William H. Coppedge

"He firmly believes that genius is the capacity for evading hard work."

"Not to love is not to live."

Born June 3, 1896, and a native of Grove, OK, William Houston Coppedge received a Commerce and Marketing degree from Oklahoma A&M College in 1920.  After his graduation, he did government work for soldiers and later accepted a position at Auburn University, beginning as an assistant professor of industrial engineering and shops.  He received a master's degree in Education from Auburn and later retired as a professor there.  William served in the U.S. Navy in both World Wars, achieving a final rank of lieutenant commander.  In World War I, he played in the same military band as A. Frank Martin in New Orleans.  William passed away August 17, 1975, and is buried in Auburn, Alabama with his wife Lucy and a marker of their daughter Margaret, who was buried at sea.

Collegiate Activities

1915-16 - Science and Literature freshman.  Participated on class baseball team.  member of 1st Battalion, D Company in the ROTC.

1916-17 - Member of the Commerce Club.  Held rank of Private in Military Band (cornet).

1917-18 - Commerce and Marketing junior, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

1918-19 - 2nd Class Musician, United States Navy Band.

            Sergeant in Military Band (horn), Commerce and Marketing junior, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Interfraternity Council, Redskin yearbook staff member.

1919-20 - Founding Father of Kappa Kappa Psi, serving as the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Alpha Chapter, on the Degree Oaths Committee, and working to design the Fraternity Badge on the Fraternity Pin Design and Coat of Arms Committee.

            Commerce Club, Orange and Black staff member, 1st semester class treasurer, band treasurer, horn player in College Band, Private in Regimental Band, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.