi.org

Kadeem Sabari kadeemsabari@kkpsi.org

Elizabeth Pineiro lizzi@kkpsi.org

Western Lance Coochyouma lance@kkpsi.org

Karissa Longo longokar@gmail.com

Brian Parker bcparker@kkpsi.org

President Leslie Gartin lesler@tbsigma.org

Vice President for Membership & Expansion Allison Leemann allison@tbsigma.org

Vice President for Professional Relations Dr. LaToya Webb latoya.webb@tbsigma.org

Vice President for Special Projects Katie Dukes katie@tbsigma.org

Vice President for Communication & Recognition Kelsey Reilly kelsey@tbsigma.org

TBΣ Alumni Association Chair

Dr. Ovura “Thea” Murphy tbsaa-chair@tbsigma.org

Immediate Past President Erika Pope erikapope@tbsigma.org

Board of Trustees

Rosalyn McDonald, Chair; Adrienne Rall, Vice Chair; Kris Wright, Jason Dornbush; Jonathan Markowski; Zachary T. Rebarchek; Erika Pope, Immediate Past President; Leslie Gartin (ex-officio)

Midwest

Abby Rogish Bodin abby@tbsigma.org

Sara Remoy sara_remoy@tbsigma.org

North Central Katie Langley katielangley@tbsigma.org

Jenny Hirt Renaud jrenaud@tbsigma.org

Northeast Indya Hairston indyahairston@tbsigma.org

Dr. Christopher Lukasik christopher@tbsigma.org

Southeast

Nikki Lyons nikki@tbsigma.org

Caleb Morris caleb@tbsigma.org

Amber Scott amberscott@tbsigma.org

Southwest Ciara Gibbs ciara@tbsigma.org

Chelsea Rasing rasingcr@tbsigma.org

Linnetta Ratliff linnetta@tbsigma.org

Western Camille Dhennin camilled@tbsigma.org

Loren Ksiazek loren@tbsigma.org

Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association Gold Star Club Members

The Executive Council of the TBΣAA would like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the dedicated alumni who generously give an additional donation to the Association through their membership in the GOLD STAR CLUB for the 20232024 year. With these additional funds going toward future goals, the TBΣAA is working to increase grant and scholarship opportunities for our members, create new awards, support events like our For Greater Bands 5k, Growth and Professional Development Program, and find greater fellowship opportunities at district and national conventions. You can learn more about our GOLD STAR CLUB and join the the TBΣAA at www.tbsalumni.org

