History of the Zeta Chi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi

Official Chapter History of

Zeta Chi

University of South Carolina

 
 
 
 
 

Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity

As Revised February 17, 2009

 

Kappa Kappa Psi – USC Bands

813 Assembly St.

Columbia, SC 29208

 

Telephone: 803-777-4278     -     E-mail: kkyzetachi@gmail.com

 

Website: www.kkpsi-zx.org 




Zeta Chi Chapter Identity

Prepared in Spring 2009 by Evan L. Thompson, President

 

       The Zeta Chi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at the University of South Carolina is dedicated to excellence in organized service and providing enthusiasm and leadership in all facets of the band program. We are dedicated to providing our members with valuable and unique leadership and social experiences that will enhance their college career and encourage life-long appreciation for band and music. We, the brothers of Zeta Chi, believe that it is an honor and privilege to serve the band program, the School of Music and the Carolina Community.

Zeta Chi after hosting the 2009 Southeast District Convention  
 
 

 

Table of Contents

 I. Colonization Activity

II. Honorary Members

III. Chapter Sponsors

IV. Chapter Presidents

V. Fraternity Leadership

VI. Fraternity Awards

VII. Other Chapter Information

VIII. Prominent Member Biographies

Appendix 1:Petitioning Document Excerpt

Appendix 2: ”Changing Times for Zeta Chi"

 

 

Zeta Chi Founding Fathers, 1974

 

 
 
 

Scott H. Babson, Jr.

John C. Bellow

Steve Coatney

Benny P. Ferguson

Mark E. Fischer

James K. Hartsfield, Jr.

 
 

Steven T. Higgins

Andrew H. Howell, Jr.

Fred E. Langley

Larry R. Quattlebaum

William “Russ” Rhodes

Decanie E. Sanders

 
 

James R. Shirley, Jr.

Lawrence J. Shoal

Michael R. Sox

John N. Stringfellow

Robert “Jeff” Turnage

Richard Westmoreland

      Zeta Chi Charter

 
 
 

1. Colonization Activity

 

Zeta Chi has six Little Brother chapters: * indicates active

 
 
 

2. Honorary Members

 

1. Gus Hutchins     March 1975
2. James William Bynum, Jr.   November 1975
3. James K. Copenhaver    December 1976
4. Pat Wylie     October 1977
5. Larry Volman,     November 1978
6. Gordon R. Goodwin   February 1980
7. Rupert E. Ray    April 1981
8. John T. Emche    April 1982
9. James T. Moody    April 1982
10. Francis T. Borkowski   October 1983
11. George A. Grogan, III   October 1983
12. R. Douglas Graham   October 1983
13. Arpad A. Darazs    October 1983
14. Dr. Lemuel Berry, Jr.   November 1984
15. A. Keith Amstutz    April 1985
16. George B. Lane    April 1985
17. Robert K. Marcum   April 1985
18. Charles R. Herald   April 1985
19. Ronald A. Davis    March 1986
20. Roger Pemberton   November 1987
21. Tim Crenshaw    March 1989
22. Dr. Andrew D. Gowan   September 1989
23. Kenneth Mitchell Corbett  September 1989
24. James Hall    April 1992
25. Telina West    November 1992
26. Elton E. Cameron, III   November 1992
27. Dr. David O’ Shields   
28. Kimberly Wells Trotter   March 1996
29. Phillip N. Golson    April 1999
30. James Eugene Black   April 1999
31. Tom O’ Neal    April 2000
32. Andrew David Koch   December 2000
33. Jamal J. Rossi    April 2001
34. Jason C. Frith    April 2001
35. Robert Christopher Toole  April 2001
36. Dr. Kirk Randazzo   October 2001
37. Dr. Clifford Leaman   April 2003
38. Dr. Brad Edwards   October 2003
39. Travis Benjamin    March 2005
40. Dr. David Scott Herring   April 2007
41. Traci Hair     April 2007
42. Jennifer Jablonski   November 2007
43. Chris “Mal” Moore   November 2007
44. Kelli Rooks    November 2007
45. Dr. Malinda Matney (Nu)  February 2008
46. Dr. Rebecca Phillips   November 2008
47. Dr. George Brozak   November 2008
48. Andrea Pouncey    November 2008
49. Dr. Taylor Harding   November 2008
50. Dr. Rod Chestnutt (Gamma Nu) April 2009 (SED Convention)
51. Derrick Mills (Eta) April 2009 (SED Convention)

 
 

3. Chapter Sponsors

 

1. Tom O’ Neal, 1974-1976
2. James K. Copenhaver, 1976-1977
3. Larry Volman, 1978-1980
4. Ken Pouncey, 1980-1982
5. Ken Pouncey and Ken Corbett, 1982-1983
6. Dr. Andrew Gowan, 1983-1989
7. Dr. Andrew Gowan and Ken Corbett, 1989-1994
8. Dr. David O’ Shields and Ronnie Pugh, 1994-1998
9. Dr. David O’ Shields, 1998-2007
10. Ken Corbett and Dr. George Brozak, 2007-2009
11. Ken Corbett and Dr. Rebecca Phillips, 2009-Present

 
 

4. Chapter Presidents

 
 
 

5. Fraternity Leadership

 

The Zeta Chi chapter has a distinguished history of prominent fraternity leaders. 

 

District Officers

The National Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi is composed of Six Districts; Zeta Chi at the University of South Carolina is located in the Southeast District.

Brothers from Zeta Chi have served on the District Council several times:

 
 
 

National Officers

In addition to serving in district level offices, Zeta Chi has had brothers serve on the National Council.

 

• Ken Corbett
• National Member-at-Large, 1985-1987
• National First Vice President, 1987-1989
• National President 1989-1991
• Board of Trustees 1989-2009
• Dr. Kirk Randazzo
• National Vice President for Student Affairs, 1995-1997
• National Vice President for Programs, 1997-1999
• National Vice President for Colonization and Membership, 1999-2001
• National President 2001-2003
• Board of Trustees 2001 - Present

 
 

6. Fraternity Awards

 

Kappa Kappa Psi has numerous awards to honor individual and chapter achievement in the fraternity.

 

National Awards

 

Chapter Leadership Award

During each biennium, outstanding chapters are selected by the National Council and presented recognition plaques at the biennial convention.  The chapters recognized with a Chapter Leadership Award are closely screened by a committee which is responsible for selecting the recipient of the William A. Scroggs Founder’s Trophy; the highest chapter honor.

 

Zeta Chi was selected for the Chapter Leadership Award in the following biennia:

 
 

1979-1981

1981-1983

1983-1985

1985-1987

1989-1991

1993-1995

1995-1997

1997-1999

2005-2007*

2007-2009

 
 

*Zeta Chi received the William A. Scroggs Founder’s Trophy at the 2007 National Convention in Orlando, FL.  The Chapter Leadership Award presentation was made by brothers Nicholas Annan, Drew Dickey and Trey Earley.

 

Left to Right, Brothers from Zeta Chi in the 2007 National Convention Delegation with the National Executive Director: Seamus Welch (Sp. 07), Trey Earley (Sp. 04), National Executive Director Col. Alan Bonner (Ret.), Drew Dickey (Sp. 05), Nicholas Annan (Sp. 05), ZX Chapter Sponsor and SED Co-Governor Dr. David O’ Shields (ΓΧ).

 

Distinguished Service to Music Medal (DSMM)

The DSMM is the highest award that can be presented to an individual in the fraternity.  It was created in 1963 to recognize outstanding individual contributions to bands in several areas.

 

• Instrumental Music Education
• James K. Copenhaver, 1989-1991

 

• Fraternity Service
• Kenneth M. Corbett, 1995-1997

 
 

A. Frank Martin Award

This award was established in 1984 to recognize persons who have made contribution to the band field in a variety of categories.

 

• Gordon Goodwin, 1991

 
 

Bohumil Makovsky Memorial Award

The Bohumil Makovsky Memorial Award was first presented in 1979 to honor outstanding conductors in the college bands. "Boh" was the Director of Bands and Head of the Music Department at Oklahoma State University from 1915 until 1945 and is considered to be "The Guiding Spirit of Kappa Kappa Psi."

 

• James K. Copenhaver, 2009

 
 

J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award

Established in 1991 to recognize and honor student leaders of the fraternity.

 

• James H. Dickson, Jr., 1991
• Kirk Randazzo, 1995
• Chris Bussell, 2001
• Nicholas Annan, 2008

 
 

Silver Baton Award

This award recognizes individuals for their longevity and continuous quality service to bands. 

 

• James Black, April 2007

 
 

AEA Scholarship

The National Council awards scholarships of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) each year for academic excellence.  Applicants must have a GPA of 3.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale).

 

• Alan Pine, 2000
• Nicholas Annan, 2006, 2008

 
 

Academic Achievement Program

This program was established by the 1991 National Convention to honor outstanding achievement of both individual members and chapters.

