SENIOR KAPPA AFFAIRS
Southern Province: Dr. Richard Showers, Sr.
South Central Province: Tommie L. Pruitt
Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. (Huntsville (AL) Alumni 1971) earned both the Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Education and the Master of Science Degree in Trade and Industrial Education at Alabama A & M University in Normal, Alabama. He pursued ad- ditional studies in adult and continuing education at Auburn University. Additionally, he was honored with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Dr. Richard Showers, Sr., is a former City Councilman for the City of Huntsville, AL. Dr. Showers served as a vocational and adult education instructor and adult education coordinator for the school system in Huntsville, AL. and retired in 2005 after 36 years of service.
Tommie L. Pruitt is a native of Chattanooga, TN and was initiated into the Beta Phi Chap- ter at Knoxville (TN) College in the fall of 1968 where he served as Keeper of Records. After graduation he affiliated with the Chattanooga (TN) Alumni Chapter and served as the 28 th Polemarch. He has also held several other positions in the Chapter. He is a retired city administrator with 38 years of experience and was an active advocate for the poor and disadvantaged across this nation. He is the husband of Janice Woods Pruitt, and they have three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Dr. Showers is a member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr. O. Wendell Davis is the Pas- tor. He serves on the Deacon Ministry, Laymen Department and as Senior Adult Sunday School Teacher and other ministries of the church, Alabama State Missionary Baptist Laymen’s Movement; and the National Baptist Layman’s Movement. His involvement with civic and community organizations are numerous. He is a member of the NEA, AEA and HEA, Life Member of Alabama A&M University Alumni Association, Inc.; Life Member of the Southern Province Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., past Polemarch of the Huntsville (AL) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Frater- nity, Inc., Chairman of Senior Kappa Affairs Committee for Southern Province and Life Member of NAACP. He has received numerous awards, citations and plaques in recognition of his dedicated service to humanity and notable achievements. One of the honors includes, Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. Recreation Center in Huntsville named in his honor. Dr. Showers and his wife Bettye Ann resides in Huntsville and are the proud parents of five children and eight grandchildren.
Senior Kappa Affairs Committee Supports The Legacy Badge
I n 1993, the Grand Board of Direc- tors determined that all alumni chapters have a standing Senior Kappa Affairs Committee. A Senior Kappa is a brother who is 60 years or older. Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr. has made Senior Kappa Affairs a part of his Six-Point Plan. Today, every province has at least one Prov- ince Chairman of a Senior Kappa Affairs Committee. The Province Chairman works to encourage the development and execution of a stra- tegic plan for Senior Kappa Affairs at each chapter in his province. In January 2016, the Grand Board of Directors established a Senior Kappa Week as a national initiative to be celebrated during the third week of May of each year. Under the leadership of National Senior Kappa Affairs Committee Chairman, John L. Stewart, who is also the Province Chairman for the Southeastern Province, Kappa Alpha Psi ® has increased its focus on this initiative throughout Kappa Land. For example, in the Southeastern Province in 2013 only 16 percent of alumni chapters reported having a standing committee. In 2017, that number rose to 62 percent. As of January 2018, every alumni chapter in the Southeastern Province was in compliance. The Middle Western Province reports that over 80% of its chapters are comprised of Senior Kappas. The province supported Senior Kappas beginning in 2017 with “This-is- Your-Life” video montages for Senior Kappas in the following age groups:
the SKAE Fund is through the Legacy Badge Program. Conceived as a promotional reward for donations to the Senior Kappa Affairs Endowment Fund, the KAN badge celebrates the fraternity’s first name and is crafted with white enamel and golden metal. History of the Badge According to research conducted by Grand Historian, Kevin Scott, the original badge—now known as the Legacy Badge—was designed by Founder Byron K. Armstrong at the close of the 1911–1912 school year. Although the exact date when the diamond was conceived is not abso- lutely clear, the work to develop it be- gan in June 1912 and the concept of the diamond was finalized sometime in the year 1912. The first design was flat with a scroll in the center and a beveled edge. It was enameled in white and lettered in gold. There were no jewels. There were three badges made and they were owned by Founders Alexander, Armstrong and Lee. In 1912, Founder Armstrong suggested raising the scroll and he had a copy made by a jeweler in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the spring of 1913. The location of the original badge is unknown, as it was lost by Founder Armstrong sometime in 1915. This original badge was adorned with the uppercase Greek letters KAN as the Fraternity did not change its name to Kappa Alpha Psi ® until 1915. In ad- dition, the Greek letters featured on the scroll of the badge were lower- case fnp , which resembled the way it was depicted on the rendition of the Coat of Arms at that time.
60-69, 70-79 and 80 years of age and older. Those brothers who attend are provid- ed with complimentary registration to Province Council. The montage showcased the brother from his
early years to present day. The Province was able to see the recognized brother at work, play, volunteering, his years in school and
with his family, a wonderful tribute. Another initiative promulgated by 33 rd Administration
Western Province: George C. Sims
George C. Sims (Delta Delta 1959) earned his bachelor’s degree in Education at Jackson State University in 1962 and a master’s degree in Education from California Lutheran Univer- sity in 1978.
Brother Sims is a Charter Member of Ventura (CA) Alumni Chapter where he has held many offices. Presently, he serves as Keeper of Exchequer. He is a retired Supervisor of Cor- rectional Education (California Department of Correction). He is a member of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, Oxnard, CA where he is the Vice President of Trustee Board. He is a Vietnam Veteran and a member of the American Legion Oxnard Post 48. He is a member of the local Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Planning Committee. Brother Sims is married to his college sweetheart, Bettye R. Buchanan and they have three daughters, 10 grand- children and four great grandchildren.
the
was the creation of the Senior Kappa Affairs Endowment Fund (SKAEF). Senior Kappa Affairs Endowment Fund “It’s time that we support those that have served Kappa the longest…” is the mantra of SKAEF. As Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity has entered the second century since our founding and continues to grow, many of our members have achieved senior status and remain active and engaged. Thus, Grand Polemarch Battles suggested it is time to give back to those that have given to Kappa for so long. The purpose of the Senior Kappa Affairs Endowment Fund is to raise funds to provide financial resources to fund increased and sustainable programs and services for senior members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Legacy Badge Program The primary method to contribute to
Southwestern Province: Herman L. Thomas
Herman L. Thomas’ (Gamma Psi 1966) career began in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 1968, after graduation from Grambling State University, with a BSE in French, English and the Social Sciences. He completed a MSE in English in 1972 and his administrative certification from the University of Arkansas, in 1976. That same year, he was elected by the Arkadelphia School Board as the first Black principal since integration. Nine years later, he became principal of Arkadelphia High School (AHS). AHS was named a State School of Excellence and a National Blue Rib- bon School of Excellence under his leadership. In 1991, he was the first African American from Arkansas to receive the Milken Educator Award.
In 1991, he was named Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction of the Arkadelphia School District. He is the only African American to have ever held this position. After 40 years of service, he retired in June 2009. Brother Thomas is a member of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon and many other capacities. He is also Chair of the Arkadelphia Racial and Cultural Diversity Committee, and Vice Chair of the County’s Arts and Humanities Council. He is a Life Member of both Kappa Alpha Psi and the Southwestern Province. He served four years as Polemarch of the Hot Springs/Arkadelphia Malvern (AK) Alumni Chapter. Thomas was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He is married to Eula Wiley Thomas. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.
32 | WINTER ISSUE THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
THE JOURNAL WINTER ISSUE | 33
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