The Kappa Sigma Fraternity was first founded at West Virginia University as the Pi Chapter in 1883. It was later revived as the Gamma Phi Chapter in 1918, and once again on April 18th, 2008. We will now focus on our chapter’s history over the past year and a half, while Kappa Sigma has once again been an active, chartered Fraternity on campus here at West Virginia University. With this new charter, we plan to lead the fraternal society of this campus back to its prestigious reputation of the 50’s and 60’s, where fraternities were at their prime.
Starting in November, 2007, a group of students at West Virginia University took it upon themselves to start their own fraternity. After contacting several University officials, and representatives from different national fraternities, Kappa Sigma was chosen to be the Fraternity representing these individuals. Starting in early November, we were given a list of tasks to complete in order to petition for our Charter. These tasks ranged from completing community services hours and workshops, to constructing chapter By-Laws and other programs for the chapter.
According to the Kappa Sigma National Fraternity, the average time period for an organization to successfully colonize is approximately 2 years. We were able to complete our colonization period in only 6 months, and completed all the presented tasks with flying colors. We completed a combined effort of 2600 hours of community service, participated in over 26 campus organizations, and met the criteria of a chapter size of over 50 men or the largest on campus. All of this was done by 63 freshmen, still trying to adapt to the college environment. Immediately following this, we received our charter, and returned to our homes over the summer as the 2007-2008 school year came to a close.
Gamma Phi Founding Fathers
Now, as the 2008-2009 school year is under way, Kappa Sigma has returned too campus striving to set the bar higher than our previous year. We have returned to campus with 59 active brothers. We have also returned to campus looking to change the reputation of not only our organization, but every other Greek organization on campus. We believe every man representing a Greek organization should exemplify the qualities of a gentleman, a scholar, and a responsible individual.
At the conclusion of Fall of 08’s formal Rush, we rushed 76 perspective members to our chapter. Out of these 76 men, 46 were issued bids and invited to join our Fraternity. Out of these 46 men, 40 accepted their invitations, and were pledged as associate members of the Gamma Phi Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. 32 of these men were initiated. These are men that we feel exemplify the four pillars that Kappa Sigma governs itself by; Leadership, Scholarship, Fellowship, and Service.
As the year goes on, we plan on continuing this positive trend, while continuing to build a positive reputation for our organization on this campus. It is our mission to continue to develop this chapter to be the most successful fraternity West Virginia University has ever seen.
