September 27, 2006 - Beginning this month, the Kappa Alpha Order will be returning to WVWC's campus as a provisional chapter, following a one year hiatus.

The announcement to begin the rechartering process for the fraternity comes from an agreement between College administration and the Kappa Alpha Order National Administrative Office and chapter alumni.

Over the last month staff members from KA's national administrative office have made WVWC their home, recruiting and holding several interest meetings. Formal invitations to the chapter are expected to be handed out this week to an initial group of approximately 15 men.

A formal induction will be held Sunday, September 24th. The Greek community, alumni, school administration, and parents are invited to the event. Following the induction, new member and officer education will begin, as well as weekly chapter meetings.

Over the next few months, the house will be undergoing some remodeling. Improvements will be made on the second floor, the living space for most of the residents. The space on the first floor will be renovated to allow for the addition of several new rooms including a formal chapter room. It is expected the brothers will be permitted to move into the house January 2007.

Also coming this spring, KA will join the rest of the Greek community in regular spring recruitment. Over the last month, KA has already attracted the interest of several freshmen, a good indication of a large spring class.

These new members will lead the process of rechartering, becoming "refounding fathers." This process usually takes one calendar year. At the end of that period, all participating members of the provisional chapter will be initiated. This group is expected to be 30 or more men, combining both this fall and next spring's pledge classes.

The chapter will also be renamed. Currently it is officially called the Kappa Alpha WVWC Provisional Chapter. Following the initiation of the initial group, it will reclaim its previous title of Kappa Alpha, Beta Chi Chapter.

Director of Chapter Development Jesse S. Lyons anticipates a strong return. "We are very excited to be able to dedicate staff time and national resources towards the rechartering process for KA here in Buckhannon. Many alumni have put a large amount of time and effort into this chapter and we plan on involving them in this endeavor." An official Alumni Advisory Committee composed of five to ten alumni will be created in order to help manage, assist, and advise the undergraduate members on daily chapter operations and fraternity life.

The charter of WVWC's chapter of Kappa Alpha Order was officially suspended one year ago due to risk management violations. Former members in the chapter at the time of suspension will not be allowed to participate in any Kappa Alpha activities unless otherwise approved through a formal process facilitated by the national staff. The names of those formal members being permitted to return, if any, have not been released at this time.

Kappa Alpha Order was founded in 1865 at Washington College (now Washington & Lee University) in Lexington, VA. The Order seeks to create a lifetime experience which centers on reverence to God, duty, honor, character and gentlemanly conduct as inspired by Robert E. lee, their spiritual founder. Today, Kappa Alpha boasts over 130 undergraduate chapters and over 100 alumni chapters across the nation.

Ashley Hodak