GOLD STAR CLUB MEMBERS

David Alexander, Jr. Katerina

Alexis-Konstantinidis

Jasmine Allen

Venus Anderson

Marissa Archuleta

Yslette Arispe

Wandra Arrington

Deborah Baker

Jacquita Baldwin

Iris Ballard

Kwinton Baylor

Melissa Bays

Alison Beidler

Akilah Bell

Bridgette Bell

Stacy Bell

Deborah Bell-Harris

Destinee Bennett

Cara Berg

Oria Berkley

Danielle Blackwell

Bethany Bledsoe

Gregory Boike

Joanna Bonner

Lenise Bostic

Angela Boudoin

Angela Brewster

Whitney Bronson

Robin Brooks

Erwin Brown

Lucianna Brown

Stephanie Brown

Cariece Browne

Kimberly Burrell

Sonja Butler

Sonja Butler

Harrison Calvert

Tammy Carethers

Susan Carr

Morine Carroll

ReneÈ Cartee

Constance Castle

Rutha Cayette

VanTarsha Clarke

Karmen Cofield

Nai Colton

Lance Coochyouma

Kenneth Corbett

Debra Crawford

Lisa Croston

Jacquelyn Crutchfield

Deatrica Cummings

Kaitlyn Curley

Brittany Davenport

Tiffany Davis

Darlene Davis

Goodwine

Keelia Decker

Olivia DeFilippo

Emilio Dehoyos

Jennifer DiBenedetto

Phaedra Dinkins

Emily Donovan

Katie Dukes

Kelly Eidson

Johnny Engelke

Harmona Epps

HaShawn Epps

ShaDonna Epps

Portia Espy

Dawn Farmer

Gayle Ferguson

Lydia Floyd

Jordan Ford

Christopher Foster

Gwyn Fox Stump

Willie Frazier

Abigael Frey

Molly Froidl

Ciara Gibbs

Kimberly Gibbs

Pamela Gilmore

Shameka Golson

Rebecca Grasser

Layla Gray

Chiquita Greene

Timothy Greenwell, Jr.

Emily Gunby

Indya Hairston

Erica Hamilton

David Hammond

Dorothy Hammond

Alan Harriet

Natasha Harris

Natalia Harrison

Alysha Harvey

Akierah Hatten

Janelle Henderson

Sherronda Henderson

Tamara Henry

Tyler Hern

Joanna Hinton

LaShunda Hodges

Shauna Holmes

Terriana Holt

Rosalind Howard

Rosalyn Ivey

Justina Iwegbu

Toni Jackman

Wendy Jacques

Amber Johnson

Dominique Johnson

Evelyn Jones

Marcia Jones

Teresa Jones

Tiffany Jones

Shane Joseph

Kathryn Kelly

Shaundollyn King

John Kitchens

Katherine Langley

Wanda Lee

Jessica Lewis

Monica Lewis

Lueen Lindsay

Kymberly Littlejohn

Natalie Lott

Sarah Loyd

Christopher Lukasik

Nikki Lyons

Jonathan Markowski

Heather Marshall

Malinda Matney

Clara Mattheessen

Theodore McCadden, Jr.

Armani McCall

Carolyn McCambridge

Scott McCambridge

Leslie McClure

Barbara McCray

Cynthia McDade

Rosalyn McDonald

Heather McGowan

Letitia McKenzie

Rhonda McKinney

Teri McMillon

Kristin McMullen

Melanie Meehan Noelle

Mehaffey-Chilton

Cathleen Miles

Kishera Mitchell

Monika Monk

Miya Moon

Marrisia Moore

Ivania Morales

Caleb Morris

Eric Morson

Kymmberly Morton

Larietta Moultrie

Ameenah

Muhammad

Kansas Mundell

Ovura Murphy

Wairimu Njoroge

Carmin Nowlin

Jayla Nowlin

Michael Osborn

Maisha Paggett

Kayla Parker

Salli-Tymna Parker

Sara Pascall

Haisia Perry

Lindsay Pfannenstiel

Shanell Pommells

Theresa Powell

Christopher Pratt

LaJoy Pruitt

Adrienne Rall

Preston Ramsey

Linnetta Ratliff

Zachary Rebarchek

Victoria Recker

Christina Reed

Kelsey Reilly

Jennifer Renaud

Mary Rhodes

Mellinna Ridout

Danielle Rogers-Roy

Abby Rogish Bodin

Nicholas Rorrer

Monnica Rose

TaNia Rowland

Catrina Sally

Nicole Sanchez

April Sansing

Edward Savoy

Stacy Schiele

Amber Scott

Carletta Scott

Jahn Scott

Jennifer Scott

Alexis Shackelford

Shuanya Shepherd

ClinTonya Shorter

Christian Sibley

Kimberlina Sigle

Brianna Simpson

Zara Simpson

Tiffany

Singleton-Walker

Vonnetta Sloan

Jazzlyn Smith

Jessica Smith

Vedette Spellman

Diana Spiva

Brett Steinbrink

Tracey Stewart

David Stookey

Jessica Stookey

Alana Stoutamire

Ashley Tanksley

Gail Taylor

Jayda Thigpen

Jessica Thomas

Nyaesia Thompson

Roenia Thompson

Julia Tordo

Amber Tubbs

Lauren Tubbs

Omaria Tucker

Regina Tucker

Andrea Turk

Keishauna Turner

Erika Walker

Georgette

Washington

Kathleen Webster

Braeden Weyhrich

Terri White

Leeann Wieser

Siobhan Wilkes

Bratcher

Katherine Williams

Lashann Williams

Martina Williams

Paula Williams

Charles Wilson

Grace Wilson

Ashley Worthy

The Behind-the-Scenes of Kappa Kappa Psi’s Communication Committee Journey

By Dionicio Dino Cardenas KKΨAA Board of Directors, Communications Director

Communication, as per Merriam-Webster’s definition, is a vibrant process wherein individuals exchange information using a shared system of symbols, signs, or behavior. This essence is embodied by the National Communications Committee, which, having thrived for six years, served as the catalyst for the formation of the recently established Alumni Association Communications Committee by inspiring the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association. This article delves into the trajectory of the National Communications Committee and the inspirations it has sparked over the last six years.

The National Communications Committee came into existence at the 2017 National Convention, propelled by the vision of Zac Humphrey, the past Vice President for Student Affairs. Brother Humphrey articulated the need for a dedicated team to sustain and enhance communication tools on a national level for the fraternity. This committee was designed to support key figures within the organization, including the Vice President for Student Affairs officer on the National Council, and the National Publications Manager and Multimedia Designer at National Headquarters. Brother Humphrey envisioned a team of brothers working collaboratively to amplify the fraternity’s communication endeavors.

In the past, the committee has been led by individuals such as Jessica Lee, myself, Karissa Longo, Ryan Smith, Rebekah Franolich, as well as the current co-chairs, Mia Harvey and Seferina Baca. In the words of the co-chairs, “The committee has grown so much over the past few bienniums! It’s always been composed of a dedicated and hard working group of active brothers and alumni who are talented in graphic design, creativity and ways to present our fraternity to the world.” Thanks to Bang Co, TarShee Odum, Robert Bratcher, Thomas Bradford, Dr. Nic Rorrer, and Evan Thompson, who served as advisors.

From the inaugural year onward, the Members of the National Communications Team, now named the National Communications Committee, committed to employing every communication channel used by the fraternity to connect with brothers, whether they are active, alumni, honorary, or life members. Their responsibilities encompass filling social media gaps with year-round posts, updating the national fraternity’s Google calendar with crucial deadlines, district and national event dates, generating content for the national website and The Podium, supporting ongoing efforts for the fraternity’s podcast, Kappa Kappa Psi Presents, and handling any other duties as mandated or deemed necessary by the National Council. Members of the National Communications Team are expected to dedicate 2-10 hours per week to actively contribute to

creating materials on behalf of the fraternity. This voluntary position within the fraternity operated similarly to a national committee structure.

The service provided by this committee was unparalleled. Despite feeling like a full-time job, every brother approached meetings with the utmost positivity. Our collective mission was clear: to ensure every member was well-informed and to communicate the journey of Kappa Kappa Psi effectively. The initiation of Instagram Takeovers marked the inception of various projects, allowing active chapters to showcase their activities, be it football games, performances, or service projects. This initiative not only provided insight into the workings of other chapters but also sparked ideas for brothers to

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Members of the 2017-2019 “First Ever” KKPsi Communications Committee

implement in their own chapters, perhaps even organizing future #InstagramTakeovers.

During the 2019 biennium, the committee helped bring to life the #KKPsiBreaksBarriers project. This endeavor aimed to highlight individuals and chapters that had broken barriers and paved the way for others. With daily posts under the hashtag #kkpsibreaksbarriers, we celebrated influential students, prominent members, women and African American leaders, historically black colleges and universities, and pivotal moments in our history. This project was significant for Kappa Kappa Psi as it emphasized the importance of our brothers’ voices. Building on this foundation, we introduced the Brother Highlight Form, enabling members to share their thoughts on specific celebrations and topics.

In the year 2020, the world underwent a profound transformation due to a pervasive pandemic, fundamentally reshaping our way of life. Social media emerged as the predominant mode of communication, compelling us to swiftly adapt to this new reality. Zoom calls, infographics, and hosting game nights became indispensable tools for both engaging our members and supporting their mental well-being to the best of our ability. The introduction of the Zoom Kappa Kappa Psi ceremony for our new brothers underscored the evolving nature of our times. Under the leadership of Bang Co (Advisor) and co-chairs Karissa Longo and myself, we confronted these challenges with unwavering dedication and resilience. Though it was a turbulent period, I wouldn’t exchange the experience for anything. At the 2021 National Convention, a coalition of eight committee members joined forces to create content, live stream workshops, and commemorate the achievements of the past two years. While life seemingly ground to a halt, this committee metamorphosed into a tight-knit family, a bond I will cherish for the rest of my life.

While I can’t speak beyond my time in the committee, I can elaborate on how it served as inspiration for the creation of a Communications Committee within the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association. Recognizing the impactful service rendered by the committee through content creation, we decided to establish our

own counterpart. This committee came into being during the 2023 National Convention under the leadership of Greg Boike (20212023 KKPsiAA Chair). While the Alumni Association had previously formed committees, they were not fully formalized. After careful consideration, we acknowledged that while detailing the work of each committee might not be necessary, designating essential committees for the association was crucial. Consequently, the Communications Committee became one of the five essential committees.

This initiative, an extension of the original committee’s vision, now comprises over 10 dedicated alumni brothers committed to enhancing communication within the fraternity. The committee is led by four key members: Mia Harvey (Chair of The Encore Subcommittee), Collin Alekson (Chair of Archives and History Subcommittee), Macy Salem (Lead for Website Blog), and Liz Duncan (Committee Secretary). Working in close collaboration with the KKPsi Alumni Association Board of Directors Communications Director, the committee actively contributes to projects such as BOHtalks, Fire-Psi-ed Chats, and promotion of our Awards and other projects. Our ongoing efforts include amplifying the voices of our members through the utilization of our Alumni Highlight form, celebrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and advocacy.

In closing, my intention is for this article to illuminate the often unnoticed contributions that this committee consistently provides. A special acknowledgment goes out to all the dedicated brothers who contribute their efforts to National Committees, as their work is integral to the functioning of our organization. This journey we’ve chosen is one of commitment and collective effort, and we are committed to making the most of it. Looking ahead, I express the hope that this committee continues its service for many more years, offering inspiration to all who contribute to its mission, much like the inspiration it has bestowed upon my own journey. A sincere thank you extends to the current committee members for their ongoing dedication, as well as to those who have served over the past six years, shaping the committee’s impactful legacy.

Top left: Screenshot of the 2019-2021 Committee Christmas celebration. Bottom left: Screenshot of a 2017-2019 committee zoom. Right: The 2010-2023 Communications Committee gathers at NatCon 2021 in Grand Rapids, MI.

TBΣAA Vision for the New Biennium

Dr. Thea Murphy

TBΣAA Executive Council, Chairperson

At the 2023 National Convention in Orlando, Florida, I had the privilege of being elected to serve as the Chairperson of the TBΣAA by my peers on the Executive Council. As I planned what I would share with the alumni delegation as my vision for TBΣAA for the biennium, my thoughts centered on the last two sentences of the newly revised TBS vision statement.

Through shared values across an engaged membership base, we are empowered to flourish beyond our collegiate careers in all areas musical, professional, and philanthropic.

We are committed to fostering connections and creating a meaningful experience for our members, band directors, college communities, and the band world.

The active alumni members of the TBΣAA are our membership base and thus it is our responsibility to engage our members and provide opportunities for them to flourish musically, professionally, and philanthropically. To stay true to the TBS vision, the Executive Council must also commit to fostering connections and creating meaningful experiences for our members, band directors, college

communities, and the band world. As I drafted my vision, I also reflected on how I could expand my work in the last biennium as LAA Relations Directors. Last year, while serving as the LAA Relations Director, I led the Executive Council in launching the Local Alumni Association (LAA) ACES Challenge Program. The program was designed to encourage each LAA to foster intentional connections and create meaningful experiences for our alumni members through their programs, service activities, and initiatives.

All of my musings on the TBS vision, the ACES program, and my aspirations for TBΣAA, led me to the vision for the biennium, “The TBΣAA will create avenues for alumni to connect, engage, and serve.” Each Executive Council (EC) Director has been charged with creating goals around this vision to guide our work. We, the EC, are committed to creating spaces for alumni to connect with us, each other, and LAAs in intentional and memorable ways. We will also work to build bridges that encourage LAAs to connect with each other and their members using innovative approaches. The EC will seek the voices of those we serve so that we can engage our membership through meaningful programs and benefits and support LAAs in doing the same. Finally, we will create opportunities and provide resources that support our members and the LAAs in serving our beloved Tau Beta Sigma, TBΣAA, bands, and communities. This vision for the TBΣAA aligns to the TBSAA mission of providing worthwhile programming, support for greater bands, networking opportunities and professional development to TBS alumni and associates while furthering the ideals of Tau Beta Sigma advancing women in music and promoting music in our society.

Tau Beta Sigma is a lifetime commitment that begins as an active student and continues as an active alumnus. The 2023-2025 Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association Executive Council is excited to lead this work and invites all alumni to join us, not just now, but for life, in connecting, engaging, and serving in the Bond! #4GR8RBands #4GR8RAlumni #TBS4Life

Service in TBΣAA comes in all forms. David Alexander and Dr. Thea Murphy of the TBΣAA prepare backpacks to welcome NIB members at National Convention 2023 in Orlando, FL.

For Greater Bands 5K: Your Race, Your Way

By Zara Simpson, TBΣAA Executive Council, Special Projects Director

We are thrilled to announce the For Greater Bands 5K, set to take place on May 5th, 2024. This year’s race will be entirely virtual, allowing you to participate from anywhere in the world. What sets this event apart is the freedom it offers – the freedom to complete your 5K in a way that suits you best.

This year, the posted date of May 5th is not a strict deadline; rather, it is a goal for completing your chosen distance. Whether you prefer to run, walk, swim, bike, skate, dance, climb, or engage in any other physical activity, the For Greater Bands 5K encourages you to make it uniquely yours. Your 5K can be completed over the course of a month, a week, or even in a single day – the choice is entirely yours! We want to emphasize that the For Greater Bands 5K and TBΣAA’s goal extends beyond the virtual race itself. It is about personal fitness for a good cause.

The 2024 race profits will be donated toward the TBΣAA NIB Student Welcome Experience for the 2025 National Intercollegiate Band participants. How can you join in? It’s simple. Visit our registration page at http://tinyurl.com/4gr8rbands5k2024, where you can sign up and find more details about the event. Registration is open now, so secure your spot early and start planning your unique 5K experience.

We eagerly await seeing how you choose to participate this year. Share your journey on social media using the hashtag #ForGreaterBands5K and inspire others to join the movement. Let’s make May 5th, 2024, a day to remember, as we collectively strive for personal fitness and contribute to the greater good. See you at the virtual starting line! Not able to participate during race weekend? Still want to help? Use the race registration link to make a donation.

Building Connections and Fostering Engagement:

The Success Story of TBΣAA’s ACES Challenge Program

By Jessica Smith, TBΣAA Executive Council, LAA Relations Director

In the 2022-2023 membership year it was determined that the members of the TBΣAA, specifically the LAA groups, were interested in finding a way to connect, engage, and serve their specific member groups. Dr. Thea Murphy as LAA Director met that challenge in her creation of the ACES Challenge program. Modeled after the Focus on Five campaign, the ACES Challenge is designed to encourage each LAA to foster connections and create meaningful experiences for their alumni members while furthering the mission of the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association. The program aims to highlight the programs, service activities, and initiatives of the LAAs.

Each LAA is challenged to complete their ACES deck of cards by completing different tasks each year. Participating groups will be recognized for their progress at District Conventions, as well as National Convention. There were 18 participants in the inaugural challenge with 5 LAAs completing the program! Special congratulations to the Midwest District Alumni Association, Southern University Alumni Association, Atlanta Alumni Association, Southwest

District Alumni Association, and the Epsilon Omega Alumni Association on completing the deck!

Our current challenge is in full swing with members joining a GroupMe to share their accomplishments. ACES Liaisons have been appointed and groups have already begun to share their accomplishments and scheduled events. LAAs were asked to host a membership drive, create alumni-focused programming or social media campaigns, sponsor a service event, participate in the upcoming TBΣAA For Greater Bands 5K to be hosted virtually over the weekend of May 4-5, attend TBΣAA sponsored events, support the Board of Trustees during giving Tuesday, and make a donation to the TBΣAA Student Welcome Experience for the 2025 National Intercollegiate Band participants. To view images from last year’s accomplishments and review the challenges for the current year, please visit: https://www.tbsalumni.org/local-alumniassociations/aces-program/. Stay tuned for updates and highlights as LAAs continue to thrive and make a positive impact through the ACES Challenge program.

Kappa Kappa Psi Lifetime Donors

Kappa Kappa Psi would not be the fraternity it is today without the leadership, vision, and loyal support of our alumni and friends. Please accept our sincere thanks for your ongoing and loyal support. We want to make you aware that the donation lists you will see below are based on the last 15 years of computerized records. We value your contributions to the Fraternity and wish to have you recognized here accurately. If you have additions or corrections to this list, please contact Aaron Moore at moore@kkytbs.org.

Strive For The

$50,000-$150,000

$20,000-

$10,000- $19,999 JJames

$5,000-$9,999

$1,000-$4,999

194

$19.46

Club Members

Century Club Members

$9.00

Generosity of mind, heart and hand…

The rich history and legacy of Tau Beta Sigma thrives and continues to grow thanks to the loyalty and passion of all who have financially supported the organization. On behalf of the Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees, we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the following individuals for their total contributions across the years.

Wava Banes

$20,000 - $49,000

$10,000 - $19,999

$9,999

$1,000

MARSHAL WREN ADAMS III

GAMMA IOTA (ΚΚΨ)

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO FEBRUARY 7, 2006

DANIEL P. BOLIN

ALPHA BETA (ΚΚΨ)

BUTLER UNIVERSITY FEBRUARY 3, 2024

DALE LEE CRAWFORD

GAMMA IOTA (ΚΚΨ)

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

KENNETH ANDERSON

GAMMA IOTA (ΚΚΨ) UNIVERSITY

GLENN MARLON BROWN

DELTA PI (ΚΚΨ)

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY FEBRUARY 16, 2024

ROBERT DIERMAN

GAMMA IOTA (ΚΚΨ)

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

FRANCIS EDMUNDS

RICHARD ARDREY

12TH, 2023

VERNON KEITH BROWN NATIONAL CHAPTER (ΚΚΨ) MAY 9, 2018

CAROL JANE DODSON

BETA ZETA (TBΣ)

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY DECEMBER 29, 2023

AUBREY LAUREN BLAKLEY

KAPPA MU (ΚΚΨ) UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA JANUARY 7, 2024

JOHN LEE COX

ALPHA PI (ΚΚΨ)

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA OCTOBER 10, 2023

VICTOR MARLON DOTSON

DELTA PI (ΚΚΨ)

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER 1, 2023

RAYQUAN

TROYNELL