The History of Upsilon

On June 11, 1928, a charter was granted and the local organization of Delta Mu Sigma became the Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, the twentieth chapter of the fraternity. The chapter was installed by Scott P. Squyers, Grand Secretary of the Fraternity, during Bohumil Makovsky's term as Grand President. The charter members were:

Francis R. Todd - President

Forrest R. Nagley - Vice President

William J. Grabo - Secretary

Oscar T. Egolf - Treasurer

Charles H Richardson - Editor

Lowell T. Aistrup

Raymond S. Carskadon

M. Clyde Condrey

Frederick W. Crebs

Vernon E. Durran

Harold C. Hull

Carroll M. Jensen

Rex O. Lobough

Wm. Clemmer Mitchell

Phillip H. Riddinger

Carl S. Sattler

Robert E. Watkins

Carlo M. Webber

Rupert A. Anderegg (Honorary)

Sgt. Victor Norling (Honorary)

Ralph A. Van Wye (Honorary)

During the next few years, Upsilon took an active part in the growth of the student band organization, becoming a nucleus of leadership for the band. The Fraternity actively supported the Band Sponsor theme. It was the pledges’ responsibility to build the float from which the new Band Sponsor emerged. In 1930, Upsilon introduced the annual Outstanding Freshman Award, presenting the first such award to Albert T. Zeldenrubt.

The growth and strength of the Upsilon Chapter was recognized in 1939 when the University of Cincinnati was chosen as the site of the Ninth Biennial Convention. We are told that this convention was a turning point in the history of Kappa Kappa Psi. It was here that the delegates were faced with the decision of whether to close the books and become inactive or to reorganize the National Organization; set in on a more sound financial base and set in motion an expansion program that would advance the Fraternity inevery section of the United States. So it was that Kappa Kappa Psi was recreated and a new Constitution drafted and adopted. Upsilon Charter Member, Francis R. Todd, was elected Grand President to oversee this important and delicate task. Joseph W. Davis, also of Upsilon Chapter, was elected Grand Editor.

When the United States entered World War II in 1941, activities began to be curtailed as many Brothers joined the Military Services. At the end of the 1943 school year, Upsilon became inactive. In fact only five out of 45 Kappa Kappa Psi chapters remained active during the war years. When the chapter reactivated in 1946, it began a slow period of rebuilding along with the band. The Chapter supervised and assisted in the organization of Tau Beta Sigma at the University of Cincinnati. The Theta Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma received its charter on May 31, 1947, becoming the eighth chapter in the nation.

In March of 1964, Upsilon and Theta hosted the District VII Convention and the decade proved to be very busy for both chapters. Information is thin, but an Upsilon Alumni Chapter existed in 1964 under Frank George. In 1965, Upsilon Chapter succeeded in establishing the Delta Phi Chapter at the Xavier University. In 1969, Upsilon assisted Theta in setting up the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at Miami University. That same year, both of the University of Cincinnati chapters were recognized as being one of the Top Ten Chapters in the nation for our respective organizations.

In 1970, Upsilon guided in the establishment of the Epsilon Xi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Miami University. Upsilon has held 30^th , 40^th and 50^th year reunions and attempted, without success, a 60^th. The 50^th year reunion banquet was held at the Quality Inn Riverview in Covington, Kentucky on February 17, 1979 with 52 members attending. Some of the distinguished guests were District VII President Dave Workman, District VII Governor Alan H. Drake, District VII Counselor (Tau Beta Sigma) Evalyn Drake and Upsilon Charter Members Vernon E. Curran, Phillip H. Riddinger, Carlo M. Weber. As with the 40^th, the highlight event of the 50^th year reunion was the Third Degree initiation of the Pledge Class, VIUUS.

The late 70s and early 80s were a period of great change for Upsilon. The Chapter had been slowly fading away until the arrival of Randy Bass in 1978. Under Brother Bass's guidance, the Membership Education Program was completely rewritten (and remains very much the same, even to this day). The new program brought renewed life to the Chapter and its members.

In April of 1980, Upsilon was awarded the Governor’s Cup Award as the most outstanding chapter in District VII. Upsilon also received the Chapter Participation Award for bring the greatest percentage of its chapter the farthest to attend the District VII Convention held at Michigan State University. Additionally, Upsilon colonized Iota Mu at Kentucy State University. In the Springs of 1981 and 1982, Upsilon again received the coveted Governor’s Cup Award.

In August of 1981, Upsilon and Theta hosted the National Biennial Convention. Once again, this proved to be a turning point in the history of Kappa Kappa Psi. The goals of the Fraternity were evaluated and reestablished, with purposes and ideals emphasized. The Constitution was organized into a new Constitution with supplementary Bylaws (2 complete documents). Dr. Terrence G. Milligan, Director of the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands and Upsilon Sponsor, was also appointed District VII Governor at this Convention.

In the Spring of 1986, Upsilon received the Golden Typewriter Award for submitting the most Kadenza and Podium articles in District VII and also received the Chapter Participation Award. In the Spring of 1987, Upsilon again received the Golden Typewriter Award, the Chapter Participation Award, and also the Outstanding Service Project Award for the design and building of the band office and lounge in Laurence Hall.

In the Fall of 1987 Upsilon and Theta began colonizing Cumberland College in Kentucky. Cumberland College prior to this year did not allow any fraternities and sororities to be established on their campus. The Kappa Kappa Psi colony was activated in the Spring of 1990.

At the 1989 North Central District Convention, Upsilon and Theta were awarded the Outstanding Display Award and received the North Central District 1990 Convention Bid. Also at the 1989 National Biennial Convention, Upsilon and Theta received the J. Lee Burke Display Award along with the honor of being one of the Top Ten Chapters in the nation.

Upsilon also had another active year in 1990. It initiated Cumberland College as well as jointly hosting the North Central District Convention with Theta. Upsilon and Theta also jointly bought mellophones for the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands. Honorary memberships were given to Dr. Simon Anderson, Pat Brooks and Dan Duffy for their many contributions to the Bands and Upsilon.

At the North Central District Convention of 1991, the Brothers of Upsilon were recognized for outstanding leadership and service to the Bearcat Bands and the district as a whole by being awarded the Governor’s Cup once again. This marked the return of the coveted award to Upsilon, after only a brief absence.

The Outstanding Service Project Award returned to Cincinnati in 1994 for Upsilon and Theta’s contributions in bringing back a marching festival to Cincinnati. Marching Madness evolved the following year into a Bands of America Regional, reflecting on the job done by the University, the UC Band, and the service organizations. Upsilon and Theta also donated several concert band instruments to the UC Band that Spring.

A Freshman Scholarship was created in the Fall of 1995 and awarded to three deserving additions to the UC Band. Upsilon and Theta purchased new Podiums for the marching band in 1996 and continue to search for new and innovative ways to serve the UC Band, the district and the community. As the 1997 marching season began, band members were blessed with flip folders, containing all the school songs, as well as stand songs. The flip folders were partially bought and completely assembled by Upsilon and Theta.

During the District Convention of 1998, Upsilon received the Exemplary Services to Bands Award. This new award was created solely for the Upsilon Chapter. Upsilon originally bid for the Outstanding Service Project Award. Instead, the North Central District Officers felt that this achievement was worth more. We received this award for The Compendium of College Marching Bands, which is a nationwide catalog of universities' information about their bands. This information includes size, marching style, and many other things.

In March of 2000, Upsilon and Theta hosted the North Central District Convention. We were told by many of the attendees that the Convention was the most organized and well-planned Convention they had ever been to.

In 2001, thirty of 34 actives traveled over 200 miles to attend NCD convention in Ann Arbor, Michigan. At the convention, Upsilon received TWO national service certificates: One for donating $450 to Deer Park High School's trip to Florida, and one for working jointly to reduce band dues. This was the first time ever in Fraternity history for any chapter to be awarded two certificates in one year. Many years of hard work were recognized by District Governor Malinda Matney when she presented the Governor's Cup to Upsilon, once again marking it's return to the chapter. Additionally, she announced to all gathered there that Upsilon had been selected as one of the top 14 KKPsi chapters in the nation, which made Upsilon eligible to bid for the William A. Scroggs Founders Trophy.

Also in 2001, Upsilon built marcato, the new UC Band server. The server hosts websites for Upsilon, Theta, the UC Bands, the UC Band Alumni Association, The Compendium of College Marching Bands, and the Joint Upsilon/Theta Alumni Association, as well as for several sections within the UC Band, including the trumpet line and trombone section. The server also hosts mailing lists for many of the previously mentioned organizations and runs the SQL database engine that powers the Online Database of Upsilon Brothers, the UC Band Web discussion boards, and (soon) The Compendium.

During the 2001-2002 school year, UPSILON was the advising Chapter to the colony at Northern Kentucky University, which went on to become the Kappa Omega Chapter upon installation. Sixteen new members were inducted into the fraternity by then National Vice President for Colonization and Membership Mr. Michael Kevin Osborn (pookie).

2002-2003 rang in Upsilon’s 75th Anniversary. This celebration was marked by the 3rd degree initiation of our newest class KODEXIII. Several Alumni and brothers from decades past were present including some notable; Randol Bass (MEP author ’79), David West (GHAF ’81, Drum Major), and others. The banquet was held in the then temporary Great Hall “bubble” near the Alumni Center while TUC was under renovation. The hallmark of the day was the surprise performance of High Adventure, a piece our sisters of Theta commissioned by Brother Randol Bass in secret, to celebrate the occasion. The dedication was truly astonishing as brothers past and present watched sisters and alumni perform the piece in Zimmer Hall’s modest concert stage. Theta later received the Counselor’s Cup for their efforts with High Adventure, a distinction the brothers continue to recognize today. Later that summer Brothers Nick DelleCave and Chris Kannel (DUCK16ONE ‘00) were invited by Brother Bass to Dallas, Texas to perform the Texas Premiere of High Adventure with the Dallas Metropolitan Winds at the Meyerson Center. The world-class performance and dedication was professionally recorded for perpetuity.

2003-2004 was centered on our bi-annual National Chapter Field Representative (CFR) visit. Brother Adam Cantley (Omicron, WVU) visited Upsilon in the late fall checking in on progress and direction. To his delight he discovered that UPSILON was in top shape. In his final comments document he complimented us on a strong service and membership system, an outstanding constitution, which echoed Brother Derrick Mills (CFR 2001-2002, Eta, OSU) comments from the previous visit, and most importantly our organization and goal setting system included in our Chapter Development Program (CDP). The comments afforded us some reflection on future direction and have implemented new programs with particular emphasis on fundraising, which continues to be a strong point for UPSILON. Fundraising for year 2003-2004 rang in at over $15,000 in band service a 300% increase from 1999-2000.

2004-2005 brought with it new challenges and opportunities for Upsilon. The chapter constructed 9 large portable uniform boxes to assist with the travel of the marching band uniforms to away events. The boxes took several weeks and hundreds of man-hours to produce. In May ’05 UPSILON assisted with the relocation of the bands facilities from the old Armory Field House lobby to the new multi-million dollar Rockwern Band Center, named for the generous $1.2 million endowment donated to our band program. Later in June, Upsilon and Theta were asked to host the National Convention in Lexington, KY by National Executive Director Col. Alan Bonner Ret. Our numbers and technology planning were requested to assist with the implementation and execution of duties there. 20 Brothers and 13 Sisters headed to Lexington and were organized into shifts helping with Committee Running, IT Support, Headquarters Staff, and Registration. Brother Nick DelleCave and Sister Kellie Cozart were the convention coordinators juggling the task of attending the convention and assisting in its execution. Brother Ryan Leitz held down the fort putting in more hours than required and becoming wholly integrated into the convention's success. Both chapters were lauded with praise for their efforts. We received the Host Chapter Award at the Convention Awards banquet.

At the 2006 NCD Convention, Upsilon and Theta were awarded the privilege of hosting the 2007 NCD Convention themed NCD: Experience the Royal Skyline. The chapters are hosting the event at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center with Convention Coordinators Rob Jaques (wackjirb ‘05) and Kellie Cozart (clong ‘03). The hotel and convention center sit on the banks of the Ohio River.

In September of 2006, Upsilon partnered with Cincinnati Bell to donate a brand new $925 podium to the Taft High School Marching Band. Taft High School is a local inner city school in need of financial assistance.

Click here to see Upsilon District officers