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| Adolphus M. Pruitt, II - Province Polemarch |
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Freddie D. Frazier, III - Province Reporter
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Message from the Province Polemarch
My Brothers:
As a refresher, my odyssey began with Mu Chapter, then on to Alpha Mu, then to Omicron Zeta, and lastly Delta Upsilon. Next up - Beta Nu, this is home for me and so I'll share my bias up front (There's no place like home).
Because it's Wednesday night in St. Louis you can rest assured that the Kappa House is buzzing. If you are looking to experience the bond in St. Louis, beyond a shadow of doubt, there are some brothers at the Kappa house, with everything from soup to nuts. Relax, you are among friends. On this particular occasion it was time for my Official visit to the Beta Nu Chapter, and it just happened to be on the day that the St. Louis Alumni Chapter chose to reach out to its undergraduates.
The evening started with food service, and ended with members of St. Louis Alumni attending a formal meeting of the Beta Nu Chapter, seeing them at work up close & personal. It turned out that the members of St. Louis Alumni outnumbered the members of Beta Nu in attendance. Polemarch Frank Logan of St. Louis along with Brother Bill Small deserve accolades. You guys are moving in the right direction, and the Alumni Chapter members in attendance, thanks for taking the time to support your undergraduate chapter - now back to the business at hand.
Beta Nu is one of the most progressive undergraduate chapters in our Province and can compete Kappa-wide. Its latest effort, The Gear-Up Program, will prove to be one that deserves repeating throughout our Province. Basically, the program is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Education which selects different Universities to host a college day for area youth. But this time, they selected Kappa Alpha Psi (Beta Nu) to host one. Beta Nu will host different seminars for middle school students for an eight hour time period (an all day event), they will host it at St. Louis University, the site for our upcoming Undergraduate Summit on February 2, 2002. But Beta Nu has its problems too, I have yet to focus on any of my undergraduate chapters' problems when writing about my visits, so Beta Nu you're off the hook, too!!!
All in all, it's good to be home, and always good to be at the Kappa House. Brother Polemarch (St. Louis Alumni), thanks for reaching out to your undergraduates. And Beta Nu, thanks for The Gear-up Program, soon to be the new Middle Western Province Undergraduate Guide Right effort. So, to all my other undergraduate chapters, Gear-Up.
Next, Epsilon Eta - It's early Saturday, a good morning for trail blazing, or at least following the trail blazed by one of our undergraduate chapter advisors, Brother Rolland Garrison. You really get a good feel for what those advisors go through who have to travel over a distance of 100+ miles to visit a chapter. The route I chose was from St. Louis west to Columbia, Missouri, then north to Kirksville, Missouri, around 195 miles in all. It's profound to think that the advisor has to blaze that trail on a regular basis. And from what I understand, Rolland does this regularly as required, and normally turns around that night to return home to his wife & children. He teaches, he coaches year round, and he finds the time to regularly visit his chapter, 195 miles away!
Back to business, the ride up was nice, I even stopped along the way at a country meat store and purchased a whole ham and a whole turkey, both hickory smoked, I can't wait for Xmas dinner. I arrived in Kirksville about 11:30 am and the first thing I did was get lost trying to find the home where the brothers stay. I didn't stay lost for long, a car pulled up along side of me with a couple of Black guys in it, I thought, "Drive-bys in Kirkville's, Missouri?" It turned out to be the brothers from Epsilon Eta who immediately said, "You looked lost, so we knew it had to be you." And off I went following them to what they called 'The House', and boy what a house. Six bedrooms, living room, dining room, fully screened front porch, these guys are living - only $250 a month at that!!!
One of the unique things about this house was hanging on the walls, the Chapter's University Charter, this was something that I had never seen before, the actual Charter issued by a university, and there also was a picture of the University's Chartering Ceremony inclusive of Fraternal & University Officials. I could only spend a short time at the House, for you see I didn't know the chapter was holding interviews that morning, and the brothers invited me to follow them on campus to participate - Undergraduates inviting the Province Polemarch to sit in on interviewing the prospects, by now I'm like - "They can't be for real!" - but they were.
Well, moving right along, the day continued to progress for it was time to attend the Epsilon Eta Chapter Annual Charter's Day Banquet. This Banquet was an eye opener; they had a very sound program consisting of welcomes from the University, a history of the Epsilon Eta Chapter, and a keynote address. The keynoter (Brother Kevin Mott, Polemarch of Evanston, Illinois Alumni) did an outstanding job, he touched on any number of points that deserve repeating. He basically reminded us that Achievement is something different for everybody, that Training for Leadership is an exercise to prepare you as undergraduates for later life, and most importantly, if our achievers are too busy to train - then who are we leaving to train our future leaders! He spoke about the fact that Epsilon Eta was the first Black organization chartered on the campus at Truman State. He spoke about making a contribution to the efforts of your chapter. An example he used: If all you can do is set-up one meeting, that's help to somebody. He reminded us that some people are being left behind and that we have an obligation to reach back and help, and he closed by reminding us all that the achievements we gained via the Civil Rights Movement were made possible by the contributions of ordinary people. Even though we had leadership, they could not do it by themselves, they needed the support & efforts of committed ordinary people. I was gratified and honored to hear the speaker touch on such subjects as these for the undergraduates.
Another interesting aspect about the banquet was the brothers in attendance, the number of past initiates of the Epsilon Eta Chapter outnumbered the number of undergraduates present, and those brothers truly support their Chapter. Some of those brothers present came from as far as Huntsville, Alabama, some from Chicago, the speaker came from Evanston, Illinois, and a large contingency was present from St. Louis. The 29th International Grand Polemarch has a saying, "Don't come to me pleading for help for your Chapter when they're in trouble. Where was the support before then?" These Brothers deserve a round of applause; they do reach back to support their undergraduate chapter.
The banquet then moved to the Awards Presentations. Brother Andre Gillespie won the ROLLAND GARRISON AWARD - it's awarded to brothers current or past that show exemplified spirit of Phi Nu Pi; Mrs. Bertha Thomas won the KENNETH GARDNER AWARD - it's awarded to the faculty member who has displayed outstanding support in the assistance of the Chapter; and lastly, Brother Anthony Binion won the EPSILON ETA AWARD - it's awarded to the brother who maintains the highest GPA of the Chapter, this is the second year Brother Binion has won this award, he's a senior about to graduate with a 3.5 GPA.
Later that day we retired to the House and I enjoyed plenty of down time watching sports, and hanging out with the brothers. All in all, it was a very good visit, I'm quite surprised and pleased with the way things are going with respect to our undergraduate chapters, it's an experience all alumni members should consider - IT'S REALLY YOUR OBLIGATION!!! (But I won't Go There)...
I will simply end on this note, a question from the Keynote Speaker from Epsilon Eta's Charter Day Banquet: "If our achievers are too busy to train, then who are they leaving to train our future leaders?"
Yours in the Bond,
Grand Board of Directors Visits Kansas City
On the weekend of November 9th & 10th, our Grand Board of Directors met at the Downtown Marriott in Kansas City, Missouri, hosted by the Kansas City Alumni Chapter and the metropolitan undergraduate chapters of Mu, Mu Epsilon and Nu Epsilon. After the Grand Board met on Friday, the Brothers were received by the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Brothers toured Kansas City and were then provided a reception by the city of Kansas City, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the management of the Marriott. Additionally, the undergraduate chapters hosted a party at the University of Missouri at Kansas City in honor of the undergraduate members of the Grand Board of Directors.
On Saturday, the alumni and undergraduate chapters hosted a repast at Gates BBQ, which is owned by Brother Ollie Gates. At the repast, Brother George Gates presented a supply of Gates Barbecue Sauce to Grand Polemarch Howard L. Tutman, Jr. After the repast, the Grand Board Members and other visitors had the option of attending a variety of concerts.
