Except for the years of World War I and II, when some Grand Chapter Meetings were suspended, Kappa Alpha Psihas grown and prevailed with unabating impetus. Only $35.99/year. 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 Kappa League was founded Thursday, February 12, 1970 by the Los Angeles (CA) Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi; under the direction of Leon W Steward. Elder Watson Diggs (circa 1883-1947), born in Christian County, Kentucky, was a graduate of Indiana State Normal (now Indiana State Teachers College) and Indiana University, the birthplace of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Beginning July 2, members of Kappa . 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. The Alpha Rho chapter of Chi Psi fraternity, founded at Rutgers College in 1879, was the first fraternity at Rutgers to own a fraternity house, or "Lodge", purchased in 1887. 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 Director is uniquely qualified to perform the duties of this office and is appointed by the Grand Polemarch. Mildred Hale Freeman stood before the National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio and boldly conceded for the establishment of a chapter on the campus of Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State College in Nashville, Tennessee and on Saturday, May 14, 1932 Alpha Psi was chartered.With the courage of Ethel Hedgeman Lyle and the undaunted spirit of the Burke sisters . Realizing that they had no part in the social life of the university and drawn together by common interests, they decided that a Greek-letter fraternity would do much to fill the missing link in their college existence. Three organizations (Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Gamma Rho) were founded on predominately white college campuses. In 1920, he received the D.D.S. [4] The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal has been the official magazine of the fraternity since 1914. He served on the Selective Service Board during WWII and the Korean War. In 1921, the Fraternity was divided into districts as a result of proposed legislation by George F. David II, the third Grand Polemarch. Careful consideration was given to ensure the organization established a firm foundation the first year before efforts to expand were attempted. With the new responsibility of supporting the family, George took a job with the area coal mines and worked with the coal mines and the railroad until he died of pneumonia on June 13, 1962. From the beginning, Lee was an active participant in the founding of Kappa Alpha Nu. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight [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. [7], In 1947, at the Los Angeles Conclave, the National Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi were established as an auxiliary group, which membership comprises wives or widows of fraternity members. The organization was given the temporary name ofAlpha Omega, while they further developed the formation of the organization. January 5, 1911. Some of these members include: Ralph Abernathy, Wilt Chamberlin, Montell Jordan, Benjamin Jealous, Oscar Robertson, Cedric the Entertainer, Arthur Ashe, Mike Tomlin, Gayle Sayers, Adrian Fenty, Robert S. Abbott, Bennie Thompson, Donald Byrd, Johnnie Cochran, Ed Gardner, Smokie Norful, John Singleton, Tom Bradley, Bob Johnson, John Conyers, Alcee Hastings, Lerone Bennett, Jr., Kwame Jackson, Bill Russell, Tavis Smiley, Marvin Sapp, and Colin Kaepernick to name a few. He was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Indianapolis. [11], By 1913, the fraternity expanded with the second undergraduate chapter opened at the University of IllinoisBeta chapter; then the University of IowaGamma chapter. This environment made day-to-day life for Blacks an arduous task and attempts to successfully achieve in school, nearly impossible. Sign up. His contributions and awards in the field of medicine were many. The Fraternity would seek to raise the sights of Black youths and stimulate them to accomplishments higher than might otherwise be realized or even imagined. January 5th - Kappa Alpha Psi. 95% of the founders of the Great 8 are Prince Hall Masons or Eastern stars. Some confused the abbreviation of the letters to refer to the state of Kansas. If someone asks you "how long were you on line", how do you respond? The ideals of the church were an important foundation of the Fraternity. Kappa Alpha Psi, now comprised of functioning Undergraduate and Alumni Chapters on major campuses and in cities throughout the country, is the crystallization of a dream. Ezra Dee Alexander (1892-1971) was born in Bloomington, Indiana in 1892, the site of Indiana University. At the time of his death in October 1959, he was residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he maintained his practice of dentistry. 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. 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. 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. Some members of Kappa Alpha Psi, who do not subscribe to the organization's motto of achievement, have elected, in defiance of the rules and regulations of the Fraternity, to conduct underground pledging and engage in acts of hazing in clear violation of fraternity rules and criminal statutes of the various states. Diggs and his brother (William Ellis) and sister (Effie) were reared by their mother, Cornelia. Consequently, the few Blacks who took up residence in Bloomington in those early years were socially ostracized and encountered extreme acts of prejudice and discrimination. The ideals of the church were an important foundation of the Fraternity. An educator by profession, he taught in the public schools of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was elevated to a principalship. [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]. In the year of a Grand Chapter Meeting, the Province winners compete at the Grand Chapter Meeting. In 1931 he married Mary Walker Robinson. The decision upon the name Kappa Alpha Nu may have been to honor the Alpha Kappa Nu club which began in 1903 on the Indiana University campus but had too few registrants to effect continued operation. [35] The fraternity backed its stance by releasing Executive Order One in 1988, Executive Order Two in 1993, and Executive Order Three in 1994. His battery enjoys the unique distinction of having been the first battery of Negro Artillerymen ever to open fire upon an enemy. This environment made day-to-day life for Blacks an arduous task and attempts to successfully achieve in school, nearly impossible. These men of vision decided Kappa Alpha Nu would be more than another social organization. Founder Elder Watson Diggs, was quiet, polished, scholarly, a prolific writer and commonly referred to as 'the Father of Kappa'. Kappa Alpha Psi, now comprised of functioning Undergraduate and Alumni Chapters on major campuses and in cities throughout the country, is the crystallization of a dream. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet correlate to Christ and the Founders relationship and connection to the church. George, being the eldest son, became head of the family, thus preventing his return to school. Through their combined labors, the fraternitys ritual and ceremonial forms, constitution, hymn and motto were created, and insignia and emblems were fashioned. The founders were three undergraduates . Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, was born in an environment saturated in racism. Anderson admitted to dealing with gambling and alcohol addictions. He enlisted in the 349th Field Artillery in March of 1918 and served overseas as a First Class Sergeant and Gunner. Guide Right is administrated by a National Director and a Guide Right Commission. Kappa Alpha Psi expanded through the Midwest, South, and West at both white and black colleges. The fratwhich still hails Robert E. Lee as its "spiritual founder"praised the film for showing its Klan ties. "Kappa Alpha Psi", "KA", and the Coat of Arms of Kappa Alpha Psi are registered trademarks of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. [54], In March 2014, several Kappas from the University of Memphis were arrested and charged for hazing and beating pledges. [25], To be considered for membership, a candidate must have at least a 2.5 gpa on a 4.0 scale. 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 . Marcus Peter Blakemore (1889-1959), born in Franklin, Indiana in 1889, attended common and high schools in Anderson, Indiana. Taking careful attention to detail and to ensure the fraternity was rooted in authenticity, these Founder Diggs took courses in Greek heraldry and mythology and applied their combined knowledge to the development of these articles. Kappa Alpha Psi is a college fraternity established by ten black college students at Indiana University in 1911. A historical marker outside of the Kappa Alpha Order's Xi chapter fraternity house at Southwestern mentions that the fraternity was "founded in 1865 by former Confederate soldiers at . degree from Indiana Dental School, then a part of . [36], Kappa Alpha Psi seeks to remove any and all opportunities for pledging, hazing, antisocial and unlawful activity and seeks to promote in every phase of fraternity life only safe and wholesome activities which are consistent with the Code of Conduct of the colleges, universities and jurisdictions where chapters are chartered. Omega Psi Phi. degree in 1915. It is the nation's first Black Greek organization. The idea originated with his father who was a Presiding Elder of the A.M.E. Church. In March 2012, the University of Florida chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi was suspended because of thirteen misdemeanor-level sworn complaints involving striking and harassing pledges. Kappa Alpha Nu began uniting college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a Bond of fraternity. [41], In 2006, the chapter at Florida A&M University was suspended after two members were sentenced to serve two years in prison and three others given three years of probation due to an anti-hazing law established in Florida following a hazing death involving the Kappa Sigma fraternity at the University of Miami in 2001. Through their combined labors, the fraternitys ritual and ceremonial forms, constitution, hymn and motto were created, and insignia and emblems were fashioned. [5] The organization known today as Kappa Alpha Psi was nationally incorporated under the name of Kappa Alpha Nu on May 15, 1911. However, few Blacks could remain longer than a year or so without having to withdraw in search of employment. This city was largely populated by settlers from below the Mason-Dixon line and therefore found many sympathizers of . [5] The former editor of the magazine was Jonathan Hicks. Kappa League was adopted by the Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at the 56th Grand Chapter which was held August 12-15, 1970. Who are the Founders of Kappa League The founders of the Kappa Instructional Leadership League were Mel L. Davis and Edgar H. Bishop. November 13, 2004 - Bro. 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. Since the beginning, every endeavor was directed toward establishing the Fraternity upon a strong foundation before embarking on plans of expansion. John Milton Lee was born in Danville Indiana on September 7, 1890. The Atlanta (GA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on February 22, 1924, making it the second oldest chapter below the Mason Dixon line, second only to the Pi Chapter at Morehouse College. 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. While there, he majored in chemistry, graduating with the A.B. He was graduated from High School in 1909 and entered the University of Indiana the following year. He served as a member of the Grand Board of Directors and was the Fraternitys Historian. The Kappa League is a series of activities designed to help young high school male students develop their leadership talents. Tech: Kappa Alpha Psi banned permanently for hazing | thv11.com", "Kappa Alpha Psi Pledge Left 'Paralyzed' In Hazing Incident at California State Bakersfield - Welcome To KollegeKidd.com", "Kappa Alpha Psi Member Pleads Guilty To Charges In Youngstown State University Hazing Case - Welcome To KollegeKidd.com", "Most UGA frat members facing hazing charges accepted into pretrial diversion", "U Of M Frat Members Arrested For Hazing Ritual", "Four more UCA students arrested for hazing", "D.C. man alleges he was hazed, sues fraternity and police officer", "45-year-old man sues Kappa Alpha Psi for $2 million after alleged hazing - theGrio", "Man Sues Fraternity for $4 Million Over Hazing", "Two UCF fraternities face hazing accusations", "Hazing allegations surface at third FSU fraternity", "Hazing investigation underway after fraternity pledge suffers injuries", "Three fraternity members charged with hazing in Virginia - The Washington Post", "University investigates hazing allegations after student is killed and three are injured in crash - The Washington Post", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kappa_Alpha_Psi&oldid=1140213792, Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor, Kappas, Nupes, Pretty Boys, Sons of Diggs, Northern (States Covered: Northwest OH, MI, Western NY), Eastern (States Covered: DC, MD, VA, Bermuda), Southern (States Covered: AL, FL, The Bahamas, Republic of Panama, U.S. Virgin Islands), Western (States Covered: AZ, CA, NV, AK, OR, WA, ID, UT, HI, Japan, South Korea), North Eastern (States Covered: DE, CT, MA, NJ, Eastern PA, RI, Eastern NY, ME, NH, VT, Germany, United Kingdom), South Eastern (States Covered: GA, SC, South Africa, Nigeria), South Western (States Covered: AR, LA, Southern MS, NM, TX), North Central (States Covered: IA, IL, IN, WI, MN), East Central (States Covered: OH, Western PA, Northern WV), South Central (States Covered: KY, TN, Northern MS), Middle Eastern (States Covered: NC, Southern WV), Middle Western (States Covered: CO, KS, MO, NE, OK), This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 00:57. by Talibah Chikwendu July 7, 2011. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc was founded on the campus of Indiana University on January 5th, 1911. Many African-American students rarely saw each other on campus and were discouraged or prohibited from attending student functions and extracurricular activities by white college administrators and fellow students. Fidelity Lodge No. Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor. However, few Blacks could remain longer than a year or so without having to withdraw in search of employment. [46], In 2010, a pre-med student at Wayne State University suffered kidney failure and was hospitalized for twelve days after weeks of physical abuse by men of the fraternity. Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, was born in an environment saturated in racism. 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 . Any member, who participates in underground pledge activities, or hazing of any kind, shall be expelled from the Fraternity. 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. The name of Fraternity and the image it portrayed was of paramount importance. Careful consideration was given to ensure the organization established a firm foundation the first year before efforts to expand were attempted. More. These incidents caused the Founders to change the name of the Fraternity. The kappa canes were longer in the 1950s than in later decades. The fraternity has over 160,000 members with 721 undergraduate and alumni chapters in every state of the United States, and international chapters in the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Japan, United States Virgin Islands, Nigeria, South Africa, and The Bahamas.[4]. Consequently, the few Blacks who took up residence in Bloomington in those early years were socially ostracized and encountered extreme acts of prejudice and discrimination. 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. Why did the start their own organization? Its reach extends to high schools and colleges alike. For this and other outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, he was awarded . Some of these members include: Ralph Abernathy, Wilt Chamberlin, Montell Jordan, Benjamin Jealous, Oscar Robertson, Cedric the Entertainer, Arthur Ashe, Mike Tomlin, Gayle Sayers, Adrian Fenty, Robert S. Abbott, Bennie Thompson, Donald Byrd, Johnnie Cochran, Ed Gardner, Smokie Norful, John Singleton, Tom Bradley, Bob Johnson, John Conyers, Alcee Hastings, Lerone Bennett, Jr., Kwame Jackson, Bill Russell, Tavis Smiley, Marvin Sapp, and Colin Kaepernick to name a few. The names of the college chapters consist of either one or two Greek letters. Errol W. ( Walton) Barrow Bro. January 16th - Zeta Phi Beta. The name of Fraternity and the image it portrayed was of paramount importance. We were founded in 1981 by 5 women who had the limitless vision of uniting ALL women regardless of race, religion, or creed. The UCF chapter was placed on suspension and under investigation. [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. [63][64], In April 2019, three Virginia State University members were arrested and charged with 10 counts of hazing. [5] In 1986, during the fraternity's 66th national meeting, cane stepping was finally recognized as an important staple of Kappa Alpha Psi.[5]. Primarily, under the efforts and leadership of the calm, methodical, and philosophical Elder W. Diggs and the critical, and scholarly Byron K. Armstrong, the Kappa Alpha Nu Fraternity was founded. George Wesley Edmonds. Fifth Grand Polemarch Earl B. Dickerson changed the designation of "Region" to "Province" and "Regional Director" to "Province Polemarch" at the 15th Grand Chapter Meeting in 1925. In 1929, he married Laura Hammons. Low 36F. Frank M. Summers was the magazine's first editor and later became the Fourteenth Grand Polemarch. Howard University and the Creation of Kappa Alpha Nu Seven years after the creation and dissolution of Alpha Kappa Nu, forces were set in motion . Alpha and Omega, the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet correlate to Christ and the Founders relationship and connection to the church. He held teaching positions in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma. For 112 years, the members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity have epitomized tenets of achievement. The state of Indiana became the 19th state of the Union in 1816 and it founded Indiana University in Bloomington four years later. They found that through these close interactions, they had common interests and a close bond began to emerge. After European service with the 368th Infantry, he became a captain in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Kappa Alpha Psi proudly boasts of members who epitomize the very essence of Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor. Kappa Alpha Psi is the 2nd oldest existing collegiate historically Black Greek Letter Fraternity and the 1st intercollegiate Fraternity incorporated as a national body. Click on a name in the right menu to read a short bio of the Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi.