Kappa Kappa Psi - Eta Alpha
Chapter History
The Eta Alpha Chapter at Lock Haven University was founded October 19, 1975 by Dr. Stephen Verbeck, Kenneth D. Tarr, Richard J. Mercury, Robert E. Kelly, Michael Bruce Griffith, and Joseph C. Parrell III. Dr. Stephen Verbeck's Tree is the only one still in existence. The sponsor at the time was Dr. Florentino Caimi, the Director of Bands. Our current sponsor is Blake A. Bergey.
Conventions and Precincts
Kappa Kappa Psi - Eta Alpha and Tau Beta Sigma - Epsilon Upsilon hosted the Northeast District Convention at Lock Haven University in 1978. Central Precinct meetings have been located here in 1989, 1993, 1997, and 2006.
Awards
In 1977, Eta Alpha won the Traveling Trumpet award for the chapter most likely to succeed. We were one of the "Top Ten Chapters" (National Chapter Leadership Award recipients) during 1975-77 and 1991-93. In the year 2007 Eta Alpha won the NED Governors' Cup for Most Improved Chapter. Eta Alpha won the A. Frank Martin Award in 1986, 1992, 2011, and 2013
Past District Officers
Eta Alpha has seen seven of its brothers become officers of the Northeast District: John P. Ross, Timothy S. George, Michael S. Condel, Scott Clark, Edward Savoy, Jessica McAlarney, and Bret Zawilski.
Eta Alpha's Big and Littles
Eta Alpha's big chapter is the Zeta Alpha Chapter at Bloomsburg University.
Eta Alpha has three little chapters: California University, Theta Gamma; Lehigh University, Kappa Gamma; and Allegheny College, Eta Tau (Inactive).
The Alumni Association
Eta Alpha is one of the few chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi that is lucky enough to have its own alumni organization, the Eta Alpha Alumni Association, HAAA.
John P. Ross
John P. Ross was a native from Renovo, PA. He was a computer science and math student at Lock Haven University. John was a hard worker. His dedication and sincerity earned him respect by his friends, peers, and professors. He always took time out of his day to listen if you ever needed to talk.
He played the tuba and sousaphone. John was always ready to spend extra time with his section to fix anything that needed fixed. He volunteered his time in community orchestra and choir. This effort shone in KKPsi too. If a committee chair was needed, John volunteered to get the job done.
During the spring of 1984, John became a member of the LHU Eta Alpha chapter, Xi membership class, accelerated by his cumulative grade average and high quality service to the university bands during the 1983-1984 academic year. For the 1986-1987 academic year, he was elected as president for the Eta Alpha chapter.
Mr. Ross was the first Brother from Eta Alpha to hold a district office. During his junior year, he served as Member-at-Large for District IX. As result of excellent service at that post, he was elected Vice President of District IX for the 1986-1987 academic year. John passed away as result of a car accident in 1987 while holding office.
John's work, though unfinished at LHU and KKY, serves as a model for all of us. He managed to convey a consistency of purpose that won our respect. He knew why he was here, to prepare for a career and be a help to his fellow men and women.
The Eta Alpha chapter gives a memorial scholarship in his name each spring to an outstanding male bandmember. At Seig Conference center, a tree is planted in his honor.