CHAPTER NEWS
Province Polemarch Barnhill and guidance from Miledge Brodie (Alpha Epsilon 1964), the process officially began. Dr. Julian Pyles, a respected mathe- matics professor at UNC Charlotte, agreed to serve as faculty sponsor— though not a member of any Greek organization, he believed deeply in the purpose and vision of the fraternity. Ten determined young men began the process in the Spring of 1969, pledg- ing for a full year before being initiated into the Alpha Epsilon Chapter in the Spring of 1970. On August 1, 1970, during the Kappa Alpha Psi Grand Chapter Meeting, the Zeta Delta Chapter was char- tered— becoming the first Greek-letter organization on the campus of UNC Charlotte (UNCC) and the first undergraduate chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi chartered on a predom- inantly white institution in the Middle Eastern Province. The ten visionary charter members were Spencer Singleton, Benjamin Byers, Paul Hemphill, Jerry Springs, Ronald Swann, James Cuthbertson, Joe Wingate, Larry Reid, Stanley Graham, and Norris Dae. The chapter’s first
Zeta Delta continues its winning tradition with a display of its most recent awards.
“THE MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY COINCIDED WITH THE CHAPTERS FOUNDING FIFTY-FIVE YEARS EARLIER ON AUGUST 1, 1970.”
one initiate, affectionately known as “Poncho.” The ten young men who would go on to charter Zeta Delta attended the event to show their support for their JCSU brother. Their enthusiastic arrival and participation inspired a memorable performance in which they sang and played music alongside Poncho, creating a moment that would later symbolize the unity, brotherhood, and creativity that defined Zeta Delta from the start. Beyond their artistry, the brothers also made their mark in athletics. Brothers Dae, Reid, and Graham were members of the UNCC basketball team, Brother Swann served as
officers included Stanley Graham as Polemarch, Larry Reid as Vice Pole- march, Ronald Swann as Keeper of Records, Norris Dae as Keeper of Exche- quer, and Jerry Springs as Chaplain. From the very begin- ning, the brothers of Zeta Delta stood out for their unity, charisma, and talent. Brothers Byers and Dae were gifted vocalists, while
Brothers Graham, Single- ton, and Byers performed together as members of the local band, Lil Al and the Maxadines. During initiation week, a long-standing tradition held on the campus of Johnson C. Smith Univer- sity (JCSU), each Greek organization introduced its line to the campus com- munity. At the time, Alpha Epsilon Chapter had only
WINTER 2025-2026 ♦ THE JOURNAL 25
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