 
 

National Intercollegiate Band (NIB)

Started in 1947 by Dr. F. Lee Bowling, this program works in conjunction with the Fraternity’s commissioning program; the oldest in America.  The following Zeta Chi brothers have participated in the NIB:

 

William Cook, Euphonium, 1991

Matthew Love, French Horn, 1995

Brad Crane, Bassoon, 1997

Matt Carl, Clarinet, 1999

David Hodges, Trumpet, 1999

Michelle Olaes, French Horn, 1999

John Duhan, Trombone, 2001

Jamey Johnson, Percussion, 2001

Ricardo Cook, Alto Sax, 2005

 
 
 

Chapter Awards

In addition to the awards given by the National Chapter, the Zeta Chi chapter honors brothers for their contributions on the chapter level.  The following awards were created in honor of those who have represented Zeta Chi at the highest level.

 

Ken Corbett Alumni Achievement Award

Kenneth M. Corbett served as the National President of Kappa Kappa Psi for the biennium of 1989-1991. He currently sits on the Board of Trustees. To honor the great achievements by one of our very own brothers, the Zeta Chi chapter established the Kenneth M. Corbett Alumni Service Award. This award is to be presented to alumni of the Zeta Chi chapter who contribute active service to the chapter. The first recipients of this award were brothers Nate Larimore and Ronnie Pugh.

 

• Nate Larimore, 1995
• Ronnie Pugh, 1995
• Kirk Randazzo, 1997
• Charlene Patterson, 2005
• Chris “Mal” Moore, 2007

 
 
 

7. Other Chapter Information

 

          Chapter Number: 166

          Chapter Mascot: “CC” (California Condor, Given to ZX by ZH)

          Chapter Vegetable: Corn

          Chapter Drink: A&W Root Beer

 
 

8. Prominent Member Biographies

 

• Ken Corbett, National President, 1989-1991
• Dr. Kirk Randazzo, National President, 2001-2003
• James K. Copenhaver, Director of Bands, 1976 – Present
• Dr. David O’ Shields, Associate Director of Bands, 1996-2007

 

 

Kenneth M. Corbett

 

KENNETH M. CORBETT, National President 1989-1991 (Zeta Chi), from the University of South Carolina, was elected National President at the 35th Biennial Convention in Stillwater, Oklahoma. During his eight years as a member of the National Council, the Fraternity experienced significant growth in membership and financial stability. A concerted effort was made to strengthen ties with organizations such as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the Professional Fraternity Association and the National Interfraternity Conference.  
 
The Top Ten award designation was changed to the Chapter Leadership Award. The council established the J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award to honor our third Grand President and recognize outstanding student leaders. A uniform Membership Education Program was adopted by the 1991 convention. The Immediate Past National President was added as an ex-officio member of the National Council. The staff position of Chapter Field Representative was created to assist with chapter visitation and education. The Distinguished Service to Music Medal was approved for Alfred Reed, Stanley F. Michalski, Jr., Max and Susan Mitchell, Hugh McMillen, James G. Saied and James K. Copenhaver. The A. Frank Martin Award was approved for James Wells, George Parks, Malcolm Rowell, Jr., Reid Poole, Eddie N. Green, Christopher Haughee and Gordon R. Goodwin. The J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award was presented to James H. Dickson, Jr.  
 
At the 36th Biennial Convention the business sessions were separated from the National Intercollegiate Band schedule. The National Intercollegiate Bands concert was the opening of the business portion of the convention. Alfred Reed’s, Hymn Variants received its premiere performance. Ray E. Cramer served as guest conductor.  
 
Ken works and volunteers his time with the University of South Carolina Band program coordinating registration activities for the Marching Band, Spring Band Clinic and Summer Music Camp. Starting in July 2007, he is also the co-sponsor for the Zeta Chi Chapter at South Carolina. He serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the USC Alumni Band.  He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the University of South Carolina Alumni Association. 
 
He and his wife Maribeth have two children, Jason and Sarah.

 

Dr. Kirk Randazzo

 

DR. KIRK RANDAZZO, National President 2001-2003 (Zeta Chi), from the University of South Carolina was elected National President at the 2001 National Convention in Corpus Christi, Texas. Kirk received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from the University of South Carolina. Additionally, he received a Master of Arts Degree in Political Science and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Michigan State University. He currently teaches pre-law at the University of Kentucky and conducts research on law and judicial politics.  
 
During his term of office the Fraternity continued to rely on strategic planning as a primary resource for developing long-term directives. At the 2001 and 2003 National Conventions, several strategic committees worked on creating out-of-the-box solutions to address important topics. Dr. Randazzo led the National Council in reviewing the materials from these committees and incorporating their ideas to further shape an enduring legacy for Kappa Kappa Psi. To this end he organized several strategic planning sessions for the National Council and Board of Trustees, and also organized a session which included the District Governors.  
 
During the biennium two new programs were developed by the National Council as a result of strategic planning efforts. First, the Service Showcase was created to recognize chapters’ outstanding service to bands and provide financial awards to those band programs. Second, the Diversity in Music Speaker Series was developed to invite prominent speakers to conventions with the goal of sharing their thoughts on band involvement. In addition to these two programs, the National Council continued its focus on leadership development and awareness of musicianship.  
 
The biennium witnessed the recognition of several outstanding individuals. The Distinguished Service to Music Medal was awarded to James Cochran, Chris Haughee, Melvin Miles, Melbern Nixon, and Alfred Sergel. Additionally, the A. Frank Martin Award was presented to Michelle Kincheloe and Peter Murray. Finally, the Stanley G. Finck Memorial Award was presented to Peter Murray. 
 
The 42nd biennial convention was held in July, 2003, in Norfolk, Virginia. During the convention a reunion of Past National Presidents was organized, bringing together presidents from across four decades. A reunion of Chapter Field Representatives also occurred. The National Intercollegiate Band was conducted by Don Wilcox and premiered the commissioned work Bandancing, by Dr. Jack Stamp.

 

James K. Copenhaver

Director of Bands, 1976 - Present

JAMES COPENHAVER, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the University of South Carolina, has served on the School of Music faculty since 1976. Copenhaver is a graduate of Morehead State University where he received both the Bachelor of Arts and the Master of Music Education degrees. He completed two additional years of graduate study in music at Florida State University. At USC, Copenhaver is responsible for administering the total band program. He conducts the University Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in wind instrument techniques, and is a member of the conducting faculty.

The USC Symphonic Band under the direction of James Copenhaver is one of the premier university concert bands in the nation. The ensemble has been featured in recent years at conventions of the MENC, the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division, the South Carolina Music Educators Association, the Atlanta International Band and Orchestra Conference, and the American Bandmasters Association. In 1999, Mr Copenhaver founded the Palmetto Concert Band whose membership is comprised mostly of former USC Symphonic Band members. He serves as co-conductor of this adult professional concert band. The Palmetto Concert Band was honored in presenting the Grand Finale Concert at the 1999 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.

Prior to his appointment as Director of Bands at the University of South Carolina, Copenhaver taught at Holmes High School in Covington (KY), Morehead State University, Clemson University, and Florida State University. Leading educational institutions across the country have recognized him for his accomplishments in the areas of bands and instrumental music performance. He is a recipient of both the Outstanding Bandmaster Award and the Outstanding Contributor to Bands Award from the South Carolina Chapter of Phi Beta Mu National Bandmaster Fraternity. He has also received the National Band Association "Citation of Excellence" award. In 1991, Mr. Copenhaver was awarded the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal in the field of Instrumental Music Education, the highest honor bestowed to an individual by this national honorary band fraternity. Copenhaver is also active in many professional organizations within the band field, including the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He is a Past-President of both the National Band Association and the Southern Division of the College Band Directors National Association.

 

Dr. David O’ Shields

Associate Director of Bands, 1995 – 2007

 
 

DAVID A. O’ SHIELDS is a native of West Point, Mississippi and a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he received both the Bachelor of Music Education and the Master of Music Education degrees. He completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of South Carolina. Prior to coming to USC, Dr. O'Shields served as Director of Bands and Supervisor of Instrumental Music for the Meridian (MS) Public School District for seven years and as Director of Bands at New Hope HS (MS) for four years.

From 1995 until 2007, Dr. O'Shields's served as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina. His duties at USC included conducting one of the fall wind ensembles and the USC Concert Band in addition to teaching undergraduate music education courses and graduate conducting courses. Dr. O’Shields also coordinated special events including the USC Band Clinic, the Governor's All-Star Band and the USC Summer Music Camp. After serving as Director of Sales and Marketing for The Band Hall in Nashville, TN, Dr. O’Shields returned to South Carolina where he presently teaches at Lexington High School.

Dr. O'Shields is a three-time recipient of the National Band Association's Citation of Excellence and has twice been named to Outstanding Young Men of America. In 2004, the Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, Professional Bandmasters Fraternity honored Dr. O’Shields as winner of the Founders Award for the Outstanding Bandmaster in South Carolina. Dr. O’Shields has served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and is a former state chairman for the College Band Directors National Association and the National Band Association. He currently serves as Southeastern District Governor for Kappa Kappa Psi. Dr. O'Shields holds professional memberships in numerous organizations including the National Band Association, the Music Educators National Conference, the College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu.