LOOK BACK KAPPA HISTORY
Reflections of Early Conclaves
On Conclaves, including his first in attendenace, 60th Grand Chapter Meeting, Golden Anniversary, Indianapolis/Bloomington, IN, August 27-30, 1961: “On reflection, however, the first and most memorable Grand Chapter Meeting I attended was the Golden Anniversary Conclave in Bloomington, Indiana in 1961 which immediately followed the Inaugural Undergraduate Leadership Conference at which I served as a faculty member. It was at that event that the Grand Polemarch, C. Rodger Wilson, delivered his valedictory address, which even today, reminds me of what being a “Kappaman” is all about. I have always left the Grand Chapter Meetings with renewed interest in striving to create a Kappa future even more glorious than its past.”
On his first Conclave, 61st Grand Chapter Meeting, Denver, CO, December 27-30, 1977: “I was a chapter delegate from Beta Psi. Denver was warmer in December than I thought and had more Black women than I thought (many were home from college on Christmas break). Kappa was the main event at the Denver Hilton, with beautiful Kappa art displays in the lobby. I got a chance to speak extensively with [Past Grand Polemarch] Dr. E.E. Allen. I met and talked with Founder Irvin and took several photos with him. The undergrad caucus was well attended and packed, we spoke of how we could leverage our votes to assist undergrad chapters. This is where I met my friend and Brother Cleophus Thomas.”
DR. CARL ANDERSON (Gamma Upsilon 1953), 63rd Laurel Wreath Laureate
On his first Conclave, 60th Grand Chapter Meeting, New Orleans, LA, August 8-12, 1976: “Grand Polemarch E. E. Allen had asked me to be the Public Meeting speaker. I stayed in the Fairmont Hotel. As a country boy, I remember being impressed with the mechanical shoe buffer that was in each room! I was dazzled by the Kappa eminences and the Silhouettes, whose eminence matched that of the brothers. For example, Judge Juanita Kidd Stout who was a judge in Pennsylvania. Her husband, Charles Stout, was awarded the Diggs Award at the 1976 Conclave. The New Orleans Conclave was a memorable experience for me. A good time was had by all.”
KEVIN L. BURNETT (Beta Psi 1975), 118th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee
CLEOPHUS THOMAS, JR. (Epsilon Epsilon 1974), Current Kappa Alpha Psi General Counsel, 77th Laurel Wreath Laureate, 77th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee, 4th Guy Levis Grant Awardee
Meeting in Detroit, MI, the first Conclave “Kappa Quiz Bowl occurred. The competition encouraged brothers to showcase their knowledge of Kappa history in a game show format. Its
success and popularity have allowed it to maintain as a regular Conclave activ- ity since this inaugural event was held. Join us for Part 5, the final install- ment of this landmark series which
focuses on how the Fraternity plans and executes the Conclave in the late 20th century and early 21st century. It’s scheduled for publication in the next issue of The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal . ♦
WINTER 2024-2025 ♦ THE JOURNAL 41
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