This chapter was formed as a local fraternity in 1915 under the name Gamma Zeta. It was the fourth social organization at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College. In April 1916, the local fraternity of Gamma Zeta at the Oklahoma A&M made a formal application for a charter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. At the time of Gamma Zeta’s petition, A&M had only 700 male students and 350 females enrolled. The faculty had only 120 members and a student could choose one of seven courses.

Gamma Zeta was highly respected by the administration of A&M as evidenced by this opinion of the college president during the petition. - J. W. Cantwell: “The local fraternity known as Gamma Zeta at Oklahoma A&M College has maintained a regular organization and fraternity house since I have been president of this institution, and its relationship to the college has been most satisfactory. In general, the members represent the best class of students that come to this college.”

On May 13th, 1920 Gamma Zeta became Gamma Psi of Kappa Sigma. The first five initiates, called the Five Friends and Brothers, of this chapter are: Jess W. Hoke, Roy T. Hoke Jr., Harley O. Thomas, Herb Graham Sr., and Sherman Crishner. The name Gamma Zeta is, to this day, remembered in the name Gamma Zeta News (chapter newspaper) and the Gamma Zeta Corporation (holding legal title to the chapter property.)

During the chapter’s 80+ years, over 1,600 men have been initiated into Kappa Sigma. The first year, 50 men became brothers in the fraternity. Within three years we had more than 100 members. Our average year found twenty new initiates, but during the Second World War, we had two very bad years. In 1944, we initiated only one man and in 1945, none.

Only two other times in the first 70 years did the annual membership increase by less than a double figure. 1925 we initiated eight and in socially troubled 1971, the same figure.

Our largest ever year was 1947 when post-war students helped us swell our ranks by 52. Since 1971, the chapter has rebounded with a better than average initiation class each year but one.

Initially, Kappa Sigma put forty-one names on the Gamma-Psi Charter. It seems that some of the original 41 petitioners had left the fraternity (never initiated) in 1922 when the GS, Marvin Pemberton, contacted his higher counterpart WGS, J. S. Ferguson. “This letter is in reference to our charter which has been hanging fire for some time.” It seems Pemberton justly believed that members of other nationals should not be listed on our charter. The situation was not resolved until pre-1927 when some pranksters appropriated the document. The GS in ’27, Paul Miller (later to become one of the country's most powerful newspapermen) had to write nationals for help in recovering the elusive document.

During the 30’s the chapter had minor financial problems and seemed to be struggling with scholarship. The Gamma Zeta Corporation carried a $28,000 mortgage at the time. Enthusiastic alumni and undergraduates bought $10,000 off this mortgage with chapter cash on hand and monthly payments. During the early 30’s things were tight because of these payments to Kappa Sigma’s endowment fund were $280 per month.

Scholastically, the chapter ranked 6th out of 11 in ’32 but raised the average to a 1.45 by the end of ’33. That was an increase of .45 and very good on a three point system.

The 40’s found the War being the most dominant factor both for the country and Gamma Psi. The loss of young men to military service all but closed the fraternity system in 1945. The return of the service men boomed the Greek system by 1947.

The major event of the ‘50’s was the building of our current chapter house at 1401 West University. The year 1960 brought the Gamma Psi membership over 800. To help grades, the chapter activities required pledges to participate in 12 hours of supervised study hall per week. By 1963 the chapter had maintained 13 years above the all-men’s average. Most brothers were wearing flat topes and the girls on campus wore white socks. Fraternity life prospered.

By the end of the ’60’s, the country was involved in a war in Vietnam that did not have the popular support of the country. This seemed to lead to a social unrest among the youth of the campuses across the country. Although Oklahoma State was not as hard hit as California and San Francisco State, we did experience a time of protest against all ideals and traditions that are the backbone of college, fraternity and even society. There were not a lot of men interested in being in a fraternity like their elders. Kappa Sigma slipped to a record low of 8 new initiates by 1971.

In the early 70’s the war ended and the wind seemed to go out of the sails of the socially unhappy young. It was no longer looked on as bad to be a fraternity man by the peer groups of new freshmen. Kappa Sigma again began to flourish at OSU. After a couple of financially troubled years, the Gamma Psi brothers became campus leaders again. The chapter house again housed more than 75 men and the old ideas of wearing suits and singing serenades became fun again. The prevalence of drugs on campus was replaced with the traditional beer stein.

The history of Gamma Psi has had its ups and downs. The key to success, however, is our strength in numbers, quality, and finances to allow for the survival of a concept dedicated to brotherhood and honored tradition.

Gamma Psi Chapter Facts:

• Our first house mother was Ella Aspacia Ryan. She was born on June 29,1860 and died on January 3, 1940. She was the first house mother in the world. From 1914-1940, she was our housemother.
• In 1972, another notable house mother took charge of the Kappa Sigma men. Francis Blake from Shidler, OK shared her warm heart and kindness with the brothers of this house for 27 years before retiring in 1999, leaving as a staple of the OSU Greek community.
• Our current house mother is Cathy Jo Warner.
• Since this Gamma Psi chapter has been on the OSU campus, we have lived at several places. They are:
1. Mom Ryan’s House - 318 West Street
2. 240 South Hester (it was the first house built for a fraternity)
3. The second floor of Thatcher Hall
4. 1401 West University (our current location)
• Our current house was dedicated on April 7, 1955. The architect was Rob Moore. The Construction Company was the Hoke Construction Co.
• In 1928, we won the Boyd house prize for the best kept chapter house with living quarters and an operating kitchen. In 1957 and 1962, we won the Gates House prize for the best kept lodge-type chapter house.