News
On behalf of the North Central District Alumni Association, we would like to invite you to our first annual Summer Social!!!
Date: August 31, 2018 until September 2, 2018
Location: Put-In Bay, Ohio
Price: Attendees are responsible for paying for their own lodging, meals, and entertainment.
Don't wait! REGISTER today!!!
Malinda Matney
Alumni Spotlight
Home chapter – Alpha Mu, Tau Beta Sigma @ Wichita State University
Initiation period – Fall 1984
Graduation date – 1988
Major or study concentration – Music and Mathematics
Main Instrument – Percussion and Flute
Current profession – Director of Assessment, Center for Research on Teaching and Learning @ University of Michigan
Current city – Ann Arbor, MI
Why did you join KKPsi or what drew you KKPsi? – "I initially joined TBSigma because of the work that the organizations did to directly serve the band program, from facility repair to section leadership to fundraising to campus leadership. These were the optimistic but hard working people who were working their way through school but yet found time and energy to build a better band program for people around them. Both the Brothers and Sisters at Wichita State were fantastic."
What positions or responsibilities did you hold in your chapter? – "I was chapter parliamentarian, and then chapter president for two years. I also served as district president for two years. Committee wise, I chaired the academic committee, and was part of our convention hosting team for the district convention in 1986."
Name a favorite memory from your Active membership. – "Serving as district president was really a powerful moment to learn about other campuses, chapters, and band programs. That really opened my eyes to the world beyond my campus and my town. So many of the people I met through that role are still dear friends today, and I credit that experience with helping me get my first visits to the places where I would do my master’s degree (University of Colorado) and where I would do my Ph.D. and eventually live (University of Michigan)."
How has KKPsi helped you in the "real world"? (professionally or personally, or both) – "So much of what I’ve done in my career has involved events where we bring people together, help them grow in themed conversations, and create forward plans in well structured meetings. It is as though I’m hosting district conventions every few months in my work, as well as smaller event gatherings along the way. Speaking of meetings, the ability to lead a meeting well and in an organized way is critical to professional success and leadership. Too many people have their first try at leading a meeting well into their professional careers. The lessons I learned leading chapter meetings about how to set an agenda, coach people through the agenda, and keep conversations on topic and constructive have greatly enhanced my ability to work with others and assume academic leadership roles."
Name one thing you want to get out of the NCDAA. – "Socializing! I’m happy to be a person who is a member supporting others’ leadership. I’m excited to see a mix of Brothers across chapters and ages get together and move the organization forward."
Name any of your personal social media accounts that you would like people to connect with you. – https://www.facebook.com/malinda.matney; https://twitter.com/malindamatney
NCDAA YOUTUBE PAGE IS LIVE!!! Check out our new YouTube page and give our videos a LIKE and hit that SUBSCRIBE button too!
Mike Osborn
History & Traditions Director
It is summer so that means that the NCD Summer FUNction is coming up fast. By now you should know what Summer FUNction is but do you know how the it came to be?! Welcome to your 1st NCD History Highlight from your History and Traditions Director, Mike Osborn.
What we know today as Summer FUNction was approved at the 1991 NCD Convention in Ann Arbor when David Homan (KKPsi Upsilon) and Jackie Miller (TBS Delta Epsilon) were district presidents. At that point the district was extremely business oriented which did not lend itself to social activities. It was therefore decided that a summer event that was centered on social interaction needed to be created. This social outlet is what became the Summer FUNction.
