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The Kappa Alpha Order (KA) is a collegiate fraternity, though its modern members staunchly refer to it as an Order of Christian Knights. It is not to be confused with the Kappa Alpha Society.

Kappa Alpha Order was originally founded as Phi Kappa Chi on December 21, 1865 at Washington College in Lexington, Virginia. The four founding fathers included James Ward Wood, William Archibald Walsh, and brothers William Nelson Scott and Stanhope McLelland Scott. Soon after the founding, the local chapter of Phi Kappa Psi protested the name "Phi Kappa Chi," due to the similarity of the names, leading Wood to change the name of the fraternity to K.A. by April of 1866. The popular old Kuklos Adelphon society had gone defunct during the Civil War, and it is suspected that Wood selected the letters K.A. to attract those familiar with the old society. Within one year the fraternity's ritual would be expanded upon and given a new vision by "practical founder," Samuel Zenas Ammen. In the years that followed, the Order spread throughout the Southern United States, a distinguishing factor that separates it from the smaller, northern-based Kappa Alpha Society. KA is also one-third of the Lexington Fraternity Triad, along with Alpha Tau Omega and Sigma Nu.

Kappa Alpha Order trivia

 * Robert E. Lee is recognized as the spiritual founder of Kappa Alpha Order.
 * KA's colors are Crimson and Old Gold.
 * KA's flowers are the Magnolia and Crimson Rose.
 * It is traditionally recognized as a distinctly southern fraternity, however there have been six chapters chartered in the North since 1980.

Definition of a Gentleman
The Definition of a Gentleman By Robert E. Lee:

The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman.

The power which the strong have over the weak, the employer over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, the experienced over the confiding, even the clever over the silly; the forbearing or inoffensive use of all of this power or authority, or a total abstinence from it when the case admits it, will show the gentleman in a plain light.

The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past. A true man of honor feels humbled when he cannot help humbling others.

"Sir You Are a KA"
Sir, you are a Kappa Alpha. You are not just another fraternity man. You are a knight of the most unique organization among the Greek letter societies. You have been made familiar with a ritual and customs which emanated - not by accident, but by device - from the most noble qualities of the Knights of Old.

Into the heritage you have been presented are incorporated the highest ideas of fidelity to God and the esteem of woman. You are a KA. You can never be anything else and cannot do less than aspire to Excellence. You cannot be petty, cowardly, unfair, unfaithful; you are a KA.

You have a serious challenge, indeed a direct obligation, incumbent upon you as a KA. As you are the recipient of so rich a heritage, you are conscience-bound to be ever-anxious to preserve, strengthen, and pass on that heritage to those brothers your Order chooses to entrust with it in the future.

You will never grow taller than when you stoop to help a brother. And you cannot desert him when others do. You can never become wiser by disregarding the sterling ideals of your Order. You can never worship your God more intimately than when you utilize the tools Kappa Alpha has given you.

And if you will do these things, you cannot but realize for yourself the respect for your fellow man, the wealth of mortal happiness, and the salvation by a generous God.

-Roy Parson's, Class of '46

The Ideals of Kappa Alpha Order
The members of Kappa Alpha Order pride themselves on a tradition of chivalry and a beckoning to the tradtions of the southern gentleman and reminiscent of the Knights of the Crusades. A member of Kappa Alpha Order strives to offer reverence to both God and woman, and offers his brother a fraternal love, and an unwavering relationship of trust, obedience, and loyalty.

The symbology of Kappa Alpha order often centers around the ideals of the order, and also represents the notions which a member of the order holds dear to his heart. Such things are as follows.

The colors of the order are traditionally Crimson and Old Gold. These colors represent the bloodshed of the knights of the crusade and the money spent by the old kings in defense of the countries and empires of the old, respectively.

The flowers of the order are the crimson rose and the magnolia blossom. The crimson rose represents the blood of the knights as well, and the white magnolia blossom represents the purity of woman, the essence of chivalry, and the magnolia itself is seen as a tradtionally southern flower.

The crest itself is representative of several things. The hand holding the axe is representative of the continuing power of the Knight Commander and of the order. The Helmet was, at one time, a symbol used by the Knight Commander of the order. The badge of the order is featured at the center of the crest, and the lions on either side represent different things each. The lion on the left, looking away, symbolizes "repugnant." Which encourages humbleness and an abstinence from several things in life. The one on the right, facing inward, symbolizes "rampant" which encourages a boisterous life and one of want and need. The design of the crest, featuring both lions, suggests that a balance is needed in life.

The flowers of the order, and a ribbon featuring the order's motto adorn the bottom of the crest.

Along with the Ten Obligations and Definition of a Gentleman, the symbolgy adds to what Kappa Alpha builds its image about and bases its values upon.

Old South
For many chapters, Kappa Alpha Order's largest social event is the Old South formal. It is designed to celebrate the fraternity's southern history and to honor the southern ideals of hospitality, courtesy, and chivalry. The event has its roots at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. The brothers of Kappa chapter at Mercer were inspired by the release of Gone with the Wind (film) in 1939 to hold the "Dixie Ball", a celebration of Southern pride. The event quickly spread to other chapters across the country and evolved into the modern Old South formal. Though traditions vary by chapter, many have chosen to make the event a "trip back in time" to the Antebellum South, prior to and during the American Civil War. A common feature is for brothers to dress in Civil War uniforms, and for their dates to wear antebellum dresses. Occasionally, invitations to the event will be delivered by brothers on horseback, or in a manner similar to what was customary in the 19th century. At many chapters, Old South has been expanded to comprise a full week of social events, culminating with the traditional Old South ball.

Notable Members by Chapter
Sports
 * Tommy Aaron (Beta Zeta) professional golfer
 * Marty Brennaman announcer for the Cincinnati Reds
 * Rex Cawley (Beta Sigma) olympic gold medalist (1964) and former world record holder, 400m hurdles