Kappa Kappa Psi - Alpha Chapter

Oklahoma State University

Serving the OSU Bands and Striving for the Highest Since 1919

Early Kappa Kappa Psi History

The following is an excerpt from a history of Kappa Kappa Psi written by Gilbert Isenberg, one of the original pledges of the fraternity.  The full letter can be found on Steve Nelson's list of history snippets.

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    In October 1919, a member of the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical University Band conceived the idea that something should be done to bring together the bandsmen in our universities.  At that time, there were only a few Nationals for professional musicians (Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia), but none exclusive for college bandsmen.  It was with this in mind that this member received his inspiration and confided in Mr. A. Frank Martin his plans for organizing a National Band Fraternity.  Mr. Martin, then president of the band, was very enthusiastic over the proposition.  Thus encouraged and knowing that Bohumil Makovsky, or "Boh" as he was known on the campus, was always strong for anything that fosters the development of better music, William A. Scroggs, founder of the Fraternity, went to Boh with his proposition.  Boh at once saw the great possibilities of such a fraternity and offered his undivided support to the cause.   With such a character as Professor Bohumil Makovsky backing the idea, this new organization was born into the fraternal world November 27, 1919.

    Mr. Scroggs immediately arranged for a secret conference with Boh and A. Frank Martin.  At this conference ten of the best men of the large Oklahoma State University Band, who were not only leaders in the band but in their respective schools, fraternities, and scholastic activities, were selected as charter members.  The ten men selected to work out the intricate problems of the new organization were: A. Frank Martin, William A. Scroggs. Raymond D. Shannon, Carl A. Stevens, Clyde Haston, Clayton Soule, William Coppedge, Asher Hendrickson, Dick Hurst, and Hawthorne Nelson.

    A meeting was immediately called and the first officers of the Fraternity were elected.  William Scroggs was unanimously elected to be the first President of the new organization.  A. Frank Martin was elected Vice President, Clayton Soule was elected Secretary-Treasurer, and William Coppedge was elected Sergeant of Arms.  Committees were elected as follows: Constitution and By-Laws, William Scroggs, Raymond Shannon, and Hawthorne Nelson; Ritual, A. Frank Martin, Clayton Soule, and Col. F. D. Wickham; Fraternity Pin Design and Coat of Arms, William Coppedge, Clyde Haston, and Dick Hurst; Degree Oaths, William Coppedge, A. Frank Martin, and Asher Hendrickson.

    When this young organization started working on their plans for organizing a National Fraternity, they were confronted with many difficulties, but such leaders as were affiliated as charter members knew not the meaning of defeat, but went forth with all the more determination.  Knowing that petitions would soon be received asking for charters, the first National officers were elected from the ten charter members to take care of the National work.  The men that received the honor of being the first national officers were: Grand President, A. Frank Martin; Vice President, Raymond Shannon; Second Vice President, Clyde Haston; Secretary, Clayton Soule; Treasurer, Carl A. Stevens; and Editor and Assistant Secretary, William A. Scroggs.

    Work on the first degree was soon completed and five more leading members of the band were selected as pledges to the fraternity.  They were, Gilbert Isenberg, Herbert Dixon, Dean Dale, Carl Smelser, and Clarence Shaw.  These men were selected to test out the ritual work on, as each degree was completed.  The first degree was administered, and it met with such success and admiration that it has remained unchanged to the present day.

    Seeing the success of the first attempt, the members were inspired to put forth even greater efforts, for the betterment of the organization.  Ten letters were sent out to universities all over the country, telling of the new organization.  Five replies were received, all of which expressed their approval of such an organization and the great possibilities of its future.  In the spring of 1920, a petition was received from the University of Washington, which was accepted.  The college year closed and very little was done until the opening of college in the fall.

    Late in the fall of 1920, a petition was received and duly accepted from the Montana State College, at Bozeman.  As all ritual work had been completed as well as the constitution and by-laws.  Raymond D. Shannon and William Scroggs were sent to the two petitioning Institutions and Kappa Kappa Psi reached out her hand of fraternal spirit and cooperation to Washington and Montana.  The bands of both Institutions are the pride of their states and rank high with any in the United States.

    In the spring of 1921, a petition was received from our own State University.  A charter was granted and eight members of the mother chapter went to Norman and installed a chapter of an organization that is doing more to create the right spirit between the two leading State Institutions in Oklahoma, that is possible through any other procedure.

    The fall of 1921, found the fraternity on a firm foundation and every member in an optimistic attitude.  Institutions from the North, South, East and West were writing in for information and the necessary contents required for petitions.  The officers were very busy perfecting the internal mechanism of the Fraternity.  Every member was eagerly looking to the First National Convention of the Fraternity and every detail to make the First Convention a memorial one, to those privileged to attend, was looked after.

    This convention was held at the home of the Mother Chapter, Oklahoma State University, at Stillwater, January 2, 1922, and from the spirit shown by the delegates and officers, the great future of Kappa Kappa Psi was realized and insured.  Scott P. Squyres  was elected to the highest honor of National Grand President.  The other officers elected were: W. A. Nelson of Washington State University, First Vice President; John Wylie of Montana State, Second Vice President; Dick Hurst, National Secretary; Asher Hendrickson, National Treasurer; and William Scroggs, National Editor and Assistant Secretary.

    Soon after the close of the National Convention, John Philip Sousa accepted the invitation to become a National Honorary Member of Kappa Kappa Psi.  He expressed his appreciation of the honor given to him during the evening: "Brothers, I have received medals and honors from every civilized country, but I feel this honor above all, due to the fact that this was given me by a group of University bandsmen who are furthering the great work that I have dedicated my whole life to."