2013 Greater Beta Centennial Committee .
Chairman Michael C. McNeil, Beta Polemarch Rodney Simpson, Finance Edward T. Hightower Emmitt Horne Communications Charles E. Newman Charter Weekend Chairs Rodney Simpson, Eric E. Dunlap, Michael C. McNeil Province Suite Celebration Rodney Simpson, Michael C. McNeil July Events, Black Tie Affair Rob McGhee, Bill Stratton Centennial Picnic Lafayette Ford, Howell Granger, Homecoming Tailgate Taylor Fuller III, Eric E. Dunlap, Conclave Celebration Michael C. McNeil, Rodney Simpson, Alumnus Relations Taylor Fuller III, Eric E. Dunlap
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Kappa Alpha Psi “Greater” Beta Chapter History The Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. was Chartered on February 8, 1913 to the Kappa Alpha Nu Fraternity. The Charter Members of the chapter were the following: Earl Burris Dickerson; Frank Lunsford Williams; William Jasper Prince; Byron F. Kenner; George C. Ellis; C.L.M. Cooper; Tillman Hardy Harpole; H.L. Burnam; and Elmer A. Brown. These members were a part of the old “Illio Club” which comprised of negro students attending the University as reported by The Daily Illini Student Newspaper of the University of Illinois published
Chartered and incorporated originally under the laws of the State of Indiana as Kappa Alpha Nu on January 5, 1911, the name was changed to KAPPA ALPHA PSI on a resolution offered and adopted at the Grand Chapter in December 1914 on the campus of the University of Illinois. 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. A fraternity born on the campus of Indiana University (KAN) and began on the campus of the University of Illinois (KAY).
This organization was the 1st African American Greek organization to be established on the University of Illinois campus. During these early years the Beta Chapter was very active in holding positions at the national level of the fraternity (Grand Polemarch, Grand Vice Polemarch, Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer and Grand Lieuentent Strategus). In the early days of the fraternity and Beta chapter, the ability to have adequate housing was extremely limited in the Champaign / Urbana community. The Beta chapter focused on obtaining and maintaining residences for it’s members throughout these past 100 years. The purchase / rental of property continues to be a mainstay fiber of the Beta chapter. Prominently, the Beta chapter has lived on Clark Street, 707 S. Third street, 402 E. Armory and now at 510 E. Daniel Street for the majority of these 100 years.