Kappa Sigma: Notable Alumni and Fraternity Overview

Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ), often called Kappa Sig or KSig, stands as a prominent American collegiate social fraternity, established in 1869 at the University of Virginia. As one of the five largest international fraternities, Kappa Sigma boasts a widespread presence with 318 active chapters and colonies across North America. Beyond its social aspects, the fraternity emphasizes philanthropy and academic achievement. Its endowment fund, initiated in 1919, has contributed over $5 million to support undergraduate members since 1948.

Founding and Early History

The fraternity's origins trace back to December 10, 1869, when five students-William Grigsby McCormick, George Miles Arnold, John Covert Boyd, Edmund Law Rogers, Jr., and Frank Courtney Nicodemus-convened at 46 East Lawn on the University of Virginia campus. Drawing inspiration from the traditions of an ancient order in Bologna, Italy, they established Kappa Sigma in America.

A pivotal moment in Kappa Sigma's history occurred in 1872 with the initiation of Stephen Alonzo Jackson. Jackson played a transformative role, steering the fraternity from a struggling local entity into a robust international brotherhood. By 1873, Kappa Sigma expanded its reach to Trinity College (now Duke University), the University of Maryland, and Washington and Lee University.

Stephen Alonzo Jackson and Fraternity Development

Stephen Alonzo Jackson's contributions were instrumental in shaping Kappa Sigma's identity and structure. He revised and expanded the fraternity's ritual and established the Supreme Executive Committee (SEC), which remains the governing body of Kappa Sigma on an international scale. In 1885, the fraternity launched its quarterly magazine, The Quarterly.

Endowment Fund and Charitable Initiatives

In 1912, Wilbur F. Denious, later Worthy Grand Master, conceived the idea of creating a charitable endowment for Kappa Sigma. This vision materialized into the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund, established in 1919 to support the fraternity's charitable and beneficent activities.

The Greater Cause program exemplifies Kappa Sigma's commitment to community involvement. It encourages members to dedicate at least 25 hours annually to charitable endeavors and raise $25 per member for charitable causes. Chapters organize various charitable events, often benefiting the Military Heroes Campaign or local charities. Examples include the Catch-A-Dream Charity Classic Football Game by the Delta-Chi chapter at Mississippi State University and the Apple Cup Run, a joint effort by the Beta-Psi chapter at the University of Washington and the Gamma-Mu chapter at Washington State University. The Chi-Omega chapter at the University of South Carolina supports the Ray Tanner Foundation, aiding disadvantaged children in South Carolina.

The Kappa Sigma Fraternity Military Heroes Campaign, launched in 2007, has donated over $1,000,000 to organizations supporting servicemen and women, particularly those wounded in combat. The Supreme Executive Committee oversees the distribution of these funds. The Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund supports educational and leadership programming and awards $250,000 in scholarships to undergraduate members annually, presented on Founders' Day (December 10).

Fraternity Structure and Governance

Kappa Sigma comprises over 300 chapters and colonies, each led by a five-member executive committee. More than 1,500 alumni serve as advisors. The Supreme Executive Council (SEC) sets fraternity policy, disciplines chapters, and approves the formation of new chapters. The fraternity divides the United States and Canada into approximately sixty districts within five areas. A professional staff at the international headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia, manages daily operations, led by the Executive Director.

Core Values and Symbols

Kappa Sigma emphasizes core values such as fellowship, leadership, scholarship, and service. The fraternity's motto reflects its ideals: "He must be a gentleman… a man of honor and courage… a man of zeal, yet humble… an intelligent man… a man of truth…"

The fraternity's original colors were maroon, old gold, and peacock blue. The modern colors are scarlet, white, and emerald green, and its flower is the lily of the valley. The Caduceus serves as its official publication.

Read also: Famous Members of Phi Kappa Psi

Notable Alumni

Kappa Sigma boasts a distinguished alumni network across various fields, including government, politics, entertainment, business, journalism, academics, and athletics.

