Columbus Alumni Chapter Founders' Day Program 2023

Message from the Chapter Polemarch

Brothers All, Welcome to Founders’ Day!

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Columbus Alumni Chapter Founder's Day Committee, I'd like to welcome you to our 112th Founder's Day celebration also commemorating 102 chartered as the Columbus Alumni Chapter.

The theme for this year's celebration is "Together We Kan Achieve Anything" speaks to the common purpose that we as Brothers have no matter what type adversity we face, be it internally or externally.

I was taught that "brotherhood is the essence of dwelling in harmony through discourse. Our common goal in Kappa is achievement through excellence. As Brothers, we should continuously set a high bar for each other. Iron sharpens iron that is for sure.

The Columbus Alumni Chapter continues to forge a path of service in our community unparalleled to none. Unified, we can continue our path upward. Yes, together we can achieve anything.

It's called THE BOND!

YITB, USH

Jeffrey A. Ushry

Polemarch

Columbus Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

PROGRAM

JANUARY 7, 2023

I. Introduction of the Dais and 50-Year Members

Brother Bernard Williams, Founders’ Day Committee

Master of Ceremonies, Brother Tim Parker, Founders’ Day Committee

II. Invocation and Blessing of the Banquet Meal

Brother David Ross

III. Dinner

IV. Polemarch’s Welcome

Brother Jeffrey Ushry Polemarch Columbus, Ohio Alumni Chapter

V. Province Polemarch’s Remarks

Brother Brian Webster Province Vice Polemarch East Central Province Province

VI. The Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Lighting of Ceremonial Candles The Kollective Kwuiet On The Set

VII. History of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Brother Aaron Ervin

VIII. Collegiate Chapter Polemarch Remarks, Inc. The Ohio State University

IX. Introduction of the Keynote Speaker

Brother Tim Parker

X. Keynote Speaker

State Senator Hearcel Craig

XI. Keynote Speaker Awards Presentation

Brother Jeffrey Ushry Polemarch Columbus, Ohio Alumni Chapter

XII. 2023 50-Year Member Jacket Presentation

Brother Byron Potts

XIII. Chapter Awards

Brother Jeffrey Ushry, Polemarch Columbus, Ohio Alumni Chapter 

Foster Newlin Award  James L. Allen Award  CAC “Kappa Man of the Year” Award

XIV. Closing Remarks/Announcements

Brother Jeffrey Ushry, Polemarch Columbus, Ohio Alumni Chapter

Brother Tim Parker, Master of Ceremonies

Brother Alphonso Meriweather, Founders’ Day Chairman

XV. Oath of Rededication LaKareen Foxworth

XVI. Benediction Brother David Ross

Brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi,

My Name is Donald Demetris Cade, I am a part of Legacy in Kappa Alpha Psi following in the footsteps of my brother Ronald Cade, and Samar Cade, and my son Donald Cade II, is Legacy. I, crossed the Burning Sands at Zata Chapter (Zeta Zulus), The Ohio State University, on the line of 'The Mean 16 of Krimson and Kreme', May 16, 1972. My paperwork along with many of my Sands was sent in March 21, 1973. I was the Head Knocker on my line, the Line President, after Forrest Waugh, dropped line.

I entered Ohio State University as a freshmen in 1971 and had no intention of pledging until my sophomore year, however after meeting several of my future line brothers that convinced me that if i didn't pledge with them I would be pledging under them and it would not be a pleasant experience, the rest is history. In 1977, I married the love of my life Roxanne Powell and we had 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls, Donald II, Derek, Amber, and Brandi Cade, we lost one child at birth, Amber Cade. In October of 1979, I joined the Columbus Ohio Division of Police and spent 32 years on the department retiring as a Lieutenant, having served in

Patrol, Marine Park, the Detective Bureau, Background Investigations, Seizure Forfeiture Unit, the Strategic Response Bureau, and Special Investigations. In each area that I served Kappa Alpha Psi was an integral part of my life with the tenants of Phi Nu Pi.

I am a deacon at my church, New Salem Baptist, in Columbus Ohio, serve at the food pantry, in the Youth Life Development Ministry, and served as the Prison Ministry Leader along with my Wife Roxanne Cade, before her passing in 2015. I ride annually in the Pelotonia, a ride cycling raising funds for cancer research at The Ohio State University and have raised over 20k over the past 7 years participating in the event.