The first NCD Summer FUNction took place in July 1991 during the presidential term of Mike Osborn (KKPsi ZE) and Larissa (Bien) Miller (TBS ZE). It was a one day event at what was then the Dover Lake Waterpark in Dover, OH. For KKPsi the planning for the event fell mostly to NCD Member at Large, Dan Skrovan (BK). The first Summer FUNction was well attended which was in part due to its location within easy travel of many of the chapters back in 1991. At the first Summer FUNction there was a short business meeting where updates on national convention topics were discussed (it was a major issue oriented convention with the CFR proposal, a complete revision of the Ritual, changes in membership terminology along with a national convention bid coming from Purdue. (keep in mind that in that era the only ways to update people were mailings, phone calls or meetings so a meeting at a district function was most efficient). The short meeting was accompanied by a picnic cookout and then the district enjoyed a sun soaked day of fun in the water park. As a side note the hot dogs might have had a part in securing the 1993 National Convention for Purdue as the leftover uncooked hot dogs were brought to College Park Maryland for the 1991 National Convention. It was there that the hot dogs were cooked and distributed to Brothers and Sisters on the walkway where the district was playing volleyball. The phrase “a hot dog is a vote for Purdue for national convention” showed great district support for Gamma Pi and Beta Sigma and let’s face it free food can do a lot to get support from starving college students at a national convention.
I encourage you to post your favorite Summer FUNction memories as a comment to this post. In the soon to be 27 Summer FUNctions there have been so many many memorable moments and it would be great to collect that history here as well.
Nicki Schmidt
Alumni Spotlight
Home chapter – Beta Kappa @ Bowling Green State University
Initiation period – Spring 2015
Graduation date – May 2016
Major or study concentration – Graphic Design
Main Instrument – French Horn
Current profession – Graphic Designer
Current city – Bowling Green, OH
Why did you join KKPsi or what drew you KKPsi? – "I actually didn't go out for KKPsi until I was a Junior. I spent my first couple years of college being very shy and introverted. When I joined the uniform committee for marching band my sophomore year, I met people from both KKPsi and TBS, this was my first experience with these band organizations and I thought it was awesome that a group of people could help the bands so much. The next year I was leadership of my section in marching band, which helped me get out of my shell more and I finally had the courage to go out for KKPsi. I loved the being able to meet people outside of my own section that loved band as much as I did. It was a very welcoming experience and I wouldn't change it for the world."
What positions or responsibilities did you hold in your chapter? – "I was the Fundraising Committee Head my final year as an active. When I came in as fundraising chair, our chapters funds were very low. I held different fundraisers such as our Marching Band Clothing Sale, bake sales, restaurant fundraisers, convention merchandise, and we saw a definite increase in our funds that year. It was awesome to see that I was able to contribute something to my chapter."
Name a favorite memory from your Active membership. – "One of my favorite memories would have to be building a halloween gingerbread house with my Big and Little! The first weekend after I got my little we went to a band outreach at a high school, and then went to my Big's apartment and we built a Halloween themed gingerbread house. We had so many laughs that night, and it was a great bonding experience for all of us. We failed at making the gingerbread house stand so we just smashed it and then ate all the black icing!"
How has KKPsi helped you in the "real world"? (professionally or personally, or both) – "Kappa Kappa Psi has helped me learn the importance of teamwork. In KKPsi we work as a team to provide the best we can for the bands, it is never an individual effort. This also applies to my job environment working with my coworkers, providing the best work and product we can for the customers. More personally, KKPsi has helped me gain confidence in leadership and trust. I was able to grow as a person being around a group of people who share the same interests and values as I do. I am more confident in myself and the work that I do because of the support I received from my brothers during my time being active. I could never be more thankful for that."
What are you most looking forward to as a member of the NCDAA? – "I am looking forward to connecting with other Alumni brothers. I still stay connected with the family that are active and still in college, but I think that having an alumni association is a great way for graduates to still stay connected with brothers even if they don't have any connection left with their home chapter."
Name one thing you want to get out of the NCDAA. – "To continue my experience as a brother and be able to make new connections with other KKPsi alumni, and continue to grow my knowledge from new experiences."
Name any of your personal social media accounts that you would like people to connect with you. – Instagram: @Schminkz
Name any other contact information that you are willing to share. – "I do have a website that features my graphic design work: www.nickischmidtdesigns.com as well as my design work email nicki.schmidt.designs@gmail.com."
This is where we will post updates, notes, and our meeting minutes for all to access.
