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Kappa Eta Kappa

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Kappa Eta Kappa
ΚΗΚ
Coat of Arms
FoundedFebruary 10, 1923; 102 years ago (1923-02-10)
University of Iowa
TypeProfessional
AffiliationPFA
Former affiliationPIC
StatusActive
EmphasisElectrical and computer engineering
ScopeNational
Motto“Believing that the attainment of education as well as technical training is the aim of all true engineers.”
Member badge
Colors  Purple and   Gold
SymbolLightning bolt
PublicationThe Electron
Chapters3 active, 6 inactive
Members≈ 6,000 lifetime
Headquarters114 North Orchard Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53715
United States
Websitekhk.org

Kappa Eta Kappa (ΚΗΚ) is an American co-educational professional fraternity and sorority for students of electrical engineering, computer engineering, and allied technical fields. Founded in 1923 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, it is a member of the Professional Fraternity Association (PFA). As of 2025, Kappa Eta Kappa comprises three active collegiate chapters, three alumni associations, and an estimated lifetime membership of six thousand.

History

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Founding and early expansion (1923–1941)

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Kappa Eta Kappa was founded on February 10, 1923 at the State University of Iowa (now the University of Iowa) in Iowa City, Iowa by fourteen electrical engineering students.[1][2][3] However, efforts to form the fraternity began the prior year.[4] It was established as a professional fraternity for male students who were majoring in electrical engineering.[5][6] There were 25 charter members, including its first president Clinton H. Smoke, Will D. Crozier, William Nelson, Richard Schump, Leslie T. Tilton, and professors Claude H. Lapp and James R. Eyre.[4][7] The charter members selected three honorary members from the electrical engineering faculty: Arthur K. Ford, head of the electrical engineering department, and professors Glenn K. Pierce and W. E. Schwob.[4][7]

After the founding of the Alpha chapter, other chapters were quickly added.[1] Beta was established in May 1923 at the University of Minnesota, followed by Gamma at Kansas University, Delta at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Epsilon at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1924.[1][2][8]

The Alpha chapter purchased a chapter house on South Linn Street in Iowa City in October 1923.[9] The chapter incorporated in May 1924.[10] In May 1926, Beta chapter purchased a chapter house with eleven rooms on 631 Walnut Street SE in Minneapolis, Minnesotain.[11][12]

In 1928, the fraternity was a founding member of the Professional Interfraternity Conference (PIC);[13] however, it dropped its membership before PIC merged with the Professional Panhellenic Association to form the Professional Fraternity Association (PFA) in 1977.

Wartime contraction and revival (1941–1979)

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World War II mobilization reduced Kappa Eta Kappa's enrollments so sharply that by 1944, only two chapters remained active.[1][2][14] Its national conventions resumed in 1947; with its slow revival culminating in the establishment of Theta at the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1957.[1][15]

Co-education and renewed growth (1980–present)

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In 1981, Kappa Eta Kappa voted to admit women.[1][6] The organization now calls itself a professional co-ed science and engineering fraternity and sorority.[16] Iota at St. Cloud State University was installed in 1990, and remains active.[1][17][18] The fraternity joined the Professional Fraternity Association in 2016.

Kappa Eta Kappa celebrated its centenary with coordinated founders’ day programs. Beta hosted a three-day technical symposium and gala in April 2023.[19] Delta followed with a Centennial Banquet on October 12, 2024.[20]

Mission

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Kappa Eta Kappa's mission statement is:

Believing that the attainment of education as well as technical training is the aim of all true engineers, we band ourselves together to foster and promote fraternal relationships among the Electrical Engineering students; to strive at all times for the maintenance of a complete and lasting understanding and fellowship between the faculty and students; to unceasingly cherish and develop character and ideals of service as necessary attributes of the profession.[21][22]

Symbols

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Kappa Eta Kappa's motto is “Believing that the attainment of education as well as technical training is the aim of all true engineers.”[21] Its coat of arms is a quarterly shield in purple and gold and bears the instruments of the electrical profession. The fraternity's colors are purple and gold.[1] Its symbol is the lightning bolt.[1] Its badge is a binding post.[6] Its publication is The Electron.[1]

Membership

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Membership in Kappa Eta Kappa is limited to students in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or related disciplines.[1] Potential members cannot belong to other professional fraternities.[6] Faculty members who teach electrical engineering and graduates who are active in the profession are eligible for an honorary members.[6]

Kappa Eta Kapa is co-educational.[16] As of 2025, it has initiated 6,000 members.

