A LOOK BACK: KAPPA HISTORY
The Scroller Club
Historical Reflections - 100 Years Later
By Kevin Scott, Grand Historian
Contributors: Frederick H. Black and Aaron Williams
The Scroller Pin
2019 marked the 100 th anniversary of the establish- ment of the Scroller Club of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . Upon its inception, Kappa Alpha [Nu] Psi worked to establish the accoutrements of all collegiate Greek let- tered fraternities and sororities. Our Coat of Arms, Rituals, Constitution, membership badge and other emblems, were developed shortly after the fraternity was officially founded. Initially, early members identified individuals who they believed could reflect the fundamental purpose of Kappa Alpha Psi and they were initiated to become members. Over time, the fraternity enhanced this program to include the procedure utilized by its white counterparts; a tradition that was a defining characteristic of these groups since America’s colonial times. Several chapters of the fraternity formed distinct “pledge clubs” as a means of indoctrinating aspirants to become members, otherwise known as a pledge period. “Pledging” has been misconstrued and mischaracterized over time. At its core, pledging a fraternity or sorority was a method by which an aspirant learned about the organization they sought to join and the members also acquired a greater familiarity with the aspirants. Eventually, aspirants underwent a rite of passage to acquire membership, and achieved a bond forged The 1957 Tau Chapter Scroller Club at West Virginia State College (now University). A page from the college yearbook featuring the Tau Scroller Club states "The Scroller Club is the pledge club of Kappa Alpha Psi which prepares its future members for their positions in the world and expressing love for all, regardless to race, creed or color."
among the participants and the members. During and upon completion of this pledge process, aspirants gave a solemn oath; i.e., pledge of allegiance to the organization.
Origin of the Scroller Club
In the early years of the fraternity, the pledge period time- frames of these clubs varied from one chapter to the next and the sorts of activities and curriculums were often incon- sistent. In 1919, there was an influx of men returning home after the conclusion of World War I. Several war veterans became students at the Ohio State University and sought to become members of the fraternity. One of those veteran-stu- dents was Elias Tuggle. Tuggle enlisted in the Army in 1917 and served during World War I with Company B of the 372 nd Infantry, 93 rd Division. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant on March 4, 1919 and subsequently en- rolled as a student at Ohio State University, where he sought
84 | WINTER 2019 ♦ THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for more than 105 years
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