Walter Hutson Olds (Alpha Zeta) 1938-2018

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Walter Hutson Olds passed away peacefully in the early afternoon of June 1, 2018 at the age of 80 years in Sugar Land, Texas.

Born in Gary, Indiana on April 28, 1938, and a native of Crown Point, Indiana, Walter attended Indiana University and earned a Master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of Chicago. After serving as an educator and principal in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois, Walter moved to Texas, where he concluded his nearly 50 year career as a classroom teacher, science specialist, and technology specialist at A.J. Martin Elementary.

Walter devoted over 20 years to teaching robotics for the Houston Museum of Natural Science during the summers. He also had a passion for training his Miniature Schnauzer, for which he won many awards, as well as architectural history, as he frequently enjoyed homes tours and was a member of several historic foundations and preservation societies. Having been involved in music since his childhood, Walter was a member of Indiana University’s Marching Hundred and taught clarinet lessons in high school. As an adult, he enjoyed singing in church choirs and was an avid supporter of The Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas.

Walter loved to learn, and he loved to teach. He selflessly lived his life for others, reaching out and inspiring students and peers as an educator, as a youth group director, and as a friend. He will be lovingly remembered by the countless lives he touched.

Walter was preceded in death by his mother, Geneva D. Olds, and his grandmother, Edith L. Wilson. He is survived by his church family, who tended to his needs late in life, and his longtime friend, Jason Ritchie.

A memorial service honoring Walter’s life will be held on June 20, 2018 at 10:00 AM at First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Boulevard, Missouri City, TX, 77459 with Rev. Marty Vershel officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the music ministry of First United Methodist Church Missouri City.

Please Welcome Kate Rohrich as the Newest Member of the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors!

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Brothers, the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors (“AABOD”) would like to introduce you to our newest member. We are very excited to welcome Kate Rohrich to the AABOD as our new Communications Director.  Please help us congratulate and thank Kate for her continued service to the fraternity.

The AABOD would also like to extend its most sincere thanks to all of the applicants who submitted materials for this position. It truly highlighted the amazing individuals who we have the privilege to call Brothers and members of our alumni association.

Call for Applications | Vacancy for Communications Director on Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors

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Brothers,

There is currently a vacancy for the role of Communications Director on the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors (“AABOD”).  If you are interested in applying to serve on the AABOD, we invite you to apply through the process outlined below.

The timeline for the search will proceed as follows:

  • 05/05/18: Call for Applications is Published
  • 05/21/18: Applications Are Due to AABOD
  • 05/25/18: AABOD Completes Screening of Applications Based on Defined Criteria
  • 05/27/18: AABOD Reviews Screened Applications and Votes to Select New AABOD Member

The AABOD will announce the new AABOD member after contacting her or him first.

 

Call for Applications to Fill Vacancy on the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors

As the administering board for the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association (“KKPsiAA”), the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors (“AABOD”) is responsible for:

  1. defining the strategic mission of, and directing the initiatives of, KKPsiAA
  2. developing, implementing, and evaluating various aspects of Kappa Kappa Psi’s alumni programs; and
  3. working with all KKPsiAA members to facilitate enhanced alumni involvement in, and engagement with, Kappa Kappa Psi.

There is currently a vacancy for the role of Communications Director on the AABOD.  In order to achieve the goals of KKPsiAA, the AABOD seeks to fill this vacancy as soon as possible.

Section 2.03 of the recently enacted KKPsiAA Constitution states, in part:

In the event of a vacancy on the AABOD, the current AABOD will solicit applications from its current voting members of KKPsiAA with interest in serving on the AABOD. After reviewing these applications pursuant to the criteria developed by the AABOD and the Board of Trustees, the current AABOD will appoint at its discretion a new member of the AABOD to fill the vacancy.

The AABOD and Kappa Kappa Psi Board of Trustees have developed the following criteria, based primarily on the requirements of the KKPsiAA Constitution, to review applications for the AABOD;

  1. The candidate must be an alumni, life, or honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.
  2. The candidate must be a current voting member of KKPsiAA.  (Recent graduates with provisional, non-voting membership in KKPsiAA would need to become voting members of KKPsiAA in order to be eligible.  If alumni or honorary brothers, these members would need to complete the necessary documentation and pay their annual KKPsiAA dues of $50.  If Life Members, these brothers would need to complete the documentation required for free KKPsiAA membership.)
  3. The candidate must possess outstanding business or professional ability.
  4. The candidate must be capable of representing KKPsiAA under all conditions.
  5. The candidate must not be a National Officer, District Governor, or member of the Board of Trustees of Kappa Kappa Psi.
  6. The candidate must not be a current employee of Kappa Kappa Psi.

The AABOD welcomes applications from all alumni, life, and honorary brothers who meet these criteria and share an interest in serving our fraternity and KKPsiAA.  Applicants are asked to provide a one-page letter and resume by May 21st, 2018 that highlights her/his qualifications and ideas.  (All applicants, including those who have previously applied for the AABOD, should submit application materials at this time.)  These application materials should outline:

  1. the professional skills, talents and expertise of the applicant,
  2. suggestions for programs, initiatives, and projects for KKPsiAA, and
  3. ideas regarding the  recently-published biennium goals and initial action items of KKPsiAA.

In particular, these application materials should explain how the interested brother would success in the role of Communications Director on the AABOD.  The Communications Director:

  1. manages the KKPsiAA website and social media platforms,
  2. compiles, edits, and publishes the KKPsiAA publication, The Encore,
  3. drafts and publishes AABOD meeting minutes, announcements, posts, and other communications,
  4. assists other AABOD members in publicizing programs and initiatives of KKPsiAA and its LAAs,
  5. provides monthly updates to the AABOD chair regarding activities or concerns, and
  6. works to find new ways to meet the communication needs of KKPsiAA members.

Please note that there is only one vacancy on the AABOD.  The AABOD will assess all applicants on the basis of their submissions and will seek to select the candidate best suited to undertake the role of Communications Director.  The AABOD seeks to add a member to its ranks that represents the best possible choice and fit for service with the current AABOD members, and it is hopes to identify a member of KKPsiAA whose specific talents, credentials, and passion can bolster the work of our alumni association through that brother’s service as Communications Director.

Please note that the new Communications Director will be expected to attend the 2018 National Leadership Conference in Stillwater, OK from the evening of Thursday, July 12th to the morning of Sunday, July 15th.

If you are not alumni, life, and honorary brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, but you know such a brother who would be an asset to the AABOD, please encourage her or him to submit an application.  If you choose to nominate such brothers, we will be happy to encourage all who are nominated to apply formally for this position.

The AABOD will meet to review, discuss, and vote on all submitted applications on or before May 27th, 2018, with the announcement of the new Communications Director of the AABOD to occur shortly thereafter.

All applications, questions, and nominations should be addressed to Daniel Miller, Chair of the AABOD, at alumni@kkpsi.org.

New LAA Approved: North Central District Alumni Association

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The Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association is very pleased to announce that the North Central District Alumni Association of Kappa Kappa Psi has been recognized as an official Local Alumni Association. This is the KKPsiAA’s 64th Local Alumni Association, and the fifth approved for the 2017-2019 biennium. Congratulations, NCDAA, and welcome!

Reminder Regarding Alumni Involvement with Active Chapters

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Alumni, Life, and Honorary Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi,

In response to the findings of a recent investigation, the National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi has instituted an indefinite ban on all Alumni and Life Members of the Theta Lambda chapter from participating in that Chapter’s events, ceremonies, or activities without the written permission of the University of Memphis Director of Bands or Theta Lambda Chapter Sponsor. This ban, imposed at the request of the University of Memphis Director of Bands, prohibits the Alumni and Life Members of this chapter from attendance and/or participation at any Theta Lambda Chapter functions, including Rituals, social activities, and Membership Education activities. Alumni from other chapters are strongly encouraged to obtain written permission from the University of Memphis Director of Bands or Theta Lambda Chapter Sponsor prior to attending or participating in any Theta Lambda Chapter events.

Actions such as this ban are not imposed by the National Council without careful deliberation, and are undertaken as a response to inappropriate involvement by alumni brothers in active chapters’ activities and functions. As Alumni, Life, and Honorary Brothers of our Fraternity, we are afforded the opportunity to continue our involvement with Kappa Kappa Psi. However, this role also requires us to be mindful of how we interact with Active Brothers and Chapters. The Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Alumni Handbook (available at https://kkpsiaa.kkytbsonline.com/…/KKPsiAA-AlumniHandbook17…) provides guidance regarding alumni involvement with Active Chapters. In summary:

  • Alumni Brothers are welcome to attend publicly announced Chapter events, such as rituals and anniversary events.
  • Alumni Brothers are welcome to attend Chapter events that are not publicly announced, such as regular meetings, if specifically invited to an event by the Chapter.
  • Chapters retain discretion about alumni attendance and participation at their chapter events.
  • A Chapter may decline to invite an alumni brother to an event, even if it has extended such an invitation to one or more other Alumni Brothers.
  • If a Chapter asks an alumni brother to leave an event, the Alumni Brother must respect that Chapter’s decision and depart.

If you are uncertain about how to remain engaged as an Alumni, Life, or Honorary Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, please reach out to any of the members of the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors (as listed at https://kkpsiaa.kkytbsonline.com/board-of-directors). We are available to discuss how you can continue to make worthwhile contributions to our fraternity and its goals through ongoing musicianship, participation in Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association programs, membership in one or more of our local alumni associations, and other avenues for meaningful collaboration. Because our fraternity is fortunate to have a strong group of dedicated alumni brothers, the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors can also direct you to other alumni, life, and honorary brothers who can offer additional insights based on their personal experience.

Kappa Kappa Psi is stronger because our Alumni, Life, and Honorary Brothers are passionate about their ongoing commitment to our fraternity. By taking steps to ensure appropriate involvement with Active Brothers and Chapters, we can pursue our shared goal to “Strive for the Highest.”

AEA,

The Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors

New LAA Approved: Beta Omicron Alumni Association

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The Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association is very pleased to announce that the Beta Omicron Alumni Association has been recognized as an official Local Alumni Association. This is the KKPsiAA’s 63rd Local Alumni Association, and the fourth approved for the 2017-2019 biennium. Congratulations, Beta Omicron AA, and welcome!

New LAA Approved: Theta Epsilon Alumni Association

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The Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association is very pleased to announce that the Theta Epsilon Alumni Association has been recognized as an official Local Alumni Association. This is the KKPsiAA’s 62nd Local Alumni Association, and the third approved for the 2017-2019 biennium. Congratulations, Theta Epsilon AA, and welcome!

Craig Allan Stevens (Alpha Rho) 1975-2018

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Craig A. Stevens, was born March 27, 1975, in Vinita, Oklahoma to Louie and Linda (Hale) Stevens. He graduated from Vinita High School and attended college at Northeastern State University. He passed from this life on February 22, 2018, at the St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, after a sudden illness.
His life was music. He played, sang, listened to and taught music his entire life. At the time of death, he was teaching at Saied Music in Tulsa.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clyde and Lilly Stevens and Glenn and June Hale.


Survivors include: his parents, Louie and Linda Stevens of Bernice; his wife Dana, of the home, step-children, Katy, Hattie and Brewster, all of the home, two sons, Caden and Taylor, both of Carthage, Missouri; one sister, Becky Garoutte and husband Randy of Owasso, one brother, Jeff Stevens and wife Margaret of Belle Plaine, Kansas, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.


The celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Vinita, with Rev. Randy Little officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Vinita. Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com. Friends may give to the City Lights (Night Lite Ministry) 7204 S. Birch Ave. Broken Arrow, OK 74011. Arrangements are by the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral Home of Vinita.

