Kadelphianism at Texas Christian University Essay

Psychologists often refer to the period of life known as adolescence as one of the most difficult stages of development that an individual will endure. It has been stated that adolescence is the time when an individual forms his/her own sense of identity. A sense of identity is defined as â€Å"an organized sense of how our own personality traits, values, and beliefs fit together in defining who we are.† Therefor, the development of a sense of identity is, in fact, the basis for a stable adult personality. Certain responsibilities accompany this development of an identity, such as the commitments quot;to oneself, to ones family, to significant others, and to the various subgroups in society of which one is a member.quot;†¦show more content†¦The founders believed in unselfish service to mankind, and they felt that personal leadership requires confidence tempered with humility and tolerance. The rituals of Kadelphianism are also quite simple and pure in nature. With Frog Fountain serving as a center for all activity, the Kadelphian students meet on a bi-weekly basis; during these meetings there is an opening prayer session, a candle lighting ceremony, and an open discussion or forum involving all of the students present. The members discuss private and public issues which they attempt to resolve through peer support and interaction. After the forum is complete, the candles are blown out simultaneously, and a closing prayer is recited. During the ritual ceremony, all Kadelphians wear a small pin bearing the symbol of Kadelphianism: a diamond shaped badge with the inscribed letters TCU and a pair of hands clasped in friendship. The hierarchy of the Kadelphians is based on the leadership and dedication set forth by its members. The Grand Kadelphian, or leader of the students, is chosen by majority opinion; the other leading Kadelphians are chosen by the Grand Kadelphian based on merit, scholarship, and service to fellow students. It is considered an honor to be chosen by ones peers for any of the above-mentioned