Wikipedia

Kappa Eta Kappa

Kappa Eta Kappa (ΚΗΚ) is an American co-educational professional fraternity 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).[1] As of 2026, Kappa Eta Kappa comprises three active collegiate chapters, three alumni associations, and an estimated lifetime membership of six thousand.

Kappa Eta Kappa
ΚΗΚ
Coat of Arms
FoundedFebruary 10, 1923; 103 years ago (1923-02-10)
University of Iowa
TypeProfessional
AffiliationPFA
Former affiliationPIC
StatusActive
EmphasisElectrical and computer engineering
ScopeNational
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

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 as a professional fraternity for electrical engineering students.[2][3][4] Contemporary newspaper reports described the fraternity as a professional organization for electrical engineers, with organizational work beginning in fall 1922 and formal organization completed on February 10, 1923.[5][6] It was initially established for male students majoring in electrical engineering.[7][8]

There were 25 charter members. Clinton H. Smoke of Iowa City, a senior in applied science, was elected the first president.[5][6] Other charter members included Will D. Crozier, William Nelson, Richard Schump, Leslie T. Tilton, Claude J. Lapp of the physics department, and James R. Eyre.[5][6] Lapp had graduated from Albion College in 1917, received a master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1920, and earned a Ph.D. in physics two years later.[9] The charter members selected three honorary members from the electrical engineering faculty: Arthur H. Ford, head of the electrical engineering department, and professors Glenn K. Pierce and W. E. Schwob.[5][6]

After the founding of the Alpha chapter, other chapters were quickly added.[2] Beta was established in May 1923 at the University of Minnesota, followed by Gamma at the University of Kansas, Delta at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Epsilon at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1924.[2][3] At Wisconsin, the Technical Club, a local organization of electrical engineers, was installed as a chapter of Kappa Eta Kappa on February 9, 1924, following a ceremony conducted by national secretary L. Warren of Minnesota and delegates from the Iowa and Minnesota chapters.[10] The Gamma chapter was installed at the University of Kansas in February 1924 and was described by a contemporary report as the first departmental engineering fraternity installed there.[11]

The Alpha chapter purchased the Tony Smit home at 302 South Linn Street in Iowa City in October 1923, with George C. Johnson of Manning, Iowa, serving as chapter president.[12] The chapter incorporated in May 1924, filing articles with the county recorder; the reported officers were George C. Johnson as president, Harlan W. Bowen as vice president and treasurer, and Orville H. Pullen as secretary.[13] The incorporation report stated that the chapter had no capital stock and that the members sought unity as a fraternal body rather than incorporation for the purpose of building a house.[13]

In 1926, Beta chapter purchased a chapter house at Fulton and Walnut streets SE in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[14] A later report identified the house as 631 Walnut Street SE, stated that it was purchased for $14,500, and described it as containing eleven large rooms and a sleeping porch; the same report listed the chapter's then-current quarters at 1807 Fourth Street SE.[15]

In 1928, the fraternity was a founding member of the Professional Interfraternity Conference (PIC);[16] however, it dropped its membership before PIC merged with the Professional Panhellenic Association to form the Professional Fraternity Association (PFA) in 1977. Kappa Eta Kappa was later again listed as a member of the PFA.[1]

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.[2][3][17] Its national conventions resumed in 1947, and its slow revival culminated in the establishment of Theta at the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1957.[2][18]

Co-education and renewed growth (1980–present)

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In 1981, Kappa Eta Kappa voted to admit women.[2][8] Iota at St. Cloud State University was installed in 1990, and remains active.[2][19][3]

Kappa Eta Kappa celebrated its centenary with coordinated founders’ day programs. Beta hosted a three-day technical symposium and gala in April 2023.[20] Delta followed with a Centennial Banquet on October 12, 2024.[21]

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.[22][23]

Symbols

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Kappa Eta Kappa's 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.[2] Its symbol is the lightning bolt.[2] Its badge is a binding post.[8] Its publication is The Electron.[2]

Membership

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Membership in Kappa Eta Kappa is limited to students in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or related disciplines.[2] Potential members cannot belong to other professional fraternities.[8] Faculty members who teach electrical engineering and graduates who are active in the profession are eligible for honorary membership.[8]

Activities and scholarships

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Kappa Eta Kappa chapters conduct academic, professional, social, and outreach programming for engineering and technical students. The national fraternity describes its members as participating in events, study sessions, and an engineering-focused community.[24] Delta chapter at the University of Wisconsin–Madison describes chapter activities including studying together, professional talks, industry networking, and social events.[25]

