Kappa Kappa Psi - Alpha Chapter

Oklahoma State University

Serving the OSU Bands and Striving for the Highest Since 1919

History Snippets

Snippet #13 - "Dr. Hilton Ira Jones", taken from the April 1943 issue of The Baton.

Steve Nelson:  "Last weekend (Feb. 18 & 19, 1994), I attended the Arkansas Area Workshop at the University of Arkansas, in Fayetteville. During the workshop, I had the privilege of presenting an hour's presentation on the history of Kappa Kappa Psi, much like the one at the National Convention.

    A question came up that I wasn't really prepared for, and I thought that a snippet on it would help us all come up to speed on it.

    The question was, who was Dr. Hilton Ira Jones and who was Col. F. D. Wickham?  I seem to always get these two brothers mixed up!  Luckily, I found an article in the April, 1943 Baton that answers just this question."
 

Dr. Hilton Ira Jones Contributes to Ground Work of Fraternity

    When the ritualistic work of the degrees in Kappa Kappa Psi is presented, very few of the members know just how the purpose and ideals of the fraternity were woven into the Greek letters and symbols to complete the ritual of the organization.

    When the first thought of such an organization was presented to Brother Bohumil Makovsky by Brother William A. Scroggs, the founder, ten men were selected to form the organization.  Each man was assigned a special duty to perform in the organization, but it was soon realized that all the work would have to be dove-tailed into a central theme, ideal, and purpose.  To accomplish this, someone versed in the use of the Greek language was needed to bring about the completion of all the signs, words, and symbols.

    At this time, there was an outstanding chemist of the Oklahoma A&M College, versed in Greek phrases, who offered his assistance, and it was through the work and efforts of Dr. Hilton Ira Jones that the final draft of the ritual of Kappa Kappa Psi was offered to the organization.

    Dr. Jones was rightly honored by the mother chapter and will be remembered by each and every one of the brothers.  He soon left the campus for experimental work in science which was carried on in the city of Chicago. He now owns and operates his own company known as the Hi-zone Chemical Company of Willmette, Illinois.

    Dr. Jones breathed his personality into the ritual and gave it a touch of life that has made it worthwhile.  It is to his efforts that the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honor Band Fraternity is due outstanding credit and distinction for the services he rendered the fraternity.  His name should be remembered with the founders as the one who added much to the life of the fraternity.

    Another helpful leader on the Oklahoma A&M campus that gave a great many hours of his time and effort toward the establishment of Kappa Kappa Psi was Colonel Frank D. Wickham, head of the Military Department.

    Colonel Wickham had a deep centered interest in music and gave his ever assistance in the development of the band and the advancement of music in a military way.  His advice was sought in the organization of the ritualistic work as well as the construction of the constitution and working rules of the organization.

    In the past few years the address of the great man has not been known but we feel sure that he is out there somewhere giving his best for his country and serving this nation well in the great war.  May we never forget the efforts of Colonel Wickham and his contribution to the Fraternity.