Kappa Sigma
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Contents |
History
Kappa Sigma can trace its roots back over 600 years to Bologna, Italy and over 130 years back to its American founding at the University of Virginia in 1869. In Bologna, Italy Manuel Chrysoloras, a Greek scholar, started the fraternity at the local university. It was for mutual protection for its members after many of the students were robbed and beaten. Kappa Sigma was established in America in Charlottesville, Virginia at the University of Virginia by William Grigsby McCormick.
The Kappa Sigma Chapter at Oregon State is the Gamma Sigma chapter. The chapter has existed since 1905, but became a chapter of Kappa Sigma in 1915 making the Oregon State house the oldest fraternity still in existence on campus. The house is located right in the middle of Greek Row.
Officers
The officers of the chapter of Gamma Sigma consist of Kyle Alexander who is the President or also known as the Grand Master. Austin Hutcheson is the Vice President also known as the Grand Procurator. Adam August is the Grand Master of Cerimonies, Reginald Chand is the Grand Scribe, And Nate Bickley is the treasurer.
The rush chairs are responsible for obtaining new recruits for the fraternity each summer. Charles Safely, Alex Kramien, and Graham Goldstone are the rush chairs.
Rush
As a student at Oregon State, you are no doubt being hit with a barrage of information about the wide variety of experiences that college life has to offer. A lot of students attend Oregon State. People coming from all different kinds of backgrounds. You will come into contact with many in your classes, some you will develop friendships with. You will also get a first class education inside the classroom from quality faculty. However, you will do your greatest learning outside the classroom, and you will develop your lifelong friendships from those you meet in organizations.
It is these things which the Greek system is best at helping develop. It is these abilities, this learning outside of the classroom that makes the greek system what it is. By banding together as a group of individuals with common objectives, an atmosphere is fostered where leadership, communication, conflict management and interpersonal skills are demanded. Out of this need springs learning, adapting and personal growth. Fraternity life, above all the many other benefits it offers, gives you practice for life in the real world.
Kappa Sigma offers a brotherhood of a well diversified chapter. We excell in acedemics, and stress the importantce in grades. The men of Kappa Sigma also are involved in athletics. Intramurals are a great extracurricular activity to keep in shape and bond with the other brothers. The connections you will make at Kappa Sigma will last you a lifetime throughout jobs, careers, families, and anything else.
Kappa Sigma Rush 2006
This summer went extremely well for rush. We had our most successful year since 2001, jumping over 30 pledges at the end of rush week. We also jumped more the most pledges out of all the fraternities, something that has not bee done for over 6 years. Most of the pledges came from the Portland/Metro area, with the biggest turnouts coming from Tualitin High School, Tigard High School, Southridge High School, and Liberty. Also, this year we grabbed three pledges from Thurston High School and one pledge from Mohawk High school, which is a good start of expanding rush beyond the Portland/Metro area. By winter term, most all the pledges will move in to the chapter house, which will be almost at capacity (67) with over fifty-five pledges and members.
Leadership
One of the many benifits of joining Kappa Sigma is the leadership skills you will obtain. There are many oppurtunities that will arise in your years at the fraternity. One can be taking an officer role in the house as President or some other officer role. Another oppurtunity could be being the philanthropy chair, which includes setting up charitable philanthropies for non-profit organizations.
Scholarships
Every year Kappa Sigma gives out over $300,000 in leadership and scholarship awards. Scholarships are given for academic excellence and also advancing the fraternity by becoming a leader in the house.
Functions
Of course college is not just about books and classes, everyone has to have some sort of release. At Kappa Sigma many functions are planned throughout the year to release the constant stress at school.
Barbary Coast Barbary Coast is the premier pirate party of the year every year. Every year we construct an enormous dock outside of the front door of the fraternity. The function is a two day event where the first day is formal dining with a date. The second is a full blown pirate costume party where everyone dresses in their best pirate gear and parties on the dock.
Magenta Lobster Magenta Lobster is our fall term house dance, where every member ivites a date to go to Seaside for the weekend. The first night, everyone partys on the beach, with campfires and bbqs. The next morning, pledges and members wake up early to have the infamous pledge vs. member football game in the sand. Battles have been intense, but pledges are yet to win. Later, there is a formal dinner in the ball room. After dinner, there is a dance in the ball room with a proffessional dj.
Margaritaville Margaritaville is a spring term function that is simply fun in the sun. Every year in the back lot of Kappa Sigma we construct a beach like setting for everyone who wants to enjoy the beautiful spring weather.
These are just a few of the many functions Kappa Sigma puts on throughout the year. There is no limit to the fun that you can have at these social gatherings.
