On July 22, 2012 Kappa Kappa Psi and the South Carolina State University Band program lost a great advocate and teacher. Mr. Ronald J. Sarjeant, received his Bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University in 1970, and was initiated into the Delta Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi in the fall of 1969. From that time, he worked to live the values of our organization and was committed to the college movement.

Mr. Sarjeant went on to serve as the Assistant Director of Bands at Tuskegee University and later became the Director of Bands. In 1976, he left Tuskegee to serve as the Director of Bands at South Carolina State University. He served the band program and mentored hundreds of students until his retirement in 2004. For his work with the South Carolina State Band and community, he was recently inducted into the South Carolina State University Hall of Fame.

The current SCSU Director of Bands, Mr. Ed Ellis, has this to say on the bands website, “Concert clarinetist, arranger, composer, teacher, mentor are but a few words to describe Ronald J. Sarjeant. He has left a mark at South Carolina State University that will never be forgotten. His many musical arrangements will continue to be played by the ‘101’. Although short in stature he was a giant in the field of music and music education. All who have enjoyed his music whether student, football fan, or music lover should remember him for all the good that he did. Sarge you and your legacy will never be forgotten!”

Mr. Sarjeant was an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi since his initiation. He was the advisor to the Zeta Eta Chapter at SCSU and advised the Epsilon Chi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. From 1993 to 2000, he served the fraternity as Southeast District Governor. Countless brothers had the opportunity to learn from Mr. Sarjeant, and his legacy will continue to thrive in our fraternity through the members he mentored. We are a better fraternity due to his service to the brotherhood.

Our most sincere condolences are with the family and the South Carolina State Community.

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Founded in 1919 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kappa Kappa Psi is the leading fraternity solely dedicated to supporting and developing college and university band programs. Kappa Kappa Psi has affiliation with over 210 college and university campuses across the United States of America. Guided by our values, mission and ritual, Kappa Kappa Psi is purposefully working towards our vision; With a dedicated spirit of unity and cooperation, we are unequivocally committed to become the world standard of excellence for band fraternal organizations. Collectively, Kappa Kappa Psi members are inspiring one another and all college band members to Strive for the Highest.

Kappa Kappa Psi has recently seen a shift in the position of Southeast District Governor. Our past SED Governor, Captain Melanie Muldrow, received an assignment with the United States Air Force in Honduras and had to step down from her position. First, I want to thank her for service to Kappa Kappa Psi as Southeast District Governor and her service as active officer in our armed forces. She is a tremendous leader for our organization and our country. I look forward to her continued service to Kappa Kappa Psi in other areas upon her return to the United States.

I am very excited to announce that we have found a new brother to serve in the position of Southeast District Governor. Evan Thompson is a life member of the fraternity from the Zeta Chi Chapter at the University of South Carolina. Evan has recently accepted a position as the band director at Chestnut Oaks Middle School in Sumter, South Carolina. He earned a bachelor of music degree cum laude in instrumental music education from the University of South Carolina in 2009. As many of you know, Evan served Kappa Kappa Psi as National Chapter Field Representatives from 2010-2012. As a student, Evan was leader on all levels of the fraternity. I am excited he has agreed to fill this position for the remainder of the 2011-2013 biennium.

Please join in thanking both Melanie and Evan for their service to Kappa Kappa Psi.

Adam D. Cantley

Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity

National President

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Founded in 1919 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kappa Kappa Psi is the leading fraternity solely dedicated to supporting and developing college and university band programs. Kappa Kappa Psi has affiliation with over 210 college and university campuses across the United States of America. Guided by our values, mission and ritual, Kappa Kappa Psi is purposefully working towards our vision; With a dedicated spirit of unity and cooperation, we are unequivocally committed to become the world standard of excellence for band fraternal organizations. Collectively, Kappa Kappa Psi members are inspiring one another and all college band members to Strive for the Highest.

As noted in a statement Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Fraternity released on January 30, 2012, the National Leadership was alerted to a situation that might have been a violation of Fraternity policy on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 through an article that appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat. The Fraternity responded immediately as noted in a statement issued by the Fraternity on January 30th, 2012. It was determined that the situation occurred during the spring 2010 semester and involved the Delta Iota chapter at Florida A & M University.

Following that report, the National Council of the Fraternity organized an investigation into the situation that was consistent with the policies and procedures of the Fraternity. The Fraternity was subsequently asked to hold off on its investigation by a representative of Florida A & M because of a police investigation that was being organized. We chose to honor that request but placed the Delta Iota chapter on Investigative Hold until we could complete our investigation. While on Investigative Hold a chapter many not operate on any level without approval of local and national supervision.

On March 28, 2012, the Tallahassee Police Department concluded its investigation and released its findings. Following the completion of that investigation, Kappa Kappa Psi went forward with its investigation that had been held pending the completion of the police work.

As a result of this investigation and the incident that occurred in spring of 2010, the National Council has voted to remove the Delta Iota Chapter at Florida A&M University from the roster of active chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi. The Delta Iota chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi will be closed for a period of at least five years or until May, 3 2017. This decision was based primarily upon hazing activities that occurred as well as other related issues including a failure to follow policies of the national organization and uncertainty of the future leadership and direction of the University and the Music Department. All undergraduate members of Delta Iota chapter in the spring semester of 2010 have been expelled. All prospective members–those in the joining process–during the spring semester of 2010 have been expelled. Any members of the Fraternity including alumnus members who were present at the incident that led to the investigation and sanctions have been expelled. A total of 28 individuals have been expelled from Kappa Kappa Psi. Any current dues paying student members of Delta Iota chapter who were not members during the spring, 2010 semester have been placed on Alumni status with Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity. As alumnus members they may not participate in any undergraduate chapter event or activity at Florida A&M University since the Delta Iota Chapter is no longer active. Any violation of this status will result in expulsion from the Fraternity.

