September 19th - Iota Phi Theta. The first Student of the Year Pageant was held on May 20, 1972 at Drexel University, under the direction of Mel Davis. The founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. are: Elder Watson Diggs, more affectionately known as 'The Dreamer', Dr. Ezra D. Alexander, Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong, Atty. Nor would the new Fraternity seek its members in the manner of other Greek organizations from among the sons of wealthy families or families of social prestige. In 1920, Xi chapter was chartered at Howard University. Local chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi participate in community outreach activities to feed the homeless, provide scholarships to young people matriculating to college, serve as mentors to young men, participate in blood drives and serve as hosts of seminars for public health awareness to name a few. [40], In 1998, 11 Kappas affiliated with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore were charged with first-degree assault and reckless endangerment for hospitalizing several pledges. The percentage of Blacks on campus was less than 1%. One day as one of the Fraternity members, Frank Summers, was running the hurdles, Founder Diggs overheard a White student state, He is a member of Kappa Alpha Nig. Attend "School Daze" 30th Anniversary Screening at The Fox Theatre on February 19, 2018 in Atlanta,. [31], It is the goal of the fraternity to see that all individuals committing acts of hazing and other unlawful and prohibited acts are punished consistent with due process and the concept of proportionality to the full extent of the rules of the fraternity, college and the criminal law. The Founders sought one anothers company between classes and dropped by one anothers places of lodging to further discuss the means of formulating the fledgling fraternity in an effort to relieve the depressing isolation. Track and Field was the only sport which Blacks were able to demonstrate their athleticism. The founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. are: Elder Watson Diggs, more affectionately known as 'The Dreamer', Dr. Ezra D. Alexander, Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong, Atty. On January 5, 1911, such an organization was born and thus Kappa Alpha Psi (then Kappa Alpha Nu) became a reality. More. The Past Polemarchs of the Hartsville Alumni Chapter of KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY,INC. [47], Also in 2010, the fraternity chapter was permanently banned from the campus of Georgia State University for being a repeat offender and beating a student pledging so badly that he coughed up blood.[48]. After leaving school, he pursued a Journalistic career in various cities throughout the country until World War I. [22], Kappa Alpha Psi offers undergraduate and graduate membership to potential aspirants, and its constitution has never contained any clause which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership because of color, creed, or national origin. Founder Elder Watson Diggs, was quiet, polished, scholarly, a prolific writer and commonly referred to as 'the Father of Kappa'. In the early 1960s, the cane was decorated with the fraternity colors. He received the degree of LL.B. Two of these men, Elder Watson Diggs and Byron Kenneth Armstrong, had previously attended Howard University and had come into contact with men belonging to the only national Black Greek-Letter Fraternity currently in existence. The Greek Letter was chosen in place of N and the Fraternity acquired a distinctive Greek letter symbol and, Through its worldwide prominence, Kappa Alpha Psi, National Partnership with National Society of Black Engineers. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never restricted membership on the basis of color, creed or national origin though membership traditionally is dominated by those of African heritage. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc was founded on the campus of Indiana University on January 5th, 1911. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight The charter members were Elder Watson Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong, John M. Lee, Henry T. Asher, Marcus P. Blakemore, Guy L. Grant, Paul W. Caine, George W. Edmonds, Ezra D. Alexander and Edward G. Irvin. Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, was born in an environment saturated in racism. Only $35.99/year. shown in 2nd picture from left to right are Past Polemarch Brother Roderick Ray,Past Polemarch Brother . In addition to his activities with Kappa Alpha Psi, Brother Grant held memberships in several civic, professional, and business organizations. These men of vision decided the Fraternity would be more than another social organization. If someone asks you "how long were you on line", how do you respond? Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, was born in an environment saturated in racism. The fraternity is the oldest predominantly African American Greek-letter society founded west of the Appalachian Mountains still in existence, and is known for its "cane stepping" in NPHC organized step shows. Chartered and incorporated originally under the laws of the State of Indiana as Kappa Alpha Nu on May 15, 1911, the name was changed to KAPPA ALPHA PSI on a resolution offered and adopted at the Grand . He . After leaving the University, he organized the Electric Engineering Company, which he operated until he enlisted in World War I. Prosecutors confirmed he blew most of the money at Harrah's Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.[28][29]. While there, he majored in chemistry, graduating with the A.B. degree from the Medical School of Indiana University in 1919. Kappa Alpha Psi expanded through the Midwest, South, and West at both white and black colleges. The process of covering the cane in the fraternal colors is considered as 'wrapping' and is done very specifically. They found that through these close interactions, they had common interests and a close bond began to emerge. Aside from his success as a Journalist, Brother Irvin was a pioneer in promoting basketball and track athletics in the small town schools of Indiana. John Milton Lee. Guy Levis Grant (1891-1973), born in New Albany, Indiana, attended public schools in that city, was graduated from Scribner High School in 1909, and later entered Indiana University. The Fraternity has over 125,000 members with 700 undergraduate and alumni chapters in nearly every state of the United States, and international chapters in Nigeria, South Africa, the West Indies, the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea and Japan. Kappa Alpha Psi was founded January 5, 1911, at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana and its opposition to hazing or unlawful or anti-social conduct of any kind has been continuous since its founding, implicit in its founding precepts and explicit in its declaration first published in the year 1949 stating that hazing in any form is illegal. It was clear at the outset that the new fraternity would not warm over principles or practices of other organizations. It is a fact of which Kappa Alpha Psiis proud that the Constitution has never contained any clause which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership merely because of his color, creed, or national origin. [20], The Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation was conceived by Dr. Oliver S. Gumbs, the 23rd Grand Polemarch. In 1915, he became a student at Temple . For this and other outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, he was awarded . The charter members were Elder Watson Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong, John M. Lee, Henry T. Asher, Marcus P. Blakemore, Guy L. Grant, Paul W. Caine, George W. Edmonds, Ezra D. Alexander and Edward G. Irvin. Before being exposed to the general public by various individuals in the 1990s and . Founder Edward Giles Irvin. THE FOUNDERS OF THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC. _____ Ernest Everett Just Brother (Dr.) Ernest E. Just was a college professor selected by Brothers Coleman, Cooper and Love to assist with the founding and establishment of Omega at Howard University in 1911. . Despite the growing hostility of Whites toward Blacks in Indiana, some Black students sought a college education at Indiana University, as it was a tuition-free university of the highest quality. The inaugural edition of the Kappa Alpha Nu Journal debuted April 1914 and has printed uninterrupted since with the exception to 1918 and 1919, due to WWI. [21], The NIC serves to advocate the needs of its member fraternities through enrichment of the fraternity experience, advancement and growth of the fraternity community, and enhancement of the educational mission of the host institutions. During their lives, all four were Master Masons. He was graduated from High School in 1909 and entered the University of Indiana the following year. Kappa Alpha Psi () is a collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African-American membership. The fraternity has many notable members recognized as leaders in the arts, athletics, business, Civil Rights, education, government, and science sectors at the local, national and international level. He was a graduate student at the University of Minnesota in 1917. He enrolled at Indiana University in 1909 and helped the other Founders in organizing Kappa Alpha Nu. George Wesley Edmonds (1890-1962) was born in Vanderburgh County, Knight Township, Indiana on August 13, 1890. Alexander served several terms as a member of the Grand Board of Directors. Some key factors to remember if you are interested in becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Home. The foundation would also accept contributions from individuals, organizations and businesses.[19]. The administration maintained an attitude of indifference, as Blacks slowly matriculated and were likewise swiftly forgotten. David was first Grand Polemarch who had not been nurtured by the Alpha chapter under the influence of the Founders, proposed dividing the Fraternity into supervisory districts. 95% of the founders of the Great 8 are Prince Hall Masons or Eastern stars. Five chapters were chartered from 1913-1915, centered in the Midwest; with the first chapter being established in the East in 1915. However, the culture of underground pledging is deeply embedded in fraternities and sororities as a whole and extreme hazing continues to be widespread across the organization. Kappa Alpha Psiwas the first to Black Greek Lettered Organization to issue a monthly publication. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college. Formidable barriers were put up to prevent the few who were enrolled from assimilating into co-curricular . Since the beginning, every endeavor was directed toward establishing the Fraternity upon a strong foundation before embarking on plans of expansion. John Milton Lee. Kappa Alpha Psi was the first to Black Greek Lettered Organization to issue a monthly publication. On December 30, 1929, a charter was granted to the Alpha chapter at Butler University making the organization a national college sorority. One hundred years ago this year, 10 men matriculating at Indiana University came together to found Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. By the end of the first year, the ritual was completed, and a design for the coat of arms and motto had begun. After finishing Indiana University, he earned his Masters degree at Columbia University in 1913, and subsequently the Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Michigan. It is the beautiful realization of a vision shared commonly by the late Revered Founders that enabled them to sow the seed of a fraternal tree whose fruit is available to, and now enjoyed by college men everywhere, regardless of their color, religion or national origin. For eight years, he conducted a successful catering business in Philadelphia; he organized and served as Vice President and Secretary of the Mutual Emergency Union, a mutual aid company in Philadelphia. 1890-1958. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Kappa Alpha Nu became the first incorporated Black Fraternity in the United States once granted a charter by the Indiana Secretary of State on May 15, 1911. [24], Membership is a solemn commitment. The ideals of the church were an important foundation of the Fraternity. Their intolerance toward Blacks fueled the negative mindset of other Whites residing there. Blacks were not allowed to reside in on-campus dormitories, were not afforded off-campus accommodations, and . And that the Order of the Eastern Stars (PHA) is considered the "Mother of all" Greeks of: Alpha Kappa Alpha. 