Kappa Kappa Psi - Alpha Chapter

Oklahoma State University

Serving the OSU Bands and Striving for the Highest Since 1919

History Snippets

Snippet #24 - "History of Oklahoma Alpha" by William A. Scroggs, taken from the first issue of The Baton.

Steve Nelson:  "Here is the first word from William A. Scroggs on the beginning of the Fraternity and Alpha Chapter.  There are a couple of other accounts that will expand on this, but this is interesting from its early perspective.  It is taken from the first issue of The Baton (1922).  Note the list of honoraries at the end and an account of the first National Convention. Not too different from our practices today."
 

HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA ALPHA
By W. A. Scroggs

    The history of the Mother chapter of K. K. P. is similar to that of the National Chapter since the two were combined until the day of the National Convention.

    The success of the Fraternity depended largely on the spirit and enthusiasm of the first officers of the mother chapter whose names are found in connection with the National History.  We were very fortunate in launching the organization at a time when the personnel of the Oklahoma State College Band was closely organized into a band club. Professor Makovsky had been the dominating factor in perfecting an organization that made the band one of the strongest of its kind in existence.

    The band made up of sixty-five musicians was winning glory over the entire middle-west, on account of the class of music being mastered and produced in our concerts.  This was possible only by work of an organization such as was found in the band.

    It was during these bright days that Kappa Kappa Psi found a firm footing and began its great work of molding the cream of our American University bandsmen into an organization created for a great purpose.

    Regular meetings were held every week during the scholastic year of 1919, after the organization of the fraternity.  It was during these meetings that the immensity of the task begun was fully realized, but the men selected as charter members only worked harder to perfect one of the many new adventures of the Oklahoma State College.

    Every attempt to further the work of the fraternity was met with pronounced success.  Every opportunity to make the fraternity well known on campus was taken advantage of, until our organization was the talk of the campus.

    It was the honor of the mother chapter to elect the first National officers of the fraternity, also to entertain the delegates and visiting brothers to the first National Convention.  George Sadlo, President of the local chapter was elected to represent our chapter during the convention.  Our initiating team gave an example of Ritual procedure and gave an example of the work in the initiation of Bro. Robert Wall.  Immediately after the initiation, our local gave a banquet that will ever be remembered by those present.

    Since that memorial day of January 2, 1922, the chapter has been very active in securing new material and assisting with other fraternal work.

    Seven of the brothers from this chapter attended the Sousa Band Concert at Oklahoma City, also the dinner given in his honor as a newly elected brother of the Fraternity.  Since that date five new Brothers have been admitted to the chapter and two honorary brothers have been selected from the faculty of the College.

    The history of this chapter has been a close recurrence of successes from the very beginning down to the present day.  Today the spirit and optimism of the chapter is equaled by very few organizations in existence.

HONORARY MEMBERS OF OKLAHOMA ALPHA
STILLWATER, OKLA

Bohumil Makovsky - Stillwater, Okla.  Director of Oklahoma State College Band.  Dean School of Music.  First Honorary member of K. K. P. (Look in International Who's Who in Music.)

Col. F. D. Wickham - Second Honorary member selected to K. K. P., Baritone, Col. U.S.A., Commander Camp Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Robert White - Sapulpa, Okla. Prof. Sapulpa High School, Oklahoma State Band, five years, 1st Chair French Horn, Assistant Prof. Oklahoma State College 1921.

E. W. Daniels - Pawnee, Okla.  First Chair Solo Cornet, Oklahoma State College Band.  Assistant instructor in Music, Ex-Service soldier.

Dr. H. I. Jones - Stillwater, Okla.  Head Chem. Dept. Oklahoma State College. (Look in Who's Who in America)

Frank Hladky - Stillwater, Okla.  Head Violin Dept. Oklahoma State College.  Director College Orchestra.

C. C. Porter - Stillwater, Okla.  College Band, Bass, Assistant Financial Secretary Oklahoma State College.

Charles M. Anderson - Stillwater, Okla.  Johnson Bible C., A. B. 1916, U. of Mich. M.A. '18 Ensign U. S. N. Battery officer, Dean of Faculty, Johnson Bible College 1919-'20, Leader J. B. C. Band two yrs., Solo Cornet, Spray N. C. City Band, Red-Red Rose, Pastor Christian Church, Spray N. C., Asst. Registrar American Extension Univ. Knight Templar Mason, Pi Delta Kappa, Alpha Kappa Psi, Phi Kappa Delta, Frats.

Major Joseph Benjamin Pate - Stillwater, Okla.  B. A. degree,  Maryville College, Maryville, Tenn., Six languages, Commandant of Cadets, Maryville College, Tenn., Philippine Constabulary service, Campaigns against Philippine uprisings, Served in France with 157th Div. of 4th French Army, Decorated by French Government Dec. 15, 1918 "Croix de guerre with palm", also made Knight of the "Croix de guerre with palm", also make Knight of the Legion of Legion of Honor for capture of Cote 188 Campaigne offensive, Commandant R. O. T. C. Oklahoma State College.