During the Joplin Area Alumni Chapter Convivium on January 11, 2025, the Henry Clay Chiles Province Court of Honor inducted four deserving brothers.
Joseph Blank (Delta Pi–Missouri Southern State ’15), Darren Prater (Delta Pi–Missouri Southern State ’14), Rylee Hartwell (Delta Pi–Missouri Southern State ’15 ), pictured left to right, and Steve McKay (Delta Pi–Missouri Southern State ’71 ), not pictured, were invested with the provincial cross of honor in recognition of their outstanding service to the Order and accomplishments which have brought honor to Kappa Alpha Order.
Joseph J Blank, an initiate of 2015, celebrates his 10th year as a KA. During his time as an active in the Delta Pi chapter, Joe served as President, Vice President, Parliamentarian, Marshall. He also served on numerous committees. As president in 2018, Delta Pi was an Ammen winning chapter that brought home 13 total awards at the annual Chiles Province Council. Joe graduated in 2019 Summa Cum Laude with a degree in International Business, Marketing, and certificate in Intercultural Management. Joe also holds a MBA from Pittsburg State University. During college, Joe also served as President of the Student Senate where he worked on numerous campus improvement projects with the help of the Greek community. Post college, Joe has worked with Americold Logistics LLC in several capacities for the last five years, most recently working as a business development manager. Joe is married to his wife Erika of Kansas City and has one daughter, Everlyn James Blank. Together, they reside as a family with their pet cat Finch and dog Oakley Mae in Diamond, Missouri.
Darren Prater, Delta Pi Chapter #I 2017 – Delta Pi Chapter #II 2016 – Delta Pi Chapter # VIII 2015 – Delta Pi Chapter #IV 2016 – Initiated Fall 2014 – 3 time National KA Scholarship recipient – Summer ELA Advisor – Member of Ammen Award Chapter 3 times – Graduated MSSU with a BS in Criminal Justice 2018 – Member of Jasper County Sherrifs Department – Member of the Fraternal Order of Police – April 22nd 2024 upgraded his life potential by marring Jessica.
Rylee Hartwell, a dedicated community leader with a passion for public service. A proud graduate of Joplin High School, Rylee furthered his education at Missouri Southern State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. He later pursued his Master of Science in Recreation Sports Management at Northwestern Missouri State University, from where he graduated in 2024. Recently he was accepted into a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) at Rockhurst University and will begin his studies in the spring of 2025. Since 2020, Rylee has served as the Director of Football Operations at Missouri Southern State University. In 2021, Rylee was elected to the Joplin Schools Board of Education. Hartwell’s leadership was recognized when he was elected Board President in April 2023. Rylee’s advocacy for public education extends beyond Joplin, as he serves as the director for District 9 on the Missouri School Boards’ Association which represents school districts in several counties.
