A SHORT CHRONICLE OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY

KAPPA ALPHA PSI, a college Fraternity, comprised of functioning Undergraduate and Alumni Chapterson major campuses and in cities throughout the world, is the crystallization of a dream. shared commonly by the late Revered Founders ELDER WATSON DIGGS, "THE DREAMER"; JOHN MILTON LEE; BYRON K. ARMSTRONG; GUY LEVIS GRANT; EZRA D. ALEXANDER; HENRY T. ASHER; MARCUS P. BLAKEMORE; PAUL CAINE; EDWARD G. IRVIN and GEORGE W. EDMONDS.

It was the vision of these astute men that enabled them on 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 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.

Chartered and incorporated originally as Kappa Alpha Nu on May 15, 1911, the name was changed to KAPPA ALPHA PSI on resolution at the Grand Chapter in December 1914. This change became effective April 15, 1915, on a proclamation by the Grand Polemarch, Elder Watson Diggs. Thus, the name acquired a distinctive Greek letter symbol and KAPPA ALPHA PSI thereby became a Greek letter Fraternity in every sense.

Brother Diggs served as the Grand Polemarch of KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity for the first six years. Through his leadership and the efforts of B.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. These three men share much of the credit for the organization's survival through this period.

Every effort was made to establish the Fraternity on a strong foundation before expanding it. By the end of the first year, Brother Diggs and Brother Armstrong had completed the ritual and had commenced work on the coat of arms. Diggs, Armstrong and Lee completed work on the coat of arms during summer employment at a hotel in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In selecting a motto, Brother's Diggs, Armstrong and Lee solicited the aid of a Professor of Greek Art at Indiana Technical College at Fort Wayne. Having adopted a motto, which 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. In order to safeguard the ritualistic secrets of the Fraternity, Diggs laboriously typed and bound the rituals. Upon moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, and meeting an old German printer he trusted, Brother Diggs finally entrusted the esoteric materials of the Fraternity to a commercial printer.

Spring, 1912 Brother Diggs wrote in a little blue examination book the first Constitution, which was adopted in 1920 with only a few revisions. This edition remained in use until 1926. when the codified edition was written by Diggs, J. Ernest Wilkins, and W. Ellis Stewart.

In the summer of 1912 Diggs visited the University of Illinois at Urbana, Illinois, where he met Earl B. Dickerson, President of the Old "Illini Club." This club constituted the nucleus of the University of Illinois' "Beta Chapter". Beta, was chartered on February 8, 1913. Gamma Chapter (later changed to Indianapolis Alumni Chapter) was established on December 29, 1913, followed by Delta Chapter at the University of Iowa, on March 7, 1914. Delta was changed to Gamma Chapter, and "Delta" was assigned to the chapter at Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio. Epsilon Chapter, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, was established December 4, 1915.

Except for the years of World War I and II, when several Grand Chapter meetings were suspended, KAPPA ALPHA PSI has grown and prevailed substantially.

KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity, envisioned the modified attitudes of college administrators and administrations regarding frivolous activities identified with Greek letter organizations and initiated appropriate changes. Among the early changes was the banning of paddling and other forms of physical abuse, and the introduction of constructive endeavors during pledgeship and probation. Presently, KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity is organizationally and administratively mature and moves steadily toward a tomorrow of promise, productivity and influence