Kappa Alpha Pi, a pre-law and government gender-inclusive fraternity, is the newest professional fraternity at Ohio University.
KAPi, established in 2007, has a goal of fostering academic excellence and professional development. Currently, KAPi is relatively small with 48 chapters across the U.S.
The national chapter of KAPi reached out to OU students over the summer to pitch the idea of adding a chapter to the university, says KAPi President Johnny Susany, a senior studying HTC political science with certificates in environmental studies -- sustainability and resistance and Italian studies.
Susany said the national chapter of KAPi is relatively new and is still looking to create traction across the country and expand its presence. He said after KAPi reached out with the opportunity for students to apply as executives, it worked out in his favor, and he is becoming OU’s chapter president.
“I've always considered the thought of getting involved with the pre-law community here at OU, but it never really manifested itself,” Susany said. “I was really motivated by KAPi’s pitch when they first emailed the idea of a community of like-minded, driven, dedicated students that want to come together to create a community.”
KAPi’s OU chapter kicked off recruitment efforts, hosting its first-ever rush week. Monday night, KAPi met in Bentley Hall for an information night where students could get to know the members. Trivia and pizza night with KAPi executives was held in Gordy Hall on Tuesday. At Baker University Center, a game night took place Wednesday with pool, cards and other games.
Susany said the executive team will hold interviews for applicants Thursday and Friday.
“I absolutely want KAPi to be fulfilling in both the fun and social way as well as the professional way,” Susany said. “We’re here for our improvement first, and I hope to have fun along the way.”
The chapter hopes to create an identity on campus, leading to creating substantial goals, from personal development to community impact, he said.
“I don't think it's a matter of getting a specific number of people,” Susany said. “I believe what's more important for us is finding the right people. If we get five people who are KAPi people, then I consider that a victory. But, if we get 50 people that are happy KAPi people, then I consider that a victory as well.”
KAPi has semesterly dues, with new members paying $75 and returning members paying $50, respectively.
After the rush week is over, weekly meetings will be held in Bentley Hall in Room 110 to conduct chapter business. Susany said he hopes to have events, fundraisers and speakers who members can engage with. He said his biggest goal is to have members get involved at KAPi nationals.
Some of the biggest opportunities the current leadership team is looking at include LSAT prep and scholarship opportunities through KAPi National for members post-initiation.
“It can be very expensive to apply for law school, so by giving our members opportunities immediately to begin pursuing support and resources, I think, is going to be very meaningful moving forward,” Susany said.
Any students interested in pre-law are able to join, even if they are already involved in Greek life, Susany said. Students involved on campus with the existing pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta, should be aware of its dual membership policy, according to PAD bylaws. Both organizations hope to collaborate and enhance pre-law opportunities on campus.
PAD is also an inclusive professional fraternity on campus with around a hundred members. OU’s PAD President Cassandra McFadden, a senior studying sociology pre-law and political science with a certificate in Law, Justice and Culture, said she is excited to see another pre-law fraternity on campus.
“I'm glad that there's so much interest in pre-law here that there's another one because there's so few law-related organizations here,” McFadden said. “I understand there is a want for more organizations with a nice close-knit bond.”
With multiple pre-law fraternities on campus, more students will have opportunities to obtain leadership experience.
“I think that it’s great because Phi Alpha Delta only has five executive board positions, so with another fraternity, that gives a whole other realm of leadership potential,” McFadden said.
McFadden said there are a few things that set the fraternities apart, such as the advisors and the alumni network; however, she is open to any opportunity to collaborate between the two fraternities, similar to Susany.
Rees Morris, KAPi’s OU chapter vice president of membership development and a junior studying political science pre-law, said KAPi’s biggest selling point at the moment is fostering a new community on campus.
“Other fraternities are really kind of already established here, so they have their own culture,” Morris said. “We're able to foster and build one that we feel works for us.”
Morris said he is most excited to see people in the fraternity dedicate themselves to learning pre-law and collaborating with one another. He hopes to be able to bolster and maintain a positive community culture within the group.
“I think collaboration is like one of the best things that you can do to learn,” Morris said. “Being able to collaborate with other people interested and as passionate in the field of law as I know I am, and the other VPs are. I'm really, really excited to get to do that because, to me, that's the best way to learn– is through working with other people.”
