Celebrating Talen J. Horton-Tucker and Elijah C. DeVaughn, Jr. as cover stories.
®
Talen J. Horton-Tucker: The NBA's® Youngest American-Born Champion in History
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VOLUME CVI, ISSUE 3
brighter futures 36
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Journal Notes
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Grand Polemarch's Message
10 Junior Grand Vice
Polemarch's Message
60 Alumni News 71 Chapter News 74 Undergraduate News 76 A Look Back: Kappa History 84 To the Chapter Invisible 106 The Kappa Alpha Psi® Directory
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Feature: The chartering of two international chapters in 2020
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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The Kappa Alpha Psi ® Journal Established 1914 First Editor Frank M. Summers, Esq. Past Permanent Editors Lionel F. Artis 1921–1937 G. James Fleming 1938–1950 William L. Crump 1950–1975 Earl S. Clanton 1975–1985 Jonathan P. Hicks 1985–1989 Van Jordan 1989–1990 Mel L. Davis 1990–1999 Keflyn X. Reed 1999–2010 Jonathan P. Hicks 2011–2014 Thomas L. Cunningham IV 2014–2015 Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq. 2016— Editor Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq. Jacksonville (FL) Alumni Chapter KappaJournal1914@gmail.com
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Copy Manager Aaron Williams Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter aaronwilli02@yahoo.com Features Editor Clarence Tucker Norfolk (VA) Alumni Chapter ctuckermpt@gmail.com
Feature Writers Nicolas Cole Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III Quentin Mitchell Earl T. Tildon Dr. Samuel Odom Aaron Williams
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National Photographer Michael L. Hume
12
Published quarterly by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., 2322-24 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19132-4590. Periodic postage paid at Philadelphia, PA and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: $10 per year. USPS 291-300. No responsibility may be assumed by the Journal for receipt or return of material, news stories, photographs or creative pieces. Postmaster: Send address changes to: 2322-24 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132-4590. International Headquarters 2322-24 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19132-4590 Phone: (215) 228-7184 www.KappaAlphaPsi1911.com Belleville-O'Fallon (IL) Alumni Chapter mlhphotography@hotmail.com Photographers Kevin Sellers Justin Tyson Gregory L. Williams Grand Historian Kevin P. Scott Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter GrandHistorian1911@gmail.com Advertising Sales Director Clifford D. Franklin St. Louis (MO) Alumni Chapter cliffordfuse@gmail.com Cell: (314) 406-3472
Feature: Centennial Observances: Mu, Nu and Xi Chapters
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JOURNAL NOTES
Whether you Just Crossed or are a 50-Year Member Celebrating Your Chapter's Centennial, Achievement is the Tie That Binds
(Omega 2019) and Elijah C. DeVaughn, Jr. (Theta Iota 2019) for their singular achievements. These achievements would be remark- able under any normal circumstances. They are particularly impressive in the face of a pandemic, in the face of social unrest, in the face of a federal govern- ment replete with policymakers who have actively worked to minimize Black and Brown people's humanity. Both are exemplars of personal focus, determination and a willingness to commit the additional time necessary to excel in their fields of human endeavor. They have had to make many personal sacrifices to achieve this level of suc- cess. In essence, they are emblematic of us all. They personify achievement. They are men of Kappa Alpha Psi! We appreciate both of them, enabling The Journal to share insights into their approaches to their success. Their suc- cess is ours. And ours is the country's. It is how we will turn the page on overt bigotry, veiled insensitivity, and general lack of care for our fellow man. When you look at 104 th Elder Watson Diggs Michael J. Dubose's success as a leader in the corporate arena and how he has lent his skillset to power our Foundation to a $10 million corpus, we know there is hope. When you see Brother Rick A. Christie ascend to the Executive Editorship of a 104-year-old influential daily newspaper, you know that the media can be fair. When you see Dr. Tony Allen becom- ing the 12 th President of Delaware State University, Dr. Ontario Wooden being named Senior Vice President and Pro- vost of Alcorn State University, Dr. Carl Goodman being named Vice President and Provost of Bowie State University, and Dr. Jerlando F. L. Jackson receiving the most prestigious award at the Uni- versity of Wisconsin–Madison for men- torship, we know that the foundations of academe are being strengthened for generations to come! And as we graduate
and enter the ranks of our professions, of policymaking and thought leader- ship, we will be integral in restoring the dignity and respect we need to model as a society, as a nation, and as the leader of the free world. While we cannot be together in person, achievement is the tie that binds us together. I'm reminded of that hymn by John Fawcett: Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Before our Father's throne we pour our ardent prayers; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.
Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq., Editor K appa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., as a microcosm of the world, has been affected by loss as many have transitioned to the Chapter Invisible. Our physical operations are severely restricted. Our International Headquarters are closed to the public. Many who did not pay attention in their civics classes received a real-time tutorial on the United States of America being a republic and how the counter-majoritarian elements of our representative democracy work together—for better or for worse. We have held chapter meetings, prov- ince councils, and national meetings virtually across the world for most of this year. Yet, we still achieve! We chronicle the observances of three Centennials: the Kansas University Chapter, the Mu of Kappa Alpha Psi ® , the Purdue University Chapter, the Nu of Kappa Alpha Psi ® , and the Howard University Chapter, the Xi of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . We celebrate advances in education with award-winning scholars and new academic leadership positions, includ- ing the presidency of Delaware State University. We feature as a double-cover issue the achievements of Talen J. Horton-Tucker
We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear, and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.
When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again. This glorious hope revives our courage by the way; while each in expectation lives and waits to see the day. From sorrow, toil, and pain, and sin, we shall be free; and perfect love and friendship reign through all eternity. The 34 th Administration under the leadership of Grand Polemarch Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. has kept us relevant, focused and informed, elements that are necessary to keep us connected during this unprecedented time. We salute the Grand Polemarch's continued leadership and wish you a safe and happy holiday season!
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Publishing achievement for more than 105 years
Elijah C. DeVaughn, Jr.
Talen J. Horton-Tucker
Rick A. Christie
Michael J. Dubose
Dr. Carl Goodman
Dr. Jerlando F. L. Jackson
Dr. Tony Allen
Dr. Ontario Wooden
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GRAND POLEMARCH’S MESSAGE
Achievement: Before, During and After the Worst Pandemic of our Time S ince 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has functioned with the anticipation, that with dedication, education and per-
the end of the COVID-19 Virus tunnel, scientists have worked tirelessly in labo- ratories to develop vaccines to mitigate against the communicative disease that has wreaked havoc everywhere. Cau- tiously, we see a glimmer of light that gives us hope that the vaccine will be a catalyst for stemming the tide of illness and death for men, women and chil- dren. Although the recently distributed vac- cines are not intended to cure COV- ID-19, scientists believe that recipients are less likely to contract the disease at levels prior to the development of the vaccines. Scientists are admonishing us to learn about COVID-19 vaccine planning, how vaccine recommendations will be made, and the work going into ensuring the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Get information about symptoms, testing, what to do if sick, daily activities, and more. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, members of Kappa Alpha Psi Frater- nity have been experiencing what has become perhaps the most challenging
severance, members would overcome most of the obstacles the Founders faced, and move ahead with good plan- ning and hard work. In the first century these principles have kept us on course and enabled us to optimize our service to humanity. However, something beyond our antici- pation and control occurred, a conta- gious novel virus called COVID-19. All of a sudden, people from around the world were being adversely affected by this disease, many fatally. This sounded a universal alarm never heard before in our lifetime. It was an alarm that caused leaders in all walks of life to be vigilant and protective of their constituencies. Needless to say, the officers and mem- bers of Kappa Alpha Psi ® heeded the alarm and moved speedily, carefully and safely, following government guide- lines. We’ve done great so far, but there remains much work to be done.
As the world uses its most powerful, proverbial binoculars to view light at
Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. Grand Polemarch
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dilemma in its century-old history. Members throughout the fraternity have been conducting their Kappa business using communication platforms never used before. We have been operating at the local, province and Grand Chapter levels in a virtual mode, where we have implemented webinar tools to enable us to meet visibly on our computers, telephones and other communication devices. This virtual environment has caused many brothers to enhance their techno- logical skills, elevating their abilities to carry out the tasks needed to maintain Kappa’s goal of preeminent achieve- ment. I salute all Province Polemarchs for their ingenuity and innovation in adjust- ing to the changes in the operations of our local chapters, enabling us to have a near-seamless transition from normal to virtual, and from virtual to what will be our “new normal.” I also salute all brothers for hearing and adhering to the clarion call to keep Kappa at the top of the Divine Nine
mountain.
“
My Brothers, Kappa Alpha Psi is an integral part of the fabric of America. We have, from our beginning, been involuntarily forced to do what seemed impossible. However, there’s something about the DNA of a Kappa, that has enabled us to emerge out of adversity after adversity, and still cling to our credo of “Training for Leadership.” COVID-19 is simply another adversity, and Kappa history has taught us that this too shall pass. ”
My Brothers, Kappa Alpha Psi is an integral part of the fabric of America. We have, from our beginning, been involuntarily forced to do what seemed impossible.
However, there’s something about the DNA of a Kappa, that has enabled us to emerge out of adversity after adversity, and still cling to our credo of “Training for Leadership.” COVID-19 is simply another adversity, and Kappa history has taught us that this too shall pass. There’s a legacy that our Founders and forebearers have left us, so let us con- tinue to cling to it; ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR. We’re all leaders, so we can carve out of despair a magnificent tomorrow.
Yours in the Bond, Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. Grand Polemarch
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JUNIOR GRAND VICE POLEMARCH'S MESSAGE
“ American-born player to win an NBA Championship, just to name a few, are creating waves of hope that encourage our country to push on.
K appa Alpha Psi is a frater- ties around us. These are the tenants displayed in full colors by our illustrious founders many years ago and are the same principles that guide our fraternity today. Though our Noble Clan may grow and continue to adapt, these are the core characteristics that have enabled Kappa to withstand the test of time. nity built on perseverance, achievement, and a commit- ment to serving the communi- Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, it is the same perseverance, achieve- ment, and commitment to serving the communities around us that have been on full display. Brothers have continued to have immense impacts from coast to coast and even beyond borders. The strength and service-oriented lead- ership of the brothers in our fraternity has led to achievement that inspires this nation. Monumental accomplishments by Brothers like Elijah C. Devaughn, Kappa’s next Rhodes Scholar, and Brother Horton-Tucker the youngest
Kappa Alpha Psi is a fraternity built on perseverance, achievement, and a commitment to serving the communities around us. These are the tenants displayed in full colors by our illustrious founders many years ago and are the same principles that guide our fraternity today.”
Watching our fraternity reach even greater heights during a global pan- demic has been an incredible feat of triumph, but it also does not come as a surprise. Achievement in every field of human endeavor is living within each of us and has the opportunity to display itself in full force during times of adversity. As the country looks to our fraternity for leadership during a time of despair, I am proud of the steadfast commitment to excellence and consistent attitude of resilience displayed by our brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi.
Yours in the Bond, Evan R. Jackson Junior Grand Vice Polemarch
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THE MU CHAPTER CENTENNIAL
The Kansas Uni ver s i ty Chapter, the Mu of Kappa Alpha Ps i , Ce l ebrates i t s Centenni a l
By Clifford D. Franklin
(MO) Alumni Chapter. During this time, Ernest Gayden (Mu 1923) was the only African American student in the School of Engineering following in the footsteps of Charter initiates John Hunter and Leonard Mims . At the time, the University of Kansas was one of the few midwestern universities that allowed African Americans to enroll in its School of Engineering. The chapter continued to initiate members that dedicate their lives to the Fraternity. The 48 th Laurel Wreath Laureate and Mu charter initiate Oba B. White relocated to Arkansas where he joined the Little Rock (AR) Alumni Chapter. Over his years in Arkansas, White would help charter numerous chapters in the Southwestern Province. White is one of only eight fraternity members awarded both the Laurel Wreath and the Elder Watson Diggs awards; the latter bestowed to White in 1973. In 1953, the 15 th Grand Polemarch W. Henry “Stud” Greene ap- pointed White as the 11 th Southwestern Province Polemarch [1953-1956]. An educator, N. Webster Moore (Mu 1934) , served as the Fraternity’s eighth Grand Historian [1945-1947]. As Grand Histo-
A s we reflect on the brave, am- bitious young African Ameri- can men who traveled from Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and throughout Kansas to attend the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, we must also reflect on what America looked like at that time. World War I ended in 1918. East St. Louis, IL had just experienced one of the worst race riots in American history in 1917, with upwards of 250 African Americans mur- dered and another 6,000 left homeless. In 1919, more than 20 riotous and vio- lent Black-White race-related incidents occurred in more than three dozen cities in the United States including Chicago, IL, Omaha, NE, and Elaine, AR. In 1920, the U.S. Congress ended the 18 th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibited the manufacturing and sale of alcohol. Women were finally able to vote in the Presidential election of 1920 after years of agitation. And a year later in 1921, the infamous Tulsa mas- sacre destroyed Black Wall Street. Through all of this turmoil and uncertainty, 15 University of Kansas (KU) students petitioned the Fraternity to become members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The Grand Board of the Fraternity, led by 2 nd Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong, accepted the petition. Thus, the Fraternity chartered the Mu of Kappa Alpha Psi on March 27, 1920. The charter initiates were: Turner P. Ransom, Leonard H. Mims, Benjamin J. Moore Jr., Willard Johnson, Emmett Lionel Hughes, Oba B. White, John M. Hunter, Alfred W. Banks, Harry J. Harwell, Harrison W. Hollie, John H. Williams, Aubrey J. Baker, Wilbur Pinkard, Percy Young , and Emil Black .
the fraternal activities throughout the 1920s, including hosting regional meet- ings in 1924 and 1930. An article in the June 1921 issue of The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal featured two accounts of Mu Chapter charter initiate’s achievements: • Percy Young served overseas with the 805 th Pioneer Infantry during World War I. Following the war, Young graduated from KU in 1921 and entered the University of Chicago to study medicine; • John H. Williams served in the Student Army Training Corps and graduated from KU’s School of Pharmacy in 1921. The April/May 1923 issue of The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal article cites that the Mu Chapter hosted its first Founders’ Day with 22 brothers in attendance led by the 4 th Grand Polemarch, W. Ellis Stewart. Charter initiate Harrison W. Hollie was now serving as Grand Strategus for the Fraternity and was a law school senior. In 1924, Hollie led the Fraternity’s District 7 and helped charter the Kansas City
rian, Moore authored an unpublished history of Kappa Alpha Psi [1911– 1947]. He later assisted
in writing the 1952 Handbook of Kappa Alpha Psi
and assisted Founder Guy
Mu Chapter began to participate in
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L. Grant with compiling fraternal history for the Story of Kappa Alpha Psi. He was a charter member of the Muskogee (OK) Alumni Chapter and a longtime member of the St. Louis (MO) Alumni Chapter. William Coker (Mu 1935) was a stalwart member of the Denver (CO) Alumni Chapter for seven decades, and Harold Piper (Mu 1937) , who spent his life with the St. Louis (MO) Alumni Chapter.
that way.” A native of St. Louis, Bennett joined the Fraternity as a sophomore and lived in the dorm but moved into the Kappa house in the latter part of his sophomore year. He was attracted to KU because his high school teach- ers went to Kansas. He also wanted a school with a good sports programs and academic program. “ Homer Floyd (Mu 1957) did not stay at the house because he was married, but all the brothers who were athletes, including Wilt [Chamberlain], lived there. Wilt had to tilt to come through the doors, but the ceilings were high enough for him on the inside. Brothers and other students would hang around and just talk, and you never even thought about the fact that you were talking to an All-American athlete. Ev- eryone knew that the Kappa House was always open. The front door was never locked and it was a safe haven for all students. Students would like to visit
the house and see the players.”
