End of the Year

2021 was a busy year. Between Freemasonry and work, I spent 172 nights in a hotel and flew over 55,000 miles in a plane. January kicked off with two separate work trips to Hawaii (I know, rough).

In February, Masonic Week was virtual and I presided over a quick meeting of the officers of the High Council of the Masonic Order of the Bath of the USA where we decided to keep the officers the same for the ensuing year. March was taken up with work.

With April came the Grand York Rite of Idaho which was the first York Rite jurisdiction in the Northwest region to meet in person. I presided over the Order of the Silver Trowel, Knights of the York Cross of Honor, and Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Idaho. I was also awarded the Order of the Secret Vault and Ephraim A. Kirby Awards. 

At the end of April, Idaho College SRICF and Star Garnet Council No.560 of the AMD were able to meet for the first time since the quarantine restrictions came down. The next weekend, my College's Secretary and I went to Wyoming for their SRICF College and York Rite College meetings.

My time in May and June was taken up with work trips. July took me to Alaska (it was weird having so much daylight). The next week I went to Phoenix to attend the Southwest Regional Red Cross of Constantine where I receive the College of Viceroys degree and the Southwest SRICF Conference hosted by Arizona College.

August took me to Minneapolis to attend the 68th Triennial of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA. I was surprised to be asked to serve as Chairman of the Special Committee on Communications.

The first half of September was taken up with attending the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Colorado and the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Wyoming. Except for Idaho, all of the other Grand Chapters in the Northwest had not met in person so much of my job as Deputy General Grand High Priest of the Northwest had been attending virtual meetings. That month I was also appointed as Assistant Alumni Adviser for the Kappa Rho Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. In October I presided over a portion of the Northwest York Rite Conference in Boise, ID. Two weeks later, I drove nearly 8-hours to attend the Northwest York Rite Festival in Wenatchee, WA.

With November came the 2021 Annual Meeting of the High Council of the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis in Louisville, KY. The next weekend was the conferral of the Chivalric Orders that the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Idaho in Boise, ID.

In December I was appointed IV Pillar of Redemption Tabernacle No.XL of the Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests and elected Eminent Viceroy of St. Michael Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine.

I'm looking forward to this next year and it is going to be even busier than 2021!

God bless all of you and have a Happy New Year.

150th Anniversary of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity

This year marks the 150th year since the Kappa Sigma fraternity was founded at the University of Virginia. Officially, the Kappa Sigma fraternity was founded on December 10, 1869, in the room William Grigsby McCormick, one of the five founders commonly called "The Five Friends & Brothers". The other Five Friends & Brothers are George Miles Arnold, Frank Courtney Nicodemus, John Covert Boyd, and Edmund Law Rogers. 

Alongside the Founders of our Fraternity, the Golden Hearted Virginian is probably one of the most famous men within Kappa Sigma. Stephen Alonzo Jackson, the Golden Hearted Virginian, was not only the first Worthy Grand Master, but was also the writer of our Constitution and architect of our Ritual. During his speech at the 2nd Grand Conclave in 1878, Brother Jackson talked about the expansion of this Brotherhood, and the following words are still recited by all Pledges and Brothers today: 

Why not, my Brothers, since we of today live and cherish the principles of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, throw such a halo around those principles that they may be handed down as a precious heirloom to ages yet unborn? Why not put our apples of gold in pictures of silver? May we not rest contentedly until the Star and Crescent is the pride of every college and university in the land!

I think Brother Jackson would be proud as Kappa Sigma currently has more than 200,000 living members, including over 20,000 undergraduates, and 320 chapters and colonies located throughout the United States and Canada.

Today in Charlottesville, VA, undergrads and alumni from all over have assembled to celebrate the Sesquicentennial anniversary as well as hold the 72nd Biennial Grand Conclave.

I was initiated into Kappa Sigma on October 28, 2006, into the Kappa Rho Chapter at Boise State University. I had quite the journey while in college: living in the Chapter House and serving the Chapter as House Manager, Grand Treasurer, and Grand Procurator.

