Kappa Journal (Senior Kappas Edition)

SENIOR KAPPAS OF PHILADELPHIA (PA) ALUMNI WELCOME YOU Led by 70-Year Member: Tarleton D. Williams

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SENIOR KAPPAS EDITION

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SPRING 2019 ISSUE: SENIOR KAPPAS EDITION

VOLUME CV, ISSUE 1

IN THIS ISSUE

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 Art Director Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq. Jacksonville (FL) Alumni Chapter KappaJournal1914@gmail.com Deputy Editor for Features Clarence Tucker Norfolk (VA) Alumni Chapter ctuckermpt@gmail.com Deputy Editor for Photography Michael L. Hume Belleville-O'Fallon (IL) Alumni Chapter mlhphotography@hotmail.com Feature Writers Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III Stuart Doyle Quentin Mitchell Dr. Samuel Odom Aaron Williams Graphic Arts Contributor Justin L. Tyson Atmore (AL) Alumni Chapter justin.tyson38@gmail.com Grand Historian Kevin P. Scott Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter GrandHistorian1911@gmail.com Advertising Sales Director Sherman K. Kizart Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter

Inside: Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr. holds the Southeastern Province Flag after the national ceremony dedicating the Province Flags at International Headquarters. 42

2

Journal Notes

4

Grand Polemarch’s Message

7 Commentary 10 Senior Kappa Affairs Week Reflection 12 National Senior Kappa Affairs Committee 18 Senior Kappas Spotlight 24 Cover Story: Philadelphia (PA) Alumni 34 Kappa News 36 2322-24 North Broad Street 42 Province Flag Dedication 49 Senior Kappas Roll Call 74 A Look Back: Kappa History 82 Senior Kappas: THE SIX Spotlight 86 To the Chapter Invisible 102 The Kappa Alpha Psi ® Directory

Gallery: National Chaplain Rev. Dr. Tony C. Evans, 26 th Grand Polemarch Dr. Ullysses McBride and 27 th Grand Polemarch Robert L. Harris, Esq. attend the Province Flag dedication. 43

shermankizart@att.net Office: (312) 421-4803 Cell: (312) 371-4127

International Headquarters 2322-24 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19132-4590 Phone: (215) 228-7184 www.KappaAlphaPsi.org

Then and now: Tarleton D. Williams (Lambda 1949) featured in "Who's Who" Roll Call in May 1956 issue of The Kappa Alpha Psi ® Journal , provides insight into his journey. 26

20 Col. Palmer Sullins, Jr. Receives Highest FAA Award.

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.

18 A NASA "Hidden Figure" Hildreth "Hal" Walker fires laser to the Moon.

Cover photo design by Michael Hume.

Publishing achievement for 105 years

THE JOURNAL  SPRING ISSUE  | 1

JOURNAL NOTES

Senior Kappas: Forged in the Fires of Life, Stand as Beacons of Achievement

flags, we pay respects to the system and process that is patterned from an excel- lent model that allows us to administer the fraternity from the perspective of Kappa's highest elected leader, the Grand Polemarch. Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr. also uses this issue to celebrate those who have lived through those early conflicts and strife—yet still achieved, we honor Senior Kappas in general— those who are at 60 years old. And, we celebrate those brothers who are at least 75 years of age as of April 26, 2019. See the Senior Kappas Roll Call beginning on page 49. Not every headshot submit- ted was able to be printed due to not meeting minium standards, however, we printed when possible. The stories of our brothers show us that like life, Kappa is not perfect, yet we can still achieve for ourselves, our families and our communities. We don't let the unachievable perfect be the enemy of the achievable good. The success in our journeys stand as beacons of hope, through incredible times. Our bonds of fidelity have gotten us through so much. While we live for thee, we are also ex- horted to strive for thee and toil until we reach that Golden Shore. This issue celebrates the toil and achievement of the Senior Kappas of the Philadelphia (PA) Alumni Chapter, led by Senior Kappa L. Douglas Harrell (see page 24). We feature 70-year member Tarleton D. Williams, a mathematician and supercomputer systems developer (see page 26). He and his three broth- ers found Kappa and made it stronger by their achievements. We also feature the 95 th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia and fellow Senior Kappa, The Honorable Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode (see page 30). Both were part of the IHQ dedication program in 1991 (see page 40).

The National Senior Kappa Affairs Committee is featured (see page 12) with a reminder of how we can all sup- port those who have “served Kappa the longest.” See page 17. This issue also spotlights Senior Kap- pas such as “Hidden Figure” Hildreth “Hal” Walker. He led the manufactur- ing, testing and operation of the KO- RAD K-1500 ruby laser used during the Apollo 11 Moon Landing (see page 18). We then traverse to the Middle Eastern Province to survey 555 Years of Leader- ship among Polemarchs of the Memphis (TN) Alumni Chapter (see page 46). We have some wonderful opportunities to capture the history of our Fraternity from the “Greatest Generation” through to our youngest members. We do not yet possess the appropriate infrastruc- ture to easily do so however. Grand Historian Scott has laid out a robust path for archive recovery. When I served as Grand Historian, I encouraged the fraternity to collect oral histories and make them a part of the Smithsonian Memory Project archives. Many of you took advantage of the Smithsonian op- portunity and are responding to Brother Scott's call. We are making progress, as we cannot wait to capture the essence of those who have served Kappa and their communi- ties the longest. And, no one particular medium is a fool-proof way to do so. And so, we must preserve them in every way. Please encourage your chapters to do all they can to preserve and protect the memories and the wisdom of those who have served the longest. The juxta- position of their sacrifices in the context of the history of our struggles help set a strong foundation for brothers to build on. And, we owe it to future genera- tions to make their wisdom available for generations to come.

Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq.

W ith all of the discourse about imperfection in Kappa Alpha Psi ® , we can take comfort in many successes, often resulting from working through adversity together. Through your efforts, Kappa has persevered through agnostics, barriers, cynics, doubters, evil, falsehoods, goaders, haters, ignorance, Jim Crow, killjoys, leeches, mendacious- ness, naysayers, oath-breakers, perpe- trators, questioners, racists, skeptics, thieves, unbelievers, vacillators, World Wars, xysters of the soul, yammerers and zetetics of every kind. Collectively, we represent the alphabet of Achieve- ment from architects to soldiers, from theologians to zoologists and every noble profession in between. The Journal , celebrating 105 years this year, has chronicled this perserverance and achievement. As a part of those 105 years, the administration of the fraternity transitioned from a governing structure of districts to regions to provinces (see page 34). This history is commemorated through the Province Flag Dedication Ceremony that occurred in May 2019 (see page 42). So, as we dedicate our

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Publishing achievement for 105 years

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© 2019 Boston Scientific Corporation and its affiliates. All rights reserved. IC-625713-AA April2019 Photo credit: Kendall Reeves, Spectrum Creative Group Kenneth McKee, Human Resources Director for Boston Scientific and Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

GRAND POLEMARCH'S MESSAGE

Many of our senior brothers were initiated in undergraduate schools and experienced first- hand what is needed to be great mentors. We think about our senior brothers as we focus on the Senior Kappas Endowment Fund initiated during the 33 rd administration, to assist senior Kappas in years to come.

ful to brothers who have participated in growing this endowment to more than one million dollars. The Kappa Founda- tion is managing this endowment. In Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, we honor and pay deference to Senior Kappas, recognizing that they knelt at the Del- phic Shrine and dwelt among us. How do we celebrate our Senior Kappas and how do we remember their contribu- tions to Phi Nu Pi? We remember them by the legacies they leave that enable us to build the future. Reach out to the senior brothers around you, because nothing is better than their testimonies. We can draw from their wealth of knowledge. We can learn what to expect as we taste the wis- dom that comes from the learned and experienced senior brothers who still remember some of our Founders and the pillars of our fraternity. We salute our senior brothers as we celebrate our 84th Grand Chapter Meeting in Philadelphia. We can only become better because they touched our lives. We have one more Journal during the 33 rd Administration. Brother Cleveland Ferguson has done an outstanding job capturing the stories of the best and brightest among us. These stories have introduced us to high achieving broth- ers throughout the world. I hope you have enjoyed The Journal and look forward to equally informative informa-

tion in the future. We have featured our seniors, military, undergraduates and other special interest groups in our fraternity. When we read the profiles of our achieving brothers, we know that our Founders and forebears are proud that we have done our best to perpetu- ate their vision. I honor and thank all brothers who have answered the call to service in this administration, whether at the local, province or national level. I challenge you to reach out to the 34 th Administra- tion and answer the call to continue to perpetuate the Kappa legacy as we con- tinue to build the future of the greatest fraternity on the planet. To our senior brothers, I admonish you that the work of the fraternity contin- ues, and we will still need your wisdom, guidance and leadership as we continue in the 21 st century. The leaders who will assume the gauntlet in 2019 are ready for the challenge. “Training for Lead- ership” is not an idle phrase, but the reality that has kept the Kappa ship on course for 108 years. To our undergraduate brothers, I urge you to seek and head the wise counsel of our senior brothers, for it is there that you will learn how to sustain the great- ness of our fraternity, as well as what it will take to sustain it for years to come.

Brothers:

I n this issue we’re focusing on the service and achievements of Senior Kappas. When we look back at some of the most familiar seniors in the scriptures, we see Abraham who died at 175 years of age, Isaac who died at 180, Jacob who lived until 147 years of age and Moses who died at 120 year of age. We don’t remember these men because they lived a long life, but because of what they did while they lived. We remember these great men and our elders who lived in the 108 years since Kappas birth, and reflect on their achievements, leadership and mentorship down through the years. We honor these brothers because they represent the foun- dation of the fraternity. Many of our senior brothers were initiated in undergraduate schools and experienced first-hand what is needed to be great mentors. We think about our senior brothers as we focus on the Senior Kappa Endowment Fund initiated during the 33 rd administration, to assist senior Kappas in years to come. We are grate-

Thomas L. Battles, Jr. Grand Polemarch

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St. Jude Welcomes Back Kappa Alpha Psi as a National Volunteer Partner! Thank you for all you have done and will do for the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ® .

