For this and other outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, he was awarded the Fraternitys first Laurel Wreath in December, 1924. [52], Also in 2013, nine Kappas were charged with felony assault for severely beating pledges from Youngstown State University. Read about the time and period of KA's founding. 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. Diggs and his brother (William Ellis) and sister (Effie) were reared by their mother, Cornelia. His father had worked in the coal mines of Vanderburgh County for many years. The name was officially changed to Kappa Alpha Psi on a resolution adopted at the Grand Chapter Meeting in December 1914. Why did the start their own organization? Their intolerance toward Blacks fueled the negative mindset of other Whites residing there. Consequently, eight other men met with Diggs and Armstrong for the purpose of organizing such a fraternity. 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. Moment #8. Lexington and the Shenandoah Valley have seen their share of history. 9/29/2019National Partnership with National Society of Black Engineers. Attend "School Daze" 30th Anniversary Screening at The Fox Theatre on February 19, 2018 in Atlanta,. Established on notable ideals including unity, honorable achievement, and service to the public, Kappa Alpha Psi is an organization of . He helped organize, and for several years was president of, the Fairview Gold Club, the first Negro Golf Club in Pennsylvania. [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. [56], In 2015, a D.C. man sued the fraternity for hazing and humiliation. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity was a founded January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prosecutors confirmed he blew most of the money at Harrah's Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.[28][29]. Kappa Alpha Psi is the 2nd oldest existing collegiate historically Black Greek Letter Fraternity and the 1st intercollegiate Fraternity incorporated as a national body. Internationally, Kappa Alpha Psimembers have answered the call to service by proudly serving our military in wars since WWI and raising funds to assist those in need following natural disasters around the world, including hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons and earthquakes. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University . [5] The organization known today as Kappa Alpha Psi was nationally incorporated under the name of Kappa Alpha Nu on May 15, 1911. In the school years of 1910-11, a small group of Black students attended Indiana University. There was an additional misunderstanding being attributed to the acronym of the Fraternitys Greek letters, KAN. He served as a member of the Grand Board of Directors and was the Fraternitys Historian. Kappa Alpha Psi has been the official name since April 15, 1915. [66] Currently there are 12 provinces with the following names: Kappa Alpha Psi has chartered over 721 undergraduate, alumni, and international chapters. These incidents caused the Founders to change the name of the Fraternity. 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 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. 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. [31][32], Kappa Alpha Psi does not condone hazing and has outlawed pledging. "What they wanted to achieve being founded in the . January 9th - Phi Beta Sigma. [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. The 45-year-old filed a $2 million lawsuit because he stated after paying his non-refundable $3,000 graduate intake membership fee, he was coerced to allow himself to be beaten with a cane, rub lotion on a Kappa, and clean a Kappa's house in only his underwear and bare feet to become a welcomed member of the fraternity. 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. [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. Through their combined labors, the fraternitys ritual and ceremonial forms, constitution, hymn and motto were created, and insignia and emblems were fashioned. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter, Inc. The administration maintained an attitude of indifference, as Blacks slowly matriculated and were likewise swiftly forgotten. Fraternity members contributing to the new foundation could deduct their donations as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. Subjects. 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. One of the 5 Objectives of the Fraternity is: To promote thespiritual, social, intellectual and moral welfare of members. Many aspects of the Fraternitys rites are engrained in Christianity ideals and contain excerpts from the Bible. [50][51], In 2013, a former pledge at California State University-Bakersfield sued the fraternity after being shot with a BB gun and hit with canes and horse whips that left him paralyzed. Overall Completion: N/A; Module 1: New Member Academy: N/A; Module 2: Sexual Violence Prevention: N/A; 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. [59], In 2016, three unidentified men affiliated with the fraternity at the University of Central Florida (UCF) were brutally beaten by Kappas after dropping their twirling canes while dancing according to witnesses. The idea originated with his father who was a Presiding Elder of the A.M.E. Church. They found that through these close interactions, they had common interests and a close bond began to emerge. The Kappa Alpha Psi tree was vandalized on Howard University's campus. Type Image Identifier 11B2A478-214E-4C58-B223-227760285153 2007/046/FP052-11 Subject Mason Fraternal Organization The Founders met several times discussing the possibility of organizing a fraternity that would serve the needs of the black male. Its reach extends to high schools and colleges alike. Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor. In 2011, the fraternity registration was cancelled at the University of Texas at San Antonio for striking pledges and providing misleading information to university officials during the hazing investigation. 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. Vigilante lynchings of Blacks were commonplace. 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. Blacks could go weeks without seeing one another on campus. He graduated from Danville High School in 1910 and in 1910 entered Indiana University. [23] Undergraduate chapters are located on more than 406 College and University campuses and Alumni chapters are arrayed in some 367 cities in the United States and 9 foreign countries. This city was largely populated by settlers from below the Mason-Dixon line and therefore found many sympathizers of the . George Wesley Edmonds. The number of places where they might assemble was limited. Formidable barriers were put up to prevent the few who were enrolled from assimilating into co-curricular . The History of Alpha Psi . After this, Kappa Alpha Psi chartered undergraduate chapters on Black college campuses at Wilberforce UniversityDelta chapter, and Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)Epsilon chapter. After leaving school, he pursued a Journalistic career in various cities throughout the country until World War I. He served as Grand Polemarch for the first six consecutive years of the Fraternity's existence. Through its worldwide prominence, Kappa Alpha Psi has had a global impact on events which affect our local communities as well as places around the globe. 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. The ideals of the church were an important foundation of the Fraternity. They found that through these close interactions, they had common interests and a close bond began to emerge. John Milton Lee. The History. Lyle was inspired by . [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. He entered Carver Elementary School and Clark High School in Evansville, graduating in 1910. 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. [27], In February 2022, fraternity member and head financial director of the fraternity, Curtis Anderson, was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for embezzling $3 million from the fraternity over six years. 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. [6] The current editor of the magazine is Earl T. Tildon. This city was largely populated by settlers from below the Mason-Dixon line and therefore found many sympathizers of . 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. The NPHC is composed of nine international black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities and promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other mediums for the exchange of information, and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. The state of Indiana became the 19th state of the Union in 1816 and it founded Indiana University in Bloomington four years later. [25], To be considered for membership, a candidate must have at least a 2.5 gpa on a 4.0 scale. Guy Levis Grant (1891 - 1973) Born in New Albany, Indiana, attended public school in that city, was graduated from Scribner High School in 1909, and later entered Indiana University. Vigilante lynchings of Blacks were commonplace. 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. Subjects. [citation needed], In the 1960s the national organization did not condone the use of canes or Kappa Alpha Psi's participation in step shows contending that "the hours spent in step practices by chapters each week would be better devoted to academic or civic achievement. In 1980, the Silhouettes were officially recognized and granted a seat on the board of directors of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. It was clear at the outset that the new fraternity would not warm over principles or practices of other organizations. After George returned home for the summer of 1911, his father became ill with pneumonia and died. Phi Beta Sigma. For their works to establish the fraternity, Diggs was named permanent chairman, Lee was designated as secretary and Armstrong as sergeant-at-arms. The only surviving fraternity founded at Indiana University, Kappa Alpha Psi, couldn't actually be formed on IU's grounds. Although KA was founded as a predominantly African-American Greek organization, it has always been an inclusive fraternity that welcomes members of all races and nationalities. ", "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. He practiced medicine in Indianapolis. At the time of his death in October 1959, he was residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he maintained his practice of dentistry. The racial prejudice and discrimination encountered by the founders strengthened their bond of friendship and growing interest in starting a social group. Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, was born in an environment saturated in racism. This second name is the source of the nickname for members, "Nupes". Founder Elder Watson Diggs, was quiet, polished, scholarly, a prolific writer and commonly referred to as 'the Father of Kappa'. degree from the Medical School of Indiana University in 1919. Only $35.99/year. The Four Founding Fathers of the Order. The 20 pearls of Alpha Kappa Alpha, or AKA, refer to the 20 young women who founded and expanded the sorority beginning in 1908, explains the group's official website. 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 name was officially changed to Kappa Alpha Psi on a resolution adopted at the Grand Chapter Meeting in December 1914. Track and Field was the only sport which Blacks were able to demonstrate their athleticism. [63][64], In April 2019, three Virginia State University members were arrested and charged with 10 counts of hazing. Conceived in 1922 by Leon Wop Stewart, and suggested at the twelfth Grand chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Guide Right became the Fraternity's National Service Program. He held teaching positions in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma. This change became effective April 15, 1915. degree. 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. In 1920, he received the D.D.S. 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. The fratwhich still hails Robert E. Lee as its "spiritual founder"praised the film for showing its Klan ties. WEBSITE. And during the original establishment of provinces, the following provinces were established: Eastern, Middle Eastern, Central, Great Lakes, Northwestern, Western, Southern, and Southeastern Provinces. Past Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong was assigned the first; Harrison R. Duke, the second; and Harold M. Tyler, the third district. September 19th - Iota Phi Theta. 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. Edward Giles Irvin (1893-1982), born in Spencer, Indiana, on August 13, 1893, was graduated from Kokomo, Indiana High School in 1910 and entered the University of Indiana the same year. The state of Indiana became a stronghold for the Ku Klux Klan. The organization was given the temporary name of Alpha Omega, while they further developed the formation of the organization. Early in the last century, African-American students were actively dissuaded from attending college. He received the degree of LL.B. [60], Also in 2016, the chapter at Florida State University (FSU) was suspended by the university after a concerned mother of a pledge shared with a Tallahassee news station a disturbing video showing pledges being brutally beaten with canes by Kappas. Founder Elder Watson Diggs, was quiet, polished, scholarly, a prolific writer and commonly referred to as 'the Father of Kappa'. While there, he majored in chemistry, graduating with the A.B. Henry Tourner Asher, Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore, Paul Waymond Caine, George Wesley Edmonds, Dr. In 1921, the fraternity installed the Omicron chapter at Columbia University, its first at an Ivy League university. Founder Edward Giles Irvin. Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, was born in an environment saturated in racism. 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. . 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. Study sets, textbooks, questions . Two of the founders were, Elder . The idealist, John Milton Lee also contributed significantly to the fledgling organization. In 1920, he married Mary Hunter, a teacher in the Indianapolis Public School system. And that the Order of the Eastern Stars (PHA) is considered the "Mother of all" Greeks of: Alpha Kappa Alpha. Delta Sigma Theta. 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. . Instead, because of social restrictions for African Americans, fraternity . However, few Blacks could remain longer than a year or so without having to withdraw in search of employment. In the school years of 1910-11, a small group of Black students attended Indiana University. GM - LIF - Today's American Champion organization is a historically African American Greek-lettered fraternity. (Jua) Baraka. The Greek Letter was chosen in place of N and the Fraternity acquired a distinctive Greek letter symbol and Kappa Alpha Psi thereby became an indistinguishable Greek-letter Fraternity. 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 Psiwas the first to Black Greek Lettered Organization to issue a monthly publication. 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 . He was awarded the Laurel Wreath in 1935. 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. In 1915, he became a student at Temple . [18] In addition to the above-mentioned national initiatives, chapters within the Fraternity sponsor a wide variety of Guide Right programs in their communities that support their local youth. Diggs presided as president, while Irvin was assigned as temporary secretary of Alpha Omega. African-American students were denied membership on athletic teams with the exception of track and field. Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, was born in an environment saturated in racism. The goal of the League is to help the students achieve worthy goals for themselves and to make meaningful contributions to their communities. 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. Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Students from grades of 6 to 12th can join . It would be the only Greek-letter organization founded with the concept of achievement. On January 5, 1911, the Fraternity then became known as Kappa Alpha Nu, possibly as a tribute to the Black students of 1903 (the Alpha Kappa Nu Greek Society) who preceded them at Indiana University. 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. It remains the only Greek letter organization with its Alpha Chapter on Indiana Universitys campus. The president of the national fraternity is known as the Grand Polemarch, who assigns a Province Polemarch for each of the twelve provinces (regions) of the nation. John Milton Lee, born in Danville, Indiana, September 7, 1890, was graduated from the Danville High School in 1910 and entered the University of Indiana and there completed three years of pre-medical work. 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. The fraternity has over 150,000 members and is divided into twelve provinces (districts/regions), with each chapter under the aegis of a province. The Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity Alumni Directory, 80th-anniversary edition, 1984, was published. The Director is uniquely qualified to perform the duties of this office and is appointed by the Grand Polemarch. Reliance would be placed upon high Christian ideals and the purpose of, On January 5, 1911, the Fraternity then became known as, Born out of the vestiges of racism, Kappa Alpha Nu encountered another metamorphosis, partially related to action of bigotry. 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. [49], In April 2012, the fraternity at Arkansas Tech University was permanently banned from campus for beating a pledge into a coma. These incidents caused the Founders to change the name of the Fraternity. 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. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was founded Wednesday, January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University at Miner Hall in Washington, DC., and became the first Greek-lettered organization created for African-American college women. Some key factors to remember if you are interested in becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Home. The state of Indiana became the 19thstate of the Union in 1816 and it founded Indiana University in Bloomington four years later. Philadelphia, PA 19132-4590, Consequently, eight other men met with Diggs and Armstrong for the purpose of organizing such a fraternity. One hundred years ago this year, 10 men matriculating at Indiana University came together to found Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. 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. The UCF chapter was placed on suspension and under investigation. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today. To this Fraternity, the maker of the commitment becomes synonymous with the commitment itself. In March 2019, Delaware State University student Marlon W. Jackson died and three other students were hospitalized after a car crash due to sleep deprivation caused by pledging the fraternity. Kappa Alpha Psi sponsors programs providing community service, social welfare and academic scholarship through the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation and is a supporter of the United Negro College Fund and Habitat for Humanity.