Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (1879)/Kappa Alpha (Southern Order)

by William Raimond Baird

The fraternity of this name was founded at Lexington, Va., in 1865. Current rumor has it that there is some connection between this fraternity and the Northern one bearing the same name, but the rumor is denied by the authorities of both organizations. The present chapter list is as follows:

1. Alpha, Washington-Lee University, 1865.
2. Beta, Virginia Military Institute, 1868.
3. Gamma, Georgia University, 1868.
4. Delta, Wofford College, 1869.
5. Epsilon, Emory College, 1869.
6. Zeta, Randolph-Macon College, 1869.
7. Eta, Richmond College, 1870.
8. Theta, Oglethorpe University, 1870 (died 1874).
9. Theta, Atlanta Medical College, 1879.
10. Iota, Furman University, 1872.
11. Kappa, Mercer University, 1873.
12. Eta, Richmond College, 1870.
13. Lambda, Virginia University, 1873.
14. Mu, Newberry College, 1873.
15. Nu, Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery, 1877.
16. Xi, Virginia Agricultural College, 1878.
17. Pi, Gordon Institute, 1879.

The Alpha was suspended for a short time in 1878, but is now in full operation. The Theta became extinct when the college was closed, but has since been revived and transferred to Atlanta. There is also an alumni chapter at Richmond, Va.

The catalogue has been once published. Several songs have been issued, and an instrumental piece called the “K. A. March.“ The “K. A. Fraternity Journal” is also published quarterly. The total number of members is about 1500.

Prominent members are Hon. John B. Gordon, U. S. Senator; Hon. M. A. Candler, ex-M.C.; Professors Bonnell, of Emory College, J. W. Morris, of Georgia University, P. H. Mill, Alabama State College; J. L. Stern, of Richmond, Va.; and Hon. Samuel McLaurason, of Supreme Court of Louisiana.

The badge is a gold shield, on whiih is displayed a cross on a circle. Above the circle are the letters “Κ. Α.” This badge is sometimes mounted on a second shield, which is generally handsomely jewelled.