©2016 ALSAC/St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital (24270)

YOU’VE SEEN THEM GROW. NOWWATCH THEM LEAD.

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NATIONAL RECLAMATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

From Initiation to Passing to the Golden Shore: Your best days in Kappa should be comprised of what happens in between! Consider learning from a Senior Kappa along the way.

by Paul Robinson, National Reclamation Committee Chairman

are on fixed incomes therefore alumni chapters should seek to accommodate our senior brothers in the same man- ner they would a new graduate. This can be done by reducing local chap- ter dues for newly-reclaimed Seniors Kappas and charging discounted rates to events. We can also support broth- ers through our Senior Kappa Affairs Committee activities such as picking up a senior brother for chapter meetings and social events. Some of our Senior Kappas may lack IT skills or access to email, so chapters can use U.S. Postal Service and mail meeting minutes or newsletters to keep brothers well informed about chapter activities. Recently, I met a Senior Kappa that had the awesome pleasure of meeting Founder Edward Giles Irvin when the Senior Kappa was a young undergradu- ate. The Senior Kappa shared that he and others surrounded Founder Irvin and asked him questions about the early years of the fraternity. Founder Irvin provided earth-shattering in- sight into the way they initiated new members, his interactions with the other Founders, and their vision for the fraternity. In the moment this brother shared that story with my brothers and I, he ensured the legacy of Kappa will live on. In the past, I have spoken about the two-way street between new gradu- ates and alumni. The same can be said for our seasoned brothers. Defer- ence should always be given to those

who came before us because their knowledge is as valuable as gold. But respect should be given to brothers who have faithfully served in the trenches. For example, if a brother has faith- fully served for 10 years, his opinion shouldn’t be dismissed by a seasoned brother whom has been inactive. It is our duty to ease barriers to being active including financial responsibili- ties and ability to participate in activi- ties. If a brother can’t make it to us, let’s bring Kappa to him by visiting the sick and shut-in to let him know that Kappa Alpha Psi loves him. Let us all renew our thirst for knowledge by seeking out Senior Kappas who are not active. And when a seasoned brother speaks, listen .

T here are two moments in a Kappa Man’s life that reso- nate with the vast majority of brothers. Those moments are initiation and passing to the Golden Shore. However, an older brother once told me, “Do not allow your best days in Kappa be the day you crossed and the day you die.” I have often challenged our new graduates to stay active and find an alumni chapter, but our Senior Kappas are also a valuable resource with whom we must stay engaged. Unfortunately, for various reasons, our more seasoned members fall out of contact with the fraternity. A Senior Kappa falling out of contact is a lose-lose situation as their knowledge of the fraternity’s history and customs are lost forever. Alumni chapters can reclaim and retain our senior brothers in a number of ways. Many seniors

Publishing achievement for 105 years

THE JOURNAL  SPRING ISSUE  | 7

COMMENTARY: NATIONAL CHAPLAIN'S MESSAGE

Spiritual Longevity: We Have Come This Far by Faith

by Rev. Dr. Tony C. Evans, Sr. National Chaplain

recipe for Longevity. This my brothers is “Spiritual Longevity.”

we are spiritually dead. Matthew 6:33 reminds us to “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things will be added unto you.” Thanks to Longevity, the wisdom of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity has been passed down some 108 years. Each year, our very existence has been challenged by those that have continually attempted to alter the foundational principals and values of our fraternity. The alterations not only fall in the line of hazing and non approved initiation practicing, but also, in the many brothers that fail to maintain financial good standing and understand the current ways the fraternity operates. The Word of God reminds us in 2 nd Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). Brothers, let me conclude with this popular scripture found in the 3 rd Chapter of the Book of Proverbs, verses 5 and 6: “ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him , and he shall direct thy paths.” We are many members, One Kappa, serving One God.

Further in the third chapter of Proverbs, we find these words: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof that fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.” (Proverbs 3:13- 16). We are reminded that “She” in the scripture is in reference of “Wisdom,” and wisdom comes as a result of the application of knowledge. Brothers all, “Spiritual Longevity” is the glue that has held our fraternity together down through the years, and I submit, will be the conduit that keeps us on the path of Achievement and Active in the years ahead. Our beloved founders made it very clear that Christian values and principals were the guiding force that launch the greatest fraternity on the face of the earth. It is clear from the life and teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, as well as from the life of our beloved founders, that our relationship with God is the most important thing in our fraternal lives. The gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to know God as a Living Presence in our lives. But unless and until we are experiencing the very breath of God, the Love of God, welling up within us,

I n this Journal edition, we brothers, it is clear that when it comes to longevity, they have “Come this Far by Faith”. Many will share stories of life’s imperfections that have been connected to their lives. However, because they walked by faith, they were able to endure the imperfections, reach heights of achievements, echoing the dreams of our beloved founders. They are still with us today, Kappa Treasures! In the words that are very familiar to our noble clan, “ My son , forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days , and long life , and peace, shall they add to thee. ” (Proverbs 3:1-2). Kappas are very familiar with this passage and the acknowledge the longevity of those members that have reach the age of 75. As I speak to many of our

“To God Be the Glory!”