6 The Pride of All Our Hearts The Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Michael E. Jennings Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. was founded on the campus of Indiana Uni- versity on January 5, 1911. . [19], The "Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation," established in 1981, is the philanthropic arm of the fraternity and assists both alumni and undergraduate chapters in support of scholarships, after-school programs, and national projects such as Habitat for Humanity. He later entered the Dental School of the University of Pittsburgh, from which he was graduated in 1923. We were founded in 1981 by 5 women who had the limitless vision of uniting ALL women regardless of race, religion, or creed. In 1980, the Silhouettes were officially recognized and granted a seat on the board of directors of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. According to sworn complaints made by pledges at FAMU, they were punched, hit with canes, hit with two-by-fours, and suffered extreme exhaustion due to hazing. "Kappa Alpha Psi", "KA", and the Coat of Arms of Kappa Alpha Psi are registered trademarks of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The state of Indiana became the 19th state of the Union in 1816 and it founded Indiana University in Bloomington four years later. The League includes a series of workshops to achieve its goals. Grand Polemarch David II, implemented the division of the Fraternity into three districts. Silhouettes provide support and assistance for the activities of Kappa Alpha Psi at the Grand chapter, province and local levels. Alpha Kappa Psi co-ed professional business fraternity; Alpha Nu Omega Christian . The five national Guide Right initiatives [16] are Kappa League, Jr. Kappa League, A-MAN Program,[17] St. Jude Research Hospital, and the premier program, "Kappa Kamp," which enables inner city boys to attend camps across the county. [5], Some believe the Greek letters Kappa Alpha Nu were chosen as a tribute to Alpha Kappa Nu,[12] but the name became an ethnic slur among racist factions. January 5, 1911. [66] Currently there are 12 provinces with the following names: Kappa Alpha Psi has chartered over 721 undergraduate, alumni, and international chapters. WEBSITE. After this, Kappa Alpha Psi chartered undergraduate chapters on Black college campuses at Wilberforce UniversityDelta chapter, and Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)Epsilon chapter. At the time of his death in October 1959, he was residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he maintained his practice of dentistry. The names of the college chapters consist of either one or two Greek letters. The Founders were God-fearing, and serious minded young men who possessed the imagination, ambition, courage and determination to defy custom in pursuit of a college education and careers. National alumni dues were raised $5 per year. [61], In 2018, it was reported that the chapter at Edward Waters College was beating and paddling pledges as well as forcing them to take a designer drug called "jig," a mixture of synthetic heroin, cocaine and LSD.[62]. This second name is the source of the nickname for members, "Nupes". The administration maintained an attitude of indifference, as Blacks slowly matriculated and were likewise swiftly forgotten. FOUNDED 1952 Learn about Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity, Inc. in OrgCentral. Frank M. Summers was the magazine's first editor and later became the Fourteenth Grand Polemarch. By Skip Mason. One of the 5 Objectives of the Fraternity is: To promote the, It was clear at the outset that the new fraternity would not warm over principles or practices of other organizations. This city was largely populated by settlers from below the Mason-Dixon line and therefore found many sympathizers of . Their experiences at Howard gave rise to the chief motivating spirits which sowed of the seed for a fraternity at Indiana University and crystallized the idea of establishing an independent Greek-letter organization. Careful consideration was given to ensure the organization established a firm foundation the first year before efforts to expand were attempted. George married the former Willa Mae Forte and settled in Stevenson, Indiana. LSU will not consider reinstatement of the fraternity until at least 2020. Throughout the years, the Atlanta Alumni Chapter has served as a shining example of what committed Kappa Men can do. In the school years of 1910-11, a small group of Black students attended Indiana University. For this and other outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, he was awarded the Fraternitys first Laurel Wreath in December, 1924. The Kappa Alpha Psi tree was vandalized on Howard University's campus. Henry Tourner Asher, Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore, Paul Waymond Caine, George Wesley Edmonds, Dr. The state of Indiana became the 19th state of the Union in 1816 and it founded Indiana University in Bloomington four years later. Blacks could go weeks without seeing one another on campus. For consideration into Kappa Alpha Psi on the alumni level, one must possess at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent of such a degree from an accredited college or university. In 1920, he married Mary Hunter, a teacher in the Indianapolis Public School system. Kappa League was founded on Thursday, February 12, 1969, by the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., at Alain It was renamed the Kappa Instructional Leadership League The Founders were Mel L. Davis and Edgar H. Bishop. For 112 years, the members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity have epitomized tenets of achievement. The state of Indiana became a stronghold for the Ku Klux Klan. [57][58], Also in 2015, a former pledge at Coppin State University sued the fraternity for $4 million due to injuries he sustained while pledging. In the fall of 1910, George entered Indiana University at Bloomington. Vigilante lynchings of Blacks were commonplace. One day as one of the Fraternity members, Frank Summers, was running the hurdles, Founder Diggs overheard a White student state, He is a member of Kappa Alpha Nig. [44], Also in 2009, two Kappas at the University of North Texas were arrested and charged with a Class B misdemeanor for brutally beating a pledge with a paddle. The Fraternity has over 125,000 members with 700 undergraduate and alumni chapters in nearly every state of the United States, and international chapters in Nigeria, South Africa, the West Indies, the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea and Japan. Notable Prince Hall Masons *Bro. [1] [2] It remains the only Greek letter organization with its Alpha Chapter on Indiana Universitys campus. Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Reliance would be placed upon high Christian ideals and the purpose of ACHIEVEMENT. [8], The fraternity was founded as Kappa Alpha Nu on the night of January 5, 1911, by ten African-American college students.