Delta chapter has also participated in STEM outreach. In 2024, the chapter took part in the University of Wisconsin–Madison Engineering EXPO, where members presented an interactive Kappa Eta Kappa-themed version of Flappy Bird coded in Python for middle- and high-school students.[26]

Alumni of Beta chapter established the Kappa Eta Kappa Scholarship Fund at the University of Minnesota in 1985. The scholarship supports active Beta members and is awarded based on chapter activities, extracurricular activities, good citizenship, and academic achievement.[27] The Beta Alumni Association later organized the Kappa Eta Kappa Beta Chapter Scholarship Foundation to manage scholarship funds for active Beta members.[28] The foundation is listed by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a tax-exemption ruling date of May 2021.[29]

National Executive Council conventions

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  • 97th annual convention – February 24, 2024 – hosted by Beta chapter (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota).[30]
  • 98th annual convention – February 22, 2025 – hosted by Delta chapter (Madison, Wisconsin).[31][32]
  • Next convention (announced) – February 21, 2026 – hosted by Iota chapter (St. Cloud, Minnesota).[33]

Governance

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The fraternity is governed by a national executive council that is elected at an annual convention.[8] The executive council consists of a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.[8] The vice-president is the editor of the Electron.[8]

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.[8] In the following is a list, active chapters are in bold and inactive chapters are in italics.[2][3]

  1. ↑ Alpha chapter is documented in the University of Iowa Hawkeye yearbook from 1924 through 1932.
  2. ↑ Kappa Eta Kappa membership at the University of Kansas is documented in the 1969 Jayhawker yearbook.
  3. ↑ Chapter formed from the Technical Club (local).
  4. ↑ Epsilon chapter is documented in the 1927 MIT Technique yearbook.
  5. ↑ Zeta chapter is documented in Georgia Tech's Blue Print yearbooks in 1936 and 1941.
  6. ↑ Eta chapter is described as active in the 1939 Kansas State Royal Purple; the 1941 Royal Purple also lists electrical engineering students as Kappa Eta Kappa members.
  7. ↑ Theta chapter's archived website lists Spring 2000 officers and members.

Colonies and expansion

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  • Kappa – University of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois); prospective chapter or expansion effort. In January 2026, the Delta Alumni Association reported that the National Executive Council had been working with an engineering club at the University of Chicago toward forming Kappa chapter, with Delta chapter assisting the effort and planning initiation events for prospective members.[49] A March 2026 University of Chicago article separately described Kappa Eta Kappa at UChicago as a student-led, STEM-focused pre-professional fraternity founded by Tim Yu.[50]

Alumni associations

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AssociationLocation StatusRef.
KHK Beta Alumni AssociationMinneapolis, Minnesota Active[51]
KHK Delta Alumni AssociationMadison, Wisconsin Active[52]
KHK Iota Alumni AssociationSt. Cloud, Minnesota Active[19]