Mu Chapter House
Mu and KU Athletics
As we reflect on the Mu Chapter history, the stories can best be told by those who interacted with Charter initi- ates and beyond. Shannon Bennett (Mu 1953) says, “The Fraternity house was more like a family than a dormi- tory. It was like a new family member moving in. Living together we saw each other every day. We got to bond more
Mu Chapter members dominated KU Athletics from the 1950s through the 1970s, including boasting Basketball Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain (Mu 1957) and Gale Sayers (Mu 1964) , who recently entered the Chapter Invis- ible in 2020. A multitude of brothers played significant roles in major sports at the University of Kansas, including Brothers Homer Floyd, KU’s first African American captain of the football team; Ernie Shelby (Mu 1957) , who was an NCAA long jump champion and KU’s first African American captain of track & field; and Charlie Tidwell (Mu 1957) who was an NCAA champion sprinter and hurdler. Super Bowl champion Curtis Mc- Clinton (Mu 1958) played nine years in the American Football League (AFL), in- cluding playing in the Super Bowls I and IV with the Kansas Chiefs. Mike Shinn (Mu 1962) and teammate of Sayers, was also captain of the KU football team and an Academic All-American. Shinn, who passed in 2015, would become a successful executive with General Electric, was a longtime member of the Cleveland (OH) Alumni Chapter, and was a longtime alumnus benefactor of KU. Bill Bridges (Mu 1958) played the NBA for a dozen years primarily with the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks, NBA All-Star three times, and won an NBA champi- onship in his final professional season with the 1975 Golden State Warriors. Stephen Lawson (Mu 1969) , played five years for three NFL franchises.
Photo appeared in the May 1921 issue of The Journal. The Fraternity House of Kappa Alpha Psi - circa 1959. The house was located in the 110 block on Mississippi Street, in the City of Lawrence, KS. It was perched on the east side of the road, directly across the street from Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Kansas.
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The 34 th Grand Polemarch Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. (Mu 1974) was captain of the KU Basketball team. Dur- ing Grand Polemarch Shelton’s time on KU’s Basketball team, three other Kappa men were on the team, including Danny Knight, Rick Suttle, and Tommy Smith, all Mu 1973 initiates.
Activism and Mu
Activism was a part of the DNA of Mu Chapter, as reflected in this protest for equality led by Brother Mike Shinn and Gayle Sayers in the 1960s. While known for his legendary athletic prowess and celebrity status at KU, Chamberlain did, unfortunately, experience discrimination and racism when he ventured off campus and into the city of Lawrence, KS. The college town of Lawrence, KS in the 1950s was a segregated community with many off-campus establishments such as movie theaters and restaurants refusing to accept African American patrons. In protest, Chamberlain, along with fellow KU athletes and Mu Chapter brothers, football star Homer Floyd, track stars Charles Tidwell and Ernest Shelby met with then-KU Chancellor Franklin Murphy to voice their issues with the Lawrence, KS business community. The star athletes threatened to jointly leave KU if the situation did not change quickly. Consequently, Chancellor
1964 - Gale Sayers joining other KU Students in a civil rights protest in Lawrence, KS.
Murphy met with numerous Lawrence establishments and threatened to ban all KU students from patronizing their businesses if they did not remove their discriminatory policies.
primed for a meaningful future.” Topp, a member of the Kansas City (MO) Alumni Chapter, personally interacted with numerous Mu charter brothers and his father Virgil Topp (Mu 1925) . “An alumni brother asked me why KU brothers love the school so much. I told him he was mistaken. What he saw as love for KU was actually the fact the Mu Brothers sincerely love their chap- ter. The Bond we feel is generations deep, river wide, and nearly impossible to explain to others. As Mu brothers,
Mu Reflections
As many Brothers reflected on their time at Mu Chapter, Kenneth Topp (Mu 1962) stated the following, “… the common thread that connects all Mu Chapter Brothers is simple. We are defined by our illustrious history and
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we are defined by history that spans two centuries yet lives in us. That same his- tory points the way to a future where we will thrive.” This statement is reflected in the consistent visits from Mu Chapter Alumni over the years. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Chapter was inspired by visits from Brothers N. Webster Moore, William Coker, and Harold Piper, among others. These visits culminated with Mu’s first formal chapter reunion in 1986. Since 1986, Mu have gathered annually in the Spring to ensure that the chapter’s legacy and archives are preserved. Brother Jim Yerger (Mu 1964) of the Las Vegas (NV) Alumni provided a unique perspective of Mu. “My arrival at college was heightened by the opportunity to join my father’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. He was a Life Member, and I grew up wanting to follow him. After attending two par- ties on consecutive weekends, first at the Alpha house, then at the bouncing floor of the Kappa house, I knew being a member of Kappa Alpha Psi was best for me. In my 56 years in the bond, I have been in five Kappa Alumni Chapters. My closest friends, both present-day and the Chapter Invisible, are Kappa Men. Brothers McGee, Terrell, Shinn, and Sayers are all in the Chapter Invisible. I am fortunate to have Brothers Mc- Gaugh (Mu 1964) Brothers Anderson, (Mu 1962); Brother Thurston (Mu 1958); Brother Dumas (Mu 1962) , and Brother Topp, to still have lively conversations and wonderful memories. I can say that Mu Chapter has provided me years of memories and lifelong friendships.” Mu Chapter was fortunate to have a set of long-serving advisors that help the chapter navigate through the tumultu- ous 1950s and 1960s through the 1980s. Jessie Milan (Mu 1952) served as the Mu Chapter Advisor [1956 – 1968], and his wife, Mrs. Milan, served as the
housemother for the Kappa House. She was the Chapter Advisor to KU’s chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, its Psi Chapter. Brother Milan is the old- est living Mu Chapter Brother that is known. Joe Terrell (Gamma Rho 1959) , affectionately known as “Brother Joe T.,” transferred KU and joined Mu Chapter in 1960. He later served as its Chap- ter Advisor [1967 – 1984], the longest tenure as chapter advisor in Mu Chap- ter history. His brother Robert “Bob” Terrell (Mu 1962) was the first African American City Manager of Fort Worth, TX, was a longtime member of the Fort Worth (TX) Alumni, including as its polemarch [1978–1980]. Grand Board of Board Director Clifford M. Franklin (Mu 1983) of St. Louis (MO) Alumni has led the Frater- nity in various roles, including the Mid- dlewestern Province’s 18 th Polemarch. Joe W. Lewis, Jr. (Mu 1980) of East St. Louis (MO) Alumni has held vari- ous leadership positions in the North Central Province. Currently, he serves as Grand Polemarch Shelton’s Chief of Staff.
engineering, going back to the earliest days of the chapter. Anthony Thomp- son (Mu 1979) was one of the first African Americans to receive a dual architecture and engineering degree. Ronaldo “Nick” Nicholson (Mu 1980) received a BS in civil engineering. KU’s Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Academy (CEAE) elected Nicholson as a member. KU CEAE honors KU’s most distinguished engi- neering alumni. Brother Nicholson is a Life Member, a member of the Alexan- dria Fairfax (VA) Alumni Chapter, and past Grand Chapter Advisor of the Year.
Grand Polemarch Shelton on Mu Chapter:
“I had so many fond memories at Mu Chapter that it is hard to single out one or even a few. Some of my best memo- ries are rated to my days as a Scroller. Our Dean of Pledges was Brother Rick Suttle, who was also my teammate on the KU Basketball team. As a Scroller, he asked my line (K.S. Styx) to do so many interesting things but always emphasized that we should have fun and enjoy our time together. As a Nupe, we had tons of fun at chapter events that are not celebrated anymore. We had a black tie Kappa
Mu Chapter has a long history of brothers that studied and majored in
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Cotillion every year and my silhouette of 46 years was crowned Ms. Mu Chapter. We also had pajama parties with the Kappa Kittens and traveled to the Kappa Karnival every year in Carbondale, IL. But we also did things for the commu- nity around Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Deuce Club member on my line is William “Skip” Hill, a member of the Gates BBQ clan in Kansas City. We had many meetings and just hung out at the Gates BBQ restaurant on 12 th and Brooklyn in Kansas City. But probably the best times were spent getting to know other brothers like Gayle Sayers and Past Grand Polemarch Tom Bradley. My line brothers and I would hit the road and meet brothers from other chapters around the country. When I would go on road trips with the basketball team, I would always con- nect with Nupes in those cities and I still have many of those relationships today. Needless to say, I had a magnifi- cent time at the Mu and have wonderful memories I will never forget.”
From the June 1921 issue of The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal.
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Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Acknowledges the Centennial of the Purdue University Chapter, the Nu of Kappa Alpha Psi
By Aaron Williams and Jerry Burris O n October 5, 2020, over 100 Nu Chapter initiates spanning seven decades conducted a virtual obser- vance of the centennial university of the chapter's chartering on Zoom. Kevin Johnson (Nu 1994) and Damon Hous- ton (Nu 1994) chaired the Centennial Celebration Planning Committee. On the call, brothers reminisced about the chapter, reconnected with one another, and discussed ideas to support Pur- due and its African American students further. 74 th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee Myron L. Hardiman (Nu 1966) provided a historical perspective of the Nu Chapter, highlighting his role during the transfer of the chapter from Indianapolis to Purdue in 1968. Reverend James Foster (Nu 1970) provided the invocation emphasizing how blessed the chapter has been over the past 100 years, and James Bly (Nu 1969) closed the virtual event with a celebratory toast.
school for the Nu Chapter; however, by the 1960s, Nu Chapter members at Pur- due began efforts to move the chapter’s charter from Indianapolis to Purdue. Myron Hardiman recalled, “When I ar- rived on Purdue's campus in the fall of 1965, there were a few Kappas on cam- pus, but no chapter. The black fraterni- ties on Purdue's campus were Alpha Phi Alpha and Omega Psi Phi. Since Nu Chapter had been non- functioning as an undergraduate chapter for many years, I started the process of petitioning the North Central Prov- ince and the Grand Board to move the chapter charter from the University of Indianapolis to Purdue. During my term as Chapter Polemarch, I worked with North Central Province Polemarch Eldridge T. Freeman Jr. to support this initiative, which he did. The Grand Board approved the re- chartering of Nu Chapter to Purdue in 1968. I also worked with the Purdue University administration to recognize the Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fra- ternity, Inc. on Purdue's campus, which they approved. Kappa Alpha Psi became
Chapters. By 1926, Nu was a member of the Central Province, a precursor to the present-day North Central Province, Alpha, Beta, Theta, Iota, Chicago (IL) Alumni, and Indianapolis (IN) Alumni Chapters.
Indianapolis Era of Nu
For nearly half a century, Nu Chapter operated as a “city-wide chapter” with other Indianapolis area colleges, primar- ily Butler University, comprising the membership of Nu Chapter. Several Nu initiates from its earliest decades were graduate school students from Indiana University Schools of Dentistry and Law, respectively. While Nu Chapter pub- lished articles in the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal in the 1920s and 1930s, little in- formation exists from the “Indianapolis” era. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, interest in the Fraternity at the India- napolis schools apparently dissipated. In contrast, the interest in the Fraternity was growing at Purdue University in nearby West Lafayette, IN.
