LOOK BACK KAPPA HISTORY
Reflections of Early Conclaves
On his first Conclave, 54th Grand Chapter Meeting, St. Louis, MO, August 9-12, 1967: “[I was] the elected delegate from Howard’s Xi Chapter. I was amazed to see over 1,000 Kappamen gathered in one place. After registering I walked around and got to meet several Kappa dignitaries, including three of the four living Founders. Family friend and past Grand Polemarch C. Rodger Wilson did the introductions to the senior members who knew my grandfather, Harrison R. Duke (Beta 1914). That Conclave was my first exposure to “the politics of Kappa,” in that we undergrads were encouraged to vote for the slate we were given. I got to vote on awarding Founder Guy Levis Grant the title of Grand Historian Emeritus. After his years of work, the 1st edition of ‘The Story’ was available for purchase My most satisfying vote was for the 18th Laurel Wreath Wearer: Attorney Donald Lee Hollowell, and the 19th Laurel Wreath Wearer: Charles Rodger Wilson. Grand Chapter delegates had not been awarded the Laurel Wreath since 1954. The Closed Banquet speaker was Elder Watson Diggs Awardee C. Felton ‘Zip’ Gayles (Pi 1921).”
On his first Conclave, 51st Grand Chapter Meeting, Toledo, OH, December 26-29, 1962: “I would guess the attendance would be no more than 300. I have great memories of Brother Dr. Elbert E. Allen, the Southwestern Province Polemarch at the time and, ten years later, [became] Grand Polemarch. When Brother Thomas Brown, Jr. (Delta Sigma 1961) and I arrived at the host hotel to register for the meeting, I remember the registrar asking about my chapter and something about my registration. Apparently, Delta Sigma had not registered for the meeting. After determining that I was not registered and perhaps finding out that both I and the Delta Sigma Chapter were in ‘good standing,’ Brother Allen paid the registration fee. Honestly, I believe that Brother Allen’s generosity permitted me to have enough money to make sure I did not go hungry during the meeting, and had enough money to pay my other expenses, and return home following the end of the meeting.”
FRED BLACK (Xi 1966), longtime Durham (NC) Alumni member
On his first Conclave, 54th Grand Chapter Meeting, St. Louis, MO, August 9-12, 1967: “I was a 20-year-old neophyte, having been initiated into the Nu Chapter in October of 1966. Since I was the only member from my chapter to attend the Conclave, I was also the chapter delegate. My focus in those days was primarily social, and I fondly recall hanging out with other undergraduate brothers from Alpha Chapter. I was hitching a ride with Brother Lavell Brooks, who was from my hometown, and since we were lowly undergrads, we all stayed in one room. The highlight of that Grand Chapter Meeting was to meet Founder Byron K. Armstrong, the first of four Founders I had the privilege and honor of meeting during my Kappa career. I also have met Founders Ezra D. Alexander, Guy L. Grant, and Edward G. Irvin.”
EMERSON A. LATTIMORE (Delta Sigma 1960), 81st Elder Watson Diggs Awardee
MYRON L. HARDIMAN (Nu 1966), 74th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee
WINTER 2024 ♦ THE JOURNAL 39
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