Notable members

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Partnering with the Professional Fraternity Association" (PDF). Professional Fraternity Association. 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Anson, Jack L.; Marchesani Jr., Robert F., eds. (1991). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VII-33. ISBN 978-0-9637159-0-6. OCLC 25278937.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Historical Information". Kappa Eta Kappa National Executive Council. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Engineering Fraternity Formed". The Daily Iowan. Iowa City. February 12, 1923. p. 3.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kappa Eta Kappa is New Fraternity". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. February 12, 1923. p. 10. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "New Fraternity". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Iowa City, Iowa. February 13, 1923. p. 4. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Home". Kappa Eta Kappa - Delta Chapter. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "How to Start a Chapter". Kappa Eta Kappa National Executive Council. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Claude Jerome Lapp papers, 1901–1978". Archives West. Orbis Cascade Alliance. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Engineers at Varsity Join National Frat". The Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin. February 12, 1924. p. 3. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 "Electrical Frat at K. U." The Morning Chronicle. Manhattan, Kansas. February 13, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Personal Chat". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Iowa City, Iowa. October 12, 1923. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 "Kappa Eta Kappa is Incorporated". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Iowa City, Iowa. May 7, 1924. p. 10. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Fraternity Buys Home". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. May 23, 1926. p. 23. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Kappa Eta Kappa Fraternity's New Home". The Minneapolis Journal. Minneapolis, Minnesota. June 6, 1926. p. 35. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "The Proposed Professional Interfraternity Conference" (PDF). The DELTASIG of Delta Sigma Pi. Vol. XX, no. 3. May 1928. pp. 185–190.
  17. ↑ "War and the Engineering Fraternities". The Iowa Engineer. 44 (2): 6–7. December 1944.
  18. ↑ "MSOE Gets Engineering Fraternity". Milwaukee Sentinel. April 8, 1957. p. 18.
  19. 1 2 "Iota Alumni Association – Kappa Eta Kappa". Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Founders Day 2023 Recap". KHK Beta Alumni Association. May 15, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Delta Chapter Centennial Celebration". KHK Delta Chapter. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Δ Chapter Constitution and Bylaws". University of Wisconsin–Madison. November 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Mission Statement". Kappa Eta Kappa - National. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Kappa Eta Kappa". Kappa Eta Kappa. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Kappa Eta Kappa – Delta Chapter". Kappa Eta Kappa Delta Chapter. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  26. ↑ Rollins, Jack (October 10, 2024). "Spring Semester Recap!". Kappa Eta Kappa Delta Chapter. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Undergraduate Scholarships". Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Kappa Eta Kappa Beta Chapter Scholarship Foundation". GiveMN. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Kappa Eta Kappa Beta Chapter Scholarship Foundation". ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  30. ↑ "NEC Annual Meeting Flyer 2024" (PDF). Delta Alumni Association of Kappa Eta Kappa. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  31. ↑ "National Executive Council Meeting". Kappa Eta Kappa – Delta Chapter. February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  32. ↑ "January 2025 Newsletter" (PDF). Delta Alumni Association of Kappa Eta Kappa. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Homecoming 2025 Newsletter" (PDF). Delta Alumni Association of Kappa Eta Kappa. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Index to Photographs of Groups Appearing in the University of Iowa Hawkeye, 1893–1942". University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections and Archives. Retrieved May 22, 2026. Fraternities- Kappa Eta Kappa- Engineering. 1924: 351; 1925: 414; 1926: 454;1927: 428; 1928: 436; 1929: 421; 1930: 419; 1931: 431; 1932: 447
  35. 1 2 3 "Chapters". Kappa Eta Kappa. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Welcome". Kappa Eta Kappa: Beta Chapter. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Jayhawker 1969 – Seniors". E-Yearbook. Retrieved May 22, 2026. GHAFARIZADEH, FRED, Tehran, Iran Elect. Engr. Kappa Eta Kappa; P-t-P; KU-Y; International Club; KU Chess Club.
  38. ↑ "About". Kappa Eta Kappa - Delta Chapter. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Technique 1927 – Kappa Eta Kappa". Internet Archive. Retrieved May 22, 2026. Kappa Eta Kappa ... CHAPTER ROLL ... Epsilon Massachusetts Institute of Technology ... Epsilon Chapter — Established 1924
  40. ↑ The Technique March 16-17, 1928
  41. ↑ "Blue Print 1936 – Kappa Eta Kappa". Georgia Tech Digital Repository. Retrieved May 22, 2026. KAPPA ETA KAPPA ... The local chapter, which had formerly been known as the High Tension Club, was installed in 1928.
  42. ↑ "Blue Print 1941 – Kappa Eta Kappa". Georgia Tech Digital Repository. Retrieved May 22, 2026. A. I. E. E.; Kappa Eta Kappa
  43. ↑ "Royal Purple 1938 – Kappa Eta Kappa". Internet Archive. Retrieved May 22, 2026. Kansas State Eta chapter of Kappa Eta Kappa has fellowship and good scholarship among electrical engineering students for its objectives.
