Mark Rogers (left), a Western Carolina University senior, represents the national Kappa Alpha Order, while shaking the hand of Billy Gilman, a country music star, at the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 43rd annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. Rogers presented the MDA with a check totaling $165,931 on behalf of the national fraternity. (Photo courtesy of the Muscular Dystrophy Association)

Mark Rogers, a Western Carolina University senior, recently represented the Kappa Alpha Order, a national men’s fraternity headquartered in Roanoke, Va., when he presented a check totaling $165,931 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association during its 43rd annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.

Rogers, who is studying history, graduated from Erwin High School in 2002. He is from Asheville, and his parents are Rick Rogers and Cynthia Dunn. He is the former president of Kappa Alpha Order at WCU, and he now holds the national undergraduate chairman position for Kappa Alpha.

Rogers presented a check for the total amount of the collegiate fraternal organization’s national fundraising efforts for MDA. Rogers delivered it to MDA national youth chairman and telethon co-host Billy Gilman, a country music star, during the broadcast from Las Vegas.

“The continued support of Kappa Alpha brings us closer to treatments and cures, and sponsors vital assistance like medical clinics and summer camp,” said Lewis, MDA national chairman and longtime telethon host. “Thanks to help like theirs, one day, hope will become reality for ‘my kids.’”

During his time at the telethon, Rogers met the MDA’s national goodwill ambassador, Abbey Umali, a  9-year-old girl who has congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy, a form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, that causes muscle wasting, lack of coordination and some loss of sensation in upper and lower extremities. “I was impressed by the family support network of MDA, and after meeting these families, I vowed to work even harder for the MDA,” said Rogers.

Kappa Alpha has been an MDA sponsor for 31 years. Its members in chapters across the country raise money for the association year-round through campus-based athletic events, concerts, golf tournaments and social events. “Last year, the Delta Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Order at WCU hosted the annual Swing Away MDA Golf Tournament at Laurel Ridge Country Club to raise our share of the funds,” said Rogers. “We also sold shamrocks on behalf of MDA to raise even more money.”

In addition to MDA, the Delta Alpha chapter also hosts and attends community service projects. “We have adopted a road that we keep litter-free, and we have an annual fundraiser in which we raise money and buy presents for troops that are deployed overseas,” said Rogers.

Many of the Greek societies on Western’s campus participate in fundraisers and non-profit organizations,  said Bart Andrus, associate director of leadership at WCU.

“The Greek community at WCU is currently composed of 19 chapters and five councils, all of which are dedicated to being engaged, especially when it comes to community service projects and philanthropic events, awareness and fundraising,” Andrus said. “Over the past three years, the Greek community has put in 2,400 service hours each year, working with numerous organizations and groups. The Greek community also raises approximately $50,000 each year for various charitable organizations.”

For more information about Greek life at WCU, contact the Office of Greek Life at (828) 227-3623 or via e-mail at bandrus@email.wcu.edu.

Maintained by the Office of Public Relations
Last Modified: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008