Government and Politics

Robert J. Dole (Gamma-Omicron): Former Senator for Kansas (1969-1996) and Republican Party Presidential Nominee (1996).
Sonny Perdue (Beta-Lambda): Former Governor of Georgia (2003-2011).
Richard Burr (Delta Omega): Former Senator for North Carolina (2005-2023) and former Congressman (1992-2002).
Ernest J. Istook, Jr. (Theta-Psi): Former Congressman for Oklahoma (1993-2007).
Vic Snyder (Theta-Delta): Former Congressman for Arkansas (1997-2011).
Dustin McDaniel (Xi): Former Arkansas Attorney General (2007-2015).
Ruffin G. Pleasant (Gamma): Former Governor of Louisiana (1916-1920).
Beauford H. Jester (Tau): Former Governor of Texas (1947-1949).
Dwight Green (Alpha-Pi): Former Governor of Illinois (1941-1949).
Lee S. Dreyfus (Beta-Epsilon): Former Governor of Wisconsin (1979-1983).
David C. Treen (Sigma): Former Governor of Louisiana (1980-1984).
Paul E. Patton (Beta-Nu): Former Governor of Kentucky (1995-2003).
John Murtha (Beta-Delta): Former Congressman for Pennsylvania (1974-2010).
Ken Lucas (Beta-Nu): Former Congressman for Kentucky (1999-2005).
Estes Kefauver (Lambda): Former Senator for Tennessee (1949-1963).
Paul J. Fannin (Gamma Rho): Former Senator for Arizona (1959-1987).
Joe D. Waggonner (Epsilon-Gamma): Former Congressman for Louisiana (1961-1978) and former Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Dante Fascell (Epsilon-Beta): Former Congressman for Florida (1955-1993) and former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Robert Hurt (Upsilon): Former Congressman for Virginia's Fifth Congressional District.
David E. Kendall (Alpha-Pi): Attorney to President Bill Clinton.
Martin C. Petersen (Rho): Former Deputy Executive Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Entertainers: Film and Television

Robert Redford (Gamma-Tau): Academy Award-winning Actor, Director, and Founder of the Sundance Film Festival.
Richard Crenna (Delta-Eta): Actor, known for roles in films like Rambo.
John Driscoll (Kappa Phi): Actor, known for roles in Guiding Light and The Young and the Restless.
Chris Harrison (Theta Psi): Television host, known for The Bachelor.
Dennis Haskins (Alpha-Iota): Actor, known for his role in Saved By the Bell.
Gordon Jump (Gamma Chi): Actor, known for WKRP and as the Maytag repairman.
Wink Martindale (Epsilon-Pi): TV Game Show Host.
David Nelson (Delta Eta): Actor, known for Ozzie and Harriet.
Mike O'Malley (Beta-Kappa): Actor, known for Yes Dear and Guts.
Gailard Sartain (Epsilon Mu): Actor.
Greg Smith (Theta-Beta): Actor, known for Everwood.

Business

Craig Barrett (Beta Zeta): Chairman and former CEO of Intel.
Ted Turner (Beta Alpha): Media Mogul (TNT, TBS, CNN, Atlanta Braves).
Todd Wagner (Beta-Theta): Co-founder of Broadcast.com.
Albert Bond Lambert (Zeta): Early Aviator, Sponsor of The Spirit of St. Louis, namesake of Lambert International Airport.
Robert Eaton (Gamma-Omicron): Former Chairman of DaimlerChrysler AG.
John Olin (Alpha-Kappa): Former Chairman of Olin Corporation.
Spencer Truman Olin (Alpha Kappa): Executive at Olin Corporation, philanthropist, and Republican Party supporter.
Alan Mulally (Gamma-Omicron): Former President and CEO of Ford Motor Company.
Russell Wiener (Phi): Co-founder of Donruss Baseball Cards.
Howard Hyle (Nu): Former Vice President of Coca-Cola.
William Hewlett (Beta-Zeta): Founder of Hewlett Packard.
Gordon Binder (Chi): Former CEO of AMGen.
Charles Schneider (Lambda-Upsilon): Sommelier and Restaurateur.
Cyrus R. Smith (Tau): Former President of American Airlines.
Richard Rainwater (Tau): Financier.
Ben Gilmer (Beta-Eta): Former CEO of AT&T.
R.W. Lundgren (Gamma-Sigma): Former Chairman of the Board of Dow Chemical.
Allen Jacobson (Gamma-Lambda): Former CEO of 3M Company.
Dan Mermelstein (Rho): Co-Founder of Vivid Racing.
Rob Rohn (Rho): Co-Founder of Vivid Racing.
J. Tylee Wilson (Delta-Beta): Former Chairman of RJR Nabisco.
Pierson M. Grieve (Epsilon-Delta): Former CEO of Ecolab, Inc.
John P. Surma, Jr. (Alpha-Delta): Former Chairman and CEO of US Steel.
Robert G. Krebs (Beta-Zeta): Former CEO of Burlington Northern.
Paul Henson (Alpha-Psi): Former Chairman of the Board of United Telecom.
Jack Smith, Jr. (Gamma-Delta): Former President of General Motors.
David J. Fiser (Gamma-Chi): Vice President of Kansas Farm Bureau.
Scottie Mayfield (Alpha-Tau): President of Mayfield Dairy Farms.
Bryan Shipp (Gamma-Omega): Entrepreneur, Owner and Founder of Pittsburgh Scoop.
Richard Johnson (Alpha-Phi): Founder & President, HotJobs.

Journalism

Steve Kroft (Gamma-Iota): Journalist, 60 Minutes.
Sam Donaldson (Epsilon-Xi): Journalist, ABC News.
Dan Dierdorf (Beta-Gamma): Sports Commentator and former NFL player.

Academics

Steven C. Beering (Chi): Former President of Purdue University.
Thomas J. Clifford (Delta-Mu): Former President of the University of North Dakota.
Arthur H. DeRosier Jr. (Epsilon-Nu): Former President of Rocky Mountain College.
John G. Johnson (Delta-Alpha): Former President of Butler University.
Theron Montgomery Jr. (Alpha-Nu): Former President of Jacksonville State University.
William N. Ruud (Delta-Mu): Former President of Shippensburg University.
John W. Ryan (Delta-Sigma): President Emeritus of Indiana University.
George J. Chedson (Delta-Sigma): Former President of Hope College.
William Cade (Tau): President of the University of Lethbridge, behavioral ecologist.
Ralph Gallucci (Epsilon-Theta): Department Chair.
Dr. Charles Richardson (Omicron): Founder of the Chi Omega Fraternity for collegiate women.
John Covert Boyd (Zeta): Designated by President Theodore Roosevelt to incorporate the American National Red Cross, one of the original five members and founders of Kappa Sigma.
Lee Berger (Kappa): Paleoanthropologist and National Geographic Explorer, awarded the First National Geographic Prize for Research and Exploration.
Edwin Hubble (Gamma-Beta): Astronomer, namesake of the Hubble Space Telescope.
Gen. Samuel C. Phillips (Delta-Gamma): University of Wyoming. NASA Apollo Program Director.

Military

General Burwell B. Bell III (Alpha-Nu): U.S. Army General.
General Paul V. Hester (Delta-Xi): Commander, Pacific Air Forces.
United States Federal Marshal Timothy Weintraub (Epsilon-Eta): Former Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army.
Vice Admiral William E. Gortney (Gamma-Pi): Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
General Samuel C. Phillips (Delta-Gamma): NASA Apollo Program Director.

Golf

Jay Haas (Delta-Omega): Professional Golfer (1976-).
Peter Jacobsen (Gamma-Alpha): Professional Golfer (1976-).
Curtis Strange (Delta Omega): Professional Golfer (1976-) and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Lanny Wadkins (Delta-Omega): Professional Golfer (1971-) and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Racing

Phil Hill (Delta-Eta): Formula One Driver.
Chris Festa (Epsilon-Sigma): Firestone Indy Light driver.