Thomas J. Whelan, III (Gamma Alpha) 1957-2018

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Thomas Joseph Whelan III, 61, died unexpectedly at his home in Richmond, Texas, on Thursday, February 8th.  Better known by his family as Tommy, he was born January 29, 1957 in Denver, Colorado.  His parents, Thomas Jr. and Patricia Whelan would later move to Wichita Falls where Tommy graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1975, and then from Midwestern State University in 1979.  At Notre Dame, Tommy was active in the Boy Scouts, played soccer, and loved playing in the high school band.

At MSU, Tommy’s major was radiologic technology and he was recognized with the Mallinckrodt Award for scholastic excellence and also was the recipient of the Carter McGregor Health Science scholarship.  He would later join as a associate faculty member while at the same time participating the Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Music fraternity where he served as treasurer.

Tommy loved adventure and camping, spelunking, sky diving.  He was a licensed pilot and flew himself to many speaking engagements.  This all worked in his favor with his love for science, travel, and educating others.  Several times his expertise took him to Central America on “Mercy” trips teaching others about the equipment they needed in sonography.  He was sought after as an educator in the fields of echocardiography, abdominal OBGYN, vascular ultrasound, emergency medicine and critical care ultrasound from different parts of the world including Egypt, China, Qatar, Arabia and he even taught at Harvard.  Currently he was employed as a ultra-sonographer for AMN Health Services.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Jennifer whom he married in Athens, Texas, and one son, Trevor Joseph Whelan.  His mother Patricia Disheroon and step-dad, John, and his step-mother, Annie Whelan all live in Wichita Falls.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Grady and Michael, one sister Susan Marie and his grandparents Grady and Marie Cantrell, and also his father who died just a month ago.

The funeral liturgy will be celebrated Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Chapel at 11:30 a.m. with Deacon Jim Bindel as celebrant.

The family has requested that memorials be made to the Notre Dame High School Band.

Gerald Edward Bradshaw (Alpha) 1926-2017

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Gerald Edward Bradshaw met his Savior Jesus Christ face to face on December 16, 2017. There to greet him as well, were his wife Jeanette, sister Allene, parents Claude and Nell, and a rich heritage of family and friends who shared his love of the Lord.

Gerald was born on May 20, 1926 with twin Allene Bradshaw in Memphis, Tennessee. Gerald and his family moved back home in 1938 and he was graduated from Stillwater High School in May 1944 followed by enlistment in the Army Air Corps where he was stationed in Germany with occupational forces. Following V-E Day, Gerald returned to Stillwater, finished his Business degree and was graduated from Oklahoma A&M College in 1949.

His business career in Stillwater formally began upon graduation from OAMC when he joined the Henry Campbell Insurance Agency. Gerald purchased the agency in 1953 and owned and operated it for 60 of its 83 years in existence. In 1956 he married Anna Jeanette Foster and enjoyed fifty-seven fabulous years with his soulmate.

As a young and engaged businessman in Stillwater, Gerald thrived on projects where vision and resources were needed. He and his father Claude were instrumental in the establishment of the Baptist Student Union on the Oklahoma State campus in 1965, which is still serving OSU students today. Bradshaw served the business community in a variety of leadership roles, including Chamber of Commerce, Board of Education, Oklahoma Jaycees, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma, First and Eagle Heights Baptist Churches as well as through the work of the Stillwater Industrial Authority and Payne County Economic Development board.

Father of three, Gerald modeled the importance of civic engagement, balanced with an unwavering and steadfast support of his family and friends. Gerald will be missed by many, including son David Bradshaw and eldest daughter Ann Bradshaw of Houston, daughter and son-in-law Sara and Steve Ray and their children Adam and Katie of Stillwater as well as countless extended family and friends.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers are encouraged to be given to the Stillwater Community Center Foundation, Stillwater Christian School, Stillwater Medical Center Foundation or the Foster-Bradshaw Family Scholarship at Oklahoma Baptist University.

A celebration of Geralds life will be held at Eagle Heights Baptist Church, in Stillwater, Oklahoma at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 21 with a reception following. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 and Wednesday, December 20, 2017 from 9:00am to 8:00pm at the funeral home. Arrangements under the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home.