Activities

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Chapters provide exam files, peer tutoring, industry lectures, social events, and STEM-outreach projects such as the 2024 University of Wisconsin–Madison Engineering EXPO.[23]

The Beta Alumni Association manages the Kappa Eta Kappa Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) endowment established in 2021.[24] Alumni of the Beta chapter established the Kappa Eta Kappa Scholarship at the University of Minnesota in 1985, awarding scholarships to active members of the chapter.[25]

Governance

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The fraternity is governed by a national executive council that is elected at an annual convention.[6] The executive council consists of a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.[6] The vice-president is the editor of the Electron.[6]

Chapters

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Collegiate chapters

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The collegiate chapters of Kappa Eta Kappa are designated by letters of the Greek alphabet.[6] In the following is a list, active chapters are in bold and inactive chapters are in italics.[1][26]

Chapter Charter date and range Institution Location Status References
Alpha February 10, 1923 – 1944 ? University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa Inactive [3][4]
Beta May 26, 1923 – 1968;
1970 		University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota Active [27][28]
Gamma February 2, 1924 – 1968 University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Inactive [29]
Delta February 9, 1924 University of Wisconsin–Madison Madison, Wisconsin Active [27][30][8][a]
Epsilon May 17, 1924 – 1944 ? Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts Inactive
Zeta April 6, 1928–1944 ? Georgia Tech Atlanta, Georgia Inactive [31]
Eta May 9, 1935 – 1944 ? Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas Inactive
Theta April 6, 1957 - >1994 Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, Wisconsin Inactive [32]
Iota November 11, 1990 St. Cloud State University St. Cloud, Minnesota Active [27][33]
  1. ^ Chapter formed from the Technical Club (local).

Alumni associations

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Association Location Status Reference
KHK Beta Alumni Association Minneapolis, Minnesota Active [34]
KHK Delta Alumni Association Madison, Wisconsin Active [35]
KHK Iota Alumni Association St. Cloud, Minnesota Active [17]

Notable members

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991). Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation. p. VII-33. ISBN 978-0-9637159-0-6.
  2. ^ a b c "Historical Information". Kappa Eta Kappa National Executive Council. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Engineering Fraternity Formed". The Daily Iowan. Iowa City. February 12, 1923. p. 3.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Kappa Eta Kappa is New Fraternity". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. February 12, 1923. p. 10. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Home". Kappa Eta Kappa - Delta Chapter. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "How to Start a Chapter". Kappa Eta Kappa National Executive Council. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "New Fraternity". Iowa City Press-Citizen. February 13, 1923. p. 4. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b "Engineers at Varsity Join National Frat". The Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin. February 12, 1924. p. 3. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Personal Chat". Iowa City Press-Citizen. October 12, 1923. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Kappa Eta Kappa is Incorporated". Iowa City Press-Citizen. May 7, 1924. p. 10. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Fraternity Buys Home". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. May 23, 1926. p. 23. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Kappa Eta Kappa Fraternity's New Home". The Minneapolis Journal. June 6, 1926. p. 35. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "The Proposed Professional Interfraternity Conference" (PDF). The DELTASIG of Delta Sigma Pi. Vol. XX, no. 3. May 1928. pp. 185–190.
  14. ^ "War and the Engineering Fraternities". The Iowa Engineer. 44 (2): 6–7. December 1944.
  15. ^ "MSOE Gets Engineering Fraternity". Milwaukee Sentinel. April 8, 1957. p. 18.
  16. ^ a b "Kappa Eta Kappa". Kappa Eta Kappa. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  17. ^ a b "Iota Alumni Association – Kappa Eta Kappa". Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  18. ^ "Historical Information". Kappa Eta Kappa National Executive Council. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  19. ^ "Founders Day 2023 Recap". KHK Beta Alumni Association. May 15, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  20. ^ "Delta Chapter Centennial Celebration". KHK Delta Chapter. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Δ Chapter Constitution and Bylaws". University of Wisconsin–Madison. November 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  22. ^ "Mission Statement". Kappa Eta Kappa - National. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  23. ^ "2024 Engineering EXPO Exhibitor Booklet" (PDF). UW-Madison College of Engineering. April 19, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  24. ^ "KHK Beta Scholarship Foundation". Give MN. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  25. ^ "Undergraduate Scholarships | College of Science & Engineering". University of Minnesota. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  26. ^ "Historical Information". Kappa Eta Kappa National Executive Council. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  27. ^ a b c "Chapters". Kappa Eta Kappa. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  28. ^ "Welcome". Kappa Eta Kappa: Beta Chapter. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  29. ^ "Electrical Frat at K. U." The Morning Chronicle. Manhattan, Kansas. February 13, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "About". Kappa Eta Kappa - Delta Chapter. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  31. ^ The Technique March 16-17, 1928
  32. ^ Matt Bertsch
  33. ^ "About Us". Kappa Eta Kappa Iota Active Chapter. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  34. ^ "KHK Beta Alumni Association". Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  35. ^ "KHK Delta Alumni Association". Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  36. ^ Curriculum Vitae – John L. Booske (PDF), retrieved July 4, 2025
  37. ^ "Leslie E. Flory". Engineering & Technology History Wiki. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  38. ^ Ford, Arthur (January 1, 1911). "Illuminating Engineering - A New Profession". Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science. 18 (1): 119–121. ISSN 0085-2236.
  39. ^ "Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers". 26 (12). December 1938: 1566. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  40. ^ "O. B. Hanson, RCA–NBC Radio and TV Pioneer, Dies" (PDF). RCA Engineer. 1982. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  41. ^ "John Charles Kettner Obituary". Wichmann Funeral Homes. October 11, 2018. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  42. ^ "Official Obituary for Edwin H Perkins". Conte Funeral Homes. October 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  43. ^ "Howard John Pramann". Duluth News Tribune. August 14, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  44. ^ "Donald H Smith". Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home. August 22, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
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