kappa alpha order beta alpha chapter pledge class of 1963

Fifty Years and Counting: The Beta Alpha Chapter KA Pledge Class of 1963 and Homecoming 2013 In late 2012, Brother Dennis R. Hanlon (“Denny” or “Rick,” take your pick) with help from Brother Ted Weise, began contacting members of his 1963 Kappa Alpha pledge class from the Beta Alpha Chapter in Rolla. Some members had kept in touch with one another over the years, others had not been in communication for nearly five decades. Denny’s goal was ambitious, and he pursued it tenaciously. He sought nothing less than to unite all the available members of the class on its 50th anniversary, the occasion being Homecoming weekend at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in October 2013. Amazingly, he managed to locate all members of the pledge class, finding some in a determined effort that continued even after several brothers who had tried to help him in the search had long given up hope. His pitch to all he contacted was heartfelt and convincing: everyone would have a grand time, joining up and catching up. Some brothers had commitments they couldn’t cancel; for some, health issues prevented them from attending. Still, the result of Denny’s labor was nothing short of incredible. Last October, fourteen of the eighteen pledge brothers made the trip to Rolla from all over the country. Among them were Jerry Sellers, pledge class president, and Dave Krutsinger, both of whom were suffering from debilitating illnesses but able to make the trip.