In 1919, a movement started among college and university band members to increase interest in band music. On May 2, 1938, Northeastern State University followed suit with the chartering of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. The twenty charter members were: Anton Andersib, Matthew A. Tyer, Norman White, Lyndall J. Avery, George M. Brown, Jr., Robert Brown, Maurice P. Capehart, C.J. Chandler, Jr., Bob Clopton, Clifford B. Fleming, Willie M. Foster, Fred Gesin, Kyle J. Hobbs, Joe Humphrey, Carl E. King, John W. Plummer, Ed Rankin, Frank C. Robinson, Arthur B. Wright, and R.E. McCormick (Director). These early members started a tradition that continued until 1955.
        At that time, a decline in the number of band members and pledges at NSU led to Alpha Rho becoming an inactive chapter in the Spring of 1955. Eleven years later, Dr. Lowell Lehman began a rebuilding process within the chapter.
        The charter members of the reactivated Alpha Rho were Ted Browning, Thomas Stroup, Ronnie Carter, Mike Killiher, Garry Martin, Larry Hirron, Bill Newland, Charles Snider, Robert Lovett, Charles Ferguson, James Benedetto, Donald Farmer, Mark D. Coverstone, Goodwin K. Cobb, Dennis I. Mullins, Jr., Allen S. Simmons, Jr., Bill Rauch, Jerry Wayne Forbes, Walt Sinclair, and Dennis Simmons. Reactivation was completed on November 19, 1968.
        The building process continued for many years. It culminated in success in 1979 when Alpha Rho won the Founder's Trophy at National Convention. Much of this success is attributed to the president of the chapter, Brother Mike Dill. Alpha Rho has also had four members of the NIB. They were Lowell Lehman, Mark Cole, Todd Curry and B.J. O'Shea (2007)..
        In 2001, Alpha Rho once again decided to "Strive for the Highest." With their goals set firmly in mind, the Brothers worked hard to serve the band and the Fraternity and returned from Southwest District Convention with the D.O. Wiley Award, A Superior Achievement Award, the Steve Nelson History Award, the Superior Achievement Award, and the Chapter Percentage Award. Brother Zack Hawkins was also selected to serve the District as Parliamentarian. At the 2002 District Convention in Oklahoma City, Alpha Rho was chosen as the home of Andy the Armadillo for a year.
        In the 2003-2004 school year, the Brothers of the chapter once more set their eyes on being one of the best and most spirited chapters in the Southwest District and in the Nation. Through a number of service projects and fundraisers designed to help the NSU Band program, the chapter proved that it is among the best. And the spirit showed through at District Convention, where it was a never ended contest between the Brothers of Alpha Rho and Epsilon Beta to proved who was the loudest and most spirited.

Awards Won