The Zeta Tau Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order received the Samuel Zenas Ammen Award for Chapter Excellence and the George C. Marshall Award of Chapter Excellence on Saturday, Jan. 31.

APSU’s KA chapter was recognized at the Province Council at Mississippi State University, an annual Office and Training Awards conference. The National Administrative Office facilitates the event, and the Knight Commander of KA attends and decides which chapter will receive a Marshall.

The chapter won the Samuel Zenas Ammen Award for Chapter Excellence, which is the second tier award under the Marshall. This award is only for the top 10 percent of KA chapters.

KA also won the national office’s most prestigious award, the George C. Marshall Award for Excellence, for being in the top 1 percent of all KA chapters across the nation, based on efforts in academics, chapter growth, philanthropy and member development.

Only two Marshall Awards were given out this year. The APSU chapter was only four years old and also the youngest chapter to receive it.

The Zeta Tau Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order “portrays excellence in leadership, chapter academics, and holds fundraiser events for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. They focus on being gentlemen and exhibit that chivalry is not dead,” said Stephen Dominy, coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.

“I’m really excited for them,” said Dominy about the organization’s current recognition. “I think it’s a good honor. The KA chapter is a very strong chapter. They’re very involved on campus. They continue to excel not only in the classroom, but also in the community. Their commitment to MDA is impeccable.”

KA President Dominik Shannon said he could not be more proud of his brothers and the work they have put in over the past year.

He also thanked the alumni who founded the chapter because they set the tone for the organization.

Shannon also said the current members try to always go beyond the standard that the alumni originated.

“All our brothers are very proud of the Marshall, and we all understand that we’re going to continue to raise the bar after winning this coveted award, because it will portray true excellence if we have the efforts to win another one next year,” Shannon said. TAS