KAPPA DELTA RHO :: history

The Early Years
Before 1905, there were only three fraternities at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont. Chi Psi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, and Delta Upsilon founded chapters on the campus before the Civil War. No new fraternities formed on the campus, until a large neutral group founded the Commons Club. In 1905, the Alpha Chapter of Kappa Delta Rho formed out of the Commons Club.

In the fall of 1904, George E. Kimball, president of the Commons Club, and two other members, Irving T. Coates and John Beecher, met in Room 14 of Old Painter Hall. They discussed the formation of a new, more closely knit fraternity group. The Commons Club was large and not very congenial for intimate relationships then. After several meetings, they approached seven other members of the Commons Club who were very enthusiastic about the idea. They were, Thomas H. Bartley, Pierce W. Darrow, Benjamin E. Farr, Gideon R. Norton, Gino A. Ratti, Chester M. Walch, and Roy D. Wood. On May 17, 1905, the ten men met as the charter members of Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity in Room 14 of Old Painter Hall.

The exact circumstances are impossible to recount with the passage of time, but there were setbacks from the beginning. The announcement of the birth of KDR occurred at a faculty meeting in the fall of 1905. Someone asked, “What is the name of the new frat?” The reply was, “Some Greek combination ending in Rho.” Other remarks by the faculty indicated they thought KDR would have a “hard row,” or a struggle to exist. It wasn’t long before the faculty hoped that KDR would not pledge all the best men on campus.

Kimball, Walch, and Ratti met many times to draft a ritual, choose a motto, and write a constitution that fit the fraternity’s ideas and ideals. Walch created our secret motto and password. Unlike other fraternities, the founders named the officers of KDR after Roman titles, instead of Greek Republic titles. They wanted to emulate the Romans’ stern virtues. They also chose our motto, Honor Super Omnia- Honor Before All Things. Middlebury Blue and Princeton Orange became the fraternity colors, symbolizing justice and freedom. The founders appointed Ratti to design the coat of arms, since he had art experience. Then the founders focused on the ritual. Adopting a ritual caused a great deal of anxious thought. The founders intended the ritual to reflect the high ideals they wanted to follow.

With few revisions, the ritual has stood the test of time. The basic structure remains the same today. Subsequently, the red rose was adopted as the fraternity’s flower and became the symbol of love and incorruption for the fraternity of Kappa Delta Rho.

During the first year, Delta Tau Delta sent a representative to the campus to discuss absorbing KDR into their fraternity. This came about because the founders considered joining a national fraternity. In the words of Kimball, “(We) decided that we preferred to ‘paddle our own canoe’ and took no further action in the matter.”

The new fraternity suffered a severe blow the following fall when Beecher and Coates did not return to Middlebury. The chapter, however, received a great deal of help from Henry Harvey, a faculty member, who became the first honorary member. George E. Shaw, ‘10, was the first pledge.

In the beginning, there were no pledge classes or pledges, but delegations. In 1913, the fraternity attracted larger pledge classes of ten to fifteen men. The chapter used furnished off-campus meeting rooms for the secret conclaves, socials, and rush parties. During the summer of 1909, the chapter published the first issue of The Scroll. The first issue had a circulation of thirty copies for all the undergraduates, alumni, and honorary members. Due to a conflict over the name, the publication became the Quill and Scroll in 1924 and is still the official title of KDR’s semi-annual fraternity magazine. From a 1910 issue, one can get an idea of what kind of social life the early KDRs enjoyed.

On April twenty-third we gave a ‘Social Evening’ in the frat rooms, and, as a change from the usual card party and dance, we started off the evening by giving a farce entitled ‘An Economical Boomerang.’ This lasted about a half-hour and all seemed to enjoy it very much. Following this, Bro. Davison gave a reading entitled ‘The Fourth at Mellenville.’ Then the floor was cleared and dancing was enjoyed until 11:30 when refreshments were served. A few songs and yells and a walk home in the moonlight completed the evening’s entertainment.

An annual event was the Frat Ride. Following exams, the brothers and their dates went to nearby Silver Lake for lunch and spent the day. Returning by train, they went to the fraternity rooms and danced until midnight. There was always a close association between alumni and undergraduates in those days. The alumni frequently outnumbered the undergraduates at the Frat Ride and the Initiation Banquet held in the fall. The chapter held the banquet at The Brandon Inn several miles from Middlebury. Everyone went by train to the inn and returned by train the following morning. The fraternity colors decorated the rooms. Roses adorned the walls and tables. The evening went on with entertainment by the brothers, the reading of letters from alumni, and toasts from seniors and alumni. The toasts usually began and ended on a serious note.

Although traditional activities are no longer the same, they were mild by today’s standards. But, the camaraderie is difficult to equal. The fun of KDR happened within a framework of self-discipline that seems unequaled today. The processes that one learns on his own creates inward peace and satisfaction. Then one is better able to help brothers with their problems and deficiencies. You learn a little more about other people, and you allow the same opportunity for your brothers.

The founders’ primary aim was to attain true standards of manhood and brotherly love. These were not merely high-sounding ideals, but guidelines for life. The “Plain Virtues” of unpretentiousness, sincerity, and humility culminated in a high regard for each other’s welfare. They were not egocentrics who sought false images of hypervirility or alcoholic capacity. Following and living the ritual ideals was the test of manhood. Our motto, Honor Before All Things, helped them with their success.

The early conservative members had four criteria for membership:
(1) membership is not an occasion for snobbishness or preference;
(2) personal censorship of speech;
(3) loyalty to college, church, and fraternity; and
(4) abstinence from alcohol and tobacco.

The 1917 Constitution stated the principles of the early fraternity.

The primary focus of the fraternity shall be the promotion of good fellowship among its members and the advancement of truth, justice, and virtue, as exemplified by our Latin motto: Honor Super Omnia.
and
It is the faith of the Fraternity that its worth may ever be shown by the lives of its individual members.

The founders realized that KDR would rise or fall on the desire of the members to seek higher ideals, or be satisfied with the status quo. Our challenge is to live up to and uphold these high ideals.

Beyond Middlebury

From 1912 to 1919, Alpha Chapter evolved into the National Fraternity. In 1913, KDR added a second chapter at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Harold A. Severy, Alpha ‘09, who was a graduate student at Cornell, led the efforts to establish Beta Chapter on May 24, 1913. The twenty-three original members of Beta Chapter had a fine reputation that impressed the president of the New York State College for Teachers in Albany, New York (now SUNY Albany). Until 1915, the college did not accept fraternities. Beta Chapter was successful in establishing Gamma Chapter on June 10, 1915.
Soon after, John F. Hough, Alpha ‘14, graduated from Middlebury and moved to Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, to do graduate work. His dedication resulted in the establishment of Delta Chapter on February 22, 1917. They enlisted as their faculty advisor and honorary brother Dr. Frank C. Ewart, who later became National President. He agreed to join after he previously refused invitations to join other fraternities. Alpha Chapter’s contingency impressed Dr. Ewart. He said,
If character building is the principle job of this Fraternity, it is probably different from the general run of them, and if here is a group of men that are banded together to carry on these ideals, I would like to help them.
Dr. Ewart helped Delta Chapter financially to purchase a house that he sustained almost by himself during the World War I years. He helped create the National Fraternity. Of this goal he stated,
Our job is essentially a missionary one. So far as our own membership is concerned, it is one of character building, but it must not stop with ourselves. We aim to seek the highest interest of our country also, and one concrete way in which we can do this is to establish other Kappa Delta Rho groups in other institutions, which shall foster and propagate these ideals in those communities.
The years of World War I brought many changes. Chapter houses closed and became boarding houses for Army units. The fraternity suspended the Quill and Scroll. Alumni support, however, sustained KDR until the end of the war. After the war, the chapter houses reopened, and life returned to normal. In 1919, Dr. Ewart helped establish Epsilon Chapter at Franklin College in Indiana.
Expansion in the 1920’s
Between 1920 and 1930, KDR expanded in a conservative and deliberate manner. Under the leadership of men, such as Dr. Ewart of Colgate University, Arthur “Scotty” Ottman of Middlebury College, and Leo T. Wolford of Franklin College, fourteen chapters emerged. They were Pennsylvania State University, University of Illinois, Purdue University, Bucknell University, Ohio State University, University of California (Berkeley), University of Michigan, Indiana University, Colby College, Butler University, Gettysburg College, Lafayette College, Oregon State University, and Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). By 1930, KDR had nineteen chapters in ten states, and Reginald M. Savage, Alpha ‘24, became the first full-time paid National Executive Secretary.
For local groups who moved to chapter status in KDR it meant security of a different sort. Rather than self-sufficiency, there were new traditions and a larger support group for each of them. Here are a few comments from those chapters.
Zeta: We were assured that our Fraternity would offer to us a broader field in which Friendship, Fellowship, and Fraternity of the highest type could be had. Edward D.W. Moeslein, Zeta ‘20
Eta: I will attempt . . . to let our New Brothers know ‘to what star we have our wagon hitched.’ We of Eta are learning to have the deepest regard for our new Brothers, and we can truthfully state that those whom it has been our privilege to meet have left deep feelings of regard with us. R.B. Best, Eta ‘22
Lambda: Speaking with moderation, our organization, historically and structurally, is still embryonic; our ideals in their phrasing, are as vibrant and as lofty, and probably no more than the two hundred or more societies. However, we were offered the fellowship of nine hundred members of Kappa Delta Rho, who lived in the most susceptible period of their lives under the influence of principles which actuated the founding and continuance of this Fraternity. C.H. Newell, Lambda ‘24
Pi: It has not been the object of this fraternity (Theta Phi) to enlarge its membership with incompetent men but rather to strengthen both morally and intellectually. Kappa Delta Rho shares this objective and our ideals. Luther M. Bingaman, Pi ‘27
Rho: In 1922, the vision of a few men of Lafayette materialized into a small club formed for the purposes of developing the ideal character. Today, as we join a National Fraternity, we do not perish, for we have another vision. J.R. Parker, Rho ‘30
These local fraternities did not choose KDR for security alone. Nor did KDR select them to increase the fraternity size. With local alumni, officers, and volunteers, a bond formed around the belief that each local chapter sought more than just a good time and an image. Each local chapter recognized our purpose and our selectivity.
During the 1920’s, as The Scroll became the Quill and Scroll, a trust fund with the New York Trust Company provided lifetime subscriptions to the magazine. Today, all alumni and undergraduates receive copies of the Quill and Scroll.
