THE BALTIMORE (MD) ALUMNI CHAPTER CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL
George Newman.
Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter's Charter Members.
cepted. As most of us were past teen age, consideration was shown in the initiation. Some of the committees were thoughtful enough to supply some cool refreshments.” Brother Dr. Robert L. Jackson was the first Polemarch, Brother N. Monroe Scott the first Keeper of Records, and Brother George L. Newman the first Keeper of Exchequer. The Charter Members of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter are John H. Alston, Lewis S. Flagg, Jr., William S. Harris, Dr. Robert L. Jackson, John Johnson, John H. Las- siter, George L. Newman, N. Monroe Scott, Dr. John H. Tompkins, and Deaver P. Young. The Charter Members of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter were among Bal- timore’s African American high society and part of tight-knit circle of commu- nity leaders. Interestingly, Brother Wil- liam S. Harris played on the Baltimore Athenians semi-professional basketball team with Brother George L. Newman. Brothers Alston and Newman were initiates of Epsilon. Brother Dr. John H. Tompkins’ son was Dr. Herman G. Tompkins a 1920 initiate of the Epsilon and teammates with Brother Newman on Lincoln’s football team.
Over the next three decades the Bal- timore (MD) Alumni Chapter would weather the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean Conflict, and fluc- tuating membership. After overcoming those adverse circumstances in 1958 the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter would complete a successful housing fundrais- ing campaign that would lead to secur- ing 1207 Eutaw Place. It was a three- story Victorian townhouse in Baltimore’s exclusive Bolton Hill neighborhood. While the Baltimore “Kappa Kastle” would be claimed by urban renewal in 1962, by 1973 the Chapter would secure another Chapter House located at 4903 Liberty Heights Avenue. In 1989 the Chapter expanded its real estate holding by purchasing a property in Anne Arundel County, Maryland to be known as the Kappa Family Center. Few, if any chapters, held two separate facili- ties simultaneously and was likely a first in Fraternity history. Several chapter events were held at the site including the chapter cookout, chapter meetings, Valentines and other holiday parties, and pool parties. The property was a source of revenue and significant brag- ging rights. The property was later sold to generate revenue for a new facility as the Chapter moved into its future.
During this same period, the chapter had close to or exceeded 200 Brothers in Good Standing placing it either second or third nationally in membership for several years. The chapter had a major- ity holding Life Membership status and roughly one third were Senior Kap- pas. The Chapter still has a significant number of brothers with Fifty Years of membership. Currently there are Broth- ers initiated in 1947, 1948, 1949, and 1952 in the Chapter.
Dr. Robert Jackson.
THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2021 | 67
VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
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