We are still elated over this come-from-behind win. I believe much of his victory can be attributed to: 1) his determination; 2) his desire to meet with as many residents as possible; 3) the honesty and openness which became a benchmark of his campaign; 4) his confidence in himself; and 5) his firm belief that because of his experience in city, state and federal positions, he was the best qualified candidate for the task of being Mