MTA

Invictus

William Ernest Henley (1849-1903)

Current Grand Polemarch

Thomas L. Battles, Jr.

The Publicity and Publications Commission

A standing committee composed of the Grand Historian and four members appointed by the Grand Polemarch and is responsible for developing pubic relations policies and publication policies.

Achievement Commission

A standing committee of 13 members appointed by the Grand Polemarch and is responsible for administering awards other than the Laurel Wreath.

Governing Document: Constitution and Statues

Constitution: compilation of fundamental rules governing the Fraternity. Statues: Laws enacted at Grand Chapter meetings that amplify provisions of the Constitution.

C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference

Each Province holds at least one training session per year for the members affiliated with chapters assigned to the Province Primary purpose of the training sessions is to disseminate information about the operation of the Fraternity to the members. The name of the session honors the memory of the legendary C. Rodger Wilson, the 16th Grand Polemarch and the 19th Laurel Wreath Award recipient

National Officers

Grand Polemarch Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Junior Grand Vice Polemarch Grand Keeper of Records & Exchequer Grand Historian Grand Strategus Grand Lt. Strategus Grand Chapter Nominating Committee Chairman Three Members of the Grand Board of Directors, Alumni Three members of the Grand Board of Directors, Undergraduate

Grand Chapter Officer Positions

Grand Polemarch Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Junior Grand Vice Polemarch Grand Keeper of Records & Exchequer Grand Strategus Grand Lt. Strategus Grand Chapter Nominating Committee Chairman Grand Historian Grand Board of Director Alumni Grand Board of Director, Alumni Grand Board of Directors, Alumni Grand Board of Directors, Undergraduate Grand Board of Directors, Undergraduate Grand Board of Directors, Undergraduate

The Province Council

Holds at least one meeting per year to conduct the business of the Province Consists of Province Polemarch, elected Province officers, members affiliated with the chapters assigned to the Province, Board of Directors, past Province Polemarchs, and other eligible members.

The Ad Hoc Committees

Impaneled by the Grand Polemarch to address a particular program endeavor. Accountable to the Grand Polemarch for their actions

Council of Province Polemarchs

Is an advisory council consisting of Province Polemarchs appointed by the Grand Polemarch Chaired by the Senior Grand Vice Polemarch

Council of Senior Province Vice Polemarchs

Is an advisory council consisting of Senior Province Vice Polemarchs Chaired by the Senior Grand Vice Polemarch

Council of Junior Province Vice Polemarchs

Is an advisory council consisting of the Junior Province Vice Polemarchs and the undergraduate members of the Grand Board Chaired by the Junior Grand Vice Polemarch

Grand Board of Directors

Is responsible for managing the affairs of the Fraternity and acts upon all fraternity matters. The Grand Board consists of ten members: The Grand Polemarch, Senior Grand Vice Polemarch, Junior Grand Vice Polemarch, Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer, three members from the undergraduate chapters and three members from the alumni chapters.

Executive Director

Is the Chief Operating Officer of the Fraternity. Responsible for managing the International Headquarters staff and coordinating the implementation of programs.

Executive Committee

Is the only standing committee of the Grand Board of Directors. Operates the Fraternity on behalf of the Grand Board of Directors. The Executive Committee consists of The Grand Polemarch, Senior Grand Vice Polemarch, Junior Grand Vice Polemarch, Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer

The Fraternity General Counsel

Member who is an attorney affiliated with a recognized legal bar Appointed by the Grand Polemarch with the consent of the Grand Board of Directors. Responsible for all legal issues involving the Fraternity.

The Governing Levels

The National Level Composed of the Grand Board of Directors, the elective national officers and voting members in attendance at a Grand Chapter meeting The Province Level Composed of the Province boards of directors, Province officers, voting members in attendance at a Province Council and the chapters and alumni associations assigned to a Province The Chapter Level Composed of the chapter and alumni association boards of directors, chapter and alumni association officers and the voting members of the chapters and alumni associations.

The Officers of the Province

The Province Polemarch who is appointed by The Grand Polemarch. Elected officers are: The Senior Province Vice Polemarch The Junior Province Vice Polemarch The Province Keeper of Records The Province Keeper of Exchequer The Province Historian The Province Strategus The Province Lt. Strategus Board Members - Undergraduate and Alumni

The Chapters: Undergraduate and Alumni

Undergraduate Chapter: a unit authorized by the Grand Board of Directors at a Grand Chapter meeting. It consists of at least seven active undergraduate members. Alumni: a unit authorized by the Grand Board of Directors or at a Grand Chapter meeting. It consists of at least ten sustaining alumni members.

Province Officers Pt. 3

* The Province Polemarch position is appointed by the Grand Polemarch * The Province Polemarch serves a one year term and is subject to renewal or replacement at any time. The Province Polemarch serves at the pleasure of the Grand Polemarch and the Grand Board of Directors.

Objectives

- To unite college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a bond of fraternity; - To encourage honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor; - To promote the spiritual, social, intellectual, and moral welfare of its members; - To assist the aims and purposes of colleges and universities; and - To inspire service in the public interest

Proverbs 3:1-10

1. My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4. So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firsuruits of all thine increase: 10. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

The Laurel Wreath Commission

A committee of 13 members appointed by the Grand Polemarch and is responsible for administering the Laurel Wreath

The Fraternity Auditor

A member who is a certified public accountant. Appointed by the Grand Polemarch pursuant to a recommendation from the Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer and consent of the Grand Board of Directors. Responsible for accounting and tax issues involving the Fraternity.

Ezra Dee Alexander

Born in Bloomington, Indiana on July 18, 1891 and graduated from Bloomington High School in 1910. He matriculated to Indiana University in the fall of 1910 and graduated from Indiana University in 1917 with an A.B. degree. He received his M.D. degree from the Medical School of Indiana University in 1919. He practiced medicine in Indianapolis for nearly 50 years. He died September 29, 1971.

Elder Watson Diggs

Born on December 23, 1883, in Madisonville, Kentucky. Following graduation from Indiana State Normal School in 1908, he enrolled at Howard University, and transferred to Indiana University in the fall of 1910. He subsequently became the first Black to earn an A.B. degree from Indiana University's School of Education and his Master's degree of Education from Howard University in 1944. He served as Grand Polemarch for the first six years of the fraternity's existence, as a Grand Board Member and as Grand Historian. He contributed invaluable aspects to the development and growth of the Fraternity. For this and other outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, he was awarded the Fraternity's first Laurel Wreath in 1924. The second highest award available to celebrate a member's achievements or service to the fraternity is dedicated in his name. He died November 8, 1947.

Official Flowers

Carnation with a crimson tint, because of its fragrance and beauty

Incorporation Date

Chartered and incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana as Kappa Alpha Nu on May 15, 1911. The name was changed to Kappa Alpha Psi on a resolution offered and adopted at the Grand Chapter in December 1914. This change became effective April 15, 1915, on a proclamation by the then Grand Polemarch, Elder Watson Diggs.

Official Colors

Crimson and Cream Crimson is a deep red shade and Cream is a pale yellow hue. Closely identifies with Indiana University's colors

Founders

Elder Watson Diggs Ezra Dee Alexander Byron Kenneth Armstrong Henry Tourner Asher Marcus Peter Blakemore Paul Waymond Caine George Wesley Edmonds Guy Levis Grant Edward Giles Irvin John Milton Lee

Epsilon Chapter

Epsilon Chapter, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, was established December 4, 1915, as the first chapter in the East. Elder W. Diggs journeyed from Indiana to give this chapter his personal and official installation, recognition and blessing. Thus ended the infancy of KAPPA ALPHA PSI, whereupon the Fraternity embarked upon an era of expansion. Except for the years of World War I and II, when several Grand Chapter meetings were suspended, KAPPA ALPHA PSI has grown and prevailed with unabating impetus.

Founding Date

Fraternity is founded on January 5, 1911 on the campus of Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana Founder Elder W. Diggs called the founders together to form a permanent organization Chosen name was Kappa Alpha Nu as a tribute to a group of black students at Indiana University in 1903 who organized the Alpha Kappa Nu club to foster a better life for Blacks on campus

The Provinces

Geographic region whose boundaries are determined by the members eligible to vote at a Grand Chapter Meeting. The Grand Board of Directors is responsible for assigning new chapters to a Province.

Organizational Structure

Grand Board of Directors Executive Committee Executive Director Council of Province Polemarchs Council of Senior Province Vice Polemarchs Council of Junior Province Vice Polemarchs National Officers Achievement Commission The Laurel Wreath Commission The Ad Hoc Committees The Fraternity General Counsel The Publicity and Publications Commission The Fraternity Auditor The Provinces The Province Council The Officers of the Province The C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference The Chapters: Undergraduate and Alumni

History of Provinces

In 1921, the Fraternity was divided into districts as a result of proposed legislation by George F. David II, the third Grand Polemarch. David was first Grand Polemarch who had not been nurtured by the Alpha Chapter under the influence of the Founders, proposed dividing the Fraternity into supervisory districts. The idea originated with his father who was a Presiding Elder of an AME A.M.E Church and also member of Kappa Alpha Psi. Grand Polemarch David II, implemented the division of the Fraternity into three districts. Past Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong was assigned the first; Harrison R. Duke, the second; and Harold M. Tyler, the third district. The three Districts grew into four then seven Districts and subsequently Regions. 5th Grand Polemarch Earl B. Dickerson changed the designation of Region to Province and Regional Director to Province Polemarch at the 15th Grand Chapter Meeting in 1925. During the original establishment of Provinces, the following Provinces were established: Eastern, Middle Eastern, Central, Great Lakes, Northwestern, Western, Southern, and Southeastern Provinces. There are currently 12 Provinces.

Session 2 History

It was the vision of these astute men that enabled them in the school year 1910-11, more specifically the night of January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana, to sow the seed of a fraternal tree whose fruit is available to, and now enjoyed by, college men everywhere, regardless of their color, religion or national origin. The Constitution of Kappa Alpha Psi is predicated upon, and dedicated to, the principles of ACHIEVEMENT through a truly democratic Fraternity. From its inception, and for the next six years, Elder W. Diggs served as the Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Through his leadership and indefatigable application, augmented by the efforts of Byron K. Armstrong, and John M. Lee, who comprised the remainder of the original Grand Board of Directors, the infant Fraternity was guided through the most perilous years of its life. Accordingly, much of the credit for the organization's survival through this period is shared by these three men. From its inception, every endeavor was directed toward establishing the Fraternity upon a strong foundation before embarking on plans of expansion. By the end of the first year, working together, Diggs and Armstrong had completed the ritual and had commenced work on the coat of arms. Work on the latter was completed during the following summer by Diggs, Armstrong and Lee while they were pursuing employment at a hotel in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In selecting a motto, Diggs, Armstrong and Lee solicited the aid of a Professor of Greek Art at Indiana Technical College at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Having adopted a motto which mutually suited them, they carried a sketch of the coat of arms to a commercial engraver in Fort Wayne, from which he made the first metal plate. For years, in order to safeguard the ritualistic secrets of the Fraternity, Diggs laboriously typed and bound the rituals. It was not until he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he met an old German printer in whom he had confidence, that he entrusted the esoteric materials of the Fraternity to a commercial printer. In the spring of 1912 Diggs wrote in a little blue examination book the first Constitution, which was adopted in 1920 with but a few revisions. This edition remained in use until 1926 when it was supplanted by the codified edition jointly written by Diggs, J. Ernest Wilkins, and W. Ellis Stewart. In 1957 the Constitution again underwent major revision. Now substantially established and provided with a Constitution, Ritual, coat of arms, motto, and guiding hand in a dynamic Grand Chapter, the Fraternity was ready for expansion. In the winter of 1913 Founders Diggs and Caine and W. Ellis Stewart visited the University of Illinois at Urbana, Illinois, where he met Earl B. Dickerson, President of the "Illini Club". This club constituted the nucleus of the University of Illinois Chapter, the Beta, which was chartered on February 8, 1913.

Province Undergraduate only positions

Junior Vice Polemarch Stragetus Lt. Stragetus Undergraduate Board of Directors

Province Officers

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity is divided into Provinces (regions). Each Province has a leadership structure which mirrors the Grand Chapter level and the local chapter level. The Province has the following leadership team members: Province Polemarch Senior Province Vice Polemarch Junior Province Vice Polemarch Keeper of Records Keeper of Exchequrer Board of Directors Strategus Lt. Strategus Historian Reporter

International Headquarters Contact Information

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated 2322-24 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19132-4590 Voice (215) 228-7184 Fax (215) 228-7181 In October 1953, the fraternity purchased a row house at 2320 North Broad Street in Philadelphia to serve as its temporary headquarters. The 68th Grand Chapter Meeting (1988) the delegates adopted the resolution for an International Headquarters to be constructed on the 2320 North Broad Street site. The formal dedication of the 2322-24 North Broad Street site was held on July 6, 1991.

History

Kappa Alpha Psi, a college fraternity, now comprised of functioning Undergraduate and Alumni Chapters on major campuses and in cities throughout the country, is the crystallization of a dream. It is the beautiful realization of a vision shared commonly by the following founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

States in Provinces

Northern Province: Michigan , North West Ohio,, Western New York Southern Province: Alabama, Florida, Grand Bahamas, Panama, U.S. Virgin Islands Eastern Province: Bermuda, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC Western Province: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Japan, South Korea, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington North Central Province: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin South Central Province: Kentucky, Tennessee, Northern Mississippi East Central Province: Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia Southwestern Province: Arkansas, Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas Southeastern Province: Georgia, South Carolina, South Africa Middle Eastern Province: North Carolina, Southern West Virginia Northeastern Province: Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Missouri, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Germany, United Kingdom Middle Western Province: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Northwestern Arkansas, Oklahoma

Robert's Rules of Order

Provides common rules and procedures for deliberation and debate in order to place the whole membership on the same footing and speaking the same language. Business meeting are conducted using Robert's Rules of Order and follow Parliamentary Procedure. Parliamentary Procedure is a set of rules for conduct at meetings

Province Alumni positions

Province Polemarch Senior Vice Polemarch Keeper of Records Keeper of Exchequrer Alumni Board of Directors

Executive Committee

THOMAS L. BATTLES, JR. Grand Polemarch REUBEN A. SHELTON III, ESQ. Senior Grand Vice Polemarch CHRISTOPHER CROSS Junior Grand Vice Polemarch CHESTER LEAKS Grand Keeper of Records & Exchequer

Delta Chapter

The Delta Chapter was established at the University of Iowa on March 7, 1914. Eventually changed to Gamma Chapter, and the designation of Delta assigned to Wilberforce University Chapter at Wilberforce, Ohio.

Indianapolis (IN) Alumni Chapter

The Indianapolis (IN) Alumni Chapter was established October 15, 1920. Some of its members were comprised of the original Gamma Chapter members.

Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter

The first Alumni Chapter, Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter was established April 17, 1919.

Gamma Chapter

The original Gamma Chapter was established on December 29, 1913 in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was comprised entirely of Alumni members of the Fraternity, who were largely inactive and after a brief period of existence, the chapter recognition was withdrawn.

Province Officers Pt. 2

With exception of the office of the Province Polemarch, * all other province officer positions are elected for terms designated by the delegates at the Province Council * Specific offices are designated for undergraduates. All Undergraduates are allowed to be considered for any position. Alumni members are only allowed to be considered for non-designated undergraduate officers positions.

Hymn

Written by Elder Watson Diggs (Founder); Music by Kenneth Billups O noble Kappa Alpha Psi, The Pride of all our hearts. True manliness, fidelity, Thou ever dost impart. The source of our delights and joys, And happiness thou art, O noble Kappa Alpha Psi, From thee we'll never part. O noble Kappa Alpha Psi, From thee we'll never part. Now in the days of happiness, Of pleasure and good cheer. I lift a cup of joy and health, To every member here. To those who loved and toiled and strove, For thee in other years. I give full honor and revere, Our noble Brothers dear. I give full honor and revere, Our noble Brothers dear. When all our student days are done, And we from school must go Still we will honor, love and sing Thy praises o'er and o'er. We'll live for thee, we'll strive for thee, We'll all thy ways adore, We'll long for thee and toil until we reach that Golden Shore. We'll long for thee and toil until we reach that Golden Shore

Fundamental Purpose

achievement

John Milton Lee

born in Danville, Indiana on September 7, 1890, where he attended public schools and subsequently enrolled at Indiana University in 1910. He completed three years of pre-medical work before leaving the university. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University but had to withdraw from both due to health reasons and a death in the family. He enlisted in the Army in 1917, into the 349th Field Artillery Regiment, and served overseas as a First Class Sergeant and Gunner. His battery enjoys the unique distinction of having been the first Battery of Negro Artillerymen ever to open fire upon an enemy. He fired the first shot. He helped organize, and for several years was president of the Fairview Golf Club, the first Negro Golf Club in Pennsylvania. He was also engaged in several other vocations. He died on January 3, 1958.

Marcus Peter Blakemore

born in Franklin, Indiana in 1889, moved to Anderson, Indiana where he attended public schools and graduated from high school in 1909. He entered Indiana University the following year. After leaving Indiana University, he organized the Electric Engineering Company, which he operated until he enlisted with the U.S. Army in World War I. He later entered the Dental School of the University of Pittsburgh, from which he graduated with a DDS degree in 1923. In 1949, he became the first Black to receive the MS degree in Prosthetic Dentistry from the University of Pittsburgh Dental School. He died on October 9, 1959.

George Wesley Edmonds

born in Knight Township, Indiana on August 13, 1890. He attended the Carver Elementary School and Clark High School in nearby Evansville, Indiana and enrolled at Indiana University in the fall of 1910. After he returned home for the summer of 1911, his father became ill and died. He was the eldest son, became the head of the family, thus preventing his return to school. With the new responsibility of supporting the family, he took a job with the area coal mines and with the railroad. He died on June 13, 1962.

Guy Levis Grant

born in New Albany, Indiana on April 9, 1891 and graduated from Scribner High School in 1909, and later entered Indiana University. He subsequently graduated with the A.B. degree in 1915. In 1920, he received the D.D.S. degree from Indiana University Dental School; he practiced dentistry in Indianapolis for over 50 years. He served the Fraternity as Grand Historian for 16 years. The Guy Levis Grant Award is named in his honor to undergraduate members of the fraternity who exhibit extra meritorious contributions to the Fraternity's advancement. He died on November 11, 1973.

Henry Tourner Asher

born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on June 30, 1890 and graduated from the Bloomington High School in 1910. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1914. He became an instructor at Lincoln Institute at Jefferson City, Missouri from 1914-1915 and subsequently attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned his MA degree in 1917. He received the degree of LL.B. from the Detroit College of Law in 1928. He died on March 5, 1963.

Edward Giles Irvin

born in Spencer, Indiana on August 13, 1893. He graduated from Kokomo Indiana High School in 1910 and entered Indiana University the same year. He did not return to the university following the spring term of 1911. After leaving school, he pursued a Journalistic career in various cities throughout the country until World War I, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was awarded for his duty. Following the War, he promoted athletics in the small town schools of Indiana. He also organized and operated the Afro-American Manufacturing Company in Chicago, which produced novelties, candies, and specialties. He was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges. He was honored to have the Laurel Wreath Award conferred upon him. The Fraternity named an award in his honor, the Edward G. Irvin Award, bestowed upon the most outstanding Undergraduate Chapter. He died on November 4, 1982.

Byron Kenneth Armstrong

born in Westfield, Indiana on April 8, 1892. He enrolled at Howard University in 1909 and transferred to Indiana University in the fall of 1910. He graduated from Indiana University with an A.B. degree in the fall of 1913 and subsequently earned a Master's degree from Columbia University in 1914 and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan in 1940. He was one of the primary potent forces behind the founding of the Fraternity, for which these and other significant contributions, the 6th Laurel Wreath was conferred upon him. The Byron K. Armstrong Scholars Award, the only Grand Chapter award available to fraternity undergraduate members for outstanding achievement, is named in his honor. He died June 28, 1980.

Paul Waymond Caine

born on May 17, 1890 in Greencastle, Indiana, where he attended elementary and high schools. He enrolled at Indiana University sometime in 1909 and helped the other Founders in organizing the Fraternity. Because of a disastrous fire in the fraternity house in which he was employed, he never finished his sophomore year. He subsequently set up the Caine Catering Company in several cities. He later went into business in Rockford, Illinois, where he was burned during an explosion of gaseous materials as he worked in his dry cleaning business. He later succumbed from pneumonia he acquired from the fire and died on April 15, 1931. Outstanding Alumni Chapters are presented the Paul W. Caine Award, named in his honor.

Type of Fraternity

social fraternity collegiate Greek-letter