Brother Luke J. Schissel Joins the Chapter Celestial

The Kappa Sigma Fraternity lost one of its finest and most historic leaders on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, when Brother Luke J. Schissel joined the Chapter Celestial. Brother Schissel was a May 16, 1962, initiate of the Epsilon-Nu Chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi where he began his service to Kappa Sigma serving in the role of House Manager. Upon his graduation from Southern Miss, he would hold some of the most important leadership positions in the Fraternity and would play a significant part in building Kappa Sigma’s proud legacy across 4 decades.
Brother Schissel served as Assistant Alumnus Advisor and Alumnus Advisor of the Delta-Xi Chapter at the University of Mississippi and would also serve as a member of the Kappa Sigma Legal Commission.
He was elected to the Supreme Executive Committee at the 1979  Grand Conclave in Phoenix, Arizona as Worthy Grand Master of Ceremonies (1979-1981); as Worthy Grand Procurator (1981-1983) at the New Orleans Grand Conclave in 1981; and as Worthy Grand Master (1983-1985) at the Grand Conclave in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1983. Brother Schissel served as Worthy Grand Master for the Centennial Supreme Executive Committee and was joined by Brother Dr. John W. Ryan (WGP); Brother Ronald J. Webb (WGMC); Brother  C. Cole Jeffries, Jr. and Brother Robert L. Jarrell. Brother Schissel was the 51^stBrother to serve in the office of Worthy Grand Master.
Brother Schissel was elected as Endowment Fund Trustee in 1985 and was responsible for creating the Jackson’s Men Program with Dr. John W. Ryan, Past President of Indiana University. Brother Schissel was the first member of the Jackson’s Men Program and wore Jackson’s Men pin #1 and Brother Ryan wore Jackson’s Men #2. The Jackson’s Men Program has enrolled over 4,518 members since its inception in 1989. The Jackson’s Men program has resulted in significant gifts to the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund to support Scholarship-Leadership Awards and Education Programs. Brother Schissel served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Endowment Fund (1985-1988).
Brother Schissel was one of eight Brothers to be inducted into the Hall of Honor in the inaugural class in 2003 at the Kappa Sigma Grand Conclave in Tampa. Only 22 members in the history of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity have been inducted into the Hall of Honor.
Brother Schissel practiced law in Greenwood, Mississippi for 50 years, was a City Judge and a City Attorney for Greenwood.
Brother Schissel is survived by his wife Nancy and three Children (Lisa, Joe, and Jim) and nine grandchildren. Brother Schissel’s son Jim was the Model Initiate at the 1989 Grand Conclave in Orlando, Florida.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.