Kansas Chapter Reinstalled

Nearly 104 years after it first became a chartered chapter of Delta Upsilon, the Kansas Chapter rejoined the Fraternity’s active chapter roll when its Reinstallation Ceremony was held on Dec. 9, 2023.

Held in the Bruckmiller Room of the Adams Alumni Center at the University of Kansas, the location was the perfect backdrop for the event as décor in the building highlights the pride alumni have to be a Jayhawk—a pride Kansas Chapter alumni also have for being a DU.

More than 50 alumni and guests, including University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Gilrod, were on hand for the Reinstallation, which also included the Initiation of 25 new brothers into the chapter.

The history of the Kansas Chapter can be traced back to 1912 with the formation of a campus society called “Kanza.” With the help of Goldwin Goldsmith, Columbia 1896, who served KU as the head of the Department of Agriculture, Kanza successfully petitioned Delta Upsilon for membership and was chartered on Jan. 10, 1920, as the 51st chapter of Delta Upsilon.

Over the next 98 years, the Kansas Chapter became a stalwart within the Fraternity, regularly receiving DU accolades and initiating more than 1,900 men, many of whom would go on to serve as outstanding businessmen, leaders and Fraternity volunteers. However, a series of Fraternity Loss Prevention violations forced the chapter to close in 2018, two years shy of its centennial celebration.

In fall 2022, four years after the chapter’s closure, the Fraternity began its expansion recruitment efforts to reestablish the Kansas Chapter. Thanks to the generous support of chapter alumni, the group quickly began to take shape and make a name for itself on campus. The Associate Chapter Ceremony was held on Nov. 12, 2022. Over the next year, the associate chapter would continue to recruit new members, move back into the chapter house, and establish a foundation for operational success. While many associate chapters can take two years or more to meet chartering requirements, the Kansas Associate Chapter did so within just one year and was officially reinstalled on Dec. 9, 2023.

According to Kenzy Rolley, Kansas ’25, who served as Chapter President at the time of the Reinstallation, Kansas Associate Chapter members and alumni were all on the same page regarding being able to recharter as soon as possible. Together, the undergraduates and alumni advisors worked to make that dream a reality.

“We wouldn't be who we are without our alumni support,” Rolley said. “You can really tell that our alums are focused on Building Better Men, and having them trust us in that vision is invaluable."

During the Reinstallation and Initiation ceremonies, the Ritual team consisted of Delta Upsilon Executive Director Justin Kirk, Boise State ’00, as Master; Grant Kaufman, Kansas ’92, as Examiner; Rod Barleen, Kansas ’96, as Chief Marshal; and Marty Kennan, Kansas ’82, as Chaplain. Todd Slawson, Kansas ’84, gave The Charge Address.

Slawson, a double legacy of the Kansas Chapter (father Donald Slawson, Kansas ’55; grandfather Charles Slawson, Kansas 1920, who was an original charter member of the Kansas Chapter) spoke of the chapter’s storied history, its future, and the pride all Kansas Chapter alumni have in seeing the chapter’s charter restored. In fact, many of the alumni in attendance were overcome with emotion as a symbolic charter was presented back to the chapter during the event.

Rolley and the other Kansas undergraduates share the alumni’s excitement for the future.

“I see the Kansas DUs becoming the strong chapter it once was on campus,” Rolley said. “Through hard work and determination, with increasing social connections and academics, we will be right where we belong as one of the flagship chapters at KU and within DU."

As is customary with all Reinstallations and new Installations, the Kansas Chapter will receive its official new charter during the 2024 Leadership Institute in Atlanta, held Aug. 2-4.