UNDERGRADUATE NEWS
From Emporia Colony to Mu Alpha: 50 Years of Kappa at Emporia State University
By Michael Brundy
I t was January 17, 1971, when nine men from Kansas State Kansas State University (KSU) in Manhattan, Kansas, came together to be initiated to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. KSU was the home of Beta Psi. In those days schools without a charter could be colonies of nearby chartered chapters. KSTC, Teachers College (KSTC) in Empo- ria, Kansas and four men from later to be named Emporia State University (ESU) was a colony of the Beta Psi Chapter. That first group of Kappas – Stanley Buford, Wilbur “Boomy” Brown (deceased), Alvertis “Buzzy” Holiday (deceased), Cecil Scroggins (Denver (CO) AL), Roy Jones, William “Moe” Moore (deceased), Joseph Schooler James Bailey and Walter Fingers — were leaders on campus. They were athletes, scholars, veter- ans and student activists. This first group of Kappas paved the way for many more Black men who felt the need to organize around the idea of achievement. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Kappa men at ESU along with other Divine Nine organizations provided a haven for black students in the middle of the country and the middle of white America. There was very little competition between the Black students. They had to get along to survive. They partied hard, they worked hard, and they gradu- ated. In the 1980s the Kappas at ESU began to investigate getting their own charter. This ended with the chartering of the Mu Alpha Chapter at ESU on November 17, 1984. The hard-working chartering brothers were – Steven Henderson, Mel Scott,
Steven Counts, Leon Franklin, Stan- ton Parker, Paul Collins Iral Hayes, Anthony Jones, and Kevin McDonald. On April 3, 1985, the charter initi- ates were: James L. Daniels, Adam L. Marks, Gary M. Birch, and Dwayne Strikland. After 50 years, Kappas still have a significant standing at ESU. The Chief Diversity Officer of the uni- versity is a Kappa, Dr. Aswad Allen. There are seven brothers on the yard and these brothers are leaders on campus. Recently King Morris, (Mu Alpha 2018), was featured on the univer- sity’s foundation publication. This publication made it clear to all interested in ESU that there are Black students and Kappas on campus do- ing big things. The bond and brotherhood of ESU Kappas past and present is very strong. The alumni brothers con- tinue to support the undergraduate brothers. They donate money, pro- vide advice and have held monthly Zoom calls during the pandemic that include ESU Kappa men of all ages. The brothers of ESU Mu Alpha are examples of what Kappa is about. They have achieved, they continue to achieve, and they help each other. Above: Mu Alpha receives their charter November 17, 1984. The Charter Members are: Steven Henderson, Mel Scott, Steven Counts, Leon Franklin, Stanton Parker, Paul Collins, Iral Hayes, Anthony Jones, and Kevin McDonald. Brother King Morris Mu Alpha Fall 2018 featured on Emporia State University Foundation publication. Brothers King Morris, Khalil Rasheed and Rasheed Noel on campus.
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