DURHAM (NC) ALUMNI CHAPTER CENTENNIAL
Celebrating the Centennial of the Durham (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa
By Quentin A. Mitchell
T he Durham (NC) Alumni a result of the spearheading efforts of Leo Bruce, C.O. Pearson, Lee Bynum and A. Moore Shearin, all former members of the Delta Chapter at Wil- berforce University. The Durham (NC) Alumni was the first graduate fraternity in the City of Durham. Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on September 12, 1921, as The charter line of the Chapter were Thomas Tinsley, a Physician; W. M. Studwick, a Physician; T.D. Par- ham, a Businessman; Charles Shepard, a Physician; T. Gatling, a Physician; A. S. Nurse, a Physician; D. Joyner, a Physician; A. Hunter, a Dentist; John Avery, a Professor; William Wilson, a former U.S. Army Lieutenant; John Dyer, a Bookkeeper at North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company Real Estate Agency. Approximately two years after the Chapter was organized, the follow- ing outstanding citizens of Durham were initiated into or affiliated with the Chapter; James Edward Shepard, Founder and First President of North Carolina College at Durham (now North Carolina Central University); W. G. Pearson, a pioneer in Business, Masonic Fraternalism and Education; C. C. Spaulding and E.R. Merrick, pioneers in Business. James E. Shepard Ph.D; founder and first President of North Carolina College at Durham, which is currently known as North Carolina Central University.
The Charter Line Thomas Tinsley W. M. Studwick T. D Parham Charles Shepard T. Gatling A. S. Nurse D. Joyner A. Hunter John Avery William Wilson John Dyer
dent of the National Black Medi- cal Association • Joseph King Davis, Jr., Past Middle Eastern Province Keeper of Re- cords and Exchequer, Past Middle Eastern Province Polemarch and 113 th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee J.J. "Babe" Henderson succeeded A. Moore Shearin in 1934 as Keeper of Records of the Chapter. After serving in this post for 25 years he was elected Polemarch of the Chapter, the office he held from 1960 to 1974. He was subsequently honored as Polemarch- Emeritus of the Durham (NC) Alumni Chapter. Throughout the years, the Chapter has engaged in a variety of worthwhile endeavors. It has conducted the Guide Right Program since its inception; en- tertained the Grand Chapter Conclave in 1929; sponsored the establishment of the Alpha Kappa Chapter at North Carolina Central University, the Theta Omicron Chapter at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Iota Xi Chapter at Duke Univer- sity; aided in the development of high school men by sponsoring the Beau- tillion Militaire Leadership Training and Scholarship Program; contributed to the development of elementary students through the Little Brothers Program and Brother to Brother; hosted the Annual Middle Eastern Province Council Meeting on several occasions; and supported a multitude of civic endeavors and service projects in the Durham Community. On June 4, 2011, the Durham (NC) Alumni Chapter hosted its 90 th Anniversary celebration and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Centennial Gala Celebration at the Washington Duke
Achieving Brothers Some nationally known members of the Chapter: • A. Moore Shearin, 7 th Grand Polemarch • James T. Hawkins, Past Senior Grand Vice Polemarch • J.J. Henderson, Past Board of Directors Member, Past Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer, and 23 rd Laurel Wreath Laureate • J.M. Hubbard, Past Southeastern Province Polemarch • C.C. Spaulding, President of North Carolina Mutual Life Insur- ance Company (the world's largest Black Financial Institution), and 11 th Laurel Wreath Laureate • Frank G. Burnett, Past Middle Eastern Province Polemarch • C.O. Pearson Esq., Civil Rights Pioneer and Director of Region 3 (Province 1. 1. Polemarch) • John L. Stewart, recipient of a Journalistic Award at the 58 th Grand Chapter Meeting in Miami, Florida • Lenzie G. Barnes, 27 th Elder Wat- son Diggs Awardee • Randal M. Rogers, Past Middle Eastern Province Polemarch • Ronald O. Rohadfox, CEO of Con- struction Control Services, Corp. • Charles Johnson, MD, Past Presi-
The Charter Members Leo Bruce C.O. Pearson Lee Bynum A. Morre Shearin
36 | SUMMER 2022 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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