Coaches, Executives, and Owners

William Alexander (Alpha-Tau): Head Football Coach at Georgia Tech (1920-1944).
Cam Cameron (Beta-Theta): Former NFL Football Coach (2007) and Head Football Coach at Indiana University (1997-2001).
Lloyd Carr (Beta-Gamma): Former Head Football coach University of Michigan (1995-2007).
Fisher DeBerry (Alpha-Nu): Former Head Football coach Air Force Academy (1984-2006).
Lamar Hunt (Delta-Pi): Owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, Columbus Crew, Kansas City Wizards, and F.C. Dallas; Founder of the American Football League, Co-founder of North American Soccer League, and Major League Soccer; Pro-Football Hall of Fame.
George Huff (Alpha-Gamma): Former Manager of the Boston Red Sox (1907) and Athletic Director at the University of Illinois (1901-1935).
Jerry Jones (Xi): Owner of the Dallas Cowboys.
Jimmye Laycock (Nu): Head Football Coach (1980-) at the College of William & Mary.

Controversies and Incidents

Kappa Sigma, like many fraternities, has faced instances of controversy and disciplinary action:

University of Miami (2001): Chad Meredith drowned after being persuaded to swim across a lake while intoxicated. His parents won a $12.6 million verdict in a hazing-related negligence suit.
California State University, Long Beach (2016): The chapter was suspended after a female student reported a sexual assault at a party.
University of Connecticut (2017): The chapter was expelled following the death of a student hit by a fire vehicle after leaving a Kappa Sigma party.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette (2017): Two civil lawsuits were filed after a student was killed by a Kappa Sigma pledge who fell asleep while driving due to sleep deprivation from alleged hazing.
University of Central Florida (2019): The chapter was suspended after a pledge reported being forced to smoke pot, consume excessive alcohol, and sell prescription drugs.
New Mexico State University (2020): The chapter was removed from campus after a pledge was shot during an initiation event.
San Diego State University (2023): The chapter faced a hazing lawsuit after a pledge was allegedly beaten and forced to drink large amounts of alcohol, leading to a coma.
University of Tennessee: In 2002 the fraternity held a mixer at RT’s Warehouse, to which some members went in blackface.
University of Virginia: The founding chapter has faced multiple investigations for alleged racist costumes and parties, including a 2009 "Cowboys & Indians"-themed party where members wore fake Native American costumes and redface. In March 2024, UVa fraternities suspended all social events after a Kappa Sigma pledge was injured in an alleged hazing incident.

Kappa Sigma at the University of Tennessee

The Kappa Sigma fraternity holds a significant place in the history of fraternities at the University of Tennessee (UT). In March 1882, Kappa Sigma was the first fraternity mentioned in the faculty minutes when the faculty denied a petition from students to attend the secret meeting of the Kappa Sigma Society off the campus of the university. William Isaac Thomas, the first person to earn a PhD from UT, was a member, as was his brother, Price, who served as the first national worthy grand master of ceremonies.

The fraternity first met in rooms in a building at the southeast corner of Gay and Church Streets. In 1938, a fire destroyed the chapter house, injuring the housemother, Mrs. Stephie Smith, and another person. While building a house on the site of the burned one, the fraternity rented 926 Seventeenth Street. In 1959, the present house at 1730 Melrose Place was completed, and the fraternity vacated its home of many years, 900 Temple Avenue (now Volunteer Boulevard). UT purchased the house at 900 Temple Avenue from the fraternity for $32,500 and purchased the land upon which the new house would stand for $22,500, the sum the fraternity paid to Mrs. Lambda Chapter has been host to two grand conclaves, one in 1883 and one in 1983, and has furnished the national fraternity with more brothers to serve as worthy grand master than any other chapter (Williams Gibbs McAdoo, 1883-84; Beverly Winslow Howe, 1923-25; James Leonard Raulston, 1963-65; and Wallace Woodruff Baumann, 1993-95).

The nickname of the fraternity is “Kappa Sig,” and its colors are scarlet, white, and emerald. Among the traditions of the institution are the biannual Black and White Dance and the Bush Party Spring Dance. Notable alumni of the national fraternity are William Gibbs McAdoo, Estes Kefauver, Robert Dole, Robert Redford, Jimmy Buffett, and Ted Turner. Its traditional fraternity yell was A!E!K!D!B! / Kappa Sigs of Tennessee! / Cossere! Cossera!

Read also: A Guide to Phi Beta Kappa

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