The mission statement of Kappa Kappa Psi states, Kappa Kappa Psi is a fraternal organization that promotes the advancement of college and university bands through dedicated service and support to bands; comprehensive education; leadership opportunities; and recognition; for the benefit of its members and society. Hazing is not in line with our mission, ritual or values and is simply against the law. We steadfastly advocate and support the removal of hazing practices from college bands and society. For more information on the Kappa Kappa Psi National Policy on hazing please visit http://www.kkpsi.org/policies.asp.

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Founded in 1919 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kappa Kappa Psi is the leading fraternity solely dedicated to supporting and developing college and university band programs. Kappa Kappa Psi has affiliation with over 210 college and university campuses across the United States of America. Guided by our values, mission and ritual, Kappa Kappa Psi is purposefully working towards our vision; With a dedicated spirit of unity and cooperation, we are unequivocally committed to become the world standard of excellence for band fraternal organizations. Collectively, Kappa Kappa Psi members are inspiring one another and all college band members to Strive for the Highest.

Since the founding of our fraternity at Oklahoma A&M in 1919, we have enjoyed a special relationship with the university. The campus has hosted our National Convention three separate times in 1922, 1969, and 1989. Four members from Alpha chapter at Oklahoma State have served as National President. The National Headquarters for both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma were housed in the Seretean Center on campus for many years. However, one of our most visible partnerships is the National Shrine of the Fraternity that is a part of the campus landscape.

The following is taken from our Fraternity Guide to Membership. The National Shrine was formally dedicated on March 26,1960. The ceremonies were attended by Charter Members of the Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, past National Presidents of the Fraternity, National Officers of both organizations, and administrators of Oklahoma State University. Ceremonies included wreath-layings, in memory of the founders of the Fraternity, by the current presidents of the Alpha Chapters and representatives of the National Councils of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.

For over 50 years our shine has had its home on the west side of the Classroom Building. Kappa Kappa Psi thanks Oklahoma State University for honoring the location of our shrine in their renovations to the area surrounding the Student Union and Classroom Building. Also, thank you to the University for improvements they made to the area. Centering the shrine with the building, adding a courtyard and seating area, and planting the shrubbery have all enhanced this piece of our shared history.

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Founded in 1919 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kappa Kappa Psi is the leading fraternity solely dedicated to supporting and developing college and university band programs. Kappa Kappa Psi has affiliation with over 210 college and university campuses across the United States of America. Guided by our values, mission and ritual, Kappa Kappa Psi is purposefully working towards our vision; With a dedicated spirit of unity and cooperation, we are unequivocally committed to become the world standard of excellence for band fraternal organizations. Collectively, Kappa Kappa Psi members are inspiring one another and all college band members to Strive for the Highest.

Due to a request from the faculty and diminished student participation and interest in the fraternity, the National Council has voted to close the Delta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. All current active, conditional, and associate members of the fraternity who have met national financial obligations will be granted alumni status and the rights of that membership. It is our hope that we can one day return to campus and foster a chapter that supports the college band program and furthers the mission and vision of the fraternity and our values.

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Founded in 1919 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kappa Kappa Psi is the leading fraternity solely dedicated to supporting and developing college and university band programs. Kappa Kappa Psi has affiliation with over 210 college and university campuses across the United States of America. Guided by our values, mission and ritual, Kappa Kappa Psi is purposefully working towards our vision; With a dedicated spirit of unity and cooperation, we are unequivocally committed to become the world standard of excellence for band fraternal organizations. Collectively, Kappa Kappa Psi members are inspiring one another and all college band members to Strive for the Highest.

As noted in a statement Kappa Kappa Psi released on January 30, 2012, The National Leadership was made aware of a situation that may have been a violation of Fraternity policy that we now know occurred during the spring 2010 semester involving the Delta Iota Chapter at Florida A&M University. The national fraternity was first made aware of the incident through an article that was in the Saturday January 28, 2012 issue of The Tallahassee Democrat.

Following that report, the National Council began to organize an investigation into the alleged incident. This type of investigation is consistent with the policies and practices of the fraternity. At that time, a representative from Florida A&M University asked us to hold our investigation due to a pending police investigation into the alleged incident. We honored that request and left our chapter on Investigative Hold until we could carry out our own fraternity investigation.

On March 28, 2012, the Tallahassee Police Department concluded their investigation and has released their findings. At this time, no criminal charges have been filed regarding this incident. Since the investigation has ended, Kappa Kappa Psi plans to move forward in a manner consistent with the policies and practices of the fraternity.

The mission statement of Kappa Kappa Psi states, Kappa Kappa Psi is a fraternal organization that promotes the advancement of college and university bands through dedicated service and support to bands; comprehensive education; leadership opportunities; and recognition; for the benefit of its members and society. Hazing is not in line with our mission, ritual or values and is simply against the law. We steadfastly advocate and support the removal of hazing practices from college bands and society. For more information on the Kappa Kappa Psi National Policy on hazing please visit http://www.kkpsi.org/policies.asp.

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Founded in 1919 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kappa Kappa Psi is the leading fraternity solely dedicated to supporting and developing college and university band programs. Kappa Kappa Psi has affiliation with over 210 college and university campuses across the United States of America. Guided by our values, mission and ritual, Kappa Kappa Psi is purposefully working towards our vision; With a dedicated spirit of unity and cooperation, we are unequivocally committed to become the world standard of excellence for band fraternal organizations. Collectively, Kappa Kappa Psi members are inspiring one another and all college band members to Strive for the Highest.