The Depression and World War II Years
The Depression of 1929 was the beginning of rough times for everyone nationwide. College enrollment decreased steadily. Many chapters faced the prospect of closing their doors for lack of men. The enthusiastic support of alumni helped all but two chapters to continue. Omicron Chapter at Butler University was in existence for only nine years. Since it had few alumni, it became inactive in 1937. Likewise, Tau Chapter at Carnegie Tech was unable to continue due to lack of insurance. It was active from 1930 to 1939. At the 1932 Convention at Lafayette College, KDR revised the Constitution and general structure of the organization for subsequent incorporation.
The years between 1936 and 1945 were not conducive to fraternity expansion. In 1939, however, KDR installed Upsilon Chapter at Fresno State College. The depression put a great deal of stress on the budgets of all chapters. Just as KDR was entering a period of consolidation, news came of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Undergraduates and alumni responded to the war summons. Most chapter houses were used by the military to house soldiers in training for the duration of World War II. Fifteen chapters became inactive, but Delta, Theta, Kappa, Nu, and Pi chapters were able to remain active during this time. Active status for these chapters, however, often meant only one or two men living in the house, attempting to rush, and perhaps initiating one or two more members. The National Executive Secretary, E. Mayer Maloney, Nu ‘36, and a majority of the National Directors entered the Armed Forces. KDR authorized Alternate Directors to carry on the work and keep the Fraternity intact in the absence of the Directors. The prospects seemed bleak. In 1942, KDR and Tau Kappa Epsilon, both in difficult situations, considered merging to become Tau Kappa Delta. The TKE Board and Convention approved the merger, as did the KDR board, but the KDR Convention rejected the proposal and kept KDR as an independent fraternity.
The Quill and Scroll continued publication during the war. The attempt to send copies to brothers in the Armed Forces overseas failed in most cases. Then KDR sent the magazine to the brothers’ homes. Parents sent the magazines to their sons, and the effort succeeded. Soon the Quill and Scroll had letters from the war fronts. Brothers in the Armed Forces particularly cherished KDR at this time of their lives. The magazine provided addresses of brothers overseas that resulted in reunions on the battlefields between brothers and chapters. Seventy KDR men lost their lives in the war. The Quill and Scroll published a memorial issue to those men in June 1946. An excerpt from the issue stated,
Honor Super Omnia was their motto; they knew it well in their undergraduate days; they carried it to the enemy and taught him the meaning of it. They also taught us the meaning of the phrase that sometimes becomes trite with the passing of time.
After 1946: Reactivation - Expansion - Innovation
The 1946 Convention in Columbus, Ohio, focused on reopening chapters. Fifteen chapters reopened that fall. Under the guidance of President John L. Blakeley, Eta ‘22, and National Executive Secretary Ferd B. Ensinger, Alpha ‘45, Phi Chapter was chartered at the University of Oklahoma in 1950, and a colony established at the University of Florida. Under Expansion Chairman Frederic T. Closs, Rho ‘51, KDR chartered chapters at Lycoming College and Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1953 and 1955 respectively.
The Korean Conflict interrupted academic work and caused members considerable anxiety. The uncertainty of possible military service divided their attention from studies and fraternities. At least three brothers lost their lives in action. The young chapter at the University of Oklahoma and the colony at the University of Florida closed as a result of a persistent drain of men from these institutions.
On February 10, 1954, the fraternity received its certificate of incorporation under the New York State Membership Corporation Law. The fraternity officially became The National Fraternity of Kappa Delta Rho, Inc. Orrin G. Judd, Delta ‘26, handled this difficult procedure.
The KDR Semicentennial Celebration was set for 1956. The Forty-fifth Annual Convention took place that year in Breadloaf, Vermont. On September 1, 1956, KDR unveiled a memorial plaque on Old Painter Hall. KDR Historian George E. Shaw, Alpha ‘10, also presented his completed History of Kappa Delta Rho.
More chapters were chartered under Expansion Chairman Closs. Chapters at Lock Haven State College and C.W. Post College began in 1958 and 1960, respectively. On November 12, 1960, we founded the Kappa Delta Rho Foundation for charitable, educational, and literary purposes in connection with the National Fraternity, its chapters, and its members. KDR installed Gamma Alpha Chapter at Bradley University with the assistance of Steven Schilson who transferred from the University of Illinois. In 1969, a local fraternity at Rhode Island College became Delta Alpha Chapter. Chapters also began at Lewis University and the University of Dayton in 1971.
By 1972, KDR felt the effects of the Vietnam Conflict. An anti-establishment sentiment jolted student activities on campuses nationwide. Some KDR chapters deteriorated and closed. Others had a difficult time pledging new members.
In 1980, the National Board of Directors established a new expansion policy, which set a new direction for the fraternity. A renewed interest in Greek life was growing on American college campuses. It was a welcomed change from the early 1970’s. In 1981 the new expansion policy began to show success with chapters at Robert Morris College and Slippery Rock State College. The chapter roster expanded in 1982 to include six new chapters, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Illinois State University, Gannon University, West Virginia University, Columbia University, and Temple University, and the reactivation of the C.W. Post College chapter. Rutgers University and the University of Toledo chapters joined KDR in 1984.
In 1985, the Delta Chapter at Colgate University reaffiliated with the National Fraternity. New chapters chartered that year were Bryant College, Hofstra University, and Radford University. The year 1986 brought into the fold new chapters at Parks College (now a part of St. Louis University), Behrend College of Penn State, the University of Delaware, and a reactivation of the Tau Chapter at Carnegie Mellon after 44 years. In 1987 and the years following, new chapters at Clarion University, University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg), Virginia Commonwealth University, Ball State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, West Liberty State College, Old Dominion University, Tarleton State University, and West Chester University were added to the chapter rolls, as well as a reactivation at Lock Haven.
The late 1980’s also signaled the end of an era as Robert D. Lynd, Iota ‘67, KDR president from 1974-1988, became a member of the National Interfraternity Conference Board of Directors and later its president in 1993. He was succeeded by president, James F. Edgeworth, Sr., Psi ‘56. The National Office moved to Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and the National Executive Secretary received the new title of Executive Director.
The 1980’s were not solely a time of growth and expansion for the fraternity. The Greek System as a whole was plagued with numerous problems, chief among them being risk management and the poor image associated with it. In addition, all-male organizations were sometimes seen as archaic, unconstitutional, or unnecessary, particularly at colleges in New England. In 1983, Xi Chapter was closed when Colby College eliminated their entire Greek System.
In 1989, the administration at Middlebury College decided that all organizations on campus would be coeducational. Most fraternities at Middlebury were unwilling to accept this change and simply closed their doors. However, the brothers of Alpha Chapter decided that it was a better decision to accept women into their brotherhood than cease to exist. In the Spring of 1989, the chapter pledged Mimi Gottesfeld and Laura Rude. That fall, Laura Cohen, Sheila Kane and Christina Bethke joined the ranks of brothers. There were no provisions in the National Constitution allowing women into our organization, so the National Fraternity had to end affiliation with the chapter until a solution could be approved and implemented. The brothers at Middlebury continued on alone, still identified as KDR. The National Fraternity was unsure of the right step to take, as it did not want to lose its rich history at Middlebury and the strength of the chapter there. On the other hand, it did not want to lose its identity as a male fraternal organization. Throughout the 1990’s, solutions were proposed and debated. In 1997 a solution was brought before the National Convention in Norfolk, Virginia. We would expand our organizational structure to include the Kappa Delta Rho Society, of which Alpha of Middlebury College was to be the first and at this time only permitted chapter. The KDR Society at Middlebury received its charter in October, 2000, thus restoring the ties that the National Fraternity had to its founding chapter.
The early 1990’s also ushered in chapters at New York Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, Edinboro University, James Madison University, Syracuse University, Fordham University, University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh), William Paterson University, Richard Stockton College, Eastern Illinois University, University of North Carolina (Greensboro), East Tennessee State University, Clemson University, The College of William and Mary, and University of Charleston. In the late 1990’s, KDR established new chapters at East Stroudsburg University and University of North Carolina (Asheville). The year 2000 saw the chartering of the Alpha Gamma chapter at University of Detroit Mercy.
The Future
Since 1905, Kappa Delta Rho has initiated more than 23,000 members. Currently, there are approximately 17,000 living alumni. The history of KDR is the individual history of all our undergraduates and alumni. That history continues every day, chapter by chapter, as undergraduates demonstrate their academic and chapter achievements. Our alumni are leaders in their professional fields, and the list of their achievements is endless. All of these achievements echo the ideals of the ten founders, Honor Super Omnia.
Our undergraduates and alumni are, indeed, the keystone of KDR’s success and vitality as we approach our centennial.