Kappa Rho Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity

Today's been a long day. With the effort of four different Chapters of Kappa Sigma and many alumni, we initiated 66-new members of Kappa Sigma and reopened the Kappa Rho Chapter (Boise State University) of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After the initiations were completed, the Kappa Sigma Ritualist installed the officers of Kappa Rho. It was amazing to see the different degree teams do great ritual work and I even got to serve as Grand Master and Grand Procurator for a few initiations.

We later met at the Zions Bank building in downtown Boise where had a great banquet with a great deal of fellowship and camaraderie. The keynote speaker was the District Grand Master from Oregon and he knocked it out of the park The newly initiated Brothers have put in so much work to get the Chapter reopened and today was a validation, and culmination, of that effort.

A Decade in Kappa Sigma

It was on this day in 2006 that I was initiated into the Kappa Sigma fraternity. I had joined Freemasonry during the Summer of 2006 and some of the Brethren in my Lodge were alumni of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. They knew that I was going to be starting college in the Fall and encouraged me to join Kappa Sigma. My class started out large, but dwindled down to just 10: Steve, Rudy, Paul, Marcus, Michael, Abe, Ed, Bruno, John, and myself. The Fall Semester of 2006 was filled with some great adventures and these guys are closer than Brothers and will be for all our lives.

I've had quite the journey living in the Chapter House and serving the Chapter as House Manager, Grand Treasurer, and Grand Procurator. Now I am happy to support the newly reformed Kappa Rho Chapter as an Alumnus.

Kappa Sigma Bio: Stephen Alonzo Jackson

Next to the Five Friends & Brothers, Stephen Alonzo Jackson is regarded as one of the most important men in the history of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. It was by his efforts that a local chapter at the University of Virginia would expand to the strong international organization it is today, and it was because of his devotion that he was given the nickname "the Golden-Hearted Virginian." Stephen Alonzo Jackson was born on September 22, 1851, in Glenville, VA, the son of Minter Jackson and Mary Katherin Jackson. While still in his infancy, Jackson's mother died and he was raised by his grandmother.

Jackson was initiated into the Kappa Sigma fraternity in the Fall of 1872 while at the University of Virginia where he studied Latin, Greek, and Mathematics. Through the dedication of Jackson, the fraternity spread to Trinity College (now Duke University), the University of Maryland, and to Washington & Lee University. Jackson would go on to serve as Grand Master of Zeta Chapter, revise the ritual of Kappa Sigma, create the first Supreme Executive Committee (the governing body of the fraternity), establish a Constitution of the order, and the idea of a regular meeting of a national convention. He would go on to serve as the first Worthy Grand Master.

At the second Grand Conclave on November 1, 1878, at the Exchange Hotel in Richmond, VA, Jackson was re-elected as Worthy Grand Master and during his speech gave what is known as the "Apples of Gold" speech wherein he expressed his goals of an enduring brotherhood:

"Why not, my Brothers, since we of today live and cherish the principles of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, throw such a halo around those principles that they may be handed down as a precious heirloom to ages yet unborn? Why not put our apples of gold in pictures of silver? May we not rest contentedly until the Star and Crescent is the pride of every college and university in the land!"

Stephen Alonzo Jackson passed away on March 4, 1892, in Washington County, VA, leaving behind his widow, Mary Cloyd Davidson. His legacy is unprecedented as it was through his efforts that the first southern fraternity expanded to the north and the establishment of a Greek fraternity Grand Conclave. Kappa Sigma has continued to grow with more than 200,000 living members (including over 20,000 undergraduate members) and 320 chapters and colonies throughout the United States of America and Canada.

References

1. About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved from Nu Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity: http://wmpeople.wm.edu/site/page/kappasigma/aboutus

2. Docet Kappa Sigma. (n.d.). Retrieved from Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/21517822/docet-kappa-sigma-flash-cards/

3. Hickin, P. (2016, February 9). Stephen Alonzo Jackson. Retrieved from WikiTree: http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jackson-14882

4. History. (n.d.). Retrieved from Kappa Sigma: http://kappasigma.org/about/history/

5. Kappa Sigma. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kappa_Sigma

Kappa Sigma Bio: Frank Courtney Nicodemus

The last of the Five Friends and Brothers is Frank Courtney Nicodemus. He was born on January 8, 1853, in Baltimore, MD, the son of Josiah Courtney Nicodemus and Mary Jane Montandon. He came from a prominent family and his sister went on to marry Edwin Warfield, the 45th Governor of Maryland.

Prior to attending the University of Virginia, he attends the Kinner Academy where he met and befriended Edmund Law Rogers. His attendance at the University of Virginia was not long, shortly after helping with the formation of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, he left UVA to join his father's firm, Smith & Nicodemus. Four years later he and his father formed an investment brokerage firm, J.C. Nicodemus and Son.

In the Spring of 1879, he married Mary Field Weeks and they had 4 children: 3 sons and 1 daughter. Later that year he formed his own company, F.C. Nicodemus and Co. which manufactured boilers, engines, and machinery. Six years later he would become the Treasurer of the Baltimore Post Office, but after 2-years he went on to work for the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company where he worked until the end of his days.

His first wife died young and in 1891 he married Florence B. Smith. He and his family were all well known within the Baltimore social scene and highly regarded. Frank Courtney Nicodemus passed away on May 25, 1919.

References

1. Docet Kappa Sigma. (n.d.). https://quizlet.com/21517822/docet-kappa-sigma-flash-cards/

2. Frank Courtney Nicodemus. (1904). Caduceus of Kappa Sigma, 19(1). 

3. Five Friends and Brothers. (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2015, from http://www.umich.edu/~kappasig/5Brothers.htm

4. The Five Founders. (n.d.). https://quizlet.com/54353742/the-five-founders-flash-cards/ 

Kappa Sigma Bio: John Covert Boyd

The fourth of the Kappa Sigma founders was John Covert Boyd. The son of William Simms Boyd and Laura Nelson Covert, he was born on December 24, 1850, near Bradford Springs, South Carolina.

Boyd attended the University of Virginia from 1869 to 1871, during the fall semester he was a founder of the Kappa Sigma fraternity where he served as Grand Scribe. In the second year at UVA, Boyd followed in the footsteps of his father and entered into the medical program, but the next year transferred to the University of the City of New York. After attaining his Doctorate in Medicine in 1872, he became a surgeon and, later, medical director of the United States Navy Medical Corps.

In 1887, he married Katherine Dorr Willard who gave him a daughter, Alice, and a son, Walter (who would go on to join Kappa Sigma).

His naval career also included serving as Assistant to the Chief of the Naval Bureau of Medicine and Surgery and representative to the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. In 1902 he became a professor for the Navy Medical College and also took charge of writing the book of instruction for medical officers. In 1905, President Teddy Roosevelt appointed him to the Board of Incorporators and Executive Committee of the American Red Cross.

He was also a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, member of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United State, member of the American Medical Association, member of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, member of the Archaeological Institution of America, and an honorary member of the Medical Society of the District of Columbia

John Covert Boyd died on July 7, 1927, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

References

1. Five Friends and Brothers. (n.d.). http://www.umich.edu/~kappasig/5Brothers.htm

2. John Covert Boyd. (n.d.). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Covert_Boyd

3. The Five Founders. (n.d.). https://quizlet.com/54353742/the-five-founders-flash-cards/

Kappa Sigma Bio: George Miles Arnold

The third in this series of Kappa Sigma Biographies is George Miles Arnold, one of the Five Friends and Brothers. George Miles Arnold was born on August 27, 1851, in Troy, NY. George was born while the family was visiting Troy as they were then living in Mobile, AL, where George's father ran a wholesale business. George's mother died while he was still an infant

George Miles Arnold started attending the University of Virginia in 1869 where studied Latin, French, and Mathematics. It was while studying languages  where he earned the nickname "the little Spaniard." It was in the Winter that the Kappa Sigma fraternity was founded and George Miles Arnold was one of the founders, also known as the Five Friends and Brothers. George played an important role in the history of the fraternity as he wrote the Constitution and served as the first Grand Master of Zeta Chapter, the first Chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity in the United States.

