After more than a decade of being absent, the boys are back in town.
Kappa Sigma, a former East Tennessee State University fraternity, is trying to become re-established after 13 years of being disbanded due to lack of members.
“I saw a flyer on campus, did some research and really liked what Kappa Sigma stood for,” said Kris Triplett, the fraternity’s colony president.
On Sept. 21, Kappa Sigma made a presentation to be officially recognized by ETSU’s Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC). IFC will vote on their standing Tuesday and let Kappa Sigma’s know the results the following Wednesday.
Kappa Sigma was established in 1869. Since that time, 230,000 men have joined, including governors, senators and CEOs.
Steve Darden, the current mayor of Johnson City, is also a Kappa Sigma alum and sent in a letter recommending re-establishment, stating he learned his skills in leadership and brotherhood from his time in the fraternity.
Kappa Sigma’s mission statement says the fraternity should strive to complement and enhance the educational mission of the college, actively contribute to bettering the campus and community, teach lifelong social skills, promote ethical behavior and encourage service to others.
“It would be great to be a founding father in re-establishing Kappa Sigma,” said Travis Brown. “You could come back as an alumni and see what you started; your name will be there forever.”
Mike Rice had different reasons for wanting to join the fraternity.
“My father was a Kappa Sigma and I would love to carry on that tradition,” he said. “By bringing a new fraternity to campus, it would create diversity and give more guys a chance to experience Greek life.”
In their IFC presentation, the men stated they just wish to bring back a worthy institution. The fraternity prides itself on “fellowship, fun and personal growth,” demanding high academic standards while forming lifetime friendships.
Kappa Sigma does not haze their new members and endorses programs like My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), an informal but educational way to discuss issues like men’s health and substance abuse prevention.
Members must also put in 25 hours of community service per man, be involved in at least one other campus activity, be registered to vote and complete workshops to learn about time management and good study habits.
Last year, Kappa Sigma gave over 300 hours of community service and donated $525,000 to charities. This year, their goal is even higher with a proposed $25 earned per man, totaling $725,000 nationally.
“We just want to grow and recruit, not steal men from other fraternities,” said Josh Wrady, spokesperson for Kappa Sigma at the IFC meeting. “We deserve that right just as the rest of the fraternities do and should be seen as a positive contribution to Greek Life on campus.”
The members of Kappa Sigma have already decided to continue on with their efforts, whether or not IFC chooses to recognize them as a fraternity at ETSU.
“I just want to be able to come back to campus in 10 or 15 years and ask about the coolest fraternity and have the answer be Kappa Sigma,” said Triplett.
To find out more information about Kappa Sigma, go to www.kappasigma.org or contact Kris Triplett at KRIS_TRIPLETT14@yahoo.com.

Author