Chartering
Led by Founders Ezra D. Alexander and Guy L. Grant, the second Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong, and the Grand Board established the Nu of the Kappa Alpha Psi at the Indiana Central College (now known as the University of Indianapolis), with Gordon Ross as the chapter's inaugural Polemarch. The Nu Chapter charter initiates were Lionel F. Artis, Howard Dangerfield, Robert L. Bailey, Lucian B. Mer- riweather, Theodore W. Cable, and Frederick D. Smith . A year after its chartering, Nu, Beta, Gamma, Theta, Eta, Iota, and Chicago (IL) Alumni, comprised Fraternity’s the newly created District 2. In 1923, Nu became a member of Region 1 with Alpha and Indianapolis (IN) Alumni
Nu Moves to Purdue
Purdue University was a satellite
From the October 1929 Issue of The Journal.
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a member of the Inter-Fraternal Council (IFC) on Purdue's campus, and I at- tended those meetings as Nu Chapter's representative.”
Week, with the week traditionally com- mencing with the “Can-Can” Dance so- cial event as part of chapter’s food pantry drive to support the underprivileged in the Lafayette community. The recent era of Nu [2000 – 2016] period updated the “Can-Can” Dance to a campus-wide “Stroll Off” competition can food drive. The Indianapolis Circle City Classic Kappa Party started in 1985 as part of Kappa Week, providing social activities for area college student attendees of the annual football game between two HBCU schools. The chapter tradition- ally partnered with the Hanna Commu- nity Service Center in Lafayette, IN for its various Guide Right projects.
Nu and STEM
Throughout the chapter's history, nu- merous Nu Chapter members graduated from Purdue with degrees in STEM- focused areas such as engineering, science, math, technology, pharmacy, veterinarian sciences, industrial man- agement, among others. The Purdue School of Engineering has recognized multiple chapter members with its prestigious “Outstanding Engineering Alumni of the Year Award” for their ca- reer accomplishments, including Myron Hardiman, Andrew Crowe (Nu 1966), Mamon Power, Shallie Bey (Nu 1968), Ronald Fountain (Nu 1969), Jerry Burris (Nu 1983), and Warren Blanchard (Nu 1989) . Additionally, due to the efforts of Edward E. Barnette, Jr. (Nu 1970) and Stanley Kirtley (Nu 1972) , the chapter influenced the development of the National Society of Black Engineering (NSBE) and supported African Ameri- can STEM students at Purdue.
Purdue Era of Nu
After the charter move, Nu Chapter continued to build its presence on cam- pus and also within the Fraternity with the election of Myron A. Jones as Jr. Grand Vice Polemarch [1971–1973]. The chapter annually sponsored Kappa House Welcoming New Stu- dents to Campus Party each fall. The chapter's signature social event was the formal Kappa Sweetheart Ball, first held in 1968. This annual event allowed the chapter to acknowledge its sweethearts during Valentine’s Day weekend while highlighting chapter member accom- plishments during the banquet awards ceremony with the Brother of the Year and Most Inspirational Brother awards. The chapter created its first Kappa Sweetheart ad booklet in 1973, with ad proceeds donated to non-profit organiza- tions serving the local community. The chapter started its Kappa Toga Party in 1977 jointly sponsored the event each fall with Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity to promote racial unity among the NPHC and Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) organizations. The chapter annually held Kappa
Nu Chapter House
Following the vision of James Bly (Nu 1969) and Bruce Curry (Nu 1971) for Nu Chapter to acquire a fraternity house, the chapter secured a place in January of 1973 at 117 West State Street a few blocks east of cam- pus. The ten-bedroom house served as a focal meeting point, social gather- ing place, and residential housing for brothers with a full kitchen, living room, dining room, laundry room. The house’s multi-purpose room was the locale for social entertainment fellowship among African American students. Nu Chapter vacated the house in 1986.
Noteworthy Nu initiates
Lionel F. Artis was born in 1895 in Paris, IL, and lived in Indianapolis. Artis was a charter initiate of Nu Chapter. After serving his country in World War I, Artis attended Butler Univer-
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Previous page: 1969 Nu Debris Yearbook. December 1951 issue of The Journal, 1921, No. 2 issue of The Journal. Above: Nu Chapter house. Right: Myron Jones 1972 issue of The Journal.
sity. He would later earn degrees from the University of Chicago and Indiana University-Bloomington. In 1921, the third Grand Polemarch George David, II appointed Artis as the first perma- nent editor of The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal which he led in 1937. In 1938, city officials appointed Artis manager of Lockfield Gardens, one of the first public housing facilities in the nation and remained in that position until his retirement in 1969. Artis was a commu- nity activist in Indianapolis and a board member of several organizations. A longtime member of the India- napolis (IN) Alumni Chapter, Artis' extra meritorious contributions to the Frater- nity while serving as the Editor of The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal earned him the 8 th Laurel Wreath. Laurel Wreath Lau- reate Artis died in September 1971. A charter initiate of Nu, Robert L. Bailey was a graduate of Talladega (AL) College and earned an LL.B. degree in 1912 from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis. Bailey was the Grand Vice Polemarch in 1923 and was the non-voting member of the Grand Board of Directors in 1931. He led the Indianapolis (IN) Alumni Chapter as its sixth polemarch [1929-1930]. Bailey practiced law in Indianapo- lis and was the only African American member of the Indianapolis Bar Associa- tion. One of Bailey’s most noteworthy
cases representing fellow Nu charter initiate Dr. Lucian B. Meriweather in a case known as the “Spite Fence” case. He served as a judge in the Marion (IN) County Circuit Court. In 1938, Bailey worked as assistant attorney general, the first African American in Indiana to hold that position. When Bailey passed in 1940, the Indianapolis Recorder newspaper remarked, “Despite his record of never having lost a case for the state during his tenure of office as assistant attorney- general, Attorney Bailey was most widely known and loved because of his brilliant battles for the N.A.A.C.P., or some de- serving person whose funds were low.” Aaron A. Banks (Nu 2016) was a Purdue Student Body [2018–2019] president following in the footsteps of fellow Nu initiates that held the office, T arrus Richardson (Nu 1988) and Rodney C. Glass (Nu 1990) . In ad- dition to holding office, Banks was a quarterback on the Purdue Boilermak- ers football team, a member of NSBE and the Minority Engineering Program (MEP). Currently, Banks works in the New York City as a management consul- tant for Accenture. As an industrial engineering up- perclassman, Brother Barnette founded Purdue's Black Society of Engineers (later renamed the Society of Black En- gineers) as a support system for African
American students. The Society met at what was then called the “Black House,” now known at the Black Cultural Center at Purdue. Engineering students met in the library daily to complete their homework and prepare for exams togeth- er. The Society became the strongest and most cohesive academic group on campus for Black engineering students. The activities of the members of the Black Society of Engineers resulted in increased retention and increased enroll- ment. The Purdue student organization became the model that led to the forma- tion of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) in 1975. Barnette was a senior executive with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and was an ardent supporter of NSBE. Barnette was NSBE’s first recipient of the Golden Torch Award for outstand- ing academic, industry, and community achievements. Barnette passed in 1991. An educator and an ordained min- ister, Cleo Walter Blackburn was the Founder of the Board of Fundamental Education and director of the Indianap- olis-based social service agency, Flanner House, for nearly 40 years. Blackburn also was president of Jarvis Christian College located in Hawkins, TX for 11 years. Blackburn earned a B.A. degree from the Butler University School of Religion and an M.A. degree from Fisk University.
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Far left: the 1981 Sweetheart Ball. Nu Chapter reunion 2015.
While at Butler, Blackburn led Nu Chapter as its polemarch. After com- pleting his studies, he served as the head of the Department of Sociology and Economics at Knoxville (TN) Col- lege and the head of the Department of Records and Research at Tuskegee Insti- tute, now known as Tuskegee University. In 1948 Blackburn founded the Board for Fundamental Education (BFE), whose primary mission was job training. A Nu Chapter charter member and track and field athlete, Brother Cable was a dentist in Indianapolis for many years prior to moving his practice to New York City in 1949. Cable earned his D.D.S. degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry located in Indianapolis. He graduated as an under- graduate from Harvard University, where he participated in the hammer throw on the school's track and field team. Cable set collegiate records, at the time, in the hammer throw, won meets, and compet- ed for a spot on the 1912 U.S. Summer Olympic team. Cable was the first African American Democrat elected to the Indianapolis City Council and later served two terms in the Indiana General Assembly. Cable passed in 1963. Arthur Lloyd Carter, Sr. (Nu 1947) was a longtime member of the Indianapolis (IN) Alumni Chapter. He was the 67 th Laurel Wreath Laure- ate and the 39 th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee (1986). Carter is one of only eight fraternity members bestowed the Laurel Wreath and the Elder Watson Diggs Awards. He led the Fraternity as
its seventh Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer [1976–1986]. The 18 th Grand Polemarch Tom Bradley in 1964 appointed Carter to the Elder Watson Diggs Memorial House Management Committee. Afterward, in 1971, Carter was the non-voting member of the Grand Board of Directors. He was a past member of the Kappa Foundation Board of Directors. Carter grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from historic Crispus Attucks High School in 1940. He attended Indiana Central College and transferred to the Indiana University Extension Campus in Indianapolis in 1941. He served for the U.S. Army Air Corps [1942-1945] and honorably discharged from active duty. During his time in the military, he was an administrative clerk, a pilot mechanic, and a Tuskegee Airmen cadet at the Tuskegee (AL) Institute. After his military service, he earned a degree in accounting. Professionally, Carter worked for the Veterans Administration (VA), the Internal Revenue System (IRS), and the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO). Carter later started the first African- American travel agency, Twilight Travel Agency, in Indiana, and Carter was an annual fixture as a race official at the Indianapolis 500. Laurel Wreath Laurel Carter passed in 2015. Wilbur H. Grant (Nu 1925) was born December 11, 1897, in New Albany, IL. He was the younger sibling of Founder Dr. Guy L. Grant. Grant earned an LL.B degree from the Indiana University Law School in 1926 and
practiced law until 1976. He led Nu as polemarch in 1926. During the 1940s, Grant served as a state representative in the Indiana General Assembly. In 1942, shortly after being elected as a state rep- resentative, Grant joined the U.S. Army but left on temporary furlough to attend legislative sessions. As a state representative, Grant was the head of the Negro Division of the Republican State Committee and sponsored numerous bills to improve the court system and ban racial segrega- tion. In 1951, he became Marion (IN) County deputy prosecuting attorney from 1951–1958, secretary of the Republican state conventions in 1954 and 1956. In 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower appointed Grant to the state advisory committee of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. He was a Marion County Juvenile Court hearing judge. In 1962 he served as a Superior Court judge—only the second African Ameri- can in Indiana history to be elected to the bench. Grant died in Indianapolis on August 25, 1983. Myron L. Hardiman (Nu 1966) earned a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Purdue in 1969. He was one of the first African American professional engineers in the state of Indiana. In 1976, he earned an M.B.A. degree from Indiana University-Bloomington. Hardiman spent two decades with Eli Lilly and Company in numerous leadership positions. While at Eli Lilly, he was the first chairman of the com- pany’s Minority Engineering Recruiting Task Force to improve the company’s re-
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cruitment of minority engineers. Hardi- man help establish Eli Lilly’s recruiting programs at Tuskegee University, Prairie View A&M University, and North Caro- lina A&T University. From 1998 to 2001, he served as an executive on loan to Advancing Minori- ties' Interests in Engineering (AMIE), a non-profit organization whose purpose is to expand corporate, government, and academic alliances in order to advance underrepresented minority students in engineering careers. He was full- time executive director of AMIE from 2001-2017 after retiring from Eli Lilly. since then. In 2010, Purdue recognized Hardiman's outstanding accomplish- ments with the School of Civil Engi- neering Alumni Achievement Award. In addition to serving as Nu Polemarch, Hardiman has a long distin- guished within the Fraternity including serving as the Indianapolis (IN) Alumni Chapter Polemarch [1985–1987], North Central Province Polemarch [1990–1995], Grand Board of Direc- tors [1995–1999], and a member of the Grand Chapter Planning Committee. Hardiman also served as Chief of Staff – Operations for the 32 nd and 33 rd Grand Polemarchs. Brother Kirtley was one of the found- ers of NSBE. Kirtley graduated in 1975 Purdue with a B.S. in Civil Engineer- ing and an M.B.A. degree from Keller Graduate School of Management. He was vice president of Client Community relations for ASC Services Company, L.L.C., an architectural-engineering design and construction management based in Chicago, IL. He was an advisory board member for the School of Civil Engineering at Purdue and a member of the Industrial Advisory Board for the Purdue Chapter of NSBE. Kirtley passed in 2005. Dr. Meriwether, a charter initiate of Nu Chapter and a graduate of the Indiana University School of Dentistry, Dr. Lucian B. Meriwether practiced dentistry serving the Indianapolis Afri- can American community for decades. He was a civic leader in the community, including serving as a city council-
man. He organized the East Side Civic League, founded and was president of the Progress Investment Club, and was treasurer of the local N.A.A.C.P. branch for ten years. Meriwether was a plaintiff in the 1920 lawsuit known as the “Spite Fence" case. Meriwether purchased in 1920 and home on the 2200 block of North Capitol Avenue in Indianapolis. The Meriwether family was the first African American family to move into this neighborhood. Consequently, white homeowners next to the Meriwether home erected tall fences to barricade the home and formed a home association to prevent other African Americans from residing in the neighborhood. Meri- wether filed suit and won. Meriwether passed away in 1982. Anthony W. Miller (Nu 1980) served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Edu- cation. U.S. President Barack Obama appointed Miller to this role in 2009, and Miller served until 2013. After graduating from Purdue, Miller earned an MBA degree from Stanford Univer- sity. In addition to his extensive educa- tion management experience, Miller worked for ten years at McKinsey and Co. and private equity firm Silver Lake before his presidential appointment. Mamon Powers (Nu 1967) is presi- dent Powers and Sons Construction. Powers graduated in 1970 from Purdue with a B.S. degree in civil engineering. In 1996, Indiana Governor Evan Bayh appointed Powers to Purdue University's Board of Trustees where he served until 2011 including a term as vice chair- man. In 2002, he was the recipient of the Purdue University Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award. In 2003, he was a recipient of the Purdue University Schools of Engineering awarded Pow- ers with its Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award. William Raspberry (Nu 1957) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning syndicated public affairs columnist. After graduating from the University of Indianapolis in 1958, Raspberry worked for the Indianapolis Recorder before the U.S. Army drafted him. After his honorable discharge in
1962, he went to work for the Washing- ton Post newspaper as a teletypist and become a columnist for the newspaper in 1966. In 1994, Raspberry famously published a scathing rebuke of the culture of hazing in the Washington Post newspaper days after the tragic death of Michael Davis. After several times a fi- nalist, Raspberry won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1994. Raspberry passed away in 2012. Tarrus L. Richardson (Nu 1988) is a Guy L. Grant Awardee who, as an undergraduate, was the first African American elected Student Body Presi- dent at Purdue. Richardson graduated with a B.A. in accounting and earned an MBA degree from Harvard Business School. Richardson has spent 24 years in private equity. He co-founded ICV Partners, a $440 million minority-owned private equity firm from 1998-2010. He worked at JLL Partners, a private equity firm with over $2 billion of AUM, and Citibank (formerly Salomon Brothers). Currently, Richardson is CEO of IMB Partners, a private equity firm based in Bethesda, MD. Fredrick L. “Rick” Smith (Nu 1989) was a starting defensive safety on the Boilermaker football team and elected team captain. After graduating in 1992, Smith stayed as his alma mater as an assistant coaching before obtaining a position with the Denver Broncos as a scout. After working Broncos front office, including as the team's Director of Player Personnel, the Houston Texans franchise hired Brother Smith in 2006 as its new Executive Vice President and General Manager. At the time of hire, Smith was the youngest person General Manager in the NFL and one of three African American General Managers in the NFL. Smith left the Texans fran- chise in 2017 to care for his wife. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nu initiates delayed its three-day celebratory centennial event in West Lafayette, IN until October 2021.
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