The original idea of founding of the Kappa Alpha Order chapter at the Louisiana Polytechnic Institute belongs to Don Loper of Alpha Iota chapter at Centenary College. Brother Loper found that there were several individuals that instilled the values of KA on the campus and after employing their help the Pentagon Club was founded. The main objective of the club was to provide a means for the members and other men interested in the foundation of a KA chapter at Tech to meet each week. James Wilson was elected president of the club and most of the credit for obtaining the Charter goes to him. Wilson's tireless efforts to obtain the Charter were rewarded on October 5, 1947. On that day the Alpha Iota chapter of Centenary College initiated nine men from the Pentagon Club: Joe Anderson, Donald Downs, James Tigner, Hugh Mix, and Walter Mix, Shreveport; George Briley, Natchitoches; John Edwards, Ruston; Parker Nix, Ansley; and Sidney Seegars, Columbia. Other members of the Pentagon Club who were not initiated on October 5th were Blake Shipp, Ville Platte; and Kay McLure, Shreveport who were initiated at a later date. Hal Arthur and Leland Plaxco of Alpha Iota along with Harry Bell from the Alpha Gamma chapter at Louisiana State University, and James Wilson who was previously initiated into the Beta Phi chapter at the University of New Mexico were the transfer members who, along with the nine new initiates, made up the total active membership.
On October 18, 1947 the chapter's Charter was formally presented at an installation banquet by Brother Ransom Bassett who at the time was the Executive Secretary of Kappa Alpha Order. Members of the faculty along with other fraternity and sorority presidents on campus were in attendance. Also in attendance was Brother Eugene Thompson who at the time was the Province Commander of White Province and representatives from the Alpha Iota chapter.
At the chapters first meeting after receiving its Charter Harry Bell was elected Number I; James Wilson, II; Hal Arthur, III; Leland Plaxco, IV; George Briley, V; Hugh Mix, VI; Donald Downs, VII; Walter Mix, VIII; and Joe Anderson, IX.
On December 8, 1947 the chapter was honored with the presence of Governor Ellis Arnall at its chapter meeting. Brother Bell spent some time with the Governors party having dinner with him in Monroe, LA later that evening.
On February 6, 1948 the chapter conducted its first initiation. Initiated was the chapters first faculty advisor, Mr. H.L. Henry, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Tech.
* This information was gathered from past Kappa Alpha Journal's in the Orders archives at the National Administrative Office in Lexington, VA