Algonquin College’s Kappa Sigma is seeking to become the first official fraternity at any college in Canada.
“There are other fraternities on campus,” said Kevin Dunk, “but we’re the only one that is Algonquin based.”
Dunk, the grand master of the Algonquin colony and his right-hand man Thoma Simpson, a business-marketing student, are very excited about the near future.
The fraternity was formed three years ago, by Dunk and fellow founding father Jose Barbosa Montiel. When Dunk was approached to form Kappa Sigma at Algonquin, he thought fraternity life would be similar to that which is portrayed in the movies.
That was not the case.
The fraternity does a lot of charity work, as it is a requirement from the international Kappa Sigma fraternity. Recently, Kappa Sigma did a charity drive for Operation Come Home, a group that helps homeless youth in Ottawa. The fraternity donated 12 garbage bags of clothes and over $500 in donations to the charity. The fraternity also hosted a charity barbecue that raised almost $800.
“Once I saw the good on that side of it, I knew it was something I had to get involved in,” said Dunk.
“We’re here to change mentalities and change stereotypes,” added Simpson. “It’s not like what you see on TV”
The process of becoming an official fraternity isn’t extremely complicated. Kappa Sigma Algonquin is required to have a competitive size and do a minimum amount of charity work.
“You need to show headquarters that you’re worthy of the name,” said Dunk.
Both Dunk and Simpson attribute Kappa Sigma’s main benefit to be personal growth.
“I know it sounds cheesy, but we turn boys into men,” said Dunk.
“They come in here and come out a better person, that’s the goal,” added Simpson.
Dunk, originally from Campbellford, Ont., knew only a few people once arriving in Ottawa. But thanks to Kappa Sigma, it maximized his college experience.
“I’ve would have never met any of my pledgebrothers and now they’re some of my best friends,” said Dunk.
Simpson and Dunk both agree that the fraternity had made them better professionals, as well.
The fraternity hopes to have their official charter by the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year.
Kappa Sigma also hosts information nights, should students seek to know more or are thinking about pledging. The next information night in on March 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Commons.