The Middlewesterner - December, 2004

<body> <HTML> <HEAD> <link REL="shortcut icon" HREF="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Pics/Kappa.icon.gif"> <title>The Middlewesterner - December, 2004</title> </head> <body text="#8B0000" bgcolor="#DBDB70" link="#000000" vlink="#8B0000"> <table COLS=3 WIDTH=100% > <tr> <td WIDTH=25%><img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Pics/COASmall.c.gif" ALT="Coat-of-Arms"></td> <td VALIGN=TOP> <center> <font size="7"> <b><i>The Middlewesterner</i></b> <br> </FONT> <font size="3"> <B>December 2004</B> </FONT> </center> </td> <td WIDTH=25%> <div align=right><img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Pics/MapMWProv.c.gif" ALT="Province Map"></div> </td> </tr> </table> <CENTER> <hr WIDTH=100%></center> <A NAME = "PP Message"> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Pics/Crumbley.Elmer.jpeg" ALIGN=RIGHT HEIGHT=200 BORDER=1 ALT="Elmer J. Crumbley - Middle Western Province Polemarch"> <font size=5> <B>Message from the Province Polemarch</B><P> </font> <font size=3> My Brothers in Phi Nu Pi,<P>      It is hard to believe that in less than eight months we will be back in the Gateway City of St. Louis, Missouri, for our 77th Grand Chapter Meeting. The St. Louis Alumni Chapter Brothers and their Silhouettes have been working hard to insure that our stay in St. Louis will be educational as well as entertaining for all who make this historic Conclave. Thank you to the Brothers and the Silhouettes of the St. Louis Alumni Chapter.<P>      We have many things to be thankful for here in our province. In September, we completed a very successful C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference hosted by the Epsilon Eta of Kappa Alpha Psi. Very special thanks goes out to Epsilon Eta Chapter Polemarch, <B>Brother Kovel Everette Walker</B>, and the members the Epsilon Eta for the double planning they had to do to make this leadership conference happen. For those of you that have forgotten, Epsilon Eta was supposed to host our Undergraduate Summit last February. The Undergraduate Summit had to be cancelled because of a winter storm that shut down much of the Middle Western Province to travel. The Epsilon Eta along with their Chapter Advisor, <B>Brother Rolland "Rollo" Garrison</B>, had to recreate all of the work they had done a year ago. Again, thank you for hosting a very successful leadership conference!<P>      As we move through this fiscal year, you will be hearing a great deal about the new Membership Orientation and Intake Program (MOIP). <B>Senior Province Vice Polemarch Berry H. Pitts, III</B> is serving as our training officer for the new MOIP.<P>      Cluster Initiations were held in Kansas City on November 19th, Oklahoma City on December 11th, and in St. Louis on December 18th. Several chapters participated in the cluster initiations.<P>      The Middle Western Province will have more opportunities to conduct new members into our chapters. The next opportunity to bring in new members in a cluster initiation will be the 83rd Middle Western Province Council to be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hosted by the Muskogee Alumni Chapter. The Province Council dates are March 17-20, 2005.<P>      My thoughts now go to those chapters that are under minimum standards. A hard look will have to be taken at those chapters that do not have the number of qualified men to sustain a chapter.<P>      Brothers, our <B>Grand Polemarch Samuel C. Hamilton's</B> theme of "Come Home To Kappa" should be embraced by all. Let each of us go out to reclaim those brothers that are no longer financial and bring them back to our noble clan. Let each of us encourage men of achievement to seek membership in our fraternity. And finally, let us inspire those brothers that were financial last year to continue their financial responsibility to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Who knows when we will have another Grand Chapter Meeting in our province? Chances are this will be the most economical Conclave for members of our province. Let us attend in record numbers and extend to our visiting brothers that "good ole" Middle Western hospitality we are known for.<P> I look forward to seeing all of you during my travels through our province.<P> Yours in the Bond,<BR> Elmer J. Crumbley - Province Polemarch<BR> Middle Western Province<BR> <a href="mailto:Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com">Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com</a> <P> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Chairmen"> <font size=5> <B>Newly Appointed Province Committee Chairmen</B> </font><P> <font size=3> <B>Province Polemarch Elmer J. Crumbley</B> introduces newly appointed Province Committee Chairmen. More chairmen will be highlighted later via the Middlewesterner.<P> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/Ellis.Glenn.0412.jpeg" ALIGN=LEFT HEIGHT=150 BORDER=1 ALT="Glenn Ellis"><P> <B>Brother Glenn Ellis</B><BR> <I>Membership Orientation Intake Program</I><P> Brother Glenn Ellis is a graduate of the University of Missouri at Columbia. He has a Masters of Arts from Webster University located in St. Louis, MO.<P> Brother Ellis is a 1996 initiate of the St. Louis Alumni Chapter. He has served four years as St. Louis Alumni Chapter Keeper of Records and is currently the Guide Right Director and Membership Intake Chairman.<P> Glenn has been a familiar face at C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conferences, and Middle Western Province Councils. Brother Ellis was one of eighty Kappa men in attendance at the first Grand Chapter Leadership Summit held in Miami, Florida, in July of 2000. He is a hard worker for St. Louis Alumni Chapter and the Middle Western Province!<P> Brother Ellis has worked as a Security Operations Assistant Supervisor with The Boston Company located in Boston, Massachusetts. He is currently employed with the Hazelwood School District as an Intervention Instructor.<P> Brother Ellis lists his hobbies as singing professionally with The Gospel Symphonic Choir where he has performed with The National Center of African American Artist in Boston, The Boston Opera Co., and the Duke Ellington Orchestra.<P> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/Hendrick.Eric.0412.jpeg" ALIGN=LEFT HEIGHT=150 BORDER=1 ALT="Eric Hendrick"><P> <CENTER> <hr WIDTH="50%" COLOR=DARKRED><BR> </CENTER> <B>Brother Eric Wynn Hendrick</B><BR> <I>Kappa Foundation</I><P> Brother Eric Hendrick is a Fall 1992 initiate of the Alpha Psi of Kappa Alpha Psi, Pittsburg State University. Brother Hendrick has served as an undergraduate in the positions of Keeper of Records, Vice Polemarch, and Polemarch. Eric held the elected position of Province Strategus 1995-1996.<P> After graduation, Eric joined the Wichita Alumni Chapter and has been an active member. He has served as Chapter Keeper of Records, and is currently the Chapter's Membership Orientation Intake Program chairman. Eric serves as the Chapter Advisor for both the Alpha Psi and Delta Upsilon (Wichita State University) Chapters. He is the Executive Assistant to the Province Polemarch for the state of Kansas.<P> Professionally, Eric's B.S. Degree from Pittsburg State University is in the field of Mechanical Engineering. He has worked as a Structural Engineer at Boeing Wichita from 1997-2002. In 2003, Brother Hendrick started his own business, EH Technical Solutions, a janitorial service.<P> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/Rouse.Earnest.0412.jpeg" ALIGN=LEFT HEIGHT=150 BORDER=1 ALT="Earnest Rouse"><P> <CENTER> <hr WIDTH="50%" COLOR=DARKRED><BR> </CENTER> <B>Earnest James Rouse</B><BR> <I>Investigative Protocol Officer</I><P> Brother Earnest Rouse received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He received his Masters Degree from Iowa State University. Brother Rouse has had a distinguished career in city government in Kansas City, Missouri. Professionally, Earnest has been employed as Budget Analyst, Financial Manger, Chief Administrative Officer, City Management Department, and is currently Assistant to the City Manager in the City Management Department.<P> Brother Rouse has served as Chapter Polemarch of the Kansas City Alumni Chapter. He has also served as Vice Polemarch and Membership Intake Chairman. Earnest has been recognized for his achievement within our fraternity. He received the Joseph F. Barnes Outstanding Service Achievement Award 2004. His home chapter honored him with the Kansas City Alumni Polemarch's Award in 1995 and 1998. Brother Rouse is a 1986 initiate of the Des Moines Alumni Chapter.<P> <CENTER> <hr WIDTH="50%" COLOR=DARKRED><BR> </CENTER> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/Triggs.Kevin.0412.jpeg" ALIGN=LEFT HEIGHT=150 BORDER=1 ALT="Kevin Triggs"><P> <B>Brother Kevin Triggs</B><BR> <I>BUCKLE UP With Kappa Alpha Psi</I><P> Brother Kevin Triggs was initiated into the New Orleans Alumni Chapter in February 1992. He is Life Member #01-13843, and Southwestern Province Life Member #98-147. Brother Triggs is a Member of St. Louis Alumni Chapter, currently serving as Assistant Keeper of Records. He serves on Housing, Reclamation, Champagne Sip committees. Kevin also serves on Marketing and Transportation committees for 77th Grand Chapter Conclave. Kevin served as Keeper of Exchequer of the Killeen/Fort Hood Alumni Chapter, Killeen, Texas in 1997-1998.<P> Brother Triggs currently is a Transportation Planner, East West Gateway Council of Governments, and St. Louis, Missouri, since February 2004. He is responsible for the development of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) for the St. Louis region in compliance with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines. He is responsible for the development of effective intermodal freight program to reduce congestion while providing expeditious movement of freight throughout the region. Brother Triggs has a Masters degree from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, a Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning with an emphasis in Transportation. Kevin's undergraduate degree is from Southern University at New Orleans, Louisiana, as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Economics.<P> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Milan"> <CENTER> <font size=5> <B>Province Polemarch Crumbley Talks<BR> "Buckle Up with Kappa Alpha Psi"</B><BR> </FONT> <font size=3> By Terry Milan<P> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/041120.01.jpeg" BORDER=1 ALT="Buckle Up with Kappa Alpha Psi"><P> </CENTER> On November 20, <B>Province Polemarch Elmer J. Crumbley</B> was in Kansas City for Membership Orientation Intake Program Training. His trip to Kansas City followed right on the heels of <B>Grand Polemarch Samuel C. Hamilton's</B> visit to St. Louis, Missouri. The Grand Polemarch was a featured presenter at the East-West Gateway Council of Governments Conference. Romell Cooks, Regional Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and great supporter of the Independence (MO) Alumni Chapter was also in attendance at the session where the Grand Polemarch made an outstanding presentation on the "Buckle Up with Kappa Alpha Psi" initiative.<P> <table border=0 align=center> <TR> <TD align=center><img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/041120.02.jpeg" BORDER=1 ALIGN=LEFT ALT="Buckle Up with Kappa Alpha Psi"></TD> <TD align=center><FONT SIZE="3">Romell W. Cooks - Regional Administrator<BR> National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<BR> "Buckle Up with Kappa Alpha Psi"<BR> November 21, 2004<BR> Kansas City, Missouri<P> </FONT></TD> </TR> </table> Ms. Cooks introduced herself and (in absentia) Terry Milan, Keeper of Records of the Independence (MO) Alumni Chapter to the Grand Polemarch. She was pleased that the meeting afforded her the opportunity to share information on the successful "Buckle Up" efforts of the Independence (MO) Alumni Chapter.<P> The Grand Polemarch and <B>Brother Kevin Triggs</B>, Middle Western Province "BUCKLE UP With Kappa Alpha Psi Chairman, knowing that Province Polemarch Crumbley was coming to Kansas City suggested he might want to meet the NHTSA Regional Administrator. Brother Terry Milan arranged for that all-important meeting to happen.<P> Ms. Cooks and Province Polemarch Crumbley met that Saturday on the University of Missouri Kansas City campus. The Province Polemarch offered Ms. Cooks an opportunity to address brothers from several chapters. She spoke briefly on the epidemic of car crashes and how they disproportionately affect minorities from age16 to 24. As much as she applauded the fraternity for the outstanding work it had already done, the Province Polemarch charged every chapter to conduct at least one activity and be a part of this great initiative.<P> Province Polemarch Crumbley said that "Buckle Up with Kappa Alpha Psi" is right in line with the Kappa goals of promoting the welfare of humanity and serving the public interest. Saving young lives by buckling them up is a great way to do just that.<P> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Hamilton"> <CENTER> <font size=5> <B>"BUCKLE UP with Kappa Alpha Psi"</B><BR> </FONT> <font size=3> A Message From Our Grand Polemarch Samuel C. Hamilton<P> </CENTER> To the Members of Kappa Alpha Psi,<P> Greetings to all as we prepare for another fast paced relevant year! In less than seven years, we will convene in Bloomington, Indiana for Kappa Alpha Psi's Centennial. From 1911 until 2011 seems like a very long time. However, if Kappa Men really considers the magnitude of the social/moral, educational, economic, and political challenges remaining to be completed and recorded by 2011, time is short and running out! Please consider the following opportunity.<P> Brothers - one very important way in which you, your chapter, province, and community can move Kappa's agenda forward is by pledging your total support/loyalty to the goal of the national Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation and Government Alliance Cluster/Committee (FGAC/C). This committee's mission is to identify, harness and frame available foundation and government resources that address certain initiatives in response to the public interest. The "Buckle Up With Kappa Alpha Psi" Seat Belt affords the community and Kappa such an opportunity.<P> This fraternity has been awarded a 2-Year $100,000 "Buckle Up With Kappa Alpha Psi" Seat Belt Grant through May, 2005. The FGAC/Committee is responsible for establishing and meeting the Department of Transportation's seat belt educational criteria that primarily is designed to encourage young African Americans between the ages of 16-24 to buckle up when they drive in order to save lives. African American drivers in this age range lead the nation in the number of deaths of all age groups and races. Kappa Alpha Psi sees and understands its role in promoting this initiative when it comes to saving lives, including our young brothers and their siblings. The FGAC/C is preparing to visit our C. Rodger Wilson sites as part of the educational forum included in this process.<P> Your will learn more about this exciting and challenging opportunity from our administration, and through the media. Your encouragement, spirit of volunteerism, wisdom, and energy will certainly move this initiative forward as we prepare to buckle up and save lives. Kappa Hereby invites all to become community partners. We will continue to make a difference.<P> FACTS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SEAT BELT SAFETY AND EDUCATION<BR> <OL> <LI>Vehicular death resulting from not wearing seat belts among African American youth between the ages of 16-25 is the #1 killer of youth. <LI>This problem is recognized as a "health crisis" because of its severity and increasing impact, especially in the African American community. <LI>Studies have shown that while 80% of American believes seat belt work, only 11% regularly use them. <LI>In 1989, the use of set belts in the USA that had enacted laws reportedly rose from 21% to 70%. <LI>According to DOT, an estimated 29,568 lives were saved by seat belts between 1983 and 1991. If all front seat occupants had worn seat belts, DOT estimates that an additional 15,000 lives would have been saved in 1989 alone. <LI>In 1994, when motor vehicle crash deaths were at the lowest level in 30 years, and estimated 65,290 lives were saved by seat belts, and more than $337 million moderate to critical injuries were prevented. <LI>In its first six years, the DOT Seat Belt Education Campaign garnered more that $337 million in donated media time and space. <LI>Since crash test dummies were introduced to American public in 1985, seat belt usage increased from 14% to 79%, saving an estimated 85,000 lives. <LI>Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is currently one of 20 predominantly Black organizations under contract with DOT/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration studying the issue of seat belt usage among African Americans </OL> <P> <CENTER> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/BuckleUpGroup.0412.jpeg" BORDER=1 ALT="Buckle Up with Kappa Alpha Psi Workshop"><BR> "Buckle Up with Kappa Alpha Psi" Workshop"<BR> C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference<BR> Middle Western Province - September 18, 2004<P> </CENTER> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Omicron Pi"> <font size=5> <B>Colorado Console Cutthroat Tournament<BR> Dances Into the Record Books</B> </font><BR> <font size=3> Sponsored by the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Area Chapter, the Omicron Pi of Kappa Alpha Psi<P> The fall Colorado Cutthroat Console Tournament (CCCT) held on the University's campus drew in record numbers of gaming freaks to come and compete for the title of best in the southwest. Participants from neighboring states of New Mexico, Utah and Oklahoma came out to compete in this high level tournament. To win at this tournament is to be crowned champion of the southwest region, or at least here and some of the neighboring states!<P> The game that was the main attraction was the Dance, Dance Revolution which entailed one to engage in coordinated dance steps on a particular pad to earn points. The game attracted all from young 3rd graders to grown men and women to compete for the items such as a Cobalt Flux Pads, Red Ignition Pads and money. All prizes were obtained by national co-sponsors Cobalt Flux, Red Octane and Play-N-Trade. Other games included Virtual Fighter, 3rd Strike, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Soul Calibur 2, and Halo, just to name a few.<P> With large support from local news stations and newspapers, Omicron Pi made their presence known within the state of Colorado making it the largest video game tournament ever presented in Colorado history.<P> <CENTER> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/OmicronPi.0412.1.jpeg" HEIGHT=150 BORDER=1 ALT="Colorado Console Cutthroat Tournament"> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/OmicronPi.0412.3.jpeg" HEIGHT=150 BORDER=1 ALT="Colorado Console Cutthroat Tournament"><P> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/OmicronPi.0412.2.jpeg" HEIGHT=150 BORDER=1 ALT="Colorado Console Cutthroat Tournament"><P> </CENTER> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Historian"> <font size=5> <B>Historian's Korner</B> </font><P> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/Miller.David.0412.jpeg" ALIGN=LEFT HEIGHT=150 BORDER=1 ALT="Wayne A. Johnson"><P> <font size=3> Greetings Brothers,<P> The Middle Western Province held the fall C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference in September, but do most of us know who C. Rodger Wilson was, and why our meetings are named as such.<P> Kappa Alpha Psi, under the leadership of <B>Brother Charles Rodger Wilson</B>, sixteenth Grand Polemarch and recipient of the Laurel Wreath, accomplished many things during his tenure as Grand Polemarch. Prior to his election he had already served the fraternity for thirty-five years in various capacities. He has the longest tenure as Grand Polemarch in the history of Kappa Alpha Psi. During his administration the theme "Training For Leadership" was adopted. That theme still holds true today.<P> The story begins in 1942 when C. Rodger Wilson actually began his "Guide Right Dictatorship" with a message to the membership titled, "Brand New Ideas About Guide Right." He knew then that Guide Right was considered to be the Fraternity's National Program, and he wanted to make the program meaningful and effective. The objectives set forth in the Guide Right Promotional Bulletin stated as the Movement's Purpose: 1) to help black boys, especially those graduating elementary or high school classes . . . to relate further study to vocational choices best suited to their aptitudes and personalities; 2) to encourage cooperative attitudes towards school, home and community; and 3) to assist young men to start and progress in their chosen careers. It's amazing that although these were the goals that were written during the time of C. Rodger Wilson's tenure the themes and goals are similar to those of today. The goal of the CRWLC is to <I>Prepare the Leaders of Tomorrow</I>, whether that is in the fraternity, job, or community. The theme "Training for Leadership" had been used to describe the goals of the fraternity, but by 1957 the membership wanted the theme to be implemented. That implementation came from Grand Polemarch C. Rodger Wilson, that a national program in the undergraduate interest include a formalized school of leadership training, and hence The Charles Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference (CRWLC) was born. The items we discuss today at our meetings encompass the curriculum our brothers planned on being discussed. Plans were ultimately underway and the first undergraduate leadership conference occurred in 1961. At the 62nd Grand Chapter Meeting in Chicago in 1979, just six weeks after the sudden and unexpected death of C. Rodger Wilson, the Undergraduate Leadership Conference was renamed the C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference in his honor.<P> Excerpts taken from: The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fifth Edition - By Dr. Ralph J. Bryson - 2003<P> Brothers, it is with great pleasure that I serve you as the current Middle Western Province Historian. I will do my best to bring you relevant information that will hopefully stimulate your interest in learning more of the history of Kappa Alpha Psi.<P> On that note, I was privileged to have been given the awesome, glorious, and needed task, by our illustrious Province Polemarch, of compiling, sorting, and creating a Middle Western Province History Book. I cannot do this without the help of all of the Brothers of the Middle Western Province. I will be calling and/or e-mailing your chapter Polemarch and Historian to get all of the information you know about your chapter or any other chapter in the province. I would like all chapters to either e-mail me your chapter history and all other pertinent information you would love to share. Or, you may contact me directly if your information is such that it needs to be transmitted via postal delivery. I know there is a lot of history out there that is not written down, but that resides in the minds and heart of our Brothers. I want that information.<P> I want to thank-you all in advance for your assistance in this endeavor.<P> Yours in the Bond,<BR> David Miller - Province Historian<BR> <a href="mailto:Historian@KAPsiMWP.com">Historian@KAPsiMWP.com</a> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Johnson"> <font size=5> <B>Lawton-Ft. Sill Member Among 1,301 Initiated Into American College Of Surgeons</B> </font><P> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/MW0412/Johnson.Wayne.jpeg" ALIGN=LEFT HEIGHT=150 BORDER=1 ALT="Wayne A. Johnson"><P> <font size=3> <B>Brother Wayne A. Johnson</B> was among 1,301 Initiates from around the world who became Fellows of the American College of Surgeons during convocation ceremonies at the College's recent 90th annual Clinical Congress in New Orleans.<P> Brother Johnson, a former Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army, received a medical doctorate in 1991 from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed his residency at the University of Colorado. He is currently practicing at Premier Orthopaedics of Lawton located in Lawton, Oklahoma where he is the C.E.O.<P> Brother Johnson attained board certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has a strong professional interest in Sports Medicine , Work Injuries and Trauma. He is the Head Team Physician for Cameron University Athletics and is an Orthopaedic Team physician and Consultant to the Lawton and Elgin Public High School Athletic programs. Every Saturday during the football season and on Thursday evenings during the rest of the year, he volunteers his Orthopaedic expertise in the free evaluation of Orthopaedic Injuries to high school and college athletes from all over Southwest Oklahoma.<P> Brother Johnson holds membership in other professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Sports Medicine, Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Medical Society, (Mid-America, Middle States, Gladden, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wyoming Medical Societies.<P> Brother Johnson is a member of the Lawton-Fort Sill Alumni Chapter. He was initiated into the fraternity through the Howard University Graduate Division Chapter, the Theta Tau of Kappa Alpha Psi, in 1986, and served as Polemarch of the Meharry Medical College Chapter, the Kappa of Kappa Alpha Psi, in 1986-87. He has also been a member in the Denver and Colorado Springs Alumni Chapters.<P> By meeting the College's stringent membership requirements, Fellows of the College have earned the distinguished right to use the designation of "F.A.C.S" (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after their names. An applicant for Fellowship must be a graduate of an approved medical school; must have completed advanced training in one of the 14 surgical specialties recognized by the College; and must have been in practice in the same geographic location for at least one year at the time of their application. Before admission into Fellowship, the surgeon must further demonstrate ethical fitness and professional proficiency, and their acceptance as a Fellow of the College must be approved by three-fourths of its Board of Regents.<P> The convocation ceremony was the highlight of the five-day Congress at which initiation into ACS Fellowship took place. The Congress also featured reports on research-in-progress, postgraduate courses, panel discussions, symposia, and scientific and industrial exhibits. Total estimated attendance at the Congress was 13,459, including approximately 7,555 physicians. Allied health professionals and members of the scientific and consumer media also attended the meeting.<P> The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 66,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.<P> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Council"> <font size=5> <B>83rd Middle Western Province Council - March 17th-20th</B><P> </FONT> <font size=3> The next Province Council will be hosted by the Muskogee Alumni Chapter and held at the Marriott Southern Hills located at 1902 East 71st Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136.<P> Room rates are $79 per night, single or double occupancy. Reservations should be made before February 17th by calling the hotel at 918-493-7000. Concierge rooms are available at no extra charge on a first come, first served basis. You should register early to take advantage of this offer!<P> Suites are available through the Province Council Planning Committee Chairman, Brother Clayton Evans at 636-386-0882.<P> Province Council Registration Rates are as follows:<P>      Received by February 17th -<BR>      $150 - Alumni<BR>      $100 - Undergraduate<BR>      $100 - Silhouette<P>      Received after February 17th -<BR>      $175 - Alumni<BR>      $100 - Undergraduate<BR>      $100 - Silhouette<P> Registration for fraternity members includes tickets to the Undergraduate Luncheon, Awards Luncheon and Closed Banquet. Registered Silhouettes receive tickets to the Silhouette Luncheon, Awards Luncheon and Silhouette Banquet. Additional tickets for guests to attend the Awards Banquet may be purchased for $25 each.<P> Please send your registration fee as soon as possible to our Province Headquarters at:<P> <CENTER> Middle Western Province Headquarters<BR> 636 N.E. 36th St.<BR> Oklahoma City, OK 73105<P> </CENTER> Or . . . you may pay the registration fee with your Visa or MasterCard by sending your credit card number and expiration date to the Province Keeper of Records and Exchequer at <a href="mailto:KeeperOfRecords @KAPsiMWP.com">KeeperOfRecords @KAPsiMWP.com</a>. He may be contacted by telephone at 405-CD-KAPPA (235-2772).<P> We need your cooperation in pre-registering for the Council so that we may plan appropriately for meals, souvenirs, seating and printed materials.<P> Should you have any questions, you may direct them to the Province Polemarch at <a href="mailto:Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com">Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com</a> or the Province Council Planning Committee Chairman at <a href="mailto:Planning@KAPsiMWP.com">Planning@KAPsiMWP.com</a>.<P> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Membership Intake"> <font size=5> <B>Cluster Initiation - March 17th</B></font><P> <font size=3> If your chapter wishes to participate in the next Cluster Initiation to be held in Tulsa on March 17th, you must submit a "Letter of Intent" to the Province Polemarch. That letter may be conveyed via e-mail addressed to <a href="mailto:Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com">Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com</a>. You must receive the Province Polemarch's approval prior to conducting ANY intake activity, including the Informational Meeting.<P> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Chapter Invisible"> <font size=5> <B>Chapter Invisible?</B> </font><P> <font size=3>      Brothers, we have a <A TARGET="_blank" href="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Rosters/Invisible.html"><B>CHAPTER INVISIBLE</B></a> page on our province website, and we need your assistance in making it more accurate. We request that you review that site and provide updates to our <A HREF="mailto:KeeperOfRecords@KAPsiMWP.com">Province Keeper of Records and Exchequer</A>. Please help us fill in the blanks and also provide us with any additional brothers to be memorialized.<P> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Virtual Museum"> <font size=5> <B>Visit Our <A TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Museum/Museum.html">Virtual Museum</A></B><P> </FONT> <font size=3> The Middle Western Province <A TARGET="_blank" href="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Museum/Museum.html">Virtual Museum</A> is slowly but surely growing. The site is designed to preserve and display documents, photos and other articles of historical significance about chapters in our province, as well as our province-at-large. For this project to be successful and grow even more, we ask each of you to examine your archives in search of items that would be appropriate for inclusion in the museum. Many chapters are not yet represented here. Our highest priority at the moment has to do with the kinds of items that <U><B>MUST</B></U> be digitized for permanent keep before they might be destroyed by deterioration or otherwise lost forever.<P> Obviously a work in progress, we will eventually provide "captions" for items currently archived in our museum that are not self-explanatory. As you submit items for inclusion, we ask that you provide an accompanying explanation where appropriate. For instructions on how to submit documents and photos in a suitable format, please contact our Museum Curator at <a href="mailto:Museum@KAPsiMWP.com">Museum@KAPsiMWP.com</a>. </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Address Change"> <img src="http://www.flash.net/~cwmorgan/GIFM/question.gif" ALT="Question Mark" ALIGN=LEFT> <font size=5> <B>E-Mail Addresses</B> </font><P> <font size=3>    The technology of the Internet has become more than a luxury in the year 2004. Business and personal communication is now "defined" by an E-mail address and connection to the World Wide Web. Our province is clearly committed to the maximum use of this medium, and we can only be successful with your help. Should you change your E-mail address, please remember to notify us as soon as possible. And please help us identify every other member of our province who may have access to this technology. Spread the word!<P> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "EMPORIUM"> <font size=5> <B>Visit the Middle Western Province <A TARGET="_blank" href="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Emporium/Emporium.html">EMPORIUM</A></B>     <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Pics/GIFM/visamaster.gif" HEIGHT=50 VALIGN=MIDDLE ALT="We Accept Visa and MasterCard"><BR> </FONT> <font size=3> Our province <A TARGET="_blank" href="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Emporium/Emporium.html">EMPORIUM</A> offers quality Kappa paraphernalia that may be ordered via e-mail. Shipping is FREE in the continental U.S. for most items, with prompt delivery assured. Shop for yourself or purchase gifts for others. <P> <CENTER> <A TARGET="_blank" href="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Emporium/Emporium.html">CLICK HERE</A> to visit the <B><A TARGET="_blank" href="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Emporium/Emporium.html">EMPORIUM</A></B><P> </CENTER> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "25 Year Pin"> <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Pics/25YearPin.jpeg" ALIGN=RIGHT HEIGHT=150 ALT="25 Year Pin" BORDER=1><P> <font size=5> <B>25 Year Membership Pin</B> </font>      <img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Pics/GIFM/visamaster.gif" HEIGHT=50 VALIGN=MIDDLE ALT="We Accept Visa and MasterCard"><BR> <font size=3>      The Middle Western Province has authorized the production of a Twenty-Five Year Membership Pin to recognize those members who were initiated at least twenty-five years ago. The project was approved on a proposal from <B>Brother Robert I. Mayes, Sr.</B> of the Tulsa Alumni Chapter, and the proceeds are used to help fund our several and varied philanthropic programs and other financial obligations.<P>      Pictured above, the pin is circular in design, slightly smaller than a quarter, and cast in a silver color. It is wrapped in a laurel wreath, emblazoned with the number "25" in the center with a small nugget below the number, and the words "Middle Western Province" around the bottom with "Kappa Alpha Psi" around the top on a crimson band.<P>      We have restocked our supply and the cost is $25 each. Contact our <a href="mailto:KeeperOfRecords@KAPsiMWP.com">Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer</a> to purchase your pin today. Don't miss this one! Order NOW!<P> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <A NAME = "Disclaimer"> <font size=2> <B>Disclaimer:</B> The Middlewesterner is a publication of the Middle Western Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. All submissions welcome. Opinions expressed are the authors' and do not necessarily reflect the views of the officers and members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at any administrative level. This publication is produced and funded by the Middle Western Province. It is independent and in no way connected with or funded by any other administrative level of the Fraternity.<br> <center> Elmer J. Crumbley ~ Province Polemarch ~ <A HREF="mailto:Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com">Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com</A><br> Freddie D. Frazier, III ~ Province Reporter ~ <A HREF="mailto:Reporter@KAPsiMWP.com">Reporter@KAPsiMWP.com</A><br> Submissions to Kappa Alpha Psi, 636 N.E. 36th St., OKC, OK 73105<BR> or <A HREF="mailto:KeeperOfRecords@KAPsiMWP.com">Send E-Mail</A> </center> </FONT> <hr WIDTH="100%"> <CENTER> <a href="#top"><img src="http://www.kapsimwp.com/Pics/back_to_top_small.jpg" ALT="Back To Top"></a><P> <p><font size=2><a TARGET="_top" href="http://www.kapsimwp.com/News/News.html">Return to News Items</a></font><P> </center> </body> </html> </body>