Kappa Alpha, one of three fraternities on campus, received the George C. Marshall Award of Chapter Excellence last spring, the first one in Missouri Sothern’s history. This is awarded to the top chapter in the nation in recognition of its superior operations and performance. This award is the fraternity adaptation of the prestigious George C. Marshall Award, whose last recipient was Hillary Clinton. The award is given to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to ending hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos.

The fraternity’s major focus each year is its philanthropy and community service work.

“We are a group of men who strive to not only make ourselves better, but also make the people and organizations around us better,” said senior Evan Moore, criminal justice major. People know that we are an organization that likes to do everything we can to help others. We believe when you help others it comes back to you.”

Moore describes his most memorable community experience as the time when he and his fraternity brothers delivered baby cradles and beds to unfortunate families in Joplin, Carl Junction and Carthage.

“When we knocked on their doors and went to give them these baby cribs, a lot of the people that answered, started tearing up,” said Moore. “It just warms you inside that something this small can help a family that much, to bring them to tears. It just really made me happy, and it’s something I will always remember.”

Kappa Alpha is known for its volunteer and donation services and has worked closely with many local organizations, including the Alliance of Southwest Missouri, Rebuild Joplin and the United Way. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, these men will literally be donating themselves, by participating in the Every Drop Tells a Story blood drive campaign, headed by the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. The blood drive will be held in Billingsly Student Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.