About the Chapter

The Zeta Kappa Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas is one of Sig Tau’s newest chapters. The chapter began in 2014 and was chartered on November 12, 2016, with 41 Founding Fathers.

Chapter Facts

• Awarded third place for their first Homecoming and Greek Week competitions in 2015

Chapter History

The Zeta Kappa Chapter began its journey in the fall of 2014 with Brian Lewallen, a Recruitment & Growth Coordinator for the Headquarters of Sigma Tau Gamma. Sig Tau contacted local alumni in the area about starting a new chapter at Kansas State. One of those alumni was the father of their first member, Brother David Goodwin.

After contacting more individuals, Brian sat down and conducted one-on-one meetings in the campus Student Union, where the interest and value of each potential new member were assessed. It was also here where the bids were handed out and signed to the men who were seen to embody the Principles of Sigma Tau Gamma. The very first Sigma Tau Gamma Association Ceremony in Kansas State history took place on December 12, 2014, in the K-State Student Union. After three hours, the Associate Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma at Kansas State University was founded.

The chapter had its first meeting on January 26, 2015. Alongside the first chapter meeting that was held came the chapter’s first opportunity to connect with and serve the local community. On February 28, 2015, Special Olympics held its annual basketball tournament. Members of the chapter had the privilege of volunteering at this event by officiating games, keeping scores, and interacting with and encouraging the competitors.

The weekend prior, five members attended the final regional conclave. Upon their return, they brought with them the idea for the chapter’s first philanthropic event which they had learned from their fellow brothers who were also in attendance. This event was Tomato-A-Tau. Members of the chapter spent time in Bosco Plaza on campus during the days of April 21-23, 2015. With the end of the semester and finals approaching, members were presenting fellow students with an opportunity to relieve some stress. With a small donation, students could purchase a few water balloons which they could then use to throw at the volunteering chapter members. All proceeds went to Special Olympics Kansas.

With the start of the fall semester came the chapter’s first homecoming. Paired with a great sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, and fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega, the team performed exceptionally well and placed third. Near the end of the semester, members held their first elections for the executive board. Under this executive board, the chapter would catch its stride and achieve its charter.

After a discouraging spring recruitment, brother and current president Josh Benard, alongside his executive board, made the decision to prioritize brotherhood over all else. With this goal in mind, members embarked on an overnight camping retreat south of Manhattan. The effects of this retreat were clear. The chapter quickly organized its first White Rose Formal, which it hosted in Witchita, Kansas. Alongside this, the chapter hosted its second major philanthropic event Sigma Paw Gamma which it hopes to hold annually. For this event, the chapter partnered with Riley County Humane Society and the Office of Student Services. For the event, fellow students could interact with puppies and learn about the resources available to them, on campus, when they are feeling stressed.

During the fall semester of 2016, lead by brother Russell Hicks in the position of VP of Membership, the chapter would have its strongest recruiting class of 10 members. With this active recruitment and the successes achieved during the spring, the chapter was awarded its charter and became the Zeta Kappa chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma on November 12, 2016.

Chapter Funds

A Chapter Fund is a restricted account from the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation. In this case, the restriction is that the funds and earnings on the investment of the funds may be used only for a particular chapter, meaning that if you donate to your chapter’s fund, it may only be used for your chapter.

Chapter Funds may be used to:

• Award scholarships based on academic and leadership criteria
• Technology grants for purchase and upgrade of chapter computer technology
• Educational facility grants to the selected chapter
• Leadership education grants for participation in institutes, seminars, and conventions.

The Foundation manages the fund. This management includes fund accounting, investing, and preparing required reports for the Internal Revenue Service. The policy of the Foundation Board of Trustees is to involve chapter alumni association leaders in the creation of criteria, formation of program priorities and selection of grant recipients.

Submitting Changes to the Chapter’s History

Any member of the fraternity and/or chapter is welcome to submit a request to update/change/correct information listed within the chapter history portion of the page. submissions will be accepted in two ways: should a correction need to be made, please submit the entire sentence/paragraph, that needs to be updated with the correction highlighted in yellow or in a different color. If something new or updated needs to be added, please submit the entire text that needs to be added and/or revised with the new information highlighted in yellow.

This information should be submitted to noblemen@sigtau.org, where is will be reviewed by HQ Staff. Your submission will not be acknowledged unless it has been added to the website. It is very important that the chapter’s history accurately and objectively reflects the chapter, so all corrections, additions, and revisions should be reviewed by other members of your chapter before being submitted.