Recap of the 80th Convention

Wednesday

Knight Commander C. Douglas Simmons III welcomed the official family, our province and national volunteers, the staff, and families, for a kickoff reception and dinner on Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Following the reception, Former Knight Commanders and their roses enjoyed a dinner at STK Steakhouse.

Thursday

Thursday played host to The Values Center, a trade show style and fishing-themed event registration that showcased vendors and partners, live music by KA brother and country artist Hunter L. Chastain (Delta Phi–Jacksonville State ’18), and the traveling archives. Spouses and guests also enjoyed a Cooking class featuring homemade pasta and a charcuterie board.

That afternoon, Knight Commander Simmons called the 80th Convention to Order. The Navy JROTC Unit of William R. Boone High School presented the Colors, Hunter Chastain sang the National Anthem, Mason L. Kay (Zeta Phi–High Point ’22), son of Former Knight Commander Kay, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Davis C. Franta (Zeta Theta–James Madison ’22), son of Ammen Province Commander Darron Franta, gave the invocation. Province Commander P. Michael Ruff (Gamma Eta–Florida State ’67) welcomed everyone to Crawford Province and Orlando, Florida. Executive Director Larry Stanton Wiese (Gamma Omega–Midwestern State ’87) read letters of greeting from Virginia Governor Glenn Younkin, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (Nu–Auburn ’78), Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (Alpha Mu–Millsaps ’93), and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (Rho–South Carolina ’67), and a video welcome from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis played. He also read letters from Former Knight Commanders Idris R. Traylor, Jr. and William E. Dreyer who were not able to attend. Knight Commander Simmons eulogized former Executive Director William Allen “Dick” Barnes (Delta Lambda–Middle Tennessee State ’69) who passed earlier in the year. Knight Commander Simmons presented the Faculty Advisor of the Year Award to Michael Woodson who advises the Delta Omega Chapter at Baylor University. He also presented a Certificate of Honor to J. Mason McCauley (Alpha Theta–Transylvania ’04) alumnus advisor of Alpha Theta Chapter, and the William E. Forester Alumni Chapter of the Year Award to Brent E. Ellis (Gamma Pi–Florida Southern ’98) and Orlando Alumni Chapter. He then presented Certificates of Service to Blake E. Benney (Gamma Lambda–North Texas ’86) and Jeffrey W. “Jeff” Love (Epsilon Rho–Purdue ’86) and the Knight Commander’s Commendation to Zachary C. “Zach” Burks (Beta Tau–Mississippi State ’20). Knight Commander Simmons delivered his Biennial Report which addressed the issues of today, highlighted successes in academics, membership, and leadership education, and reported on the province realignment, changes to philanthropic priorities, and the Fraternity Housing Corporation. He also recognized The Kappa Alpha Journal, announced the launch of a new national website, and praised the fundraising success of the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation and its Crimson & Gold Campaign. The perfunctory business of assignments of committees rounded out the affair, and then the Convention was called into Executive Session to receive a particular report and hear the reading of a historic 1913 letter from Dr. Samuel Zenas Ammen, our Practical Founder.

While KA brothers conducted the business of the Order, KA roses and guests enjoyed fellowship and fresh mint mojitos at an event titled “Mojitos at the Marriott” which was hosted by the Rose Circle of the Crimson & Gold Society.

That night the KAOEF 26th Annual Bid for Brotherhood (B4B) was held at the House of Blues Orlando where attendees enjoyed good food and another performance by Hunter Chastain. After “fund of need” push, “Last KA Standing” game, a bourbon pull,  and the silent and live auctions, the evening grossed approximately $125,000 to support leadership education programs and scholarships for our undergraduate members. Knight Commander Simmons also conferred the Knight Commander’s Accolade upon Toya McLeod (Gamma Sigma–West Texas A&M’00) who has served as auctioneer for most of the Bid for Brotherhoods since 2004.

Friday

Prior to a private breakfast, a morning boat tour, and lunch in Winter Park, spouses and guests enjoyed morning yoga on the Citrus Lawn.

Following the Convention Breakfast, Convention attendees witnessed the initiation of two new brothers, Tracy “Michael” Woodson (Delta Omega–Baylor ’23) Jack Michael Estes (Epsilon Sigma–West Florida ’23), and brushed up on the ritual during the Model Initiation which was held in Palazzo Ballroom A–C.

The Convention reconvened for the sole purpose of Knight Commander Simmons to present the Distinguished Achievement Award to Former VMI Superintendent and 4-Star U.S. Army General J.H. Binford Peay III (Beta Commission–VMI ’62). This high honor has been presented to only nineteen other recipients, the first being GEN George C. Marshall (Beta Commission–VMI 1901).  Following his introduction and the presentation of the award, General Peay gave a motivational address to the Convention.

Attendees then enjoyed the KAOEF’s 19th Annual Leadership Lecture Luncheon where they heard stories and lessons on leadership from the life experiences of two KA military heroes; CDR Frank J. Weisser (Sigma Beta Commission–USNA ’22), former Blue Angel and stunt pilot for the blockbuster film Top Gun: Maverick and CDR Lew Hoyt (Beta Sigma–Southern California ’62), a fighter pilot for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy flying combat missions in the Vietnam War, flight instructor at the Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known as TOPGUN, and consultant for the 1986 Top Gun movie. After several thoughtful questions from the audience,  Knight Commander Simmons presented both Frank and Lew with Distinguished Public Service Awards.

The Legislative, Finance, and Resolutions Committees met as well as the KAOEF Board of Trustees before Friday’s evening activities. The KAOEF’s 11th Annual Crimson & Gold Society Dinner was held at the Lake Nona Golf and Country Club and recognized members of the Crimson & Gold Society, brothers and friends of the Order who contribute $1,000 or more each year in unrestricted support to the Foundation. For those not currently members of the Crimson & Gold Society, a Brotherhood Dinner and Outing was held at Aquatica. Prior to and following the Crimson & Gold Society Dinner, receptions for the George C. Marshall Circle and the Knight Commander’s Circle of the Crimson & Gold Society were held, respectively, and recognized donors of $2,500 and $5,000 annually to the KAOEF.

Saturday

A second Spouse and Guest morning yoga session was held prior to another private breakfast and pool and spa day for KA roses and guests.

Saturday for Convention attendees began with the Province Breakfast that allowed fellowship and dealings amongst the Province Commanders and their chapters. The Undergraduate and Alumni Conferences were held concurrently.  J. Cal Mayo, Jr. (Alpha Upsilon–Mississippi ’83) shared the tragic loss of his son and discussed the dangers of fentanyl in reference to illegal drug use with the undergraduates. The Alumni Conference was chaired by Councilor James M. “Jim” Schmuck, and the Crawford Court of Honor held an induction ceremony.

Saturday’s Interfraternal Recognition Luncheon celebrated leaders in the Greek Life movement at the Interfratneral Recognition Luncheon. Knight Commander Simmons presented Accolades for Interfratneral Service to Mitchell B. “Mic” Wilson, Executive Director Emeritus of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and William F. “Bill” Murray (Tau–Wake Forest ’21), president of Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc.  He also presented Awards for Fraternal Excellence to Anna Edwards, Ph.D. of the University of South Carolina and Anne Strickland of Rhodes College.

The Convention reconvened with a third and final Meeting. Knight Commander Simmons reported on presenting Service to the Order Awards to the Zeta Pi Chapter at Florida Gulf Coast University and Zeta Nu Chapter at the University of West Florida and Certificates of Honor to Brent Ellis and Alex van de Berg, Jr. (Gamma Eta–Florida State ’13) for conducting and directing the Model Initiation. Knight Commander Simmons then recognized chapters that were awarded the George C. Marshall Award for Chapter Excellence, the Samuel Zenas Ammen Award for Chapter Excellence, and the Carl Albert Award for Chapter Improvement for 2021 and 2022. Then he presented the Knight Commander’s Commendation to J. Colby Clark (Alpha Pi–Stanford ’22, the Alumnus Advisor of the Year Award to Duane E. “Donny” Thompson III (Beta Zeta–Florida ’75) who advises the Beta Zeta Chapter, and the Knight Commander’s Accolade to COL Guy D. Colado (Gamma Pi–Florida Southern ’64). Executive Director Wiese read letter of greeting from Alpha Tau Omega and Sigma Nu Fraternities, fellow members of the Lexington Triad, and KA brothers who are members of Congress. National Undergraduate Chairman Zach Burks reported on the Undergraduate Conference, and Councilor Jim Schmuck reported on the Alumni Conference.

The committee reports were all received and adopted unanimously, thanks to the able leadership of four Former Knight Commanders: Legislative Committee Chairman David M. Warren, Finance Committee Chairmen James R. Estes and Darren S. Kay, and Resolutions Committee Chairman J. Michael Duncan. The Convention elected King V. Aiken, Jr. as the 42nd Knight Commander, Jim Schmuck as Senior Councilor, and L. Blair Bailey, Derick S. Close, Malcolm H. Liles, David T. Martineau, and Robert H. Wall as Councilors. Saturday evening, the Crimson & Gold Society and Knight Commander’s Accolade Reception took place concurrently with the Convention Reception. The official Convention photo was taken in front of the Mediterranean Pote-Cochere, and the Knight Commander’s Installation banquet was held to cap the weekend. After a rousing KA Chorus performance led by Rob Wall (Tau–Wake Forest ’88), King V. Aiken was installed as Knight Commander and delivered his address. As all departed the Sunshine State, peace and harmony carried each on safe travels home.

Award for Distinguished Achievement