  44. ↑ "Royal Purple 1939 – Kappa Eta Kappa". Internet Archive. Retrieved May 22, 2026. The local Eta chapter is active in all campus activities and played an important role in the success of Engineers' Open House
  45. ↑ "Royal Purple 1941 – Engineering". E-Yearbook. Retrieved May 22, 2026. Electrical Engineering Kappa Eta Kappa; Eta Kappa Nu
  46. ↑ Matt Bertsch
  47. ↑ "Theta Membership in 2000". Kappa Eta Kappa Theta Chapter. Retrieved May 22, 2026. {{cite web}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  48. ↑ "About Us". Kappa Eta Kappa Iota Active Chapter. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  49. ↑ "January 2026 Newsletter" (PDF). Delta Alumni Association of Kappa Eta Kappa. January 23, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026. the National Executive Council has been in contact with an engineering club at the University of Chicago, who are interested in forming a new chapter of Kappa Eta Kappa
  50. ↑ Maxson, Lily (March 25, 2026). "Inside UChicago's pre-professional fraternities". The College, University of Chicago. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  51. ↑ "KHK Beta Alumni Association". Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  52. ↑ "KHK Delta Alumni Association". Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  53. ↑ "ECE Professor David Anderson retires". College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison. July 20, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  54. ↑ "January 2024 Newsletter (Delta Alumni Association of Kappa Eta Kappa)" (PDF). Delta Alumni Association. January 25, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Curriculum Vitae – Paul Barford" (PDF). Computer Sciences User Pages, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  56. ↑ "Paul Barford". University of Wisconsin–Madison Experts Database. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  57. ↑ Curriculum Vitae – John H. Booske (PDF), retrieved July 4, 2025
  58. ↑ Filling of a Vacancy in the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution (PDF) (Report). United States House of Representatives. March 13, 1940. Retrieved May 22, 2026. Alpha Tau Omega, Tau Beta Pi, Kappa Eta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa
  59. ↑ Feldman, C. B. (September 1953). "Information Theory" (PDF). Bell Laboratories Record. 31 (9): 326–332. Retrieved May 22, 2026. Holder of a B.S. degree in E.E. (1926) and the M.S. degree in E.E. (1928) from the University of Minnesota. He is a Fellow of the I.R.E. and a member of Kappa Eta Kappa.
  60. ↑ "Blue Print 1941 (Georgia Tech yearbook) – School of Electrical Engineering". Georgia Tech Digital Repository. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  61. ↑ "Leslie E. Flory". Engineering & Technology History Wiki. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  62. ↑ Ford, Arthur (January 1, 1911). "Illuminating Engineering - A New Profession". Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science. 18 (1): 119–121. ISSN 0085-2236.
  63. ↑ "DAA-January-2026-Newsletter" (PDF). Delta Alumni Association of Kappa Eta Kappa. January 23, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026. D Goshaw Prof. Alfred T D532
  64. ↑ "Alfred T. Goshaw". Scholars@Duke. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  65. ↑ "APS Fellows". Scholars@Duke. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  66. ↑ "Memorial Resolution of the Faculty of the University of Wisconsin–Madison on the Death of Professor Emeritus Richard A. Greiner (Faculty Document 2575)" (PDF). University of Wisconsin–Madison. November 2, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  67. ↑ "Badger Vol. 78 (1963) – Kappa Eta Kappa (mentions Dr. Greiner as faculty advisor and NEC president)". UW Digital Collections, UW–Madison Libraries. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  68. ↑ "Susan Hagness". College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  69. ↑ "Oscar B. Hason December 1938" (PDF). Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers. 26 (12): 1416. December 1938.
  70. ↑ "O. B. Hanson, RCA–NBC Radio and TV Pioneer, Dies" (PDF). RCA Engineer. 1982. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  71. ↑ "John Charles Kettner Obituary". Wichmann Funeral Homes. October 11, 2018. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  72. ↑ "DAA_January_2025" (PDF). Delta Alumni Association of Kappa Eta Kappa. January 23, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2026. Oghalai Dr. John S D1015
  73. ↑ "John S. Oghalai, M.D. – Curriculum Vitae" (PDF). University of Southern California. February 4, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2026. Kappa Eta Kappa electrical engineering fraternity
  74. ↑ "John S. Oghalai". USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  75. ↑ "Official Obituary for Edwin H Perkins". Conte Funeral Homes. October 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  76. ↑ "DAA-January-2026-Newsletter" (PDF). Delta Alumni Association of Kappa Eta Kappa. January 23, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026. Saluja Kewal K D1236H
  77. ↑ "Saluja, Kewal". College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  78. ↑ Chin, Tai-Lin; Clouqueur, Thomas; Ramanathan, Parameswaran; Saluja, Kewal K. (July 2006). "Vulnerability of Surveillance Networks to Faults". International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks. 2 (3): 289–311. Retrieved May 22, 2026. Professor Saluja is a member of Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi, a fellow of the JSPS, and a Fellow of the IEEE.
  79. ↑ History of Tift County. Tift County Historical Society. Retrieved November 4, 2025. While studying at Tech to be an electrical engineer, George was a member of the Kappa Eta Kappa, honorary electrical engineering society … Assigned to a B-24 Liberator Bomber, Lieutenant Sutton was sent overseas in 1943 and was killed in England, February 3, 1944.
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