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1 IN 3 ADULTS HAS PREDIABETES . COULD BE YOU , YOUR BARBER , YOUR BARBER BARBER . ’ S

WITH EARLY DIAGNOSIS, PREDIABETES CAN BE REVERSED.

Senior Kappa Week Reflection: 2019 How do we celebrate our Senior Kappas and senior citizens in our communities?

What story can a Kappa tell more beauti- ful than at the Delphic Shrine? A story told and heard unblemished when we had only Kappa on our mind; What happened to the meaning of the story we were told; The story of Phi Nu Pi that penetrated our Kappa soul? What happened to the brotherhood, that we shared heart to heart; Today we search for the joys of yesterday that somehow fell apart. M any Senior Kappas would reflect on years gone by and suggest that we, as members of the fraternity should pull out our Story of Kappa Alpha Psi ® and be reminded of the vision of our ten Founders, and what life was like for them in the environs of Indiana Uni- versity at Bloomington, Indiana in 1911. Somewhere in the pages of our history we will learn that when our Founders deliberated on their future, they exam- ined the differences in the experiences of non-white students and African American students, all seeking higher education at the same institution. In your research you will find that our ten Founders did not submit themselves to an initiation process that exposed them to inhumane treatment similar to or like the treatment that the Ku Klux Klan had already put in place in Indi- ana and other places in America where inhumanity to man was the order of the

day for African Americans. Our Founders decided that they needed to put in place a structure in which they could collectively improve their plight and accomplish the goals they hoped for when they enrolled at Indiana Univer- sity. These intelligent undergraduate college students understood that the journey would not be easy, and that the environment would continue to be loaded with obstacles purposely placed in their way. They knew then, that in or- der for the fraternity to grow and thrive, they would need to do what we call “vet- ting”, or being selective in who would be permitted to join the fraternity. They understood that the vision they had for the fraternity could not be achieved by further dehumanizing potential mem- bers. As a result, we have no evidence that any of our Founders were subjected to inhumane treatment during the initia- tion process to become members of the Fraternity. As time has gone by since 1911, we have witnessed what we could call a cultural change where fraternity leaders have chosen to ignore the vision and history of our Founders and adopted initiation processes that resemble survival ritu- als, intended to challenge the physical and mental survival skills of potential members. Look around this room and ask the brother next to you if he became a mem- ber free from what we call hazing. Ask the brother if he believes he’s a better Kappa because he endured more pain than our revered Founders?

My brothers, during my 64 years in the Bond, I have been able to separate the wheat from the tare in Kappa. I

know first hand the truths and fictions in our fraternity. I know that there are no words we can utter out of our mouths that can justify hazing . If this is true, then why would we be having conversa- tions about hazing ? In our beloved fraternity we are being challenged everyday by claims that are being brought by citizens alleging that Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity or one or more of its members have violated one or more laws dealing with hazing. Each time we get a notice claiming some rule has been violated, it becomes a $10,000 liability against our insurance deductible. This means that our legal and administrative team has to begin the arduous task of working to refute the claims. The bottom line is that sometimes we win – sometimes we lose. Sometimes the claim refers to hazing , some times it may be against an incident at a social event. One of our chapters had an event at a facility where the floor collapsed and people were hurt. On this occasion we had to resolve a $100,000 deductible.

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COMMENTARY: SENIOR KAPPAS

In the 33 rd administration we established the Senior Kappa Endowment Fund. This fund was put in place to accom- modate some of the programmatic needs that our senior brothers may incur. This fund was able to grow in excess of $1,000,000. We need to make sure this fund continues to grow and that we can assist our seniors as we go forward. Have you made your contribution to this fund yet? As we celebrate seniors let us make sure that we do all we can to ensure that Kappa Alpha Psi ® will survive. Let us etch in our minds that Kappa Alpha Psi is what our Founders put in place. It is our profound obligation to be careful as we make modifications to who and what we are. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity is not a Fortune 500 corporation, it’s a fraternity, a nonprofit organization founded for the purpose of uniting members for the pur- pose of helping somebody. Today, we’ve gathered to pay tribute to our seniors. We’ve gathered believing that our seniors are not just Kappas who have gotten older, but Kappas who have worked for Kappa along the way and made a dif- ference in our world. We’re hoping that these senior Kappas remember what they promised at the Delphic Shrine, and that their promise was not simply to get old, but to make Kappa greater. I pray that each of us who still has breath, will leave this place and make Kappa Alpha Psi the beneficiary of what you can contribute to Phi Nu Pi.

Are you too old my brother to hold a small boy on your knee? Can you still teach that little boy about the things he’s going to see? Can you explain to that little boy why there’s a smile upon your face? Can you tell him why you’re a Kappa and tell him about amazing grace? Can you teach him that Kappa was founded on Christian principles long ago? And that our Founders wanted little boys to learn what Kappas know? Our Founders didn’t build a resting bench for us to sit and do no more; The place they intended for us to rest is called the Golden Shore. But as long as God gives a Kappa breath, he ought to keep achieving; As long as God let’s us walk this earth, we ought to keep believing. Keep singing the Kappa Hymn my brothers, cling to every word; Know in your heart that Kappas everywhere Have learned to live the solemn words they’ve heard. A Senior Kappa still has time to hold a small boy on his knee; It’s not just his brother’s task to do, it’s every brother we see.

Remarks by Earl T. Tildon. 96 th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee Delivered May 18, 2019

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THE JOURNAL  SPRING ISSUE  | 11

Dear Brothers All:

I t is my honor to serve as your Senior Kappa Affairs Chairman. I would like to thank the Grand Polemarch for his continued support as we Leave and Legacy, Build a Future. The Senior Kappa Affairs Committee is com- prised of 12 hardworking brothers, who serve their respective provinces to serve those who have served Kappa the longest. I would like to thank each of these brothers for their persistence and dedication to our cause. Your Senior Kappa Affairs Committee members are listed on the opposite page. To retain and reclaim members of the fraternity who are 60 years of age and older as active, con- tributing, fully financial brothers, to encourage programs that will facilitate their involvement that will enhance their well being, we also en- courage our local chapter committees to involve themselves in community service initiatives that are geared toward senior citizens in their respec- tive service area. Your Senior Kappa Affairs Committee has worked diligently at a number of areas in the last four years. Here is a synopsis of our accomplish- ments and goals: 1. Prior to 2014, the number of alumni chapters with a standing committee was not tracked by this committee. We have made steady progress since 2015 to track and report this important measure. In 2015, we found that only 28 percent of alumni chapters reported having a stand- ing committee. We have steadily increased the percentage over the past four years and during our January 2019 reporting period, 83 percent of our alumni chapters reported having a standing Senior Kappa committee. This surpasses our goal of having 80 percent of alumni chapters for the 2018-2019 fraternal year with a standing Senior Kappa Affairs Committee. This is indica- tive of the great work being done by our Province Chairmen and the support this committee has received from this administration! 2. Prior to 2015, the age to be considered a Senior Kappa was 65 years of age or older; which was contrary to our Mission Statement. In 2016, at the Grand Board Meeting in 2016 in Mobile, Alabama, after some 15 years of petitioning the Grand Board, the Grand Board of Directors saw fit to reestablish the Senior Kappa threshold age The mission of the Senior Kappa Affairs Com- mittee is:

to be 60 years of age and older.

3. We have also increased the number of Senior Kappa registrants at the Grand Chapter Meet- ings. During the 83 rd Grand Chapter Meet- ing, of the 2,709 brothers registered, 930 were registered as Senior Kappas. This is the largest number of Senior Kappas to attend a Grand Chapter Meeting, so far. At the 82 nd Grand Chapter Meeting, 720 of the 2,843 registered brothers were Senior Kappas. As of the June 2019 Grand Board Meeting, the numbers for the 84 th Grand Chapter Meeting reflect there are 3,213 registrants, of that number 961 are Senior Kappas. toward a goal of 1000 registered Senior Kappa’s for the 84 th GCM. We are great mak- ing strides to reaching our goal of having 1000 Senior Kappas registered for the 84th Grand Chapter Meeting. 4. Senior Kappa Week is an initiative that was birthed in the Southeastern Province in 2014. We asked each chapter to have at least one activ- ity that was geared toward their Senior Kappas and/or senior citizens in their service area. The initiative proved so successful that the Grand Board of Directors approved Senior Kappa Week as a national initiative in 2016 to be celebrated the third week of May of each year. The number of alumni chapters participating has increased steadily over the years with over 250 alumni chapters reporting having at least one initiative during Senior Kappa Week 2019. L. Battles, Jr. in 2015 as a vehicle to support activities of local alumni Senior Kappa Affairs Committees. The goal was to raise at least one million dollars and to use the interest generated to fund community service projects by local alumni chapter Senior Kappa Affairs Commit- tees. We have reached our goal of one million dollars and counting, and as a result 25 Senior Kappa Affairs Committees were awarded grants from a pool of $22,800 during May 2019. Thank you to all the brothers who continue to support your Senior Kappa Affairs Committee. We could not do this without you. 5. The Senior Kappa Affairs Endowment Fund was envisioned by our Grand Polemarch Thomas

Yours in the Bond,

John L. Stewart, Jr. Senior Kappa Affairs Chairman

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SENIOR KAPPA AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Senior Kappa Affairs Committee Province Chairmen

