ALUMNI NEWS: SENIOR KAPPA SPOTLIGHT
not afford to squander the opportunity to do very well while making a difference by generating great investment in the future of humanity— namely, young people. My responsibility was to the fu- ture of education to ensure the experiences and op- portunities for my students and Fraternity brothers were duplicated.”
Bryson’s 1952 keynote ad- dress at the Closed Banquet the 42 nd Grand Chapter Meeting in Cleveland, OH, ranks high on that list. Mobilization for Human Rights was his topic. He still has the notebook in which Founders Blakemore and Irvin, together with other es- teemed or close Kappa Men, signed their names following his speech. “That event,” Bryson acknowledged in 2020, “remains one of my most memorable occasions in Kappa. But make no mis- take about it,” he proclaimed quickly, “I am unambigu- ously confident that Kappa Alpha Psi will continue through 2045. It, however, will look quite differently than the organization did in 1911 or 2011.” Preserving Kappa to 2061— 150 years since the orga- nization’s birth—requires imagination and planning. Automation and technol- ogy will continue to impact what we do, how we do it, as well as when and where we do it. Such advance- ments will affect every stage of Kappa: from initiation to local chapter meetings, the C. Rodger Wilson Leader- ship Conference, and both Province Council and Grand Chapter meetings. Kappa will continue to embrace a business model of opera- tion to continue thriving in an environment where many organizations flounder because of hazing and other types of misconduct. In Bryson’s judgment, “‘Training for Leadership’ within the Fraternity, as well as for the civic and professional lives
of all members outside the Bond, is the most pressing matter in Kappa Alpha Psi. Fortunately for all existing and future members, his sev- en-plus decades of achieve- ment in every field of human endeavor is a template for perennial success. φν π Special Presentation In 2016, ASU presented a resolution to Dr. Bryson, naming him Professor Emeritus . He had served the university faithfully for 59 years and through two retire- ments. In addition to his academic accomplishments, he has gained international prominence as a premier Kappa Grand Historian and
author.
On January 5, 2019, during the Closed Banquet of the 14 th National Founders' Day Meeting of Kappa Alpha Psi, held in Tampa Florida, the Fraternity made special recognition honoring Byrson and 55 th Laurel Wreath Lau- reate Cornelius W. Grant, J.D. Dr. Samuel Odom (Beta Gamma 1993), C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference National Chairman
Achievements in Kappa Alpha Psi ®
When asked about three of his proudest moments in Kappa Alpha Psi, where he envisioned the Fraternity being in 2045, and the most pressing matter for us as members of our Noble Clan in second-century Kappa, Bryson replied with his usual modesty: “There are count- less moments of which I am profoundly appreciative.” Therefore, identifying three was not easy for him. Of no surprise, however, his initiation as a 1946 initi- ate of Beta Eta is indelible. “Meeting Founders such as Dr. Byron K. Armstrong, Dr. Guy Levis Grant, Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore, and Edward Giles Irvin” is a second lasting experience, Bryson averred. “Joining others in the Elder Watson Diggs Class of 1995 at the 72 nd Grand Chapter Meet- ing in Philadelphia, PA, and ultimately becoming the 64 th Laurel Wreath Recipient at the 79 th Grand Chapter Meeting in Washington, DC., combine to form a third proud memory” for Bryson. If asked to list activities that serve as honorable mentions,
Dr. Bertis D. English (Eta Chi 1990)
John J. Ivery, Sr. (Beta Zeta 1957)
Dr. Bryson with ASU President Dr. Quinton Ross.
THE JOURNAL ♦ SPRING 2020 | 97
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