KDR National History
Expansion in the 1920's
Between 1920 and 1930, KDR expanded in a conservative and deliberate manner. Under the leadership of men, such as Dr. Ewart of Colgate University, Arthur "Scotty" Ottman of Middlebury College, and Leo T. Wolford of Franklin College, fourteen chapters emerged. They were Pennsylvania State University, University of Illinois, Purdue University, Bucknell University, Ohio State University, University of California (Berkeley), University of Michigan, Indiana University, Colby College, Butler University, Gettysburg College, Lafayette College, Oregon State University, and Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). By 1930, KDR had nineteen chapters in ten states, and Reginald M. Savage, Alpha '24, became the first full-time paid National Executive Secretary.
For local groups who moved to chapter status in KDR it meant security of a different sort. Rather than self-sufficiency, there were new traditions and a larger support group for each of them. Here are a few comments from those chapters.
Zeta: We were assured that our Fraternity would offer to us a broader field in which Friendship, Fellowship, and Fraternity of the highest type could be had. Edward D.W. Moeslein, Zeta '20
Eta: I will attempt…to let our New Brothers know 'to what star we have our wagon hitched.' We of Eta are learning to have the deepest regard for our new Brothers, and we can truthfully state that those whom it has been our privilege to meet have left deep feelings of regard with us. R.B. Best, Eta '22
Lambda: Speaking with moderation, our organization, historically and structurally, is still embryonic; our ideals in their phrasing, are as vibrant and as lofty, and probably no more than the two hundred or more societies. However, we were offered the fellowship of nine hundred members of Kappa Delta Rho, who lived in the most susceptible period of their lives under the influence of principles which actuated the founding and continuance of this Fraternity. C.H. Newell, Lambda '24
Pi: It has not been the object of this fraternity (Theta Phi) to enlarge its membership with incompetent men but rather to strengthen both morally and intellectually. Kappa Delta Rho shares this objective and our ideals. Luther M. Bingaman, Pi '27
Rho: In 1922, the vision of a few men of Lafayette materialized into a small club formed for the purposes of developing the ideal character. Today, as we join a National Fraternity, we do not perish, for we have another vision. J.R. Parker, Rho '30
These local fraternities did not choose KDR for security alone. Nor did KDR select them to increase the fraternity size. With local alumni, officers, and volunteers, a bond formed around the belief that each local chapter sought more than just a good time and an image. Each local chapter recognized our purpose and our selectivity.
During the 1920's, as The Scroll became the Quill and Scroll, a trust fund with the New York Trust Company provided lifetime subscriptions to the magazine. Today, all alumni and undergraduates receive copies of the Quill and Scroll.
(this information was obtained from www.kdr.com) KDR National Website