Founding Father of Kappa Kappa Psi
"Iron Hawthorne Nelson" is perhaps the most distinctive name among the founding fathers — a name that stands out and is memorable. It's a name that suggests strength (Iron) and natural beauty (Hawthorne).
Nelson was the only founding father who majored in **Chemistry**, bringing a scientific and analytical perspective to the fraternity's establishment. His background in the precise science of chemistry served him well in constitutional work.
Nelson came from **Stillwater, Oklahoma** — the home of Oklahoma A&M College and the site of the fraternity's founding. He was a true hometown boy invested in his community's institutions.
Nelson served on the **Constitution and Bylaws Committee** alongside Raymond D. Shannon, helping establish the legal and organizational framework that would govern the fraternity.
Like Asher Hendrickson, Nelson played the **clarinet** — an instrument known for clarity and articulation. Two founding fathers shared this instrument, both involved in precise organizational work.
Nelson's leadership extended beyond KKPsi. He was active in **Chi Sigma Chemistry Fraternity**, showing he was a bridge between his academic discipline and the broader fraternity movement.
Nelson was also a member of **Lambda Chi Alpha**, showing he understood and valued fraternal life from multiple perspectives before helping establish KKPsi.
Nelson's work on the Constitution and Bylaws Committee was crucial during the fraternity's founding. The document he helped create would serve as the foundation for KKPsi's governance for decades.
As a hometown boy, Nelson had a personal investment in making Oklahoma A&M College and the town of Stillwater known for the creation of a national fraternity.
While most founding fathers were musicians first and foremost, Nelson brought the perspective of a chemistry student and scholar, broadening the fraternity's appeal to students across different majors.
While most founding fathers were musicians first and foremost, Nelson brought the perspective of a chemistry student and scholar, broadening the fraternity's appeal to students across different majors.
Key moments in the life of Iron
6 events across 1 era
Iron Hawthorne Nelson represents the scholar-founder — the person whose work on the Constitution and Bylaws Committee created the structural foundation upon which Kappa Kappa Psi would build.
While his name is less well-known than Scroggs or Martin, Nelson's constitutional work was essential. Every rule that has governed the fraternity, every procedural guideline that chapters follow — these trace back to the framework that Nelson helped establish.
Nelson also represents the interdisciplinary nature of KKPsi from the beginning. While other founding fathers were primarily musicians and educators, Nelson brought the perspective of a chemistry scholar, helping ensure that the fraternity would appeal to musicians and non-musicians alike across the entire campus community.
The chemistry student from Stillwater, Oklahoma helped mix the right elements to create a fraternal compound that would endure for over a century.