University of Arkansas Will Have Two New Fraternities in Fall 2012

The University of Arkansas will have two new North American Interfraternity Conference fraternities, Beta Theta Pi and Kappa Alpha Order,  in fall 2012. The university Interfraternity Council voted unanimously on April 17 to colonize these two chapters.

“We are truly excited about Beta and KA! We are looking forward to the traditions they will bring to campus and the opportunity for more men to join an ever-growing Greek community,” said Mark Machen, president of the Interfraternity Council.  

Both fraternities were chosen based upon their academic excellence, philanthropy and educational programming initiatives as well as alumni support and development.

“We are incredibly excited about joining the Arkansas Greek community and larger Razorback family," said Judson Horras, administrative secretary from Beta’s administrative office in Oxford, Ohio. "It’s no secret that Beta has been interested in opening a chapter in Fayetteville for a considerable number of years. We believe the student interest, campus culture and university support are superb matches for the type of chapter we intend to grow and nurture in the coming years.”

The decision to add new fraternities was initially passed in November 2011 in response to the increased membership growth and the desire to continue to provide manageable new member classes for fraternity chapters. Last fall, the announcement was made to North American Interfraternity Conference organizations, and the university received seven applications from interested fraternities. The Interfraternity Council expansion committee, composed of undergraduate and alumni representatives, then formed to review materials and invited four groups to make formal presentations to the campus.

“Kappa Alpha Order has enjoyed a proud history at the University of Arkansas,” said Larry Stanton Wiese, Kappa Alpha’s executive director. “Our national staff and alumni could not be more pleased with the opportunity to build on that tradition in Fayetteville. We wish to thank the IFC and administration for granting us — and, more so, the students who will become members of Kappa Alpha Order — the occasion to return.”

Beta Theta Pi was founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and consists of approximately 8,000 undergraduates on 120 campuses throughout the United States and Canada. The fraternity also serves 125,000 living-alumni members, more than 1,000 volunteers, countless friends of Beta and the parents of all undergraduates. Kappa Alpha Order (known as “KA” or “the Order,”) was founded at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va. The fraternity has grown to more than 120 chapters across the country, with a diverse base of undergraduate members. More than 150,000 men have joined the order since its founding with over 117,000 initiated members living today. Kappa Alpha Order’s chapter at the University of Arkansas was originally chartered in 1895 and was the third fraternity founded on campus.  

“Beta and KA are known nationally for investing valuable resources in their members as well as the fraternal movement across the country. We also believe both organizations would be competitive chapters that would attract high caliber members from day one,” said Parice S. Bowser, director of Greek Life. “Our community is truly excited to welcome Beta and KA to our Razorback family!”

National representatives from both groups will be on campus May 2 to begin conversations with the university regarding public relations and marketing efforts for fall recruitment as well as hosting an interest meeting with any prospective new members on May 3. For more information, please contact the Greek Life office at gogreek@uark.edu.