KAPPA NEWS
From left: 32 nd Grand Polemarch William "Randy" Bates, Jr., Esq., 27 th Grand Polemarch Robert L. Harris, Esq., The Honorable Gonzalo P. Curiel, 26 th Grand Polemarch Dr. Ullysses McBride, Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr. and 29 th Grand Polemarch Howard L. Tutman, Jr.
The 26 th Grand Polemarch Dr. Ullysses McBride introduced a brother he met when he was at Indiana University, now The Honorable Gonzalo P. Curiel (Alpha 1974), to a standing ovation that seemed to shake the very foundation of Stone Mountain. Brother Curiel thanked the brothers assembled for the outpouring of love and issued a word about being steadfast in the face of adversity, to another rousing ovation. Next, Grand Board Member Matthew N. Simmons was to introduce the speak- er. It was not the expected Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts III (Pi 1968), pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, as the weather prevented him from getting to Atlanta. It was in fact, the in- comparable Dr. Gerald L. Durley (Alpha Theta 1962). Brother Durley was born in Wichita, Kansas, grew up in Cali- fornia and graduated from high school in Denver, Colorado. While earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psycholo- gy, playing on a championship basketball team, and serving as student government president at Tennessee State University,
he became very active in the Civil Rights Movement. After graduating, Dr. Durley became one of the first Peace Corps volunteers to enter Nigeria, West Africa. From Africa, he ventured to Switzer- land where he enrolled in postgraduate studies at the University of Neuchantel. When he returned to the United States, Dr. Durley enrolled in Northern Illi- nois University where he again became intensely involved in the struggle for human dignity, and earned one of the first Masters Degrees in Community Mental Health. He went on to earn a Doctorate Degree in Urban Educa- tion and Psychology from University of Massachusetts and a Master of Divinity Degree from Howard University. Dr. Durley retired as Pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta— now holding the title as Senior Pastor Emeritus. He is a highly-sought after speaker on civil and human rights issues and the environment. It seemed that he brought it all to bear during this Found- ers’ Day Observance.
at the observance just hours before on January 7. With multidimensional wit and humor, command and charisma, Dr. Durley ushered in the Spirit in a manner that placed the ephemeral concerns about the impending transition in national leadership into the context of whose we are and what has helped the fraternity thrive over the course of 106 years. He so transfixed the audience with a spirit of rededication to Phi Nu Pi, that the conflagration that was his oratory will long be felt beyond that cold, wintry night. The audience in attendance was so moved by the countenance of such a powerful orator, that the Grand Polemarch was able to appeal to broth- ers and channel that Good Old Kappa Spirit that was ablaze from Dr. Durley’s remarks into raising five figures in sup- port of Kappa initiatives within minutes. Thereafter, all hearts and minds were clear to receive reflections by Grand
He discussed getting the call to speak
12 | SPRING 2017 THE JOURNAL
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