REFLECTIONS ON THE LIFE OF DR. RALPH J. BRYSON
Alpha Psi (1976), Troy State Univer- sity Chapter, the Theta Phi of Kappa Alpha Psi (1976), University of West Alabama, the Iota Theta of Kappa Alpha Psi (1978), University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Kappa Kappa of Kappa Alpha Psi (1980), University of Monte- vallo, the Xi Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi (1995), Samford University Chapter, Omicron Alpha of Kappa Alpha Psi (1998), Auburn University at Mont- gomery Chapter, Omicron Lambda of Kappa Alpha Psi in the Southern Prov- ince of Kappa Alpha Psi. Furthermore, there were several alumni chapters in the Southern Province that were sub- sequently chartered during Dr. Bryson’s tenure as advisor to the Alabama State University Chapter, Beta Zeta of Kappa Alpha Psi, the Southern Province Histo- rian or the Southern Province Expansion Chairman. Alvin L. Barrington 102 nd Elder Watson Diggs Awardee, National Chairman, Chapter Advisors’ Training Cluster had this to say in tribute. “Dr. Ralph J. Bryson the scholar, achiever, believer, gentleman, educator, historian, author, brother and mentor...our brother personified Achievement, through an exemplary career and life that was committed to the uncompromising and relentless pursuit of excellence…Dur- ing my twenty-year tenure as Chapter
Advisor at the Florida State University Chapter, the Theta Eta of Kappa Alpha Psi, Dr. Bryson was an invaluable resource as I navigated the challenges of serving as an advisor. I will always remember and cherish the evening that he autographed my copy of the Story of Kappa Alpha Psi, as he was personal- izing the Story, he paused and stated, Alvin, I’m so proud of you, continue to make us proud.” During an earlier fall 2020 interview, Dr. Bryson was asked to state the most pressing matter for us as members of our Noble Bond in Second Century Kappa. Dr. Bryson declared “the most pressing matter in Kappa Alpha Psi® remains training for leadership within the fraternity, civic and professional life for all members, especially officers at the local chapter, province and national level.” Traveling companion, John J. lvery, Sr. (Beta Zeta 1957) and Past Southern Province Keeper of Exchequer shared his thoughts on Dr. Bryson. “My first association with Dr. Bryson was in fall of 1955 when he was my freshman English professor at Alabama State College, now Alabama State University. He was a very dignified, and knowledgeable professor, and he
was highly admired by his students… Dr. Bryson was a co-advisor of the Beta Zeta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fra- ternity when I became a member of the fraternity in 1957 during my sophomore year. That was the beginning of my close association with Dr. B. as many of us called him. I was one of two undergraduates Kappas that Dr. B. took to a Kappa Southern Province meeting in Orlando, Florida in 1958. That Kappa event was the first of many such trips that we took together…Dr. B and I became faculty colleagues when I joined the ASU fac- ulty in 1963, and we were coworkers as well as friends for more than sixty-five years. In addition to teaching English, Dr. B. had numerous outside interests, including writing articles for Kappa journals, authoring books of Kappa history, playing classical music on the piano, and playing bridge. He conducted bridge classes for many of us, includ- ing me, and he participated in numer- ous bridge tournaments…In 1978, I became co-advisor of the Beta Zeta chapter with him, and we continued in this capacity for more than 30 years. In his many years of working with Kappas he mentored hundreds of young men who admired and emulated him. Many of them returned to the ASU campus at Homecoming and honored him. We traveled together to many Kappa C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Confer- ences, Southern Province Councils, Grand Chapter Meetings and what we now call Membership Training Acad- emies. After the formal parts of these activities, when we would seek to leave the meeting rooms, it would take us 20 to 30 minutes to get out of the room because so many of his admirers would come up to Dr. B. seeking to have him take pictures with them or sign their programs or just to shake his hand. In Dr. B’s later years, I was privileged to be one of his Montgomery (AL) Alumni Kappa brothers whom he allowed to assist in his care. It was an honor and privilege that he trusted me to be his
Dr. Bryson's long-time traveling partner, John J. Ivery, Sr. (Beta Zeta 1957) pays his respects.
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