House Mothers

ALMEDA HAYES – House Mother (1948 – 1961)

The importance of having Mom Hayes in the post-WWII cannot be overstated.  College men were being initiated at the same time WWII vets were returning home and a large portion of those verterans were entering or re-entering college.  Mom Hayes was there as a confidant, adult figure and someone to whom needed to be shown respect in the chapter house.  Pledge class ages were wide ranging, often 18 years to 30 years. Young men from the Korean War followed the WWII veterans.  Mom Hayes was proud that her son became a Kappa Sigma man.

IRENE CORNELL – House Mother  (1962 – 1973)

Mom Cornell and her husband, Ralph Cornell, were one of the steadying forces of Kappa Sigma fraternity life through an 11-year tenure, both living in the chapter house. In particular, her service to the chapter membership included many of America’s turbulent years involving the Vietnam War and the draft.  Mom Cornell was a cornerstone of mentoring and listener to help those preparing for Vietnam, their entry into U.S. military or National Guard as well as men returning from service. Ralph Cornell move into assisted care in 1970 – 71 and Mom Cornell moved there with her husband. Still, she continued to attend Monday Night dinners for two more college years and was forever welcome at the chapter house. 

JANE WIESE – House Mother (1978 – 1995)

Mom Wiese began her tenure living in the house in 1978.  She was the final piece to the alumni’s rebuilding project to produce a healthier, more vibrant membership.  At the time, the members were under the trusteeship of the Alumni Board of Control.  Mom Wiese’s husband was also a Kappa Sigma while she was also the grandmother of Brothers Ken and Bruce Holcomb.  Monday Night dinners with Mom Wiese were very important to bringing behavior and new sprit de corps to Alpha-Sigma chapter. Her participation and presence in the 80s was significant as the fraternity reached a zenith in terms of quantity of participation in Greek Life