Kappa Alpha Order - Alpha Nu Chapter: About Us

Kappa Alpha Order has a rich history at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. Founded in Lexington, Virginia at then Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in 1865, KA seeks out young men with the ideals of chivalry and duty to women and to God. We are the gentlemen of campus.

The Alpha Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order at the George Washington University was founded in 1894. Until leaving in 1960, Alpha Nu produced several notable alumni including J. Edgar Hoover and Hugh Clegg.

When KA left GW forty-eight years ago, GW sent a letter to the Order inviting it to return at anytime. Two years ago, KA was officially invited back by the Interfraternity Council to begin the colonization process and to eventually re-charter.

Our first brothers were inducted on March 2, 2007--begining the official process towards re-chartering. The less-than-year-long process culminated on January 26, 2008, when the chapter received its Alpha Nu Charter and designation back and the brothers were formally initiated into the Order.

If you think KA sounds right for you or you'd like to find out more, please contact us and check out the national recruiting web site.

by Robert E. Lee, President of Washington College, 1865 to 1870

The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman.

The power which the strong have over the weak, the employer over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, the experienced over the confiding, even the clever over the silly; the forbearing or inoffensive use of all of this power or authority, or a total abstinence from it when the case admits it, will show the gentleman in a plain light.

The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past. A true man of honor feels humbled when he cannot help humbling others.