Other chapters of the province were represented by Brother Lavar Douglas (Beta Nu), Province Polemarch Adolphus M. Pruitt, Brother Roosevelt Ferguson, and Brother Melvin Sanders (all of St. Louis Alumni), Province Historian Berry Pitts, III (Norman Alumni Polemarch), and Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer Charles W. Morgan, III (Oklahoma City Alumni). Brother Kenneth Jackson of the Atlanta Alumni Chapter was the only visitor from outside the Middle Western Province.
The Grand Board really enjoyed the red carpet treatment that was provided them by Kansas City Alumni and the metropolitan undergraduate chapters. The Middle Western Province was well represented, and the Kansas City Alumni Chapter received many accolades.
 Pictured from left to right are Brothers A. Jay Parham, James C. Gatewood, Ted Paul, Kenneth W. Arinwine, James C. Harper, and Polemarch Wilbur P. Walker
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Message from the Junior Province Vice Polemarch
Greetings Brothers,
Once again, the school semester is coming to an end and the holidays are approaching fast. I would like to say thank you all for the support that you have given me in my quest to move our fraternity forward, especially on an undergraduate level. I have made many visits to different chapters this school semester and I will continue my journey next semester for those I have not attended. I would like to wish all the members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
While discussing the fraternity, on another note, I would like to share with you a province-wide community service for undergraduates in our area. We are the proud sponsors of the Missouri Department of Higher Education's College Day for Middle School students. The event will be held on December 20, 2001 at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. My plan is to put this community service project in perspective and have it take place in every state in our province.
My job is to plan, coordinate, and make this event a success in St. Louis, so that we as a province can promote this as a province wide Guide Right program or maybe even a fraternity-wide program. I have made contact with the Nu Epsilon, Mu Epsilon, Zeta Omega, Iota Omega, Beta Nu, and Alpha Mu chapters in reference to members participating in this event and I have received great responses in return. Brothers, don't be discouraged if your chapter is not mentioned here because I have other plans for you and this program.
Again, my brothers, I hope your finals, work projects, or any other activities you have planned go well over the holidays. I wish you well and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Yours in the Bond,
General Counsel Report
On October 13, 2001, the Fraternity filed a complaint styled Kappa Alpha Psi, et al, v. Robert Jenkins, et al. in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia against 21 defendants, who are undergraduate and alumni members, as well as those who purport to have membership in the organization, but were not officially initiated. Some of the defendant members are doctors, lawyers, and other professionals who stand to lose a great deal if the suit is successful. The complaint sues for breach of contract, slander, and infringement of the fraternal name and identity. The suit seeks $20 million in compensatory damages, $11 million in punitive damages, attorneys fees, costs of litigation, and injunctive relief to restrain the defendants from any illegal use of the fraternity name, rituals, paraphernalia, or gestures. The activity in question, a "coming out show," occurred on or about April 28, 2001 at Emery Park in Washington, D.C. and was part of another non-sanctioned event called "Kappa Cool Out." In fact, Anthony Hill, Eastern Province Polemarch, had specifically banned the event before it occurred and published the prohibition in the local campus newspaper. During the event, participants, including all defendants engaged in loud, boisterous, lewd, and lascivious behavior and used language totally inappropriate for the setting. The event took place just across the street from Berean Baptist Church, which had a program going at the same time. The congregation at Berean clearly got the impression that Kappa men are undignified, uncouth, and not the men of strong caliber, honor, integrity, and achievement. Additionally, several of the participants claimed to have Kappa membership when they knew, or should have known, they were not properly initiated in the Fraternity. The complaint is simple and claims the members breached their promise to the Fraternity to uphold the principles and purpose of Phi Nu Pi when they engaged in such unworthy conduct and shared our rituals and signs with non-members. The second count in the complaint states the members and non members slandered the organization by giving neighborhood residents in general, and the Berean congregation specifically, a false negative impression about the fraternity. The third count alleges the non-members misappropriated and infringed the Fraternity's name. All should take note that the Fraternity has heeded the advice many have given us for years--that is, sue the perpetrators and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. The possible repercussions for the defendants are compelling and daunting when viewed from their perspective. Even if the court allows minimal damages of just one dollar, it can still award punitive damages in the millions of dollars and the Fraternity can execute on that judgment by selling property owned by the defendants and/or garnishing their wages for a very long time. Additionally, punitive damages are generally not dischargeable in bankruptcy so this debt to the organization would likely linger for the life of all twenty-one defendants. One can't even imagine what the defendant's will have to pay in legal fees and costs to defend this action in addition to having to pay the Fraternity's litigation costs and fees. It is a new day in the Fraternity's fight against hazing and illegal conduct and there is a new marshal in town. His name is Litigation. Contact me if you would like to further discuss this matter. Until next time, I am
Yours in the Bond,
Norris G. Williams HonoredOn December 11th, Brother Norris G. Williams received "The City of Norman Human Rights Award." The annual award of Norman, Oklahoma was presented by the City Mayor. The ceremony took place as first item on the agenda of the City Council Meeting before a packed house of onlookers. The Mayor commented that he had never seen so many people in attendance at one of their Council Meetings. Brother Williams will soon celebrate 33 years in the Bond. He was initiated at the Wiley College Chapter, the Alpha Chi of Kappa Alpha Psi on January 22, 1969. He is a Past Polemarch of the Norman (OK) Alumni Chapter and is a member of the chapter's Board of Directors. Among his numerous achievements mentioned during the ceremony were his many years of employment with the University of Oklahoma, and measurable increases in minority population at the university during his tenure due to his recruitment efforts. Well done, Brother Williams!
 Brother Norris G. Williams receives award and congratulations from the Mayor of Norman, Oklahoma
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The 29th International Grand Polemarch Howard L. Tutman, Jr.,
flanked on the left by Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Samuel C. Hamilton,
and on the right by Junior Grand Vice Polemarch Steven J. Pritchett
Grand Chapter Officers, members of the Grand Board of Directors,
International Headquarters staff representatives and several visiting members
were present at the meeting of the Grand Board of Directors
Middle Western Province Polemarch Adolphus M. Pruitt, II presented a 25 Year Pin to the Grand Polemarch
Sporting a new persona, the Grand Polemarch donned a beret
that was presented to him as a gift from
Undergraduate Grand Board Member Dwight D. Gauldin
Among those present at the meeting were the fraternity's General Counsel, Brother Cleophas Thomas, Jr.,
and representatives from the International Headquarters staff:
Executive Director Richard Lee Snow, Director of Administration Spencer T. Bruce,
and Assistant Director for Undergraduate Leadership and University Relations Andre Early
Brother George Gates presented a supply of Gates Barbecue Sauce to the Grand Polemarch
Brother Robert G. Jacobs (Chief of Staff/Executive Operating Assistant),
Brother Alfred "Al" White (Grand Keeper of Records & Exchequer),
Province Polemarch Pruitt, Brother Leonard M. Bell (Grand Chapter Nominating Committee Chairman),
and Grand Board Member Dwayne S. Murray enjoyed Kansas City's hospitality
Brothers from St. Louis Alumni Chapter and Kansas City Alumni
joined the Province Polemarch as hosts for the meeting
Members of the Kansas City Alumni Chapter enjoyed
soft drinks and snacks in the hospitality suite
79th Province Council Souvenirs
E-Mail Addresses
The technology of the Internet has become more than a luxury in the year 2001. 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!
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25 Year Membership Pin
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. There is a dwindling supply at a cost of $25 each. Contact our Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer to purchase your pin today. Don't miss this one! Order now - While Supplies Last!
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