Kenneth Benjamin Southeastern Province

Samuel L. Greene Middle Eastern Province

Col. Vandy L. Miller, Retired Eastern Province

Jerome Parm East Central Province

Thomas J. Brown, Jr. Middle Western Province

Terrance R. Holliday Northeastern Province

Roderick L. Kilgore Northern Province

Ronald Ruffin South Central Province

Raymond E. Marbury North Central Province Senior Kappa Affairs Vice Chairman

Herman Thomas Southwestern Province

George C. Sims Western Province

Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. Southern Province

Publishing achievement for more than 100 years

THE JOURNAL  WINTER ISSUE  | 13

North Central Province: Raymond E. Marbury

Raymond Edward Marbury was born in Leeds, Alabama to the union of the late Will H. Marbury, Sr. and the late Mary Etta Davis Marbury. Upon graduation from high school, he ma- triculated to Tuskegee University. His educational achievements include a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Tuskegee in 1967; a Master of Arts Degree from Ball State university in 1968, and a Master of Science Degree in Business Management from Troy State University in 1980. Marbury was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Gamma Epsilon Chapter in the Spring of 1965. He was Polemarch of the undergraduate chapter his senior year.

He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force in 1968. He served as a career officer in the military for 20 years, retiring as a Major in 1989. He has also enjoyed careers as a corporate officer and as a teacher in the St. Louis. Missouri school system. Marbury is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and is presently a member of the East St. Louis (MO) Alumni Chapter. He is married to Jacqueline Walker Marbury. They are parents of two sons and one daughter. They also have four grandchildren.

Eastern Province: Col. Vandy L. Miller, U.S. Army Retired

Vandy Leonard Miller was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina. Brother Miller instilled the inalienable virtues of hard work, education, service, and integrity into his core family values. Brother Miller’s belief in education is demonstrated in his academic achievements including attaining his Bachelor of Science degree in 1954 from West Virginia State University and his Master’s Degree in Radiation Biology from The University of Rochester in 1961. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree from West Virginia State University in 2014. Brother Miller served in the United States Army for 24 years where he retired as a Colonel. Upon retirement from the military, Brother Miller took a position with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission where he served 18 years and retired as a senior

executive. Since Brother Miller’s two retirements, he has been active in community services such as: AARP Volun- teer, Vice President of the Walter Reed Society, Trustee of the Bethany House Senior Citizen Condominiums, and an Officer of the Metropolitan Washington Chapter of West Virginia State University. Brother Miller’s highlights outside of his career has been his dedication to his home church 12 th Street Christian Church located in Washing- ton, DC. Where he has served as Deacon, Trustee, Elder and Presiding Elder for over 40 years. Brother Miller has received numerous military and civilian awards. He is a widower; He married his college sweetheart Sylvia B. Miller. They share three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Middle Eastern Province: Samuel L. Greene

Samuel L. Greene was born in Forest City, North Carolina and attended Carver High School in Spindale, North Carolina. Upon graduation, he attended Fayetteville State Univer- sity for his undergraduate degree and received his master’s degree from North Carolina Central University. Brother Greene was initiated in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi in December 1968 and is a Life Member of Raleigh (NC) Alumni Chapter. In addition to being the Senior Kappa Affairs Committee Chairman of the Middle Eastern Province, he has served in a number of leadership positions including Polemarch of the Fayette- ville (NC) and Raleigh (NC) Alumni Chapters and Senior Vice Polemarch of the Middle East-

ern Province. Professionally, Brother Greene has served as a Department of Corrections sixth grade teacher, Wake County Schools teacher, Science Department Chairman, athletic director, baseball and basketball coach and as an award-winning principal. He is an active member of First Baptist Church of Raleigh, NC, where is the Superinten- dent of Sunday School, member of the deacon’s ministry, Christian education, advisory board and men’s ministry. He also serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board for the School of Education at Fayetteville State University. He resides with his wife of 47 years, Iantha Greene in Raleigh, and are the proud parents of one son Samuel O’Keith.

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Publishing achievement for 105 years

Middle Western Province: Thomas J. Brown, Jr.

Thomas J. Brown, Jr. (Epsilon Eta 1973) is a proud Charter Member of Eta Kappa Chap- ter. He has been active with the Independence (MO) Alumni Chapter and the Kansas City (MO) Alumni Chapter. He has served on the Grand Chapter level as an inaugural member of the Membership Status Review Commission as well as the author of the initial Membership Status Review Commission Guidelines under the Administration of 30 th Grand Polemarch Samuel C. Hamilton. On the Province level, he has served the Middle Western Province as Senior Vice Polemarch, Political Action Committee Chairman, Social Action Committee Chairman and

Senior Kappa Affairs Chairman. Has served Kappa on the local level with Independence (MO) Alumni Chapter and Kansas City (MO) Alumni Chapter including as Chapter Polemarch He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science and History Education from Culver-Stockton College and a Master of Science Degree in Public Services Administration (Transportation and Safety Programs). He has worked in the field of transportation for 40 years with Greyhound Bus Lines, Kansas City Area Transpor- tation Authority, Community Development Corporation and as the Owner/President of T.J. Brown & Associates. Ad- ditionally, he has taught Management Principles and Leadership in Business for Baker University. While in college he was a four-year letter winner in football and was a Deans List Student for six semesters. He is the father of two sons (Travis and Tyrell) and one grandson. He is a passionate sport fan and is a 38-year season ticketholder with the Kansas City Chiefs. He loves football, basketball, baseball and golf.

Northeastern Province: Terrance R. Holliday

Terrance R. Holliday is a 1968 initiate of Omicron chapter and a member of the New York (NY) Alumni Chapter in Harlem. He holds a BA in History from St. John’s University, Brooklyn, NY and an MBA from New York Institute of Technology, Westbury, NY. He retired from Allstate Insurance Company in 2006 after a 38 year career. A member of the New Jersey Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, he retired from the USAF with the rank of Colonel in 2007. His journey included staff assignments to the Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. He was the official spokesperson for the Office of Military Commissions at Guatanamo Bay, Cuba. Brother Holliday is most proud of his service as the NYC Commissioner of the Mayor’s Of-

fice of Veterans’ Affairs during the administration of Michael Bloomberg. He active with veteran and historical orga- nizations. Brother Holliday offered, “The Northeastern Province chapters are beginning to get into a ‘Battle Rhythm’ with Senior Kappa Affairs. Many chapters are geared to make contributions to our Seniors and the communities they live in. That is a part of our brand.” Brother Holliday and his wife Marta are residents for Hempstead, NY. Their daughter, Marta, is an Assistant Professor at Alabama State University and are the proud grandparents of Walter Terrance.

Northern Province: Roderick L. Kilgore

Roderick L. Kilgore (Gamma Sigma 1980) is the Keeper of Records for the Ann Arbor- Ypsilanti-Inkster (MI) Alumni Chapter as well as the Undergraduate Advisor for the University of Michigan (Sigma Chapter) and Chairman of the Senior Kappa Affairs for the Northern Province. He is a Life Member of the Fraternity. Brother Kilgore was raised in Jackson, Michigan. He graduated from Parkside High School in 1978. Kilgore went on to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He is currently employed by the State of Michigan as Resident Unit Manager with 33 years of service. Brother Kilgore graduated from UAPB with a BS in Business Administration, specializing in Criminal Justice 1983. He began working at Michigan Department of Corrections in 1984.

He has received several promotions during his employment. During his tenure with the Department he taught sev- eral Criminal Justice classes at Washtenaw Community College and the Michigan Department of Corrections New Employee Training Division. He is a lifetime member of the UAPB Detroit Alumni Chapter where he assists the Chapter President with recruitment for college-bound students. Brother Kilgore is also active in the community with participation in the Meals on Wheel Program. He attends Word of Faith Church and is married with one son and one daughter.

Publishing achievement for 105 years

THE JOURNAL  SPRING ISSUE  | 15

Southern Province: Dr. Richard Showers, Sr.

Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. (Huntsville (AL) Alumni 1971) earned both the Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Education and the Master of Science Degree in Trade and Industrial Education at Alabama A & M University in Normal, Alabama. He pursued ad- ditional studies in adult and continuing education at Auburn University. Additionally, he was honored with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Dr. Richard Showers, Sr., is a former City Councilman for the City of Huntsville, AL. Dr. Showers served as a vocational and adult education instructor and adult education coordinator for the school system in Huntsville, AL. and retired in 2005 after 36 years of service.

Dr. Showers is a member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr. O. Wendell Davis is the Pas- tor. He serves on the Deacon Ministry, Laymen Department and as Senior Adult Sunday School Teacher and other ministries of the church, Alabama State Missionary Baptist Laymen’s Movement; and the National Baptist Layman’s Movement. His involvement with civic and community organizations are numerous. He is a member of the NEA, AEA and HEA, Life Member of Alabama A&M University Alumni Association, Inc.; Life Member of the Southern Province Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., past Polemarch of the Huntsville (AL) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Frater- nity, Inc., Chairman of Senior Kappa Affairs Committee for Southern Province and Life Member of NAACP. He has received numerous awards, citations and plaques in recognition of his dedicated service to humanity and notable achievements. One of the honors includes, Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. Recreation Center in Huntsville named in his honor. Dr. Showers and his wife Bettye Ann resides in Huntsville and are the proud parents of five children and eight grandchildren.

Western Province: George C. Sims

George C. Sims (Delta Delta 1959) earned his bachelor’s degree in Education at Jackson State University in 1962 and a master’s degree in Education from California Lutheran Univer- sity in 1978. Brother Sims is a Charter Member of Ventura (CA) Alumni Chapter where he has held many offices. Presently, he serves as Keeper of Exchequer. He is a retired Supervisor of Cor- rectional Education (California Department of Correction). He is a member of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, Oxnard, CA where he is the Vice President of Trustee Board. He is a Vietnam Veteran and a member of the American Legion Oxnard Post 48. He is a member of the

local Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Planning Committee. Brother Sims is married to his college sweetheart, Bettye R. Buchanan and they have three daughters, 10 grand- children and four great grandchildren.

Southwestern Province: Herman L. Thomas

Herman L. Thomas’ (Gamma Psi 1966) career began in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 1968, after graduation from Grambling State University, with a BSE in French, English and the Social Sciences. He completed a MSE in English in 1972 and his administrative certification from the University of Arkansas, in 1976. That same year, he was elected by the Arkadelphia School Board as the first Black principal since integration. Nine years later, he became principal of Arkadelphia High School (AHS). AHS was named a State School of Excellence and a National Blue Rib- bon School of Excellence under his leadership. In 1991, he was the first African American from Arkansas to receive the Milken Educator Award.

In 1991, he was named Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction of the Arkadelphia School District. He is the only African American to have ever held this position. After 40 years of service, he retired in June 2009. Brother Thomas is a member of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon and many other capacities. He is also Chair of the Arkadelphia Racial and Cultural Diversity Committee, and Vice Chair of the County’s Arts and Humanities Council. He is a Life Member of both Kappa Alpha Psi and the Southwestern Province. He served four years as Polemarch of the Hot Springs/Arkadelphia Malvern (AK) Alumni Chapter. Thomas was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He is married to Eula Wiley Thomas. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.

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Publishing achievement for 105 years

Senior Kappa Affairs Committee Supports The Legacy Badge

I n 1993, the Grand Board of Direc- tors determined that all alumni chapters have a standing Senior Kappa Affairs Committee. A Senior Kappa is a brother who is 60 years or older. Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr. has made Senior Kappa Affairs a part of his Six-Point Plan. Today, every province has at least one Province Chairman of a Senior Kappa Affairs Committee. The Province Chair- man works to encourage the development and execution of a strategic plan for Senior Kappa Affairs at each chapter in his province. In January 2016, the Grand Board of Directors established a Senior Kappa Week as a national initiative to be celebrated during the third week of May of each year. Under the leadership of National Senior Kappa Affairs Committee Chairman, John L. Stewart, who is also the Province Chairman for the Southeastern Province, Kappa Alpha Psi ® has increased its focus on this initiative throughout Kappa Land. For example, in the Southeastern Province in 2013 only 16 percent of alumni chapters reported having a standing committee. In 2017, that number rose to 62 percent. As of January 2018, every alumni chapter in the Southeastern Province was in compliance. The Middle Western Province reports that over 80% of its chapters are comprised of Senior Kappas. The province supported Senior Kappas beginning in 2017 with “This-is- Your-Life” video montages for Senior Kappas in the following age groups: 60-69, 70-79 and 80 years of age and older. Those brothers who attend are pro- vided with complimentary registration to Province Council. The montage showcased the brother from his early years to present day. The Province was able to see the recognized brother at

work, play, volunteering, his years in school and with his family, a wonder- ful tribute. Another initiative promulgated by the 33 rd Administration was the creation of the Senior Kappa Affairs Endow- ment Fund (SKAEF). Senior Kappa Affairs Endowment Fund “It’s time that we support those that have served Kappa the longest…” is the mantra of SKAEF. As Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity has entered the second century since our founding and continues to grow, many of our members have achieved senior status and remain active and engaged. Thus, Grand Polemarch so long. The purpose of the Senior Kappa Affairs Endowment Fund is to raise funds to provide financial resources to fund increased and sustainable programs and services for senior members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Legacy Badge Program The primary method to contribute to the SKAE Fund is through the Legacy Badge Program. Conceived as a promotional reward for donations to the Senior Kappa Affairs Endowment Fund, the KAN badge celebrates the fraternity’s first name and is crafted with white enamel and golden metal. History of the Badge According to research conducted by Grand Historian, Kevin Scott, the original badge—now known as the Legacy Badge—was designed by Founder Byron K. Armstrong at the Battles sug- gested it is time to give back to those that have given to Kappa for

close of the 1911–1912 school year. Although the exact date when the diamond was conceived is not abso- lutely clear, the work to develop it be- gan in June 1912 and the concept of the diamond was finalized sometime in the year 1912. The first design was flat with a scroll in the center and a beveled edge. It was enameled in white and lettered in gold. There were no jewels. There were three badges made and they were owned by Founders Alexander, Armstrong and Lee. In 1912, Founder Armstrong suggested raising the scroll and he had a copy made by a jeweler in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the spring of 1913. The location of the original badge is unknown, as it was lost by Founder Armstrong sometime in 1915. This original badge was adorned with the uppercase Greek letters KAN as the Fraternity did not change its name to Kappa Alpha Psi ® until 1915. In ad- dition, the Greek letters featured on the scroll of the badge were lower- case fnp , which resembled the way it was depicted on the rendition of the Coat of Arms at that time.

Publishing achievement for more than 100 years

THE JOURNAL  SPRING ISSUE  | 17

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