Conclave: The Finest Hour


Kappa Sigma came to register...Alumni and undergraduates represented every state in the union and several provinces. Some flew in from over seas.


The third hurricane of the season was rippling the surface water of the Sea as the Brothers received their registration packets.


This was the first event on the schedule...the first of numerous gatherings where living reminiscence would entwine the past with the present in preparation for its perpetuation in the future.


These young people are in the same spot as the five Founders a century ago....
It is their task to lay the groundwork for the century to come.



The long-dead embers that had turned gray in Founder McCormick's quarters a century earlier were, miraculously, still glowing, and warming with their glow an ever-increasing band of men.



There would be formal tribute to the Brothers in Chapter Celestial, and both before and after that, there would be reminiscences of those who served quietly and those who were famous...



One of the recurrent impressions made by successive Conclaves is created by the multiple forces at work simultaneously....



Socializing...Renewing friendships...Insight into important fraternal events


These undergraduates had spent long days as full-time assistants performing all kinds of work from scholarly to back-breaking.



In a very real sense, undergraduates helped the celebration succeed.



A student at the University of Bologna flew from Italy to speak about his experiences at the University where Kappa Sigma was born.



The uncontrollable force outside was making itself felt...Unrelieved leaden clouds spread northward...winds and rivers rose...sheets of water ravaged Virginia...Richmond did not escape torrential downpours...
but the trip must be made.



This magnificent building in such a beautiful setting...It's the kind of National Headquarters we've dreamed about for many years.



The men are to be congratulated for their excellent taste and good business judgment in selecting this facility and in negotiating the purchase.



I would like to dedicate this to all the Brothers of the past and present whose contributions have made this possible...
I also dedicate this to all the Brothers of the future who will carry on our fine traditions....



There was a glow of fellowship renewed through accomplishment.



These gentlemen performed an outstanding job. They were willing to do anything that was needed, and they completed each task to our complete satisfaction. Their behavior was commendable and their attitude exceptional.



The members of Kappa Sigma Fraternity who helped us deserve
a special pat on the back. We are proud of them.



A fitting closing was the Model Initiation. Heading the inspiring team, the Ritualist demonstrated the beauty and meaning of the Kappa Sigma Ritual.



The Ritual was witnessed by several hundred Kappa Sigmas, ranging from the recently initiated to men who had been Brothers for sixty years of more.



"The most beautiful and impressive ceremony ever witnessed."



"...Flawless and inspirational..."



On the subject of rushing...



I'm convinced that a sound rushing program, when carefully followed, will eliminate most of our major problems.



Just as a business cannot thrive without talent, our Fraternity, cannot compete for student interest if we tolerate the admission of mediocre young men to our Brotherhood...The higher your standards the more likely you are to have the most desirable Chapter on campus.



Every one of you can help by recommending high-caliber young men as potential Kappa Sigmas.



Another goal is about the current opportunity to project the kind of fraternity image that the fraternity system has long needed and deserved.



The Fraternity stands for law and order and the respect for the rights of others.



But there's still much work ahead of us and I'm confident.



It's not easy to motivate volunteers to pay close attention to duties and responsibilities when there is no reward they can take to the bank. But somehow we've managed to find enough of that special breed of man who makes the existence of this organization possible.



As we celebrate our anniversary this year, I can't help but think that what the leaders of the Fraternity do now will, to a large extent, determine the nature and character of Kappa Sigma for the next years.



We plan to leave a legacy of which the next generation can be proud.



It was a meeting which underscored a matter of continuing and increasing concern: scholarship.


The word scholarship and the importance of its implementation to the Fraternity's future health would arise again and again throughout Conclave.



As you may know, our Fraternity is operating at a deficit. After a careful study, we've reached the decision that we must consider increasing our fees...but 25 of the top 44 fraternities shill exceed our total....In many cases we are spending half or less than half to accomplish a job of similar scope!



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