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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42
CEDAR FALLS, IA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
VOLUME 122, ISSUE 5
Kappa Sigma fraternity celebrates 40 years as UNI marks 150th annivarsery
Estelle Johnson/Northern Iowan Neil Rudd, left, and Izaiah Martinez, right, pose for a photo in front of the Kappa Sigma sign that sits outside of the fraternity house.
By Estelle Johnson Executive Editor Kappa Sigma, the only fraternity at the University of Northern Iowa, proudly celebrated its 40-year milestone on Sept. 20. Founded in 1869, at the University of Virginia, Kappa Sigma is the largest fraternity in the United States and Canada. Kappa Sigma is founded on four pillars: fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service. Kappa Sigma holds philanthropic values in supporting their communities, especially veterans — and each year, the fraternity participates in a Military Heroes Campaign that raises money for veteran organizations. On Saturday, friends and brothers gathered at the KS house on College Street to bond over a shared connection: being a part of Kappa Sigma. Neil Rudd, 1987 UNI graduate and one of 17 founding UNI KS brothers, told me he was proud of what the UNI chapter continues to accomplish – especially with the difficulties Greek life has faced at UNI. “We’ve had over 400 initiates at our chapter at UNI,” said Rudd. “About a third of them are here this weekend.” Rudd noted the pride he felt toward former and current Kappa Sigma brothers. He explained that many KS members have continued on to experience accomplished professional lives. Rudd is an example of this – as he works as the chief
financial officer of Palm Therapeutics, a San Diego-based therapeutics startup that develops palmitoylation-targeted drugs that aim to treat cancer. “I think what Kappa Sigma offers to young men is just as relevant today as it was 40 years ago,” said Rudd. “Look around here – you’ve got undergraduates, guys who’ve been here 40 years and people in between. There’s a connection that they have through fraternity … and in ordinary life, they wouldn’t necessarily speak to each other.” Rudd reiterated how impressed he was by the undergraduates and their efforts to put on a good event this past weekend. “At the end of the day, though, being a member of the Mu-Upsilon Chapter is about more than numbers, service hours vor fundraising totals,” said Izaiah Martinez, current president of Kappa Sigma. “Whether you were initiated back in 1985 or just this semester, we are all part of something greater, a lifelong brotherhood. It’s about building bonds, creating memories and forming friendships that last a lifetime. That is the heart of who we are and what makes this chapter so special. It was awesome to put on this event and I am proud to be part of Kappa Sigma during this 40th anniversary.”
Seerley Park hosts grand reopening ceremony after major renovations
Anelia Dimitrova/Northern Iowan Chris Martin and Mary Brammer cut the ribbon at the reopening of Seerley Park on Sunday afternoon.
See SEERLEY, page 2