In 1871, George started to study medicine, but then in February of 1871, he withdrew from the university after he shot a black resident of Charlottesville while intoxicated. The man survived, but George feared retaliation fled and presumably headed to NY because a few weeks later he was a student in the Medical College of New York; he received his M.D in 1873.

He continued to live in New York working as a doctor and married Minnie Jane Law on September 8, 1874. They had 8 children together, but only 3 survived childhood. Robert Miles Arnold, the only surviving son, would go on to join the Gamma-Zeta Chapter while attending New York University.

It is believed that George Miles Arnold was a Master Mason, but I have not yet confirmed this.

On January 25, 1890, George Miles Arnold died of pneumonia and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, in the Bronx. George Miles Arnold was a very dedicated Brother and it was said that "He gave nearly his whole time to the society." In commemoration to this distinguished Brother, the fraternity presents the George Miles Arnold Cup to a Chapter that demonstrates "the highest level of commitment to Ritual education, throughout its entire membership."

References

1. 5 Friends and Brothers. n.d. http://www.umich.edu/~kappasig/5Brothers.htm.

2. The Five Founders. n.d. https://quizlet.com/54353742/the-five-founders-flash-cards/.

3. Bononia Docet Test 1. n.d. https://quizlet.com/20516061/bononia-docet-test-1-flash-cards/.

4. Docet Kappa Sigma. n.d. https://quizlet.com/21517822/docet-kappa-sigma-flash-cards/.

5. Founding of the Order. n.d. http://gukappasigma.celect.org/about-mu-iota-chapter.

6. George Miles Arnold. November 13, 2014. https://uvastudents.wordpress.com/2014/11/13/george-miles-arnold-27-aug-1851-25-jan-1890/.

7. History. n.d. http://kappasigma.org/about/history/.

8. "The Founders of Kappa Sigma." Caduceus of Kappa Sigma 19 (1904): 356-357.

Kappa Sigma Bio: Edmund Law Rogers

Next on the list of Kappa Sigma biographies is Edmund Law Rogers, one of the Five Friends and Brothers of Kappa Sigma. He was born on July 1, 1850, in Baltimore, MD. The Rogers family was a prominent family in Maryland and the family estate, known as Druid Hill, is one of the largest city parks in North America. He attended school at James Kinner Academy in Baltimore with another founder of Kappa Sigma, Frank Courtney Nicodemus.

He began his collegiate career at the University of Virginia in 1869 and on December 10th assisted in the founding of Kappa Sigma in America. He was known for his love of the arts as an artist and an actor. He left an indelible mark upon the fraternity by designing the Star & Crescent, the badge of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Within the Zeta Chapter, the chapter at the University of Virginia, he would become the 2nd Grand Master (the President) of the Chapter, succeeding George Miles Arnold.

He would start a career in acting, going under the pseudonym, Leslie Edmunds. He was a very popular actor and starred in productions like "The Octoroon," a play inspired by the book "The Quadroon" and which focused on the denial of liberty, identity, and dignity of the slave.

Edmund Law Rogers died on December 19, 1893, at the age of 43, and was buried on Druid Hill in the Buchanan and Rogers burial ground.

References

1. 5 Friends and Brothers. n.d. http://www.umich.edu/~kappasig/5Brothers.htm.

