Kappa Alpha Order Raises $128,000 for Wounded Veterans
High Point University > Caring People > Events
Mar 13th, 2026

Kappa Alpha Order Raises $128,000 for Wounded Veterans

Caring People
Inspiring Environment
News

HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order held the American Flag during the Family Weekend Basketball game on Feb. 7, when they also presented a major donation to help wounded veterans and their families.

High Point University’s Kappa Alpha Order is celebrating a record fundraising year in 2025-2026 after donating $128,000 to critically wounded veterans for several initiatives through The Independence Fund.

It all began back in 2017, however, when these HPU fraternity brothers started raising funds for this North Carolina nonprofit.

Since then, the tradition they launched nearly 10 years ago has, in total, resulted in more than $2 million donated to veterans and their families from the HPU chapter alone. Their fundraising efforts for The Independence Fund have also been adopted by dozens of KA chapters on other college campuses across the country.

“What this incredible group accomplished is remarkable, and the impact will be felt for years to come,” said Doug Ackerman, Chief Operating Officer of The Independence Fund. “Their generosity is restoring independence and creating meaningful, life-changing experiences for wounded Veterans and their families. Support like this reminds these heroes that they are never forgotten.”

Here’s a glimpse at how HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order is helping veterans during the 2025-2026 academic year:

Freedom of Movement: KA’s Tradition of Service in Action

The KA brothers are an integral part of HPU’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration. As part of  the program, they present veterans with the gift of a Track Chair to increase mobility.

During HPU’s 2025 Veterans Day Celebration, they donated a Track Chair to one veteran and a specialized recumbent bike to another veteran during the event. The devices help them become more mobile, active, independent and healthy. The Independence Fund partners with the fraternity to identify veterans from across the country who would most benefit from these special chairs.

 

Tyler Nichols, who served in the U.S. Army airborne infantry, and his wife Emma Nichols, were pictured at center with members of HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order, which raised funds for Track Chairs to help improve mobility of critically injured veteran.
Tyler Nichols, who served in the U.S. Army airborne infantry, and his wife Emma Nichols, were pictured at center with members of HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order, which raised funds for Track Chairs to help improve mobility of critically injured veteran.

“We do it because we feel we have a moral obligation to give back to those who have sacrificed everything – their lives, their bodies – for our ability to go to school and our freedom,” said Max Mody, a sophomore member of HPU’s KA fraternity.

Tyler Nichols, who served in the U.S. Army airborne infantry, was in attendance at HPU’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration to receive his new Track Chair.

“It means a lot because I’ve been an outdoorsman all my life, so when I suffered from a spinal cord injury, it really changed where I can hunt and fish and what activities I can access,” said Nichols, who is from Omaha, Nebraska, and was brought to campus for the event by The Independence Fund. “Having a Track Chair really changes everything. I can hunt and fish wherever I want to. I don’t have to worry about accessibility. It’s a life changer.”

HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order Gives Another $75,000 to Veterans Initiatives

During the men’s basketball game on Feb. 7, more than 7,000 people packed the Qubein Arena.

HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order fraternity had a special presentation to make during a timeout. The brothers announced they were donating $75,000 to the Independence Fund for two initiatives to support critically wounded veterans.

Members of HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order fraternity presented a check for $75,000 to The Independence Fund during the basketball game. The gift will provide a $50,000 fund to send wounded veterans and their families on vacation, as well purchase a Track Chair for wounded Vietnam War Veteran Richard Hughes, who attended the basketball game with the fraternity brothers.
Members of HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order fraternity presented a check for $75,000 to The Independence Fund during the basketball game. The gift will provide a $50,000 fund to send wounded veterans and their families on vacation.

 

Their fundraising provided a $50,000 gift to send wounded veterans and their families on all expense-paid vacations, as well another $25,000 to purchase a Track Chair for Vietnam War Veteran Richard Hughes, a former Marine who attended the game.

260207 Basketball 032LA
Vietnam War Veteran Richard Hughes, who attended the Family Weekend basketball game with the KA fraternity brothers and received a Track Chair.

This is part of $128,000 raised during the 2025-2026 academic year and the third veteran they supported this year to receive a customized mobility device that can empower a wounded veteran to navigate outdoor terrain and enjoy time outside with their families, children and more.

“Giving an Action Track Chair to a wounded veteran is more than a donation to us, it’s a life changing gift to those who deserve it and need it most,” says Eddie Schreiber, senior and president of HPU’s KA chapter. “We are also providing an all expense- and accommodation-paid cruise for multiple wounded veterans and their families. This experience is to not only show our gratitude for their service, but to allow them to enjoy experiences that they might not have been able to.”

While the brothers have donated more than a dozen Track Chairs to veterans since 2017, this is the first time they’ve funded all-expense paid vacations for critically wounded veterans, too.

In fact, Tyler Nichols, who previously received a Track Chair at the 2025 Veterans Day Celebration, will be one of the veterans to enjoy a vacation with his wife and two children thanks to these HPU fraternity brothers.