Kappa Sigma History and Traditions

Vocabulary review covering the European and American founding history, key figures, symbols, and official programs of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

European Founding of Kappa Sigma

Occurred around 1400 at the University of Bologna, Italy, when students founded a secret society for mutual protection against attacks and robberies by the city's ruler.

Manuel Chrysoloras

A Greek scholar and teacher who helped establish the original European roots and society of Kappa Sigma at the University of Bologna.

Baldassare Cossa

The unscrupulous governor/ruler of Bologna whose men attacked and robbed students, prompting the original European founding of Kappa Sigma.

Bologna: Nickname and Motto

• Nickname: "The City of Letters"
• Latin Motto: "Bononia Docet" (meaning "Bologna Teaches")

Three Streets Leading into Bologna

1. Strada San Donato
2. Strada Stefano
3. Strada Sargozza

Two Famous Towers of Bologna

• Torre Degli Asinelli

• Torre Garisenda (the tower that leaned heavily)

European founding of Kappa Sigma

Established around 1400 at the University of Bologna, Italy, by students seeking mutual protection against robbery and violence.

American Founding of Kappa Sigma

Founded on December 10, 1869, at the University of Virginia in 46 East Lawn (William Grigsby McCormick's room), establishing the Zeta Chapter.

The Five Friends and Brothers

1. William Grigsby McCormick
2. Frank Courtney Nicodemus
3. Edmund Law Rogers Jr.
4. John Covert Boyd
5. George Miles Arnold

Stephen Alonzo Jackson

Known as "The Golden-Hearted Virginian," he revolutionized Kappa Sigma by aggressively expanding chapters across the country and perfecting the Ritual.

Kappa Sigma Official Symbols (Badge, Colors, Flower)

• Badge: The Star and Crescent
• Colors: Scarlet, White, and Emerald Green
• Flower: Lily of the Valley

The Caduceus

The symbol of Hermes (the Greek god of trade, travel, and messengers), depicted as a winged staff entwined by two serpents.

Fellowship and The Ritual

• Fellowship: A dedication to a lifetime of duty to the Brothers of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, reinforced and bound by the Ritual.
• The Ritual: The formal, sacred customs and ceremonies that bind all Kappa Sigma brothers in lifelong commitment.

My Brother's Keeper (MBK)

A program encouraging Brothers to look out for and support one another.

• Quote: "Drink in moderation, my dear brother / Do not get drunk. / Let us spend our time as friends, / Never as enemies."

Docet Chapters 1–4: Subjects

• Chapter 1: History
• Chapter 2: Fellowship
• Chapter 3: Leadership
• Chapter 4: Scholarship

Docet Chapter Numbers: History, Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship

• History: Chapter 1
• Fellowship: Chapter 2
• Leadership: Chapter 3
• Scholarship: Chapter 4

Four Major Fraternity Programs (BIA, CQP, MHC, MHM)

• Brothers In Action (BIA): Membership development program fostering personal growth, goal setting, leadership, and accountability.
• Champion Quest Program (CQP): National recruitment initiative designed to recruit and retain high-quality men.
• Military Heroes Campaign: Kappa Sigma's ongoing national philanthropy supporting wounded veterans and military families.
• Military Heroes Month: A designated national event period focused specifically on service, awareness, and fundraising for veterans.

National Gatherings: Leadership Conferences vs. Grand Conclave

• Leadership Conferences: Events where Brothers develop leadership skills and learn operational strategies to improve their local chapters.
• Grand Conclave: The major biennial gathering of Brothers for fraternity business, legislative governance, brotherhood, and recognition.

Fraternity Governance Bodies (SEC, EC, UAC)

• SEC (Supreme Executive Committee): The governing board of the international fraternity.
• EC (Executive Committee): The leadership council at the local chapter level.
• UAC (Undergraduate Advisory Council): Five undergraduate brothers representing five geographic regions who advise the SEC.

Jerry Jones (Kappa Sigma Connection)

Dallas Cowboys owner and alumnus of the Xi Chapter (University of Arkansas, 1963), who was honored as Kappa Sigma Man of the Year in 1993.

Chapter Executive Board: Positions to Names

• Grand Master (GM): Zach Beltran
• Grand Procurator (GP): Sam Cross
• Grand Master of Ceremonies (GMC): Max Hughes
• Grand Treasurer (GT): Josh Clapp
• Grand Scribe (GS): Preston Vuong
• Risk Chair: Hayden Nazareus

Chapter Executive Board: Names to Positions

• Zach Beltran: Grand Master (GM)
• Sam Cross: Grand Procurator (GP)
• Max Hughes: Grand Master of Ceremonies (GMC)
• Josh Clapp: Grand Treasurer (GT)
• Preston Vuong: Grand Scribe (GS)
• Hayden Nazareus: Risk Chair

Duties and Responsibilities of Chapter Officers

• Grand Master (GM): Chief executive; oversees all chapter operations and external relations.
• Grand Procurator (GP): Vice president figure; oversees discipline, bylaws, and scholarship.
• Grand Master of Ceremonies (GMC): Coordinates the Ritual, pledge education, and social functions.
• Grand Treasurer (GT): Manages finances, chapter budget, dues, and record-keeping.
• Grand Scribe (GS): Secretary; handles minutes, correspondence, and fraternity paperwork.
• Risk Chair: Ensures safety, risk management compliance, and event policy adherence.

Three Bologna Streets by Prefix ('San', 'Ste', 'Sar')

• San: Strada San Donato
• Ste: Strada Stefano
• Sar: Strada Sargozza

Five Friends and Brothers by Surname

• McCormick: William Grigsby McCormick
• Nicodemus: Frank Courtney Nicodemus
• Rogers: Edmund Law Rogers Jr.
• Boyd: John Covert Boyd
• Arnold: George Miles Arnold

Significance of 46 East Lawn and Zeta Chapter

• 46 East Lawn: The student room of William Grigsby McCormick where the Five Friends and Brothers founded Kappa Sigma.
• Zeta Chapter: The founding chapter of Kappa Sigma established at the University of Virginia on December 10, 1869.

"The Golden-Hearted Virginian"

Stephen Alonzo Jackson

Leaning Tower of Bologna

Torre Garisenda