2. Edmund Law Rogers, Jr. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Law_Rogers,_Jr. 

3. History. n.d. http://kappasigma.org/about/history/.

4. The Five Founders. n.d. https://quizlet.com/54353742/the-five-founders-flash-cards/.

Kappa Sigma Bio: William Grigsby McCormick

Born on this date in 1851, William Grigsby McCormick would grow up to be an American businessman, one of the 5 Friends and Brothers (co-founders) of and the only Most Worthy Grand Master to the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Born in Chicago, IL, and son of William Sanderson and Mary Ann McCormick. After the death of his father, his mother moved the family to Baltimore, MD, near her family's estates. He came from a prominent family: his grandfather was a famous inventor, his uncle invented the McCormick reaper (a type of harvester), his mother's cousin was President of the College of William and Mary, and William's own brother was an Ambassador to Austria, to Russia, and to France. He attended the University of Virginia starting in 1868 and a year later assisted in the founding of the Kappa Sigma fraternity which met in his room at 46 East Lawn. A plaque is affixed to his room which states:

HERE ON DECEMBER THE TENTH

MDCCCLXIX THE KAPPA SIGMA

FRATERNITY WAS FOUNDED BY

WILLIAM GRIGSBY McCORMICK -

GEORGE MILES ARNOLD - JOHN

COVERT BOYD - EDMUND LAW

ROGERS - FRANK COURTNEY

NICODEMUS manet mansura est.

After college, he traveled with his brother Robert to Europe (including a trip to Bologna) then returned to Baltimore where he worked as a banker for two years before marrying Eleanor Brooks, daughter of former railroad executive Walter Booth Brooks, on October 23, 1873. He would move back with his wife to Chicago where he worked for McCormick Brothers & Findlay then started his own insurance and real estate business with offices in Chicago and New York. In 1880, he was elected for one term as an alderman for the Chicago City Council. He and his wife would go on to have 7 children; one of his three sons would go on to be initiated into the Kappa Sigma fraternity at the celebration of the 50th year since the founding of Kappa Sigma.

In 1884 he helped form Smith, McCormick & Company to trade commodities on the Chicago Board of Trade and the next year became a member of the New York Stock Exchange. His trading firm became a part of the Schwartz, Dupee & Company stock trading firm until the 1893 panic, but William McCormick would work with Theodore Price to form Price, McCormick & Company in 1895. After his firm failed in a takeover, McCormick would retire on May 24, 1900.

At the 28th Biennial Grand Conclave held in Los Angeles, CA, in 1929, William Grigsby McCormick was the only of the 5 Friends and Brothers still alive and was elected to the position of "Most Worthy Grand Master". He is the only Brother to have held that title; the current presiding officer is referred to as "Worthy Grand Master".

William Grigsby McCormick died on November 29, 1941, at the family estate known as St. James Farm near Wheaton, Illinois. His death marked the end of the "Era of the Founders".

References

1. 5 Friends and Brothers. n.d. http://www.umich.edu/~kappasig/5Brothers.htm. 

2. History. n.d. http://kappasigma.org/about/history/. 

3. History of the Chapter. n.d. http://aig.alumni.virginia.edu/kappasigma/about/history-of-the-zeta-chapter/. 

4. Kappa Sigma. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kappa_Sigma. 

5. William Grigsby McCormick. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Grigsby_McCormick.

Introduction to Kappa Sigma

"Not for a day or an hour or a college term only- but for life."

During my Freshman and Sophomore years of College I was involved in the Kappa Rho Chapter of Kappa Sigma where I served in that time as Grand Treasurer and House Manager. Military duty took me away from college, but upon my return I stepped up and took over as Grand Procurator of my Chapter, which is the officer second only to the Grand Master of the Chapter and who acts as the judicial officer of the Chapter. By the time I had taken up this position the Chapter was in poor decline due to poor decisions made by the members of the Chapter, and by September 2012 the Chapter was closed down. While in DC I was informed that some of the Alumni of my Chapter are working with some undergraduates at restarting the Chapter. I plan on giving assistance where I can. Of all of my posts on this site, I have only talked about Kappa Sigma a couple times.

