

Fashioning achievement as its purpose, Kappa Alpha Psi set in motion an academic institution that would unite college men of culture, patriotism, and honor in a bond of fraternity. The founders wanted a formula that would immediately raise the sights of Black collegians and stimulate them to accomplish higher than they might have imagined. Armstrong, and eight other Black students to form Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, which remains the only Greek letter organization with its First Chapter on the university's campus. of a vision shared commonly by the late Revered Founders Elder Watson Diggs. This ostracism characterized Indiana University in 1911, thus triggering Elder W. Thus began the fraternal tree of Kappa Alpha Psi on the campus of Indiana. Formidable barriers were put up to prevent the few who were enrolled from assimilating into co-curricular campus life. The fraternity’s fundamental purpose was (and is) achievement.Įarly in the 20th century, Black college students were actively dissuaded from attending college.

He was also a member of the Board of Managers of the Columbia Community Branch of the YMCA.Kappa Alpha Psi was founded on the campus of Indiana University on this date in 1911. For eight years, he conducted a successful catering business in Philadelphia he organized and served as Vice President and Secretary of the Mutual Emergency Union, a mutual aid company in Philadelphia. Kappa Alpha Psi®, a college Fraternity, was born in an environment saturated in racism. Vocationally, he was engaged in several enterprises. He helped organize, and for several years was president of, the Fairview Gold Club, the first Negro Golf Club in Pennsylvania. His battery enjoys the unique distinction of having been the first battery of Negro Artillerymen ever to open fire upon an enemy. He enlisted in the 349th Field Artillery in March of 1918 and served overseas as a First Class Sergeant and Gunner. He later became a student at Temple University (1915) but was compelled to leave school because of a death in the family. T ALPHA KAPPA PSI Like many another of the type called 96 THE ANCHORA OF. Phylicia Rashad Emmy-nominated and Tony-award winning actress. A recognition pin was adopted and the Founders ' Day Service was made uniform. Kamala Harris First African American elected to the U.S. Rafael Warnock First African American to represent Georgia in the U.S. John Milton Lee, born in Danville, Indiana, September 7, 1890, was graduated from the Danville High School in 1910 and entered the University of Indiana and there completed three years of pre-medical work. Barry Jenkins Won the Best Picture Oscar for directing Moonlight. Polyester with metal aglet with embossed Kappa Alpha Psi greek letters. Diggs was instrumental in having the Indiana Constitution amended to permit Negro enlistment in the Indiana National Guard. Pi Kappa Alpha - 3.5' Double Layer Wooden Crest. After European service with the 368th Infantry, he became a captain in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Upon America’s entrance into World War I, Diggs resigned his principalship to enter the Nation’s first Officer’s Training Camp at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and was commissioned a lieutenant. After his death on November 8, 1947, the name of the school where he taught was changed to the Elder Diggs School in his memory.

For this and other outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, he was awarded the Fraternity’s first Laurel Wreath in December, 1924.Īn educator by profession, he taught in the public schools of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was elevated to a principalship. He served as Grand Polemarch for the first six consecutive years of the Fraternity’s existence. the six founders to be initiated into Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta. Elder Watson Diggs (circa 1883-1947), born in Christian County, Kentucky, was a graduate of Indiana State Normal (now Indiana State Teachers College) and Indiana University, the birthplace of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Williams, editor The Shield of Phi Kappa Psi, Cleveland vice.
