My Brothers,

     And the beat goes on . . . what a line-up! From Mu to Alpha Mu, from Iota Tau to Omicron Zeta, from Delta Upsilon to Beta Nu, and most recently from Alpha Eta, to Eta, to Epsilon Gamma, to Alpha Pi . . .

     Boarding a flight to Omaha in late January can bring on a little stress. The thought of being snowed in truly causes me some concern, even though while pleasant in the right company. The fact that this particular trip was one in which my Southwest flight was bouncing around like the screaming eagle did not help. I wondered if this was a prelude of what was to come. My trip to visit Alpha Eta included some serious business. The chapter was scheduled for an Official Hearing, one resulting from allegations of hazing. As a Province Polemarch you really don't know what you are walking into. You think you know, but sometimes you receive a pleasant surprise.

     As I deplaned I knew two things, one - Brother Elmer Crumbley would be there to meet me, no matter what (it's nice to have brothers you can always depend on), and two - we are going to do a beeline straight to Joe Tess's for some fish. Well as luck would have it, things turned out just as I predicted. Brother Crumbley and fish, lots of it. (Boy, I love this job!!!)

     By the way, Elmer's son, Brother Jason Crumbley, was with us. We have several proud fathers in our province whose sons have also become members of the fraternity: Brother Matthew Atkinson of Tulsa, Brother Horace Boston of Lawton, Brother Lorenza Breckenridge of Wichita, Brother E. Dean Brown of Denver, Brother Val Brown of Wichita, Past Province Polemarch Willie Burnett of Wichita, Brother William Coker of Denver, Brother Sherman Cravens of Wichita, Brother Warren Gardner of Oklahoma City, Brother Clarence Harkins of Oklahoma City, Brother John Hayden of St. Louis, Brother Leroy Kirk of Oklahoma City, Brother Robert Mayes of Tulsa, Brother Richard Peace of Colorado Springs, Brother Charles Pollard of Norman, Brother Harvey Potts of Langston, Brother Michael Roberts of St. Louis, Brother William Small of St. Louis, Past Province Polemarch Cordell Stephens of Dallas, Brother Charles Tollett of Oklahoma City, Brother Arthur Vaught of Memphis, and Brother Tommy Williams of Wichita - I know I've missed some. We ought to highlight them periodically with pictures in our newsletter one day. (HINT!)

     Because most of my visit to Alpha Eta involved a disciplinary action, I can't share much detail with respect to my visit. I can say that I walked away from this visit very pleased. I'm satisfied that the majority Brothers of our Alpha Eta chapter are with us and on the same page, some will have to be purged. I will say that this is the first time an undergraduate Polemarch has disappointed me since the Zeta Tau action, but I stand with my head bloodied but unbowed. And I'm going to save Alpha Eta at all costs, I have an affinity for Chapters/brothers who show up for Hearings and say their piece (there's two sides to every story).

     Eta Chapter was next - As I boarded "Flight Eric Lee" to Lincoln Nebraska ("Flight Eric Lee" is a car), I knew we would arrive ahead of schedule. Don't be fooled, I wasn't much worried about the speed (I went to sleep), we all hope to go in our sleep!!! Seriously, Brother Eric Lee (Lincoln Alumni) is my Executive Operating Assistant for the State of Nebraska, and the Advisor of Eta Chapter. He's done an outstanding job. Guy L. Grant recipient Brother Damon Barry (Denver Alumni) trained him well!!!

     Upon arrival at Eta Chapter, the first thing on the agenda was a chapter meeting. This eye-popping exercise of administrative correctness was amazing, to say the least. (Boy, practicing before your Province Polemarch arrives pays off.) Surely I jest, the Advisor assured me that they operate like this all the time. As our day went on, things got better. Immediately following the Chapter meeting we were off to the Seventh Annual Afrikan People's Union Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet, the theme was "Strengthening The Community Through Empowerment" at the University of Nebraska Union Ballroom. Our own Brother Keith Station was last year's Master of Ceremonies. This year, the Keynote Speaker was Keith "Preacher" Brown, a member of Omega Psi Phi from Georgia. We clapped anyway. (SMILE!) The focus of his presentation I enjoyed, and I quote, "There's nothing wrong with freedom, but it's dumb to not to want to be free" - Amen, Amen, Amen.

     As you may know our 2003 Province Council meeting will be hosted by Lincoln Alumni and Eta Chapters. With this in mind, we took some time to explore the nightlife in Lincoln Nebraska. Believe in or not, Lincoln swings at night. They have several hotels downtown that can accommodate us, including a brand new Embassy Suites. I think most of you will be in for a pleasant surprise next year when we meet in Lincoln, Nebraska.

     My visit was winding down and I chose to close it out with attending a social affair on campus Saturday night with the Brothers of Eta Chapter. And, to my surprise, I saw something that I had never witnessed before, Latino Greeks support NPHC events - these guys and girls were even strolling!!! I found it quite delightful to socialize with the members of Sigma Lambda Beta and Eta Lambda Chapters at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

     Information is key, Eta most recently has had a lot of success with members attending a chapter study hall, and GPA's are rising. I had no idea that Eta chapter was as active within the community as they are, nor did I have any idea as to what degree. Did you know that annually Eta Chapter hosts the city's largest Juneteeth Celebration, one that brings out the Mayor of the town along with other local politicians coming out in support of this event? Last year they practically fed the town, food is free at this celebration and funded by Eta's exchequer and contributions. Over 1 metric ton of food, over 1,500 hot dogs and 8,000 hamburgers, and 500 pounds of chicken to say the least. Eta, thanks for the memories, I can't wait until our Province Council meeting in 2003 - you're up.

     It's about 3 p.m. in Oklahoma City, sunny and about 65 degrees - It's late February!!! And it's time to pay a visit to Epsilon Gamma. It's always a pleasure to arrive at the Kappa Kastle in Oklahoma City (it wasn't a war-zone this time), you ought to see, they have made some recent upgrades - nice. Due to employment schedules of the members of Epsilon Gamma we had a late night meet, and I can honestly say these brothers are our sleepers, they're going to surprise you one day. They seem to move stealth-like about their business, and in a way we they should be proud of.

     To be a small chapter in the State of Oklahoma, the smallest to be exact, I found them to be well adjusted, very mature and self assured - Epsilon Gamma you got my ear!!!

     The campus is wonderful, even thought it's in Edmond, Oklahoma. (Smile!) Architecturally speaking - The Science building is a marvel of a traditional and modern blend, one building blended traditional and classical aspect to create an eye popping exterior curtain wall, well done. Overall, this campus will surely prove inviting to us all - in case you didn't know, Epsilon Gamma will host the Spring 2003 CRWLC/Undergraduate Summit in Edmond, Oklahoma. If Delta Omega is back, then Epsilon Gamma's turn will be in the Fall 2003, either way were headed to Edmond, Oklahoma in 2003. Epsilon Gamma, it truly was a pleasure, thanks.

     Finally, my visit to the State of Oklahoma couldn't have had a better ending - It's 9 a.m. in Langston, Oklahoma, and Alpha Pi is up to bat (it's a home run by the way), they are rededicating the C. Felton Gayles Field House, the home "Zip" built.

     Our Saturday morning roundtable went well, Alpha Pi has come a long way over the last 18 months. I'm excited about their soon-to-be "graduation" from being under Province Oversight, the first Chapter to do such in the history of Kappa Alpha Psi. As you may recall, the process that is established for all chapters coming of a Grand Board suspension was derived from the reestablishment of the Alpha Pi Chapter. Every chapter after Alpha Pi is currently operating under the same set of rules/standards, and Alpha Pi's time is up in August of this year. I think they will make it, despite the challenges they have had. They even had an Alumni Member to stand up at a function they invited him to speak at and encourage them (demand) that they make a certain individual a Kappa. Of course, they turned this person down, twice!!! Undergraduates have the right to chose their own members without outside influence/threats from Alumni Brothers. And, if you ask me what I really think about what this Brother tried to do, I would simply say - "I got a feeling, I got a feeling Brothers, I got a feeling, somebody's trying to sneak in the Frat, and it ain't going to be no ____ like that." Alpha Pi, congratulations in advance, my brothers!!!

     It's rededicating time!!! As we made our way to the field house we stopped by to pay our respects to Dr. Darlene Abram, widow of our Brother James B. Abram, Jr. The next time you are on campus take a look at the wall behind her desk - I'm impressed, five degrees - even our Silhouettes are achievers!!! No sooner than we returned to Brother Bill Gaffney's office we ran into two young men (smile) Brother Clarence Harkins and this slim fellow, a rather nice person. We start having casual conversations as we walked toward the field house, as we approached the facility we paused for pictures and then I realized that I was with Brother Marques Haynes, and I soon came to realize that Brother Harkins played on that team also. What team you asked?

     In 1942, a young man had an opportunity to receive a scholarship to Langston University but he had to get there to receive it. This poor fellow (we all were back then . . . like I was there . . . smile), well in order to take advantage of this opportunity he had to hitchhike. It took 16 different rides before he arrived, and the last ride was via horse and buggy. The rest is history, over the next four years he teamed up with a few good brothers (Clarence Harkins, the Cudjoe Twins, and A. B. Holmes) and played ball for Brother C. Felton "Zip" Gayles (Oklahoma's God) at Langston University. Well this was a pretty good team, to say the least. During the four years they played at Langston they won 112 of 115 games played. They lost once to Southern University, once to Texas College, and once to Tennessee State University, but that's it!!! Of those 112 wins, 59 occurred consecutively over a period of two seasons, and the last game they played together was against the Harlem Globetrotters in 1946 in Oklahoma City. THEY WON, and were the first college team to ever beat the Globetrotters. Ironically, the best game ever played didn't happen. That year (1946), after they beat the Globetrotters, an organizer tried to put together a game between Langston University the SWAC Champs and Oklahoma A&M the NCAA champs - the State Officials wouldn't have it, so the game was never played. The young man I talked about in the beginning of this story was Brother Marques Haynes, these were just a few stories he shared with us at the rededication. By the way, did you know that Jackie Robinson was the assistant coach at Sam Houston University before he entered the majors. Brother Haynes mentioned that also, it was truly a delight. My brothers, you might not run into Brother Haynes, but we do have Brother Clarence Harkins, he played on that team - next time you see him give him his props - HE EARNED IT.

     In closing, we ended our visit to Alpha Pi and their dance that night, it was held at "Granny Had One" in Guthrie, Oklahoma. I don't know what granny had, but I had a good time - Alpha Pi, thanks for the memories.

Yours in the Bond,
Adolphus M. Pruitt, II
Province Polemarch
Middle Western Province
Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com

By Berry H. Pitts, III - Province Historian

Questions:
a. Did you know that one of the Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity was instrumental in chartering at least two chapters in the Middle Western Province? Do you know who that Founder was?

b. What chapters did he help charter? (Hint the period is between 1922 through 1934.)

Answers:
a. Founder Byron K. Armstrong

b. He helped charter the Langston Alumni Chapter in 1922, however due to inactivity and the potential for greater growth the charter was moved to Oklahoma City, so the charter date for Oklahoma City Alumni is officially April 25, 1922 and not Langston Alumni. Founder Armstrong also helped charter the Tulsa Alumni Chapter on April 23, 1931. And finally, he helped charter the Alpha Pi Chapter at Langston University on October 28, 1933.

Hope you got all the answers correct.

Yours in the Bond,
Berry Pitts
Middle Western Province Historian
Historian@KAPsiMWP.com

     Brothers,The 80th Middle Western Province Council Meeting that is slated for the weekend of April 18-22, in Kansas City, Missouri, is fast approaching. On behalf of the Kansas City Alumni Chapter and the undergraduate chapters under our umbrella (Mu, Mu Epsilon, and Nu Epsilon), I extend greetings and an enthusiastic welcome to you.

     With great anticipation, we are looking forward to your arrival without question, because our city and members of the alumni chapter we are proud and honored to host this gathering of brothers from across the Province. The Kansas City Alumni Chapter has a long and illustrious history of service and leadership to the Middle Western Province.

     Brothers in the Bond, Kansas City, Missouri is awaiting your arrival. Kansas City is known as the "City of Fountains" because it is the home of more fountains than any city in the world besides Rome, Italy. Also, swinging jazz, fantastic food, fascinating museums, and some of the best shopping anywhere are all part of the allure of Kansas City. In addition to the meetings, we will provide you with outings, tours, Kappa Social Engagements, jazz in the Historic 18th & Vine area, great restaurants, and of course "Kontinuous Kappa Hospitality"! Brothers, the 80th Middle Western Province Council promises to offer a striking blend of Kappa business and entertainment.      In closing, I look forward to personally greeting and meeting you. Please enjoy your stay in our wonderful city.

Yours In The Bond,
Jimmie L. Fight, Polemarch
Kansas City Alumni Chapter
KansasCity@KAPsiMWP.com

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WELCOME Undergraduates!

Brothers,

     The 80th Middle Western Province Council Meeting on April 18-21, 2002, in Kansas City, Missouri is drawing near and on the behalf of the Mu Chapter, Mu Epsilon Chapter and Nu Epsilon Chapter, I would like to give a sincere welcome. Without question, undergraduate brothers under the umbrella of the Kansas City Alumni Chapter are both excited and honored that the Province Council Meeting is slated to be in Kansas City. With the guidance of the Kansas City Alumni Chapter we have become strong and thriving chapters in the Middle Western Province.

     In addition to the business meetings, we will provide the brothers of the Middle Western Province with many activities such as shopping on the famous Plaza, Kappa Social Engagements, tours of Kansas City, and of course "KONTINOUS KAPPA HOSPITALITY!!!"

     Brothers in the Bond, the 80th Middle Western Province Council Meeting promises to offer a unique blend of Kappa business and entertainment. In all, the Mu Chapter, Mu Epsilon Chapter and Nu Epsilon Chapter look forward to personally greeting all of the brothers in attendance. We are sure that your stay in Kansas City will be more than satisfactory.

Yours In The Bond,
Arthur J. Vaught, III
Province Board of Directors
Nu Epsilon Chapter
UndergraduateBoard2@KAPsiMWP.com

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General Counsel Report

By Reuben A. Shelton, III

"Read the Fine Print"

As undergraduates, we all attempted to set records for length, frequency, and quality of "parties" on campus. The planning process included little attention to anything other than the right food, the right beverages, and invitations and notices to the right people and, usually, gender was the main emphasis when designating invitees.

Life was grand until post-party considerations became reality. Suddenly, we had to grapple with questions like who was going to fix the wall someone punched a hole in, who is responsible for the expensive bracelet a young co-ed lost during "strolling," is the chapter responsible for that young man who left the party and rapped his car around a tree, and who is going to pay for the party hall since the door proceeds and other ticket sales didn't come close to meeting the rental cost. Consequently, pre-party planning meetings that saw the entire chapter in attendance denigrate to post-event pleas to get, at least, a couple of brothers to come to the apartment to talk about satisfying outstanding obligations.

A little pre-planning can help deal with PPBs (post party blues) and save you from the worry of having to divest your valuable tuition dollars to pay for an event that didn't quite turn out as expected. And, this little piece of advice applies not only to parties but any chapter event such as Founders' Day celebrations and public forums. Below is a basic list of what to do and things to watch for to avoid the PPBs.

1. First, make sure all events are done in the name of the chapter. No individual or group of brothers should take on a project alone. The Chapter should approve the event at a formal chapter meeting and the minutes of the meeting should reflect the vote that approved the action.

2. Only brothers authorized to obligate the chapter should enter into agreements with hotels, restaurants, and other entities. Usually, the chapter officers have this authority and they should conduct all negotiations and enter into contracts.

3. Review all contracts carefully and never accept language that attempts to personally obligate brothers for the debts the chapter cannot pay. If the entity insists on this language, take your business elsewhere.

4. Never accept language in an agreement that attempts to assign obligations and responsibilities of the entity to the chapter. This assignment usually takes the form of a provision that says the entity is not liable for the personal property or personal injury of invitees and that the chapter is solely responsible for these things. DO NOT ACCEPT THIS PROVISION. There are things for which the chapter has to take responsibility but don't take on liabilities the entity should assume.

5. Don't ever sell alcoholic beverages at your events. Not only do you run the very real risk of selling to minors (the reason you should not serve liquor at your events at all) but you potentially expose yourself to state Dram Shop laws that make you responsible for the actions of drunks that drink your liquor, leave your event, and do damage to themselves or others.

6. Monitor your events carefully. Brothers, you should not party at your parties. You should always have a sufficient number of brothers just "looking around" to make sure things are going well. If you see something going wrong, take appropriate action, including calling the police or shutting down the event, if necessary. If at all possible, have private security at your events.

7. Designate a team of brothers to clean up and leave the site the way you found it. Most disputes arise out of the failure of the chapter to get its deposit back because of damages incurred or the brothers left the venue in an unclean condition.

8. Exercise prudence and use common sense. Don't get into a project that is over your head and don't plan an event that is high risk to the chapter or the folks you invite to it.

With a little proper planning and attention to details, your post-party celebration will have all the enthusiasm and energy of the pre-event planning process. Good luck and call me if you have any questions as you plan your future events.

Until next time, I am

Yours in the Bond,
Reuben A. Shelton (Past Province Polemarch)
General Counsel
Middle Western Province
GeneralCounsel@KAPsiMWP.com

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Kansas City Alumni News

By Constantine Thomas

     On the weekend of January 25th-26th, the Chapter observed Founders' Day. That Friday, the brothers fellowshipped at Gates' BBQ, and afterwards they made the rounds of local nightspots. On Saturday morning, the Chapter held an undergraduate workshop for Mu, Mu Epsilon, and Nu Epsilon, which are the undergraduate chapters under our umbrella. Brother Dwayne Murray, who is a member of the Grand Board of Directors, conducted the Membership Intake Workshop, while Brother H. Jordan Whyte, Jr. conducted the career planning workshop. Later that evening, the annual banquet, at which Brother Murray was the keynote speaker. Province Polemarch Adolphus M. Pruitt II, Brother Taylor Fields (Alumni Member of the Province Board of Directors), and Brother Arthur J. Vaught, III (Undergraduate Member of the Province Board of Directors) were some of the dignitaries present.

Dignitaries in attendance at the Founders' Day Observance

     On February 15th, the Chapter, in conjunction with those Devastating Divas of the Kansas City, Kansas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, held the Fifth Annual Krimson & Kreme Valentine's Gala at the Downtown Marriott. The event was very well attended. Hats off to Brothers Terry Milan, Dwaine Cleaver, and Maurice Cunningham for making this a success.

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80th Province Council Meeting - Register Now!

The 80th Middle Western Province Council Meeting will be held April 18-21, 2002, in Kansas City, Missouri. Pre-registration for alumni members is $150 through April 1, 2002, and $175 thereafter. The pre-registration fee is $100 for undergraduate members and Silhouettes, with no penalty for late registration. Delegates must be currently financial with Grand Chapter and the Middle Western Province, and must have paid the International Housing Assessment. Mail your payment to:

Middle Western Province Headquarters
636 N.E. 36th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

The host hotel is the Kansas City Marriot Downtown at 200 West 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105. The Kappa rate is $89 per night. For reservations, call 800-228-9290.

Should you have any questions, please contact the Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer or call 405-CD-KAPPA (235-2772).

We have a limited number of souvenirs from the 79th Province Council Meeting that are now available for sale. The carry bags may be purchased for $25 each, plus $6 for postage and handling. Orders via e-mail may be sent to our Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer, or by postal delivery to our Province Headquarters at 636 N.E. 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

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. Adolphus M. Pruitt, II ~ Province Polemarch ~ Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com Freddie D. Frazier, III ~ Province Reporter ~ Reporter@KAPsiMWP.com Submissions to Kappa Alpha Psi, 636 N.E. 36th St., OKC, OK 73105 or Send E-Mail

E-Mail Addresses
   The technology of the Internet has become more than a luxury in the year 2002. 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!