The Kappa Sigma fraternity was founded in America on December 10th, 1869, at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville at 46 East Lawn in the room William Grigsby McCormick, one of the five founders commonly called "The Five Friends and Brothers". Membership is open to all collegiate males who profess a belief in God, though adherence to a specific religion is not required. The mission of the fraternity is to enhance the educational experience of the student and education mission of that insitution, to promote Brotherhood, to contribute to personal development, to promote ethical behavior and proper decision-making, and to encourage service to our fellow man and community. Our membership rosters have included Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, Presidential canddiates, Governors, Judges and Justices, entertainers, actors, businessman, journalists, academics, athletes, and members of the Armed Services

While the seeds and bonds of the fraternity were established by the Five Friends and Brothers (William Grigsby McCormick, George Miles Arnold, Frank Courtney Nicodemus, John Covert Boyd, and Edmund Law Rogers), the ritual was solidified by the Golden Hearted Virginian, Stephen Alonzo Jackson. He was also instrumental in nationalizing the order, writing the first Constitution, and becoming the first Worthy Grand Master. During the 2nd Grand Conclave he gave a speech on the expansion of the order, an excerpt of which has been immortalized by the Brothers of this fraternity:

“Why not, my Brothers, since we of today live and cherish the principles of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, throw such a halo around those principles that they may be handed down as a precious heirloom to ages yet unborn? Why not put our apples of gold in pictures of silver? May we not rest contentedly until the Star and Crescent is the pride of every college and university in the land!”

The legendary founding of Kappa Sigma traces back to Bologna, Italy, the famous City of Letters, in the year 1400 where Kappa Sigma was said to be founded at the University of Bologna by Manuel Chrysoloras, a Greek scholar. The order was founded to protect students from assaults by the men following the corrupt governor, Baldassare Cossa, who would become John XXIII during the Great Schism of the Catholic Church. The ritual of Kappa Sigma surrounds this central myth. Kappa Sigma was said to exist in Europe for the next several centuries, but dwindled into almost non-existence until Americans in Europe met with some nobles who said, "My colors fade...for want of wearers." To ensure that Chrysoloras' legacy would never fade, the Five Friends and Brothers established in North America.

The badge of a Kappa Sigma is the Star and Crescent which is composed of an inverted pentagram overlaid on top of crescent moon laid sideways. Four of the points of the pentagram divide the crescent into three sections in which are found the following symbols: two crossed keys, a skull and crossbones, and two crossed swords. In the center of the pentagram there is a golden ring with 12 gems going around and alternating between green and red. At the dead center of the golden ring are the Greek letters ΚΣ. As a Pledge you learn and commit to memory many things including the "Star and Crescent":

The Star and Crescent shall not be worn by every man, 

but only by him who is worthy to wear it. 

He must be a gentleman... a man of honor and courage... 

a man of zeal, yet humble... an intelligent man... a man of truth... 

one who tempers action with wisdom and, above all else, 

one who walks in the light of God.

Brothers of the Kappa Sigma fraternity follow the Four Pillars: Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service. By Fellowship, it alludes to the unmatched experience and involvement in the Brotherhood that is Kappa Sigma. By Leadership, the fraternity expects its members to get involved in their communities and take the role of leader. By Scholarship, a member of Kappa Sigma is expected to excel in his academic career, remembering that while at school, his education should be his primary concern as a preparation for their future. By Service, a Brother is reminded that helping and supporting others should always be his primary duty.

The basic organizational structure is the undergraduate Chapter. Each Chapter is led by an "Executive Committee" consisting of a Grand Master (GM), Grand Procurator (GP), Grand Master of Ceremonies (GMC), Grand Scribe (GS), and Grand Treasurer (GT). The Grand Master is the presiding officer of the Chapter. The Grand Procurator is the second-in-command, but in reality is one of two Vice Presidents in charge of judicial matters. The Grand Master of Ceremonies sits as the second Vice President and is in charge of the various ceremonies used in Kappa Sigma as well as the education programs. The Grand Scribe is likened unto the Secretary and holds similar administrative duties, just as the Grand Treasurer is the financial officer of the Chapter. These officers are elected by the Brothers on an annual basis. Beneath the Executive Committee there are a number of committees who assist the officers in the dispatch of their duties and the operations of the Chapter.

At the international level stands the Supreme Executive Council, or SEC, who sets the policies for the entire fraternity, disciplines chapters when needed, and approves the formation of chapters/colonies. The officers of the SEC are like those at the undergraduate level with the appellation of "Worthy" attached to it. They are: Worthy Grand Master (WGM), Worthy Grand Procurator (WGP), Worthy Grand Master of Ceremonies (WGMC), Worthy Grand Scribe (WGS), and Worthy Grand Treasurer (WGT). The first three officers serve for 2-year terms while the Worthy Grand Scribe and Worthy Grand Treasurer serve for 4-years terms, and all are elected at the biennial Grand Conclave. The SEC has divided North America into 5-areas or regions and those into districts, 60 in total. Each district is overseen by a District Grand Masters (DGM) and a number of Assistant District Grand Masters (ADGM) who serve as liaisons between the undergraduate chapter and the SEC. An Alumnus Adviser (AA) and a number of Assistant Alumnus Advisers (AAA) who provide advice and guidance to the Chapter; typically there are AAA's to advise the GP, GMC, GT, and GS. These positions are primarily all volutneer, but there is a professional staff who works at the headquarters in Charlottesville, VA. These staff members include an Executive Director, program directors, administrative assistants, and area recruitment managers.

Some of the programs ran by Kappa Sigma are "A Greater Cause" which is designed to promote community service, the Champion Quest program which is a recruitment initiative which pursues "Jackson's Dream", Brothers in Action program which is a membership development program by emphasizing the Four Pillars, the Military Heroes Campaign which focuses on service and donations towards disabled soldiers and veterans, and the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund which was established "to support the charitable and beneficent purposes of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity".

Today, Kappa Sigma sits as one of the large international fraternites with currently 316 active chapters and colonies in North America. I am proud to be a member of such a venerable institution and my involvement only enhanced my experience as an undergraduate at Boise State University.

References

1. History. n.d. http://kappasigma.org/about/history/. 

2. Kappa Sigma. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kappa_Sigma. 

3. Kappa Sigma History. n.d. http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/rbethea/kappasigmahistory.htm.

4. Who We Are. n.d. http://kappasigma.org/who-we-are/.

2012: What a Year!

Well, with the closing of this year comes the close of another chapter of my life and the opening of another one. 2012 was quite a year for me.

This year started off with my return and to Boise State University as a Junior in International Relations, an emphasis for those seeking a Bachelors in Political Science.

In Masonry, I received several surprises during the Springtime. The first surprise came from my Eminent Commander who informed me that I had been invited to join the Red Cross of Constantine. I was also elected and installed as Associate Patron of my Chapter of the Eastern Star. At the Grand Sessions of the Grand York Rite Bodies of Idaho, I was also initiated into the Order of theSilver Trowel (a degree for those who have presided over a Council of Cryptic Masons) and installed as Grand Master of the 1st Veil for the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Idaho.

With May came the end of the collegiate semester and I did rather well for my first time back after four years since they pulled a 3.66 GPA. Not all experiences were worthwhile though, a week after school ended I sprained my knee (specifically the Anterior Cruciate Ligament or ACL) and tore my meniscus. This injury plagued me for quite a while and it also made going through the Red Cross of Constantine interesting since I could hardly kneel down, but I made it through. I was also elected to serve as Grand Procurator, or Vice President, of my Chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and I would also serve as the delegate to the 2012 Western Leadership Conference in Las Vegas.

With September came the start of school as well as meetings starting back up for many of the fraternal organizations I belonged to. I was surprised this month by being awarded with the Order of the White Star in the Commandery. I was also installed as Associate Bethel Guardian for one of the local Bethels of Job’s Daughters International. The end of the month was hard for me as I watched as my Kappa Sigma Chapter ended because of the poor decisions of a few members. I hope that one day this Chapter, one of the oldest fraternal orders on the campus before its demise, will be re-chartered and bring back the excellence that I know it has.

In October, I was invited to join the Knight Masons and I had the pleasure of conferring for the first time the Order of the Temple upon a couple new Sir Knights. At the November stated meetings, I was honored to be elected as Eminent Commander for my Commandery, and "elected" to be Past Illustrious Master for my Council of Cryptic Masons. This month wasn't completely perfect as I ended a relationship with the girl of my dreams, but we were not working and even trying to be friends didn't cut it.

With December came several Masonic events. In the Red Cross of Constantine, I was installed as Orator for my Conclave. A few days later I received another surprise, I was invited to join the Commemorative Order of Saint Thomas of Acon. On the 20th, I had a good turnout at my installation as Eminent Commander and am thankful for everybody who braved the traffic and the weather to attend. I was also installed as King of my Royal Arch Chapter. On the following Sunday, I presided over my Commandery’s Annual Christmas Observance and there was a great turnout. My keynote speaker was David Triplett, a Past Grand Master and member of my Commandery, who did an amazing job with his presentation with the assistant of Alex, an active young woman in the Job's Daughters and Rainbow Girls.

Along with many other "prophetic end-of-days", I survived the Mayan Apocalypse, but I'm not complaining that the world didn't end.

The Fall semester was a tad more difficult than the Spring one had been. This semester I had taken some upper-division courses, but sadly none of them pertinent to my emphasis although necessary to graduate.

For obvious reasons, this year surpasses last year and I can only attribute it to my fellow Masons, friends, and family. I hope to take the successes the trials and failures of this year to make next year better. I do have some resolutions for next year, but I will not release them until I have met each and every one of them. As the minutes draw this year to a close, I wonder what Fate will bring my way. Only time will tell...

Kappa Sigma 2012 Western Leadership Conference

At the end of April, I took over as Grand Procurator (Vice President) of the Kappa Rho Chapter-Colony of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Boise State University. Well, as an officer, I am attending the Western Leadership Conference being held in Las Vegas.

I arrived today and have spent it walking around as I haven't been to Vegas in a while, and it has changed. I did try my luck at the Craps Table in the Monte Carlo casino, but lady luck was not on my side. I am down $60 at this point and I think I will cut my losses for now. Tomorrow starts with check-in and the fun begins.

Kappa Sigma - 142 years of Excellence

Today marks the 142nd Anniversary of the founding of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.  I have had the pleasure of being in Kappa Sigma for the last 5-years.  I have gained a great set of friends and Brothers, particularly my Pledge Brothers who I spent countless hours with during our Pledgeship.

The Motto

The Star and Crescent shall not be worn by every man, but only by him who is worthy to wear it. He must be a gentleman ... a man of honor and courage ... a man of zeal, yet humble ... an intelligent man ... a man of truth ... one who tempers action with wisdom and, above all else, one who walks in the light of God.

History 

The Kappa Sigma fraternity was founded at the University of Virginia on December 10th, 1869.  This fraternity was founded by what the Brothers of Kappa Sigma call "The Five Friends and Brothers".  They are William Grigsby McCormick, George Miles Arnold, Frank Courtney Nicodemus, John Covert Boyd, and Edmund Law Rogers.

Alongside the Founders of our Fraternity, the Golden Hearted Virginian is probably one of the most famous men within Kappa Sigma.  Stephen Alonzo Jackson, the Golden Hearted Virginian, was not only the first Worthy Grand Master, but was also the writer of our Constitution and architect of our Ritual.

During his speech at the 2nd Grand Conclave in 1878 talked about the expansion of this Brotherhood, and the following words are still recited by all Pledges and Brothers today:

Why not, my Brothers, since we of today live and cherish the principles of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, throw such a halo around those principles that they may be handed down as a precious heirloom to ages yet unborn? Why not put our apples of gold in pictures of silver? May we not rest contentedly until the Star and Crescent is the pride of every college and university in the land!

AEKΔB Brothers!!