The Eta Chapter at Randolph-Macon College is the 34th chapter of Kappa Sigma and was originally chartered on November 14, 1888 — but the tradition of Kappa Sigma can be traced back to the year 1400 at the University of Bologna in Italy.
Modern-day Kappa Sigma was founded one chilly evening in the fall of 1869, as five students attending the University of Virginia in Charlottesville gathered at 46 East Lawn and created a fraternity steeped in the traditions of the past and dedicated to the pursuit of learning. The new brothers recorded their bond in a Constitution and in an Oath that set forth the ideals and principles of all Kappa Sigmas today.
A founding father of the Eta Chapter, Brother Martin is best known in the Fraternity for designing the Pledge Pin: the unique symbol of affiliation worn by all Pledges of Kappa Sigma. Brother Martin continued his service to the Fraternity by serving as Worthy Grand Scribe for 29 years and was inducted into the Kappa Sigma Hall of Honor in 2005.
Brother James Miller Leake was a prominent figure in Sigma Sigma Sigma's early history and provided tremendous assistance to the sorority in its early years. Brother Leake wrote Tri Sigma’s Initiation Ritual, revised their Constitution, and assisted in writing the lyrics to “Stately and Royal”. Brother Leake is the only man given the permission to wear the Indented Triangle badge of Sigma Sigma Sigma and remains the only man counted as a member of the sorority.
Brother McClamroch exemplified his dedication to Kappa Sigma by serving the Fraternity as a volunteer alumnus since his graduation from R-MC in 1977. His 40 years of alumni service represent one of the longest-serving volunteer officers in the history of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Brother McClamroch has served on the Supreme Executive Committee as Worthy Grand Master, Worthy Grand Procurator, Worthy Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Worthy Grand Treasurer. Inducted into the Kappa Sigma Hall of Honor 2017, Brother McClamroch currently serves as the Treasurer of the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund.
Brother Waters served R-MC as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator. He was a four-year member of the football team and earned two letters as an offensive lineman for head coach Ted Keller. The Yellow Jackets went 21-13-3 during his four years and won the initial ODAC Championship in 1976. Waters was a four-year letter winner for the baseball team as a catcher and first baseman for head coach Hugh Stephens. R-MC went 68-32 during his four years and earned a bid to the 1977 NCAA Division II Baseball Tournament. Waters succeeded Coach Stephens as baseball head coach and recorded 260 victories in 22 seasons. He was three-time ODAC Coach of the Year. The Yellow Jackets won the 1987 ODAC title and Waters was State College Division Coach of the Year that season. Waters coach seven different ODAC Players of the Year, including six consecutive. Waters was an assistant and associate head coach for the football team from 1982-96, helping R-MC win five ODAC Championships and earn a bid to the 1984 NCAA Playoffs. He coached four football All-Americans. Including football and baseball, Waters coached 11 players who became ODAC Hall of Fame inductees. Waters was Director of Athletics at R-MC from 1998 to 2003. Brother Waters will be inducted into the Randolph-Macon Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
Brother Sweaney is best known for his service in the United States Marine Corps from 1982 to 2000. After finishing basic flight training, Sweaney learned to handle the CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter, a Marine Corps workhorse for decades. In 1989, he landed one of the greatest honors available to Marine pilots when he was assigned to Marine Helicopter Squadron 1, ferrying the President of the United States. Through diligence and commitment, Brother Sweaney rose to become one of the top officers in the Osprey program: a new aircraft designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft. Pilot of the MV-22 Osprey, Brother Sweaney was killed in December of 2000 during a test flight crash caused by a hydraulic system failure. For his service, Brother Sweaney was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Combat Action Ribbon, and Kappa Sigma's Golden Heart Award.
Brother Shaw was a four-year letterman as a defensive lineman and three-year team captain. He recorded 270 career tackles with 20 career sacks. As a sophomore, Shaw was All-ODAC Second Team and All-State Second Team. He was All-ODAC Second Team and All-State First Team during his junior campaign. As a senior, Shaw was All-ODAC First Team and All-State First Team. During his four seasons, R-MC went 25-11 overall and 14-6 in ODAC contests. The Yellow Jackets won the 1984 ODAC title and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Playoffs. R-MC finished No. 5 in the final NCAA poll. Shaw participated in the 1987 Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament. He has coached youth football and baseball in Central Virginia. Shaw has assisted youth and families with registration fees and equipment for football, baseball and swimming. Shaw was inducted into the Randolph-Macon Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.