A Brief History

Eastern Province of Kappa Alpha Psi: A Brief History

In December of 1925, the fifth Grand Polemarch Earl B. Dickerson presided over the 15th Grand Chapter Meeting. Among the actions taken by the Delegates assembled was the transition from Regions to Provinces. With that action the Flagship Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was established.

John M. Marquess was appointed as the first Eastern Province Polemarch. Brother Marquess was a native of Arkansas and a graduate of Fisk University (1902) and Dartmouth College (1904). During his time at Dartmouth he sang on the college Choir and Glee Club and was a member of the Varsity Track Team. By profession Marquess was an educator, teaching and leading a number of schools prior to serving as President of the Colored Agricultural and Normal University (which would become Langston University). Brother Marquess was the first in a long line of achievers that would serve as Eastern Province Polemarch.

At the time the Eastern Province was established records indicate that it was comprised of four chapters- Epsilon, Xi, Baltimore (MD) Alumni, which served Baltimore City and County, and Washington (DC) Alumni. In contrast to the static boundaries, we’ve come to know, the boundaries of the province were amorphous and incorporated at one time Chapters from New York to North Carolina. Considering the current boundaries of the Eastern Province, the first Chapter was the Howard University Chapter, the Xi (E) of Kappa Alpha Psi which was chartered on December 27, 1920. The second overall and first Alumni Chapter was the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter (E) chartered on July 15, 1921. The second Alumni Chapter and third Chapter overall was the Washington (DC) Alumni Chapter (E) which was chartered on October 27, 1924. But no matter the area the Eastern Province has been home to achievers and leaders. The East has given Kappa five Grand Polemarchs (James E. Scott, W. Henry “Stud” Greene, W. Thomas Carter, and Howard L. Tutman Jr.) and numerous Laurel Wreath Laureates, Elder Watson Diggs Awardees, and Guy Levis Grant Awardees. The Eastern Province is the epitome of achievement.

In four years, the Eastern Province will celebrate its centennial and with it the recognition of its history of leadership as it has chartered a strong course for our Noble Clan.

Submitted by:

Donald Malcolm Smith Eastern Province Historian