Facts

  1. The Kappa Sigma Fraternity was founded December 10, 1869 at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Kappa Sigma celebrates its 140th anniversary in 2009.
  2. Kappa Sigma is one of the five largest fraternities with over 245,000 initiates of which over 188,000 are living and over 12,900 are undergraduates.
  3. Currently, Kappa Sigma has 229 Chapters and 30 Colonies in the United States and Canada.
  4. The Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund has one of the largest Scholarship/Leadership programs in the fraternal world.  In 2008, the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund awarded $300,000 in scholarships to Brothers who excelled in scholarship and leadership. 1,100 Undergraduate Brothers applied for the Scholarship/Leadership Awards in 2008.
  5. The Fraternity has developed a strong focus on recruitment through its Champion Quest Campaign.  In the 2008-2009 academic year Kappa Sigma pledged 7,036 men and in the 2007-2009 biennium Kappa Sigma initiated 9,987 men, a growth rate of 15% over the previous biennium. Kappa Sigma has had six consecutive years of record-breaking growth.
  6. Kappa Sigma’s “A Greater Cause” initiative has placed special emphasis on Kappa Sigma Brothers and Chapters serving their campus and community. This program provides each Brother with the opportunity to record his hours of service and funds raised benefiting our communities. In the 2007-2009 Biennium, Kappa Sigma chapters and colonies donated over $2,500,000 and 660,000 man hours to charity. Over 500 organizations have benefited from the service of Kappa Sigma Chapters and Brothers.  In 2007 the fraternity unveiled the “Kappa Sigma Military Heroes Campaign”, to donate $250,000 to aid soldiers from the United States of America and Canada who are injured in battle while serving their countries.
  7. Brothers In Action (BIA) is the membership development program of the Fraternity with cornerstones of Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship and Service. Pledge education in each and every Chapter of Kappa Sigma will not exceed 60 calendar days in duration for new members. 16.9% of Kappa Sigma’s new initiates have a grade point average of over 3.5 or higher.
  8. Kappa Sigma has developed outstanding and progressive programs in alcohol and drug education (My Brother’s Keeper), individual and chapter scholarship, and recognizes excellence with 18 categories of individual and more than 30 categories of chapter awards.
  9. Chapters and Colonies are advised by a team of Alumnus Advisors who provide local, hands-on, advising to the undergraduate members in all areas of Chapter operations. Kappa Sigma currently has over 1,300 volunteer alumni providing service to our undergraduate members.
  10. Colonies are visited by one of our Area Recruitment Managers at least once each semester to help members focus on developing outstanding recruitment techniques. This innovative program has set the pace for our dynamic Colony growth.
  11. The Fraternity’s quarterly magazine is The Caduceus of Kappa Sigma. Each member of Kappa Sigma receives a lifetime subscription. The current circulation is over 126,000.
  12. Each Chapter and Colony annually participates in Leadership Conferences or Conclaves with members across North America. These programs provide outstanding speakers and break-out seminars on leadership development and Chapter operations.  In 2009, over 1000 Kappa Sigma alumni and undergraduate members attended the 67th Biennial Grand Conclave in San Antonio, Texas.
  13. Kappa Sigma has 29 active Alumni Chapters throughout North America. Each Alumni Chapter continues the Kappa Sigma tradition of Brotherhood.
  14. Kappa Sigma has a strong international policy against hazing in order to foster a meaningful and safe Fraternity experience. In the summer of 2003, the undergraduates adopted a Code of Conduct which applies to all levels of membership and a zero tolerance on hazing.
  15. The Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund employ a staff of 27 people at International Headquarters to assist Chapters in financial management, chapter operations, public relations, recruitment, and alumni development.
  16. Kappa Sigma has developed the District Recruitment Retreats to provide support in Recruitment skills for Chapter Rush Chairmen, Alumnus Advisors, Assistant District Grand Masters and District Grand Masters.
  17. The 2008 Kappa Sigma Man of the Year is Brother Richard M. Burr (Delta-Omega, Wake Forest University). Brother Burr is a United States Senator representing the State of North Carolina.
  18. In 2005, the Fraternity launched the Kappa Sigma University … an educational program designed to teach undergraduates leadership skills, ethical/decision making and chapter management techniques. Over 3,000 Undergraduates have participated in the Kappa Sigma University program.
  19. Kappa Sigma awarded 1,879 certificates for Ritual Proficiency to undergraduate and alumni Brothers in the 2007-2008 academic year.
  20. In the 2007-2009 Biennium, Kappa Sigma created 52 colonies and chartered 40 new chapters.
  21. The Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund opened the Fraternity’s International Headquarters on June 2, 2007. The building is 22,997 sq. ft. and houses the Fraternity and Endowment Fund staff and displays the Fraternity’s memorabilia and history.

The Supreme Executive Committee of KS:   The Endowment Fund of KS:

  • E. L. Betz, Jr., Worthy Grand Master    Russel L. Wiener, Chairman
  • S. Christian Nascimento, Worthy Grand Procurator  Luke J. Schissel, Vice Chairman
  • Hugh M. Robert, Worthy Grand Master of Ceremonies  Thomas P. Bishop, Secretary
  • Gregory S. Hunt, Worthy Grand Scribe    John W. Ryan, Treasurer
  • Philip L. Thames, Worthy Grand Treasurer   E. L. Betz, Jr., WGM & Trustee