jws7 04/27/99 00:58 My speech
Here's the text of my little speech.
Dear Brothers of Kappa Gamma:
It was in the fall of 1992 when members of the Marching 97 first
approached me to find out what those strange letters were that I kept
wearing at rehearsals. Little did I know that today the Kappa Gamma
chapter would have almost 30 exceptional members, be nearing its fifth
anniversary and hosting a precinct meeting. To paraphrase, "You've come a
long way Kappa Gamma." As I will be moving on shortly and leaving the
local area it is doubtful that I'll make it to many meetings and events
next year and the following years. Therefore, I have decided to compose
some final thoughts for you all. I have also prepared a more detailed
history of the early days of our chapter to be included with the
Historian's papers.
I am amazed how far you have come in less than five years. You are
clearly a force to be reckoned with in the music department and have
done much good for all the organizations including Marching Band, Wind
Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band and more. The faculty and execs of
the various organizations know that they can count on you to get the
job done. What impresses me even more are your outreach programs.
You realize that KKPsi is not just about helping the band at Lehigh
but in helping other organizations as well. By helping the music
department in general and even working with theater you are reaching
out and positioning yourselves as a group that is truly progressive
and working for change in the best possible way. The outreach to the
community is even more laudable. By teaching at Broughal and Donegan
you are touching young students lives in a positive way. Your
contributions I'm sure will be long remembered and will have
repercussions not even dreamed of today.
Kappa Kappa Psi means a lot to me, and I firmly believe in its
principles and purposes. I have seen those who have used KKPsi
for their own personal gain, be it financial or social. I have
tried not to do this but have tried to remain faithful to the
spirit of the founders of our great organization. Despite the
events of last week I can say unequivably that I hold all of you,
ach and every one, close to my heart as true brothers in the
strictest and truest fraternal sense of the word. I am very proud
and deeply, deeply honored to call all of you my Brothers.
As your "Pappy" or founding father I do have some fatherly
advice for you as well as some challenges for the future.
I've seen a great many chapters and I can honestly say
that you, right now, are among the best I've ever seen and
are clearly among the best chapters in the nation. Take
some time to congratulate yourselves and give yourselves a
long overdue pat on the back, you deserve it.
That said, don't get caught up in your own
accomplishments. You can do things better.
Continuous Improvement may be just another meaningless
business buzzword. Nevertheless, you all do have room
to grow and evolve and can aspire to greater things.
I challenge each and every one of you to
unilaterally abandon petty infighting and
personality conflicts and embrace each other as
brothers of the Kappa Gamma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi.
I challenge all of you to remember your oath
from Third Degree and to keep it in your thoughts.
I challenge you to do not only what is
expected of you or what you think other
want you to do, but what you ought to do.
I challenge you to excel in whatever
your chosen endeavor and to always
remember to strive for the highest in
all aspects of your life.
Lastly, I challenge you simply to love, love yourself and love one
another.
(sorry 'bout the funky margins...cut and paste...)
Jeff Schramm-Graduate Student / History Dept. Maginnes Hall
9 W. Packer Ave. / Lehigh University / Bethlehem, PA 18015
E-mail jws7@lehigh.edu
Phone (610) 758-2453 "Homer no function beer well without."
Fax (610) 758-6554
Homepage www.lehigh.edu/~jws7/jws7.html
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