It would be hard to identify a decade of greater progress and achievement for Kappa Alpha Order. The 2000s have seen more development, advancement, improvements and milestones than any other period in modern KA history. Some might point to advancing technology, but in reality it has been a sincere dedication and focus on improving the KA experience that made the 2000s a decade of excellence. Headlining this progress are the leaps and bounds our educational programming has taken over the past decade. With an increased size and scope of program offerings has come an increased accountability to producing an authentic KA experience. And along each step of the way, Active members have risen to the challenge, proving that with higher standards, a greater level of achievement can be attained. We’ve seen this manifested through scholastic achievement, increased recruitment numbers, a reduced number of risk management claims, and even such operational outcomes as much higher collection rates, compliance in filing tax forms and keeping legitimate chapter budgets. Much fruit has been harvested as a result of the seeds planted by the following advancements and developments, noted in chronological order.
Though birthed in 1998-99, led by Former Knight Commander Ben Satcher (ΔO-Clemson ’79), The Crusade program has been brought to maturity in the 2000s, ushered along by the RoundTable launched in 2000. An intensive and highpowered conference to train each Crusade Chapter’s program leader – the Crusade Commander – the RoundTable has become a successful and well-loved conference. There are 48 chapters participating in The Crusade program, which is designed as a total membership development experience created to provide an environment of ongoing learning and growing throughout the active member’s time in school. These members are excelling scholastically, increasing philanthropic service, managing their finances more effectively, and recruiting and retaining more members. Each year, most of our Awards for Chapter Excellence are earned by Crusade chapters, and since the program began, all of the George C. Marshall Award winners have been Crusade chapters. Another significant program initiated just prior to the turn of the century was Leadership KA, developed by Former Knight Commander Jim Estes (AKMissouri ’60). Leadership KA is an alumni training program piloted in 2001 and designed to recruit, educate and retain alumni volunteers. Held biennially at the Order’s Convention, this program provides in-depth workshops covering all aspects of the Order’s operations and the various
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issues facing the organization today. Over 100 brothers have participated in the program since its inception. Established in 2002 by Former Knight Commander David M. “Dink” Warren (T-Wake Forrest ’78), Operation Crimson Gift serves as a critical component of our project outreach efforts, saving thousands of lives each year. Held annually throughout the year, Operation Crimson Gift provides an opportunity for brothers to donate blood through chapter and campus blood drives. To date, approximately 7,324 brothers have donated blood through Operation Crimson Gift. Launched in 2003, the Number I’s Leadership Institute has become the crown jewel of the Order’s exceptional educational programs. It is highly recognizable in the fraternity world, serving as a model for other similar officer training programs. Building on a solid KA tradition of officer training since 1946, NLI is the second oldest fraternity leadership school in the nation, originating as the Officer Training School. Since that time, officer training had taken place every summer, but without the structure of consistent election cycles. It became clear that the most efficient use of time and resources dictated a more focused approach with our chapter presidents in conjunction with a required election period consistent across the Order. Additionally, the vision for an expanded offering of educational
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William A. Wood, grandson of founder, James Ward Wood, was initiated at the 70th Convention in 2003 and is seen here receiving a Knight Commander’s Accolade from Knight Commander Duncan.
Enhanced Province Councils now educate 30% of our Active members each spring