By NICK OLINGER
Staff Writer
The Kappa Alpha Order is attempting to expand on the APSU campus.
“[APSU] feels very positive towards bringing the new chapter onto campus,” said Jesse Lyons, director of the Kappa Alpha administrative headquarters in Lexington, Va. He is working on campus and said the chapter should be up and running by the end of February and will be working to get chartered a year from now.
Lyons also said there was an application process in which four groups, including Kappa Alpha, were presented to the Interfraternity Council, and they were the top group selected to come to APSU.
Kappa Alpha was founded in 1865 at Washington University, according to Lyons. It has 140,000 living alumni and 120 active chapters nationwide. He said they give close to $100,000 each year in scholarships to their members. Lyons mentioned that Kappa Alpha is not bringing new men to campus, but is seeking non-Greek men on campus to create and found it.
“Hopefully this will bring a group of men together based on the values of KA, which are gentlemanly conduct and personal development, and by bringing these men together and working with all other fraternities on campus, hopefully it will add great value to the public perception of student life at [APSU],” Lyons said.
Gregory Singleton, Dean of Students, said he is supportive of the students decision to bring Kappa Alpha onto campus. Jesse Lyons said that Andy Kean, director of University Facilities will be overseeing the board. Lyons added he will be staying until the end of March but will be keeping in touch with the chapter.
Jessie Lyons said the Kappa Alpha administration wanted a chapter at APSU because of the university’s growth, including the construction of new dorms.
He also added there was a great dean and a great Fraternity/Sorority Affairs coordinator. Lyons added the campus really cares about its students.
He said, former Gov. Austin Peay himself was a member of Kappa Alpha, but is not the reason, among so many, the chapter hopes to succeed at APSU.
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