LOOK BACK KAPPA HISTORY
From left: Founder Diggs’ great-grandnieces Leslie Bassett, Nikki Cheeks, and Paula Cox, and son, join Grand Polemarch McMikle, Grand Historian Kevin P. Scott, and Kappa Alpha Psi® Foundation Executive Director Anthony G. Stepney.
named Kappa Alpha Nu) in 1911 with the fundamental purpose of achievement. INITIAL RECOGNITION Knowing of Diggs’ legacy of achieve- ment, particularly in the field of education, Grand Historian Kevin P. Scott sought to have Diggs recognized at Indiana University’s School of Education 100 years after he attained his undergraduate degree. In August 2016, Grand Historian Scott began discussions with key Indiana University administrators and School of Education officials in support of acknowledging Diggs as a distinguished alumnus. Scott’s original idea was to commission a portrait and hang it in a prominent location within the school.
As dialog around the portrait concept continued, it was modified based on an alternate idea that would not only celebrate his legacy as a lifelong educator but directly impact the assistance of others in realizing their dream of teaching—the Elder Watson Diggs Endowed Scholarship was subsequently created in 2020. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., was the principal donor to establish this scholarship with a gift of $25,000. The inaugural scholarship recipient was awarded in August 2021. DELAY IS NOT DENIAL Shortly after the Diggs Scholarship launched, the School of Education contacted Scott and inquired if Kappa Alpha Psi would still be interested in
commissioning an artist to produce a portrait of Elder Watson Diggs. The response was an enthusiastic and emphatic “Yes!” Scott conferred with Kappa Alpha Psi® Foundation President Michael DuBose regarding collaborative funding for this project with Indiana University’s School of Education. DuBose expressed his support for the endeavor and referred Scott to work in tandem with Kappa Foundation Executive Director Anthony G. Stepney to develop the concept. From deliberations between the Kappa Foundation and Indiana Uni- versity School of Education, a shared funding proposal was developed, in addition to agreements on how those funds would be used to commission
SUMMER 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 79
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease