by Talibah Chikwendu July 7, 2011. The names of the college chapters consist of either one or two Greek letters. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. () is a historically African American fraternity.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.The fraternity has over 160,000 members with 721 . In 1994, Michael Davis, a Southeast Missouri State University student, was beaten to death participating in a pledging ritual by members of Kappa Alpha Psi. In 1915, he became a student at Temple . Raymond Pace Alexander . There was an additional misunderstanding being attributed to the acronym of the Fraternitys Greek letters, KAN. 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 UCF chapter was placed on suspension and under investigation. "Membership Handbook". He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University in 1914 and the next year was an instructor at Lincoln Institute at Jefferson City, Missouri. The administration maintained an attitude of indifference, as Blacks slowly matriculated and were likewise swiftly forgotten. The campus of Indiana University at that time did not encourage the assimilation of Blacks. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity was a founded January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Paul Waymond Caine (1891-1931) was born in Charleston, Indiana, in 1891 and attended grade school and high school in Greencastle, Indiana. The foundation would also accept contributions from individuals, organizations and businesses.[19]. 9/29/2019National Partnership with National Society of Black Engineers. [6] The current editor of the magazine is Earl T. Tildon. Fraternity and Sorority Educational Programs First Semester of Membership Experience. Careful consideration was given to ensure the organization established a firm foundation the first year before efforts to expand were attempted. The Kappa League is a series of activities designed to help young high school male students develop their leadership talents. The number of places where they might assemble was limited. 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 . We were founded in 1981 by 5 women who had the limitless vision of uniting ALL women regardless of race, religion, or creed. "The Birth of a Nation" was based on a Kappa Alpha member's book. 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. John Milton Lee. The first Student of the Year Pageant was held on May 20, 1972 at Drexel University, under the direction of Mel Davis. Founder Elder Watson Diggs, was quiet, polished, scholarly, a prolific writer and commonly referred to as 'the Father of Kappa'. (Jua) Baraka. 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. Wood was a member of Moorefield Lodge, Moorefield, West Virginia. GM - LIF - Today's American Champion organization is a historically African American Greek-lettered fraternity. [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]. The American fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi has established over 350 "chapters" (local sections) in universities and colleges all over the United States and elsewhere, in addition to about 90 chapters of alumni in American cities and a small number of colonies.The majority of the chapters remain active. If someone asks you "how long were you on line", how do you respond? The Masonic and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Brothers in 2007. 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. Kappa Alpha Psi. Diggs and his brother (William Ellis) and sister (Effie) were reared by their mother, Cornelia. 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. When was the fraternity founded? In 1920, he married Mary Hunter, a teacher in the Indianapolis Public School system. Low 36F. The Constitution of KAPPA ALPHA PSI is predicated upon, and dedicated to, the principles of achievement through a truly democratic Fraternity. 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. One of the Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. *Bro. 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. The organization was given the temporary name of, 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. John Milton Lee fired the first shot. George Wesley Edmonds (1890-1962) was born in Vanderburgh County, Knight Township, Indiana on August 13, 1890. Blacks were not allowed to reside in on-campus dormitories, were not afforded off-campus accommodations, and they were also denied the use of all other university facilities, and were barred from participating in contact sports. Before being exposed to the general public by various individuals in the 1990s and . 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. Reliance would be placed upon high Christian ideals and the purpose of ACHIEVEMENT. WEBSITE. . Some key factors to remember if you are interested in becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Home. He helped organize, and for several years was president of, the Fairview Gold Club, the first Negro Golf Club in Pennsylvania. The state of Indiana became a stronghold for the Ku Klux Klan. These incidents caused the Founders to change the name of the Fraternity. Sign up. Vocationally, he was engaged in several enterprises. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 13th Sovereign Grand Commander, United Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdiction . FOUNDED 1952 Learn about Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity, Inc. in OrgCentral. 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 is the 2nd oldest existing collegiate historically Black Greek Letter Fraternity and the 1st intercollegiate Fraternity incorporated as a national body. Together the small group formed Kappa Alpha Psi, the fraternity Crenshaw would join more than a century after it was founded on IU's campus. Carol R. Carter was the first woman elected a national officer of Alpha Kappa Psi. Among the group were doctors, dentists and a pharmacist. He later became a student at Temple University (1915) but was compelled to leave school because of a death in the family. He joined nine other students in founding Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. The fratwhich still hails Robert E. Lee as its "spiritual founder"praised the film for showing its Klan ties. [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. After George returned home for the summer of 1911, his father became ill with pneumonia and died. On January 5, 1911, such an organization was born and thus Kappa Alpha Psi (then Kappa Alpha Nu) became a reality. Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 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. However, few Blacks could remain longer than a year or so without having to withdraw in search of employment. He also edits and prepares the Manual for the universal use of Undergraduate and Alumni.[15]. 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 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. 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 Founders met several times discussing the possibility of organizing a fraternity that would serve the needs of the black male. Founded October 13, 1926. [53], In 2014, 11 Kappas from the University of Georgia were arrested and charged with hazing for severely beating and humiliating pledges. 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. . Past Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong was assigned the first; Harrison R. Duke, the second; and Harold M. Tyler, the third district. 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 . These incidents caused the Founders to change the name of the Fraternity. John Milton Lee was born in Danville Indiana on September 7, 1890. It would be the only Greek-letter organization founded with the concept of achievement. John Milton Lee. ", "FAMU Kappas' First To Face Felony Hazing", https://https//students.lsu.edu/sites/default/files/resources/files/2015%20LSU%20Greek%20Organization%20Status-CURRENT%209%2018%2015.pdf, "Suspension of FSU Fraternity Lifted, Case Closed", "Student: "Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Hazing Put Me In The Hospital", "2nd UF fraternity - Kappa Alpha Psi - accused of paddling pledges", "Fraternity disbanded at UCF amid allegations", "Ark. 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. Able assistance provided by each of the remaining Founders furnished necessary sustenance for the embryonic group. Ezra D. (Dee) Alexander 32 Constantine Consistory No. 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]. 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. Click here to view past events and photos , 2322-24 North Broad Street [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. He received the degree of LL.B. Marcus Peter Blakemore (1889-1959), born in Franklin, Indiana in 1889, attended common and high schools in Anderson, Indiana. Nationally, Kappa Alpha Psihas provided summer enrichment camps and provided funds for St. Jude Medical Research Center to assist in the fight against childhood catastrophic diseases by raising more than $1 Million. Kappa Alpha Psi Apparel & Merchandise. [31][32], Kappa Alpha Psi does not condone hazing and has outlawed pledging. 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. 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. On December 30, 1929, a charter was granted to the Alpha chapter at Butler University making the organization a national college sorority. [9] The name of the organization was changed to its current name in 1915, shortly after its creation. MASONIC AND OTHER FRATERNAL. During their lives, all four were Master Masons. Established on notable ideals including unity, honorable achievement, and service to the public, Kappa Alpha Psi is an organization of . This city was largely populated by settlers from below the Mason-Dixon line and therefore found many sympathizers of the . The state of Indiana became the 19th state of the Union in 1816 and it founded Indiana University in Bloomington four years later. 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 has been the official name since April 15, 1915. 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. 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. After his death on November 8, 1947, the name of the school where he taught was changed to the Elder Diggs School in his memory. 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. In 1980, the Silhouettes were officially recognized and granted a seat on the board of directors of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. that Jewels Robert Harold Ogle and George Biddle Kelley were. The Kappa Alpha Psi tree was vandalized on Howard University's campus. 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. January 15th - Alpha Kappa Alpha. [5] In 1986, during the fraternity's 66th national meeting, cane stepping was finally recognized as an important staple of Kappa Alpha Psi.[5]. Guide Right is a program for the educational and occupational guidance of youth, primarily inspirational and informational in character. members of some other fraternal lodges. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated is a historically African American Greek-letter fraternity that was founded on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington.