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Alpha Zeta Chapter Spurs Founder's Honor Prepares to Endow Scholarship for Members Through University
O n October 19, 2017 our beloved Founder Elder Watson Diggs was honored posthumously with a Dis- tinguished Alumni Award from Indiana State University. The alumni award cer- emony kicked off the 2017 Indiana State University homecoming weekend. The university historian uncovered a treasure trove of archival information, letters, photographs, honors and accom- plishments achieved by Founder Diggs while he was a student. These docu- ments were shared with the fraternity and a request was made and approved by the university to award him with the university’s highest alumni honor. Founder Diggs was a 1908 graduate of the university when it was originally called Indiana State Normal School. He is credited with helping to integrate the United States Army Reserves in Indiana; which would allow African Americans to serve our country. A special video was created and honored Founder Diggs. Dignitaries on hand including Senior Vice Grand Polemarch Reuben A. Shel-
Alpha Zeta Endowment Established at ISU
ton III, Esq., who accepted the Distin- guished Alumni Award on behalf of the fraternity. The brothers in attendance joined Brother Shelton as he recited Invictus as part of his remarks. It was a proud, sacred, and unifying moment. The Distinguished Alumni Award is now housed in the national archives of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . On Friday, October 20, 2017 a breath- taking memorial bench made of polished red granite stone was dedicated near Normal Hall, one of the original build- ings on campus where Founder Diggs matriculated. The bench includes an inlaid photo- graph of Founder Diggs, the fraternity coat of arms as well as the following inscription: “In honor of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and its founder, ISU’s Distinguished Alumnus Elder Watson Diggs “The Dreamer”—Alpha Zeta, Est. 1928.” Diggs Memorial Bench Dedicated
In October 2013, Paul A. Chaney Sr. (Alpha Zeta 1988) shared his vision to establish an endowment fund for the Chapter. Due to the collective efforts of Brothers Steve Chaney, Mel Burks, Hollis J. Thomas, Michael Love, Russell Randle, Clifford Grimes Steve Nibbs, Lamont Perry, Claude Grimes, and Ro- land Shelton an academic endowment was established. A goal was set to raise $25,000. On Saturday, October 21 st , during the homecoming game a check for nearly $28,000 was presented to the Indiana State University Foundation CEO. As of this summer 2018 the team has raised a total of $34,000. The Chapter is well on the way to achieving their target of $50,000 by the end of the 2018 calen- dar year. The generous donations made Kappa Alpha Psi ® —the first African American organization to have a fully endowed scholarship at Indiana State University.
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