About Kappa Kappa Psi
Kappa Kappa Psi operates primarily as a student service and leadership recognition society whose chief aim is to assist the Director of Bands in developing the leadership and enthusiasm that is required of their band. Our goals are to provide the band not only with organized and concentrated service activities, but to give our membership valid and wholesome experiences in organization, leadership and social contacts. The honorary nature of membership is based on our premise that “it is an honor to be selected to serve” this band, its department of music, its sponsoring institution, and the cause of band music in the nation’s colleges and universities.
Fraternity Symbols
The wearing of the Kappa Kappa Psi crest, symbols (with the exception of the membership candidate pin) and/or letters in any form, is limited to initiated members of the fraternity. This restriction is lifted in the case of articles or regalia clearly declaring, without abbreviation, the wearer as a membership candidate or a colony member or denoting sponsorship or partial sponsorship of an event by the Fraternity, provided said event is not in conflict with the precepts and policies of Kappa Kappa Psi.
Fraternity Badge
The official means of identifying oneself with the Fraternity. Unlike many other organizations, purchase of the Crown Pearl Badge is optional in Kappa Kappa Psi. The symbols of the badge have special meaning to the members of the Fraternity, and it is worn in the same manner as the recognition badges of other Greek- letter organizations: over the heart, pinned to the shirt slightly above the pocket, slightly towards the button-line. It is not to be worn on sweatshirts, sports uniforms, or on the band uniform. Appropriate attachments may be affixed to the badge, showing both the Chapter’s Greek-letter designation and any offices held by a members in the Chapter.
Fraternity Crest (Coat of Arms)
Also referred to as the Membership Recognition Pin, this gold lapel pin is the official crest or coat-of-arms (or “cofa”) of Kappa Kappa Psi. Each of the symbols on the crest have a special meaning to our members, their relationship to the Fraternity, and the mission of our organization within your college or university band. Become familiar with the Cofa of Kappa Kappa Psi so that you can recognize it on sight. Fraternity members wear this pin as a means of recognition signifying their continuing commitment to the ideals of Brotherhood.
Fraternity Flag
The Greek letters are printed in an arc on the top half of the flag with a white background. There are three overlapping stars in the middle of the flag and bottom of the flag over a blue background.
Fraternity Key
A gold key inscribed with the most significant of the Fraternity’s symbols. Originally worn on a key or pocket-watch chain, in recent years individual members have had it affixed to tie-tack, tie-bars or pendant chains. It is often given as a token of appreciation for special services rendered, although it is available to the general membership for their own use as an item of personal jewelry if they so desire.
Fraternity Flower
The Flower of Kappa Kappa Psi is the Red Carnation.
The question of how this came about was asked of Dr. J. Lee Burke (3rd Grand President) by at the 1989 National Convention in Stillwater, Oklahoma by Alpha Chapter alumnus and Past National Officer Steve Nelson. Burke said that the red carnation was picked because it was the favorite flower of our founder William A. Scroggs.
​
Alumnus Kristopher A. Lininger of the Eta Mu Chapter was able to verify with Bill Scroggs, Jr. and Susan Scroggs, the adult children of William A. Scroggs that the Red Carnation was indeed Scroggs’s favorite flower.
Caboose History
The “All Aboard” campaign was designed to address the issue of limited space at Stillwater Station, and to help highlight the history of Kappa Kappa Psi. From 2006-2012, the Fraternity worked to turn a caboose into a “living museum”, which provides a home for historical archives and artifacts. The purchase of the caboose was made possible in large part by a donation from Al & Gladys Wright and the award of a matching grant from the Kerr Foundation.
​
The Board of Trustees of Kappa Kappa Psi began discussing the idea of purchasing a caboose for National Headquarters at their Summer Council Meeting in 2004. The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton caboose was purchased in 2006 and relocated to Stillwater from Thomasville, Michigan. Initially, the caboose was balanced and placed on newly laid tracks and had electric lines, phone lines and Internet installed. The exterior was sandblasted and repainted to original colors, and the interior was refurbished including the addition of new carpet, window tinting, and custom built display cabinets.
​
The Caboose was officially dedicated on July 26, 2014 in a ceremony at the National Headquarters.
National Shrine
The National Shrine of Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity is located on the campus of Oklahoma State University in a prominent position immediately west of the Classroom Building. Shaped as an irregular shaft a little over four feet in height, the Shrine is made of native Oklahoma pink granite. On its sloping polished top is a bronze plaque, and the three Greek letters, “Kappa,” “Kappa,” “Psi”.
The raised-letter inscription on the plaque reads as follows:
“Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, Founded at Oklahoma State University, 1919” and “Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Founded 1946.”
The National Shrine was formally dedicated on March 26, 1960. The ceremonies were attended by Charter Members of the Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, past National Presidents of the Fraternity, National Officers of both organizations, and administrators of Oklahoma State University. Ceremonies included wreath-layings, in memory of the founders of the Fraternity, by the current presidents of the Alpha Chapters and representatives of the National Councils of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.
Dedicatory addresses were given by Donald I. Moore (Beta Alpha), past National President of Kappa Kappa Psi and Barbara Van Derbur (Beta Theta), National Second Vice President of Tau Beta Sigma. Accepting the monument on behalf of the University was Executive Vice President of Oklahoma State, Dr. Robert MacVicar. Charter members present for the occasion included: Clyde Haston, Iron Hawthorne Nelson, Carl Stevens, Richard Hurst, Clayton Soule, and A. Frank Martin. The program concluded with a concert by the Oklahoma State University Concert Band, Hiram Henry (Alpha) conducting.