Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity: Founding, Symbols, and Objectives

Founding date and place of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

January 5, 1911 Indiana University (Bloomington, Indiana)

Motto of Kappa Alpha Psi

Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor

Number of founders of Kappa Alpha Psi

10

Elder Watson Diggs

Principal founder and first Grand Polemarch (national president). Authored much of the fraternity's ritual and constitution. Instrumental in expanding the fraternity nationally. Served in World War I; was an educator and school principal.

Byron Kenneth Armstrong

Key figure in the intellectual and philosophical foundation. Helped draft the fraternity's motto and ideals. Promoted high academic standards. Earned multiple graduate degrees; became a professor and dean.

Ezra Dee Alexander

Contributor to the organizational structure. Helped design early administrative policies. Became a physician; served in medical and civic communities.

Guy Levis Grant

Historian and preserver of fraternity history. Authored parts of the fraternity's history. Became a dentist and served on the fraternity's Grand Board of Directors.

Edward Giles Irvin

Advocate for youth development and civic engagement. Promoted expansion and public service focus. Journalist and youth organizer; led in community uplift initiatives.

Paul Waymond Caine

Ritualist and event organizer. Helped establish the ritualistic ceremonies. Caterer and entrepreneur; helped start chapters across Indiana.

George Wesley Edmonds

Early member, though he had limited involvement after 1911. Present at the founding; contributed during early planning. Became a coal industry worker; remained respected despite early departure.

Henry Tourner Asher

Legal mind behind the fraternity's early documentation. Assisted in incorporating the fraternity legally. Lawyer and teacher; promoted legal and educational equality.

Marcus Peter Blakemore

Builder and implementer. Assisted in developing fraternity emblems and paraphernalia. Dentist and community leader.

John Milton Lee

Military and leadership figure in Kappa Alpha Psi; first African American officer to lead troops in combat in WWI; public school educator.

Hazing

Kappa Alpha Psi is a non hazing organization that encourages achievement and brotherhood.

Fundamental purpose of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Achievement.

Charter and incorporation date of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

May 15, 1911.

Kappa Alpha Nu changed to Kappa Alpha Psi

April 15, 1915.

First state Kappa Alpha Psi expanded to after Indiana

Illinois; the Beta chapter was chartered at the University of Illinois in 1913.

Founding location of Kappa Alpha Psi

The Sample Gates of Indiana University.

Official flower of Kappa Alpha Psi

Red Carnation.

Symbol of Kappa Alpha Psi

Diamond ♦️.

Colors of Kappa Alpha Psi

Crimson and Cream.

Five objectives of Kappa Alpha Psi

1. To unite college men of culture, patriotism, and honor in a bond of fraternity. 2. To encourage honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor. 3. To promote the spiritual, social, intellectual, and moral welfare of members. 4. To assist the aims and purposes of colleges and universities. 5. To inspire service in the public interest.

Kappa League

Founded on February 12, 1969, by the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi; designed to help young men grow and develop leadership talents.

Five phases of Kappa League

1. Self-Identity 2. Training 3. Competition 4. Social 5. Health Education.

Significance of the 'diamond in the sky'

A tribute to the ten deceased founders of Kappa Alpha Psi.

Response to 'how long were you on line'

Forever and a Day.

First K stands for

Nothing; the K is always silent.

First A stands for

Accomplishment.

First P stands for

Performance.

Second P stands for

Preparation.

Last A stands for

Assurance.

'NUPE' meaning

Negroes Under Pressure, Excelling; how diamonds are created, under pressure.

Number of provinces

12

Use of canes in Kappa Alpha Psi

Used since the beginning of the fraternity; originally a symbol of elegance and a gentleman.

Canes used today resemble

If turned upside down, they resemble the letter 'J' for Jesus.

Stripes represent

The father, the son, and the blood of Christ.

Kappa Alpha Psi Hymn

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

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul

Who wrote the Kappa Alpha Psi Hymn

Words by Elder Watson Diggs
Music by Kenneth Billups