William A. Scroggs

Founder of Kappa Kappa Psi

Born November 27, 1896, and a native of Stillwater, OK, William Scroggs received a degree in Commerce and Marketing from Oklahoma A&M College in 1922.  After his graduation, he worked as an insurance agent in Denver, CO, before moving to California.  William passed away March 14, 1984, and is buried in San Diego, CA.

Scroggs's greatest accomplishment, though, was to follow through on his idea for a fraternity for college bandsmen.  From his mind came the vision that would become Kappa Kappa Psi.  After seeing his vision become reality, Scroggs and Raymond Shannon established the Beta and Gamma chapters in the fall of 1920.

As an officer of the Fraternity, Scroggs served in the following capacities: Grand (National) Editor and Assistant Secretary,1919-23; Grand Secretary, 1923-29; Grand 2nd Vice-President, 1939-41; Grand 1st Vice-President, 1941-47; and District XI (California-Arizona) Governor, 1942-49.

At the 1947 National Convention, Scroggs conducted the first piece ever performed in concert by the National Intercollegiate Band, John Philip Sousa's Semper Fidelis. While this would be a high honor for any bandsman, it was only the second-highest Scroggs received at that convention. By unanimous resolution, the 1947 National Convention voted to make William A. Scroggs the Honorary Grand President of the Fraternity for life.

But 1947 did not mark the end of Scroggs's involvement in the Fraternity. He instituted the William A. Scroggs Founder's Trophy in 1957, to be given to the nation's outstanding chapter, and received the Distinguished Service to Music Medal in 1967 for his service to the Fraternity.

Collegiate Activities

1914-15 - Sub-freshman division II.  Member of C Company of 1st Battalion of the ROTC.

1915-16 - Commerce and Marketing Freshman.  Held the rank of Private in the Military Band (cornet).

1916-17 - Corporal in Military Band (cornet), Band President.

1917-18 - Delta Sigma Alpha, Agricultural Extension Scholarship Winner, cornet player in College Band.

1918-19 - Private in Military Band (cornet).

1919-20 - Founder of Kappa Kappa Psi, serving on the Constitution and By-Laws Committee and as the Alpha Chapter's first President.

            Cornet player in College Band, Corporal in Regimental Band, Delta Sigma Alpha.

1920-21 - Kappa Kappa Psi (Alpha Vice-President), Cornet player in Band, Band Secretary-Treasurer, Delta Sigma Alpha, Commerce and Marketing major.

1921-22 - Kappa Kappa Psi, Delta Sigma Alpha, Alpha Kappa Psi, Band Secretary-Treasurer, Omega Literary Society, Commerce Club, Billy Club, Orchestra, YMCA, Kappa Kappa Psi Yearbook Editor, Cornet player in College Band.