XI CHAPTER CELEBRATIONS
the SongFest is not merely to provide entertainment but also to foster a spirit of brotherhood, unity, and harmonious relationship among Howard students on and off-campus." In the 1930s and 1940s, the Scroller Club of Xi, a characteristic of other undergraduate chapters of the era, would periodically submit articles in the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal and the school newspaper identifying club members and its officer and announcing activities such as campus social events.
ers, many of whom were Kappas. In 1949, the Washington (DC) Alumni purchased its current chap- ter house, the historic Kappa Kastle, located on 1708 S NW. The purchase also involved the Xi and Beta Kappa Chapters. A plaque was placed on the front door of the home indicating the ownership by the Washington Alumni, Xi, and Beta Kappa. 26 th Grand Chapter Meeting Xi Chapter served as an undergradu- ate host for five Grand Chapter Meet- ings in 1926, 1936, 1954, 1985, and 2009. The 26th Grand Chapter Meet- ing from December 27-30, 1936, was unique as the Howard University cam- pus was the venue for this Conclave. The HU campus was decorated with a brightly lighted electric sign which greeted visiting delegates and family members with "Welcome Kappa Alpha Psi." Howard University President Dr. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson gave welcom- ing remarks on behalf of the university at the Public Meeting was held at the historic Rankin Memorial Chapel. Frederick Douglass Hall hosted the business sessions and the gymnasium was the venue for the Closed Banquet. On the opening day of the Conclave, Grand Polemarch Theophilus B. Mann gave a radio address on the Fraternity and its aims on the Mutual Broadcast- ing System. Grand Chapter delegates reelected
tors approved the Eastern Province's petition to charter an undergraduate chapter which became the Miner Teach- ers College Chapter, the Beta Kappa of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. World War II Xi Chapter lost numerous chapter members to World War II like many undergraduate and alumni chapters. The May 1943 issue of the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal listed fraternity members by Chapter enlisted in the military, with Xi numbering eight. The issue contained the following caveat: "The [Journal] editors know quite well that the following listing does not come near approximating the number of men from Xi Chapter who have been called to the colors. In fact, Xi has prob- ably sent more members into uniform than any other chapter, since it is situ- ated at Howard University the [Reserve Officer Training Corps] R.OT.C. has long been established." In 1942, fourteen of the 24 Kappas that were commissioned officers of the 366th Regiment of the U.S. Army were Xi initiates. Six Xi Chapter initiates were World War II pilots and members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, including past Grand Board of Directors member Wendell M. Lucas (Xi 1937). The others were John A. Gibson, Jr. (Xi 1946), Charles H. Hunter (Xi 1936), Willis E. Sanderlin (Xi 1950), and Leonard F. Turner (Xi 1939). Gibson and Sanderlin fought in World War II as Tuskegee Airmen then attended HU after the war's conclusion. Chapter initiates would also partici- pate in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and subsequent American conflicts.
Chapter Houses During Xi Chapter's first two de-
cades, the Chapter rented numerous chapter houses throughout Washington, DC. • 1920-1924: 946 T St. NW • 1924-1927: 211 Florida Ave. NW • 1927-1929: 1836 4 th St. NW, which was destroyed by fire in 1929 • 1930-1934: 1901 Vermont Ave NW • 1934-1940: 911 T St. NW In the 1920s and 1930s, the Xi Chapter houses were a popular venue for chapter members, members living in Washington, DC and out-of-town fraternity members, including dignitar- ies. Xi hosted Sr. Grand Vice Polemarch Theophilus M. Mann, a featured speak- er at the chapter's freshman smoker. In 1936, the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal reported past Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong visited Washington, DC, and enjoyed many evenings at the Kappa Kastle. The chapter held private recep- tions, interest meetings for freshmen and high school seniors, and programs on various topics with featured speak-
Signature Chapter Events
Mann as the ninth Grand Polemarch and conferred the sixth Laurel Wreath to Founder Byron K. Armstrong. Miner Teachers College In the 1930s, students from neigh- boring Miner Teachers College (now the University of District of Columbia) joined Kappa Alpha Psi via the Xi Chap- ter. In 1940, the Grand Board of Direc-
• Easter Dawn Dance: Held jointly with other area chapters, primarily Washington (DC) Alumni, the An- nual Easter Dawn Dance, referred to in some years as the Spring
Prom, was a significant social fund- raiser held for decades in prominent DC venues such as Murray's Palace
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