100 YEARS
THE NU CHAPTER CENTENNIAL
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-
18 | FALL-WINTER 2020 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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