We have also been looking critically across the entire Fraternity at how we are living up to our values and reflecting back on the one hundred years that preceded us. I’m especially thankful for the ability to play music with one another, to have a shared experience that connects and brings joy, love, and light to all.īrothers,The last year has presented the Fraternity with many challenges as we have all had to “pivot” to address public health concerns and keep our band programs moving forward despite all of the obstacles we face. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve all of you as your National President. I’m thankful for the many Brothers I have met over the years, at conventions, over zoom, and from countless chapters across the country who have touched my life. I’m thankful for my home chapter at Lock Haven, for the amazing experience playing in the LHU Band, and that seven people saw something in me to offer me an invitation for membership in Kappa Kappa Psi. I hope that this sentiment continues to drive us forward as a better Kappa Kappa Psi.įinally, this is a moment of gratitude. But at the same time, we must also acknowledge that we haven’t always gotten it right, and that when we reflect on our successes, we must also reflect on the moments that we could have done better and done more. Our acknowledgement, inclusion, and acceptance of people of color, women, and the LGBTQIA community demonstrates our growth as an organization that cares about the people who serve in it. Throughout the years, we have grown and adapted as an organization. Certainly – I would not be here as your National President. I think of how far we have come in 102 years. We celebrate the precious gift of music, and the magic it brings when we join together in harmony. We celebrate our chapters, our Brothers, our connection and the spirit of servant leadership. We celebrate our relationship and our shared mission with Tau Beta Sigma. We celebrate the opportunity to serve college bands with honor, integrity, respect, and loyalty. Our values are the same as they were when 10 bandsmen came together and created an organization in the image of their director. This is a moment to truly celebrate! For 102 years, our organization has withstood the test of time. What does it mean to celebrate Founders’ Day? Founder’s Circle Leadership Development Program.Strive for 5 – Membership Recruitment Resources.I encourage you all to continue Striving for the Highest and celebrate today the way I believe our founders would have wanted – by challenging tradition with our values and mission in your mind and heart to elevate college bands. This is because of students, directors, alumni, and friends who stand up for the values of our organization and truly model excellence in our fraternity. Kappa Kappa Psi is in one the strongest places it has ever been in its history. All of this powers the one true passion of our founders: elevating our college bands. Nationally, we have met this challenge through expansion to new campuses, opening our membership to outstanding band members regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factor, and through our work with our National Commissioning Project to move band literature forward with Tau Beta Sigma. With that in mind, the true “tradition” our founders set was not to be content with “the way it has always been done” and create a positive change. They decided to challenge what “traditionally” happened on their campus and set a higher standard. They wanted, expected, and deserved more. These were men who were not content with the status quo. This founder’s day, I challenge you to honestly look at the tradition our founders set. Many people leverage the word “tradition” in our organization to justify outdated and sometimes even harmful practices. In fact, to rest on these facts fly directly in the face of our motto to “Strive for the Highest.” While I want to take this time to congratulate you all, our organization cannot be content with these achievements. Given our membership numbers, tremendous local projects, and other successes, I would venture to say many of you met this challenge. Last year on this day, I challenged you to "come together and make your bands better" for the next year. What started at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College with 10 men and their college band director, now lives on over 210 campuses, powered by over 5900 college students, their university band directors, and alumni members around the globe. For 93 years and counting, Kappa Kappa Psi has been a part of college and university band programs. Today we celebrate the founding of our fraternity.
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