LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University’s Alpha Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha Order (KA) is a recipient of the order’s highest honor, the George C. Marshall Award for Chapter Excellence for the 2008-09 academic year.
The award is given to up to three KA chapters in the nation, honoring the chapters with outstanding performances in every category including scholarship, member education, chapter growth and development, philanthropy, risk management, ritual, chapter finances, campus activities, campus leadership and communications. This is the second time the Alpha Theta chapter has won the award.
“Winning the George C. Marshall Award is a tremendous honor,” said senior John Paul Coyle, president during the 2008-09 year. “It would not have been possible without the help of so many dedicated officers, motivated and active members and the help of our alumni, advisers and the National Office. We hope to build off of the award and are looking forward to another great year next year.”
To receive the Marshall Award, the Alpha Theta chapter raised their overall GPA to second-highest on campus, above the fraternity average and the average for all men, and had the highest GPA among Kappa Alpha chapters in Kentucky. The fraternity held a fund-raising walk from Frankfort to campus to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The fraternity members volunteered over 1,700 hours of service and raised $7,300 for various philanthropies.
The Alpha Theta chapter was also awarded the Samuel Z. Ammen Award, which recognized accomplishments in community service, public relations and scholarship. At Transylvania’s recent Greek Awards program, Kappa Alpha Order received honors for best new member GPA, most improved GPA of the year, best new member class, new member of the year (Anderson Salinas) and president of the year (John Paul Coyle).
Founded in 1891, Transylvania’s Kappa Alpha chapter is the oldest in the Candler Province, which encompasses Kentucky. Kappa Alpha Order is among the oldest collegiate fraternal organizations in the United States and models its philosophies on the code of the chivalric knight. Reverence, duty, honor and gentlemanly conduct are the pillars of its lifetime experience.
Transylvania, founded in 1780, is the nation’s sixteenth oldest institution of higher learning and is consistently ranked in national publications as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.