Indiana Beta (chartered 1947)
Ball State College - Muncie, Indiana
Status: Alumni

Indiana Beta was chartered at Ball State College (now Ball State University) in 1947. The chapter was predominately W.W.II veterans who were on campus with help from the GI Bill. During 1948, weekly meetings were held in an English classroom where 50 to 56 brothers attended regularly.

During the late 1940's and 1950's, Indiana Beta (the only national fraternity at that time on the Ball State campus which also had five local fraternities) prospered on campus, turning out some prominent brothers who had their place in the history and growth of Kappa Sigma Kappa. More notable in the Fraternity's history is Fred Abel (IB-1948) who served as the Grand National President from 1951 to 1958. Under the guidance of George R. Jefferson, the Grand Executive Secretary of KSK located in Fairmont, West Virginia, and assisted by Grand President Fred Abel and the other members of the Grand Lodge, the Fraternity increased in size with an average of 44 chapters in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Great Britain. As some groups would receive charters, a few others would graduate themselves out of existance due to pledging recruitment difficulties.

During the late 1950's and right into the 1962 National Convention, Indiana Beta averaged 40 to 44 active brothers. The size of the chapter, combined with changing times for all Fraternities, had put Indiana Beta into a difficult position. Kappa Sigma Kappa was a Fraternity trying to be different, and, having meager dues requirements, the national office had financially strained its abilities to support the individual chapters desiring to obtain chapter housing. During the early 1960's, the chapter was presented with the option to merge into a larger Fraternity (Theta Xi) which would help the chapters fund such items as the purchase of a new house as well as provide for other luxuries much needed on campus. During the 1962 National convention, Grand National President Dr. William Click, (alumnus of Indiana Beta) and the House of Delegates to that convention held in Detroit, Michigan, agreed to the merger.

Today, Ball State University's Theta Xi chapter still resides in their original KSK chapter house (later purchased during the 1960's). Upon entry into the main foyer, just to the left, is a separate KSK Museum room providing history and historical artifacts of the Kappa Sigma Kappa Fraternity.

For more detailed information on Indiana Beta, including access to brother profiles, log-in using the Brother Services form.