I am proud to be a Kappa Man, and I thank God for seeing me through it all.

Yours in the Bond,

Donald Demetrus Cade

He took the Oath of Membership administered by “Original Zulu”, Zeta Chapter Polemarch, Bro. Bill Moore in the dining room of the two-story Brownstone apartment occupied by his future predecessor Zeta Chapter Polemarch, Bro. Greg Henderson and his roommate the future 32nd Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi, Bro. William “Randy” Bates on the morning of Tuesday, May 16, 1972, at 5:38 am. His paperwork would be finally processed in March 1973.His Intake Class known as “The Mean 16” is the third largest in Zeta Chapter History with him as its “Ace” and first of two to serve as Zeta Chapter Polemarch .He has been a Life Member since 1988.

During his 50 years as a member, Bro. Beale has held every office at the Active Chapter level except for Strategus and Keeper of Exchequer and holds the distinction of serving as Chapter Polemarch of two 100-Year-Old Chapters, Zeta and the Columbus Alumni.

He served three East Central Province Polemarchs, Diggs Award Recipients Bros. Calvin D. Heard and Eric S. Morris and Cleveland Alumni Member Bro. Elvin Jones from 1985 to 1993. During that stint he served as Site Coordinator (1985 – 1991) for the East Central Province (ECP) Polemarch (now Joseph D. Lewis Leadership Conference) and the Fall and Spring C. Roger Wilson Leadership (CRWLC), Collegiate Advisor to Zeta Chapter (1986 – 1991) and Member of the ECP CRWLC Steering Committee under the leadership of Bro. Jerome Parm, Youngstown Alumni Chapter.

As Site Coordinator, his first order of business was to replace the sit-down dry chicken breast lunch with the three entre buffet many of you have become accustomed to. As Zeta Advisor, he helped produce an ECP Jr. Province Vice Polemarch (Bro. Don Bean), Undergraduate Board Member (Bro. Tab Brown), the Chapter’s first Alumni Reunion and an East Central Province Undergraduate Chapter of the Year Award (1987). Other accomplishments include: 

Co-Founder, Zeta Nupe Network (1979)

Chief Architect of the current Columbus Alumni

Chapter Business Model and Table of Organization (1988)

The Zeta Chapter, The Ohio State University of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Initiation: Unofficial, Spring 1972, Official, Winter 1973 Life Member Since 1988

Two-time Columbus Alumni Chapter “Kappa of the Year” (1988 & 1993)

Executive Sponsor Columbus Kappa Foundation (1993)

Major contributor to the acquisition of two Frat Houses, Zeta 1974, CAC 2011

Executive Sponsor and major contributor crafting the history of two 100-Year-Old Chapters, Zeta and the Columbus Alumni. Grand Historian, Bro. Kevin Scott states that the Zeta Chapter composition was the first of its kind by any Chapter, Alumni or Undergraduate.(2015 & 2021)

History & Trivia Committee Member, West Palm Beach Alumni Reclamation Facebook page “Kappa Alpha Psi Brothers” (2016 to present) ◊

Elder Watson Diggs was born in Christian County, Kentucky. In the spring of 1908, Diggs graduated from Indiana State normal school in Terre Haute, IN (previously known as Indiana State Teachers College and currently referred to as Indiana State University). In 1909 he entered Howard University but a year later he transferred to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. There he received his degree in June of 1916. He served as Grand Polemarch for the first six years of the fraternity’s existence and in 1924 he was awarded the first Laurel Wreath, the fraternity’s highest recognition for achievement. An educator by profession, he taught in the public schools of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he elevated to principalship. Upon America’s entrance into World War I, Diggs resigned from his principalship to enter the Nation’s first Officer’s Training Camp at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and was commissioned a lieutenant. After European service with the 368th Infantry, he became a captain in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. ◊

Edward Giles Irvin was 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 assisted with the founding of Kappa Alpha Nu and served on the fraternity’s Incorporation Committee. After leaving Indiana, Irvin pursued a career in journalism. He worked in various cities throughout the country until he served in World War I. After the war he worked on the staff of the Indiana Freeman. In March of 1922, he established the Shining Star, a weekly newspaper in Anderson, Indiana. The success of this venture brought a bid for Irvin’s services from the Gary Sun. He accepted the position of editor, but later resigned to become sports editor for the Chicago Daily Bulletin. Irvin later organized and operated the Afro-American Manufacturing Company in Chicago, which produced novelties, candies, and specialties. ◊

George W. Edmonds was born in Vanderburgh County, Knight Township, Indiana on August 13, 1890. He attended Carver Elementary and Clark High School in Evansville, Indiana. He graduated high school in the spring of 1910 and entered Indiana University that fall. There he joined the nine other founders in organizing Kappa Alpha Psi. After he returned home for the summer of 1911, his father became ill with pneumonia and died. George, being the eldest son, became head of the family, thus preventing his return to school. With the new responsibility of supporting a family, George took a job with the area coal mines and

yron K. Armstrong was born in Westfield, Indiana. In 1909 he entered Howard University where he met Elder Watson Diggs. Together they transferred to Indiana University in the fall of 1910. There he studied philosophy, mathematics, and sociology. After finishing Indiana University, he entered Columbia University where he earned his Master’s degree in 1913. His early efforts in the fraternity earned him the Laurel Wreath in 1935. In 1940 he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Michigan. He went on to hold teaching position in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma. ◊

arcus Peter Blakemore was born in Franklin, Indiana. However, he attended common and high school in Anderson, Indiana. He graduated from high school in 1909 and entered Indiana University the following year. As a roommate of Byron K. Armstrong, he became enthusiastic about the new fraternity and contributed significantly to the establishment of Kappa Alpha Nu. After leaving the university, he organized the Electric Engineering Company, which he operated until he enlisted in World War I. He later entered the Dental School of the University of Pittsburgh, from which he received his DDS degree in 1923. He remained in Pittsburgh and maintained a dentistry practice. ◊

Ezra Dee Alexander was born in Bloomington, Indiana. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1910. Ezra entered Indiana University in the fall of 1910 and graduated with an A.B. degree in 1917. He received his M.D. degree for the Medical School of Indiana University in 1919 and went on to practice medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. Alexander took part in the establishment of Kappa Alpha Nu and served several terms as a member of the Grand Board of

BDirectors of Kappa Alpha Psi. ◊

Guy Levis Grant was born in New Albany, Indiana. He graduated from Sribner High School in 1909, and subsequently entered Indiana University. While there, he majored in chemistry and graduated with the A.B. degree in 1915. In 1920 he received his DDS degree from Indiana Dental School; then a part of Indiana University. He served as a member of the Grand Board of Directors and was the fraternity’s historian. He held memberships in several civic, professional, and business organization as he practiced dentistry in Indianapolis, Indiana. ◊

PMaul Waymond Caine was born in Charleston, Indiana. He attended grade school and high school in Greencastle, Indiana. In 1909, he entered Indiana University and helped the other founders in organizing Kappa Alpha Nu. However, because of a disastrous fire in the fraternity house in which he was employed, he never finished his sophomore year. Caine went into the catering business in his hometown, later attended Columbia University, set up a catering business in Gary, Indiana, and published a book on catering which was copyrighted in 1919. He was instrumental in setting up the Gamma, Delta, and Zeta chapters. He later went into business in Peoria, Illinois and was fatally burned during an explosion of gaseous materials in his business in 1922. ◊

John Milton Lee was born in Danville Indiana on September 7, 1890. He graduated from Danville High School in 1910 and in 1910 entered Indiana University. There he completed three years of pre-medical study. From the beginning, Lee was an active participant in the founding of Kappa Alpha Nu. In 1915, he became a student at Temple University but he was compelled to

leave school because of a death in the family. He enlisted in the 349th Field Artillery in March of 1918 and served overseas as a First Class Sergeant and Gunner. His was the first battery of Negro Artillery men to open fire on an enemy. Vocationally, he was engaged in several enterprises. He conducted a successful catering business in Philadelphia. He organized and served as Vice-president and Secretary of the Mutual Emergency Union and he was also a member of the Board of Managers of the Columbia Community Branch of the YMCA. ◊

Henry T. Asher, born in Woodburn, Kentucky in 1892, was graduated from the Bloomington High School in 1910. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University in 1914 and the next year was an instructor at Lincoln Institute at Jefferson City, Missouri. He was a graduate student at the University of Minnesota in 1917. He received the degree of LL.B. at the Detroit College of Law in 1928. ◊

HISTORY OF

KappaAlpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

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

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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

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to, and now enjoyed by, college men everywhere, regardless of their color, religion or national origin. It is a fact of which KAPPA ALPHA PSI is justly proud that the Constitution has never contained any clause that either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership merely because of his color, creed, 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 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. Thus, the name acquired a distinctive Greek letter symbol and KAPPA ALPHA PSI thereby became a Greek letter Fraternity in every sense of the designation.

From its inception, and for the next six years, Brother Diggs served as the Grand Polemarch of KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity. Through his leadership and indefatigable application, augmented by 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. Accordingly, these three men share much of the credit for the organization’s survival through this period.

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. Diggs, Armstrong and Lee completed work on the latter during the following summer while they were pursuing employment at a hotel in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In selecting a suitable 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 that 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 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 Chapter, the Beta, which was chartered on February 8, 1913. Gamma Chapter (later changed to Indianapolis Alumni Chapter) was established on December 29, 1913, followed by the establishment of Delta Chapter at the University of Iowa, on March 7, 1914. The latter was subsequently changed to Gamma Chapter, and the designation of Delta assigned to the Wilberforce University Chapter at Wilberforce, Ohio. 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.

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

Taken from: "A SHORT CHRONICLE OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY" ◊

PHOTO 1913 - Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Chapter

Hearcel F. Craig

STATE SENATOR KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Senator Hearcel F. Craig’s extensive background in public service helped propel him to serve the constituents of the 15th Senate District by being elected to the Ohio Senate in November 2018. He serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee and the Senate Insurance Committee. Senator Craig also serves on the Senate Energy and Public Utilities; Finance; Financial Institutions and Technology; General Government Budget; and Rules and Reference committees. Additionally, Senator Craig serves as sergeant-at-arms for the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus.

Craig’s career as a public servant for the City of Columbus began decades ago when he worked as a legislative liaison for the Ohio Department of Youth Services (ODYS). During his tenure at ODYS, Craig drafted legislation and secured legislative sponsorship for bills introduced in the Ohio General Assembly. Notably, one of the pieces of legislation he helped bring to fruition was H.B. 812, which secured $83 million for much-needed capital improvements to ODYS facilities. Craig expanded his commitment to the community by working to improve the lives of young people. He did this by serving as the Director of Recruitment & Admissions for City Year, a program that recruits young adults to work full-time for one year on various social service projects around Columbus. As a result of his efforts, City Year corps members can receive valuable training and leadership skills that will benefit them later in their professional lives.

Over the past three decades, Craig has volunteered his time as a trustee on numerous community service boards, many of

which were centered on education. He is a lifetime member of the NAACP. Senator Craig is currently a member of National Black Caucus of State Legislators, a member of the Executive Committee and Co-Chair of the Education Committee of the Midwest Legislative Conference and serves on the Advisory Board of the Chamberlain School of Nursing. He has served as a member of the Columbus Public Schools Equity Task Force, the Columbus State Community College Department of Business, Industry Technology Curriculum Committee, the Southside Learning and Development Center’s Board of Trustees, the Ohio Hunger Task Force Board of Trustees and the Columbus Cultural Arts Center Board of Trustees. He previously served on the board of the Military Veterans Resource Center. Craig also served as board chair for the Alliance for Cooperative Justice, the Franklin County Prevention Institute, and the State Education Committee for the Columbus Chapter of the NAACP. Additionally, Senator Craig has also completed Leadership Columbus, Leadership Ohio and the Ohio Executive Institute.

Senator Craig is eager to continue his commitment to public service so he can make meaningful investments in our neighborhoods, as well as create jobs and expand the local economy.

Senator Craig earned a Master of Science in Administration degree from Central Michigan University. He also studied at Ashland Theological Seminary as part of their Master of Divinity program and was a Join Together National Leadership Fellow at Boston University School of Public Health. He proudly served our nation in the United States Army from 1970 – 1972.

Senator Craig and his wife, Linda, are the proud parents of four children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. ◊

State Senator Hearcel F. Craig (L), pictured with Reuben A. Shelton, III Esq, Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

COLUMBUS, OHIO ALUMNI CHAPTER ◊ KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY,