Local History

The Epsilon Xi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, provides active service to the Miami University Marching Band alongside the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma.  
 
In 1969, students in the 100 member MUMB started becoming more involved. Wanting more of a say in the way that band is run, students approached head director Nicolas Poccia, who gladly offered positions of leadership. Seeing that a co-run band worked more efficiently and to a better advantage, the idea was presented of colonizing both Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi, to enhance leadership and encourage continued involvement.

During the colonization time for Epsilon Xi, chapters from University of Cincinnati (Upsilon) and Xavier University (Delta Phi) helped set up the chapter and were present for its activation on March 13, 1970. Afterwards, the newly activated Alpha Class, which consisted of nine members including: Tad Stewart (President), Michael Gallehue (Vice President), Robert Swope (Treasurer), and John Chamberlin (Secretary), set up the Membership Education Process. The next step was to build up the new chapter.

In the early years of the Epsilon Xi Chapter, the Rush process and Membership Education Process took place in the same semester. Both the fall and spring semesters saw the chapter growing larger.

In the early 1980’s, Epsilon Xi set a precedent for the North Central District: it became co-ed. Since then, many chapters of both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma all over the NCD have become co-ed, enhancing the diversity and quality of the organizations.

Today, Epsilon Xi remains an active and vital part of the MUMB, which is where most of our members become interested and eventually involved in the chapter. The Rush process now occurs every fall, where all who are interested come out to get to know the Brothers, and vice versa. Bids are extended in late fall, and the Membership Education Process takes place in the spring semester.

Epsilon Xi prides itself on the three pillars set in place many years ago: Brotherhood, Service, and Tradition. Each is an essential part of the Brothers’ experience, and allows the chapter as a whole to be the active force it is within the MUMB. In whatever we do, Epsilon Xi always Strives for the Highest.