History of the Petitioning Group
In the spring of 2001, four Boise State University band members resolved to take action to improve the band program at their school. During his sojourn at another university, Ryan Baker had been involved in Kappa Kappa Psi, and so was able to introduce the organization to Kate Hoffman, Thaddeus Marks, and Jeremy "Murray" Mattern. After some discussion, the four decided that they wanted to learn more about bringing Kappa Kappa Psi, which had been active at Boise State from 1990-1995, back to their university. 
Fortuitously, the theme of the 2001 Western District Convention was "Convention for Colonization". A generous donation from Professor David A. Wells, the director of athletic bands, allowed the intrepid foursome to fly to Portland to spend a weekend with the District. After two sleepless nights, one banquet/dance, thousands of questions, four goofy hats, six frozen pairs of underwear, and one triumphant fight song competition, the Boise State representatives were convinced they wanted to colonize. 
That summer marked a period of enthusiastic preparation. Ryan, Kate, Thaddeus, and Murray met each month to discuss their plans for the upcoming academic year and to lay the foundation for the colonization process. They spoke with music department faculty members about their plans to reactivate Kappa Kappa Psi and met with student government officers to discuss becoming an official ASBSU club. A constitution was drafted, and informational fliers were produced and sent out along with other band mailings. 
Heavy recruitment began during marching band camp and continued throughout the first few weeks of concert and jazz band rehearsals and the first part of the marching season. Recruitment culminated on September 8 when the Washington State University football team brought its band - and consequently, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma chapters - to Boise State. The fledgling group planned a pizza party and informational meeting at Washington State’s hotel after the game. Despite the inevitable fire alarm and evacuation into the parking lot, the meeting was a great success. Sixteen representatives from WSU and UCLA, including four district officers, spent the evening discussing the organizations with fifteen students from Boise State. 
After giving the issue considerable thought, the new group decided to colonize only the fraternity at that time. On October 7, ten Boise State band members met and held elections for Kappa Kappa Psi offices. Ryan Baker was elected president; Kate Hoffman, vice president; Thaddeus Marks, secretary; Murray Mattern, treasurer; Amanda Swan, historian; and Michael Stansell, alumni secretary. In the weeks that followed, the group solidified with a membership of twelve, including Bonnar Bray, Douglas Crowell, Olivia 
Cunningham, Kimberly Detro, Lindsey Hazelwood, and Tim Imlay. David Wells unreservedly agreed to be the group’s official advisor and sponsor. 
Iota Kappa became an official colony of Kappa Kappa Psi on October 19, 2001. The following day, the colony carried out its first major service project: facilitating the District III high school marching band competition at which they served as guides, ushers, runners, medics, transportation coordinators, adjudication assistants, warm-up area supervisors, and general labor. They also supervised the pre-competition rehearsals on the "Smurf Turf", representing school and fraternity from seven in the morning until eleven at night. As a result of their efforts, the 2001 District III Competition was the most expeditious in the festival’s history. 
Over the course of the next several months, Iota Kappa became a visible presence on Boise State campus. During marching season they took responsibility for maintaining the band and dance team seating, made a complete set of weather-resistant song announcement signs for the pep band, and distributed 
packing lists prior to the band’s trip to Hawaii. They also arranged a social event for the Boise State and San Jose State marching bands, and worked with the Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma chapters from Louisiana Tech and Clemson to meet up during the Humanitarian Bowl. Iota Kappa volunteered to raise and lower the stadium's American flag each day, and helped in making posters which were sold to benefit the Red Cross after the terrorist attacks in New York. They submitted articles to the Accent and the Podium, put together a commemorative scrapbook for Professor Wells, and dressed up like Santa Claus and company to sell holiday pictures during finals week. The colony also managed the stage setup and changes for the music department's annual holiday concert, helped with recruitment and tours during the audition day for incoming freshman musicians, and worked at the Boise State High School Honor Band Clinic. They developed promotional literature for the music department and assisted with the marching band’s intensive recruitment program as well. Since the beginning of the spring semester the group’s focus shifted to finishing up the colonization process. Concentrated efforts were made to complete the membership education program and finish the petitioning document. In addition the group is planning to make a good showing at their first district convention as an official group.
Iota Kappa spent the spring of 2002 preparing for the Western District Convention and for initiation into the fraternity. On March 10 the members completed their membership education program. They wrapped up production of a 70-page full color petitioning document and on March 21 sent it and their MEP plan to National Headquarters. In preparation for convention, Iota Kappa chartered a bus to transport themselves, Iota Gamma, Theta Delta, and Gamma to Flagstaff, AZ. The colony assembled a scrapbook and built an 8-foot-tall Parthenon-esque chapter display, as well as developing a bid to publish the Accent. On April 5, 2002, the members of Iota Kappa underwent third degree and the colony became an active chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. The history of Iota Kappa is still unfurling as the chapter continues to grow and work towards saving the world for collegiate bands.
