Kappa Delta Phi

Purpose

The purpose of this fraternity shall be to bring together males of good character who are studying in institutions of higher education and who manifest a keen interest in higher education; to promote the highest ideals and educational practices; to promote a spirit of good citizenship and to seek change in our institution only through duly constituted authority; to actively support the fight against discrimination on the basis of race, color, or creed; and to strengthen and preserve the bonds of brotherhood which link men together working toward a common cause.

Founding fathers

Cyrus M. Benson

Cyrus M. Benson was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts on May 21, 1878. In his career at Bridgewater, he was running back and captain of the football team. He was also secretary and treasurer of section C, of his graduating class and a member of the glee club as well as one time Vice-President of Kappa Delta Phi. He graduated from Bridgewater in 1900. One of his jobs was manager of Norfolk hosiery and underwear Mills Company, in New York. Cyrus M Benson died on February 2, 1931 and is buried in the North Burial Ground in Providence, Rhode Island.

Louis D. Cook

Louis DeLaitre Cook was born in Ellsworth, Maine on June 22, 1879. While attending Bridgewater, he was a substitute for the football team. After graduating from Bridgewater in 1901, he became principal of a grammar school in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He also was principal at the J. DeValles School in New Bedford.

Edward L. Curran

Edward Lawrence Curran was born on February 14, 1879 in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. While attending Bridgewater, he was the manager of the baseball team and left tackle on the football team. He was also the Vice-President of Bridgewater’s athletic association and class historian of section C for his graduating class. Also as a member of Kappa Delta Phi, he served as Vice-President. After graduating from Bridgewater in 1901, he went on to earn his Ph.D. Soon after this he became superintendent of Boston Newboy’s Club. Also during his post graduate career, he taught at the School of Sciences at Fordham University as well as being the sales manager at American Oil Company in Boston. Later on in his career he moved to New York City where he became a registrar at the Woolworth Building. After living in New York for his last few years of work, he moved back to Boston where he retired. Edward Curran died on January 5, 1957. He was laid to rest in the St. Thomas Aquinas Cemetery, which is located in Bridgewater.

Sumner W. Cushing

Sumner Webster Cushing was born in Ridge Hills (South Hingham), Massachusetts. During his time at Bridgewater, he was a member of the Normal Club as well as the team manager for the football team. He also was president of section B of his graduating class. As a member of Kappa Delta Phi, he served as Vice-President and also served on the Executive Committee. Upon graduating from Bridgewater in 1902, he went on to Harvard and Brown A.M. After receiving his masters he became an instructor at the Normal School in Salem, Massachusetts (now Salem State College) where he went on to become the head of the geography department and taught for eleven years. Sumner Cushing died on February 28, 1920. He was laid to rest Harmony Grove, Salem.

Joseph A. Cushman

Joseph Augustine Cushman was born on January 31, 1881 in Bridgewater. He was the captain and catcher for the baseball team along with fullback and manager for the football team. He graduated in 1901 from Bridgewater. He was the assistant curator at the Museum of Natural History in Boston as well as a geologist for the U.S government. Joseph Cushman died on April 16, 1949 and is buried in Great Hills Cemetery, Boston.

Herman Gammons

Herman Gammons was born on May 14, 1880 in Bridgewater. He played 4 years of baseball as a first baseman, as well as a member of the glee club. He was the 1st Vice-President and Secretary of Kappa Delta Phi along with president of section C in his graduating class. After graduating from Bridgewater in 1901, he went on to Harvard where he attained his masters in teaching. After Harvard he became a high school principal in Ashby. Later in his career he became principal for a high school in Lewiston, Maine. In his free time he enjoyed fishing and woodcrafts. On June 21, 1971, Herman Gammons died at Nobel Hospital in Westfield. He was cremated in Springfield, and his ashes were buried in Lake Grove Cemetery, Holliston, Massachusetts. He was the last of the fraternity's founding fathers to die.

Arthur L. Gould

Arthur Linwood Gould was born in Rockland, Massachusetts on December 19, 1879. During his college career, he served on the Executive Board and was Vice-President of Kappa Delta Phi. He was a pitcher on the baseball team as well as quarterback and left end for the football team. Also, he was president of section A of his graduating class. He graduated from Bridgewater in 1900. He became assistant superintendent of public schools of Boston and eventually became superintendent. He also at one time was principal at the Renfrew School in Adams, Massachusetts, as well as the sub master at the Martin School in Rockland. Arthur Gould died on October 17, 1956 and was laid to rest in a family plot, in the St. Patrick Cemetery located in his hometown of Rockland.

William R. Kramer

William Robert Kramer was born in Clinton, Massachusetts on October 6, 1879. As a member of Kappa Delta Phi, he served as Vice-President. He was Business Manager of the yearbook as well as Vice-President of the athletic association. In 1900, he graduated from Bridgewater. He was sub master at the Hugh O’Brien School in Roxbury, Massachusetts as well as schoolmaster of Boston Public Schools. William Kramer died on September 15, 1940 and was laid to rest at the Woodlawn Cemetery, in a family plot, located in Clinton.

Nahum Leonard

Nahum Leonard was born on December 11, 1876 in Bridgewater. While he attended Bridgewater, he was a member of the Normal Club. He was also at one time the president of the athletic association and chairman on the social committee for the normal club. As a member of Kappa Delta Phi, he served on the Executive Committee, Advisory Council and as Vice-President. After graduating from Bridgewater in 1902, he went on to be principal of Sanderson Academy in Ashfield, Massachusetts. He was superintendent of Schools in North Andover, Massachusetts, when he died on September 11, 1927 and was laid to rest in the Mt. Prospect Cemetery, which is located in Bridgewater. He is known as the “father”, or the "honorable big big brother" of the fraternity.

Alfred K. Lowe

Alfred Kingsbury Lowe was born on October 28, 1877 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He served on the Executive Committee and as Vice-President of Kappa Delta Phi. His year of graduation from Bridgewater was 1900. He was the principal of the Renfrew School in Adams, Massachusetts. Alfred Lowe died on March 6, 1930 and is buried in West Boylston, Massachusetts.

Leon E. Maglathlin

Leon Edward Maglathlin was born on April 8, 1880 in Duxbury, Massachusetts. During his time at Bridgewater, he was captain of the baseball team and played 4 years of football as the quarterback. He was also the editor of the 1900 Normal School Offering (year book). He was the first president and Vice-President of Kappa Delta Phi. After graduating from Bridgewater in 1900, he went on to Harvard. He became a mill manager in Springfield, Massachusetts. Leon Maglathlin was buried in Kingston, Massachusetts.

Louis T. Morse

Louis Theodore Morse was born on July 9, 1874 in Boston. He was the first treasurer of Kappa Delta Phi. After graduating from Bridgewater in 1900, he moved to New York City and eventually ended up in West Somerville, Massachusetts. Louis Morse died on January 30, 1920 and is buried in the Shawsheen Cemetery in Bedford, Massachusetts.

William E. Smith

William Everett Smith was born on July 26, 1876 in Marblehead, Massachusetts. While a member of Kappa Delta Phi, he served on the Executive Committee and as President. He was Assistant Business Manager to the yearbook and a member of the Normal Club serving as treasurer of the literary committee. He also was one time president of the tennis club and Athletic Association as well as the glee club. He graduated from Bridgewater in 1902. During his career he was head master at English High School in Boston. William Smith died on January 23, 1943 and is buried in the Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead.

Henry M. Vaughan

Henry Melbourne Vaughan was born in Berwick, Nova Scotia, on March 27, 1874. While attending Bridgewater, he played on the tennis team. He graduated from Bridgewater in 1900. He was a teacher in Auburn, Rhode Island and Millbury, Massachusetts. Henry Vaughan died on May 30, 1939 and is buried in the Pocasset Cemetery in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Time line

April 14, 1900

Kappa Delta Phi is founded at the Bridgewater Normal School in room #60 of the Normal School Building.

1901

Official badge is adopted

1902

Nahum Leonard is named "Father of the Fraternity"

1904

Fraternity Grip is adopted

1906

First Convention is held at Young's Hotel, Boston, MA

1909

Black and gold colors are adopted

1911

Scholarship Cup is adopted

1914

General Fraternity is established with 36 active members

1929

Kappa Delta Phi becomes National Fraternity

1930

President's Cup is adopted

1940

Coat of Arms is adopted

1947

Official Key is adopted

1949

National Relations Award is adopted

1959

Philanthropy Award is adopted

1962

Display Award adopted

1966

National Emblem, the crow, adopted

1967

National Flower, the yellow rose, adopted

1968

National Fraternity reorganized

1969

New National Constitution adopted

Edward F. Webber Scholarship Award adopted

Nahum Leonard Scholarship adopted

Senior Scholarship adopted

The Golden Key published

1978

Summer Workshops for Chapters established

1983

Distinguished Service Award Scholarship adopted

1985

Outstanding Chapter Award adopted

Outstanding Leadership Award adopted

1986

National Rushing and Pledging Manual established

1989

National Alumni Association is incorporated

1990

Kappa Delta Phi joins the North-American Interfraternity Conference

1993

Alpha Stone is dedicated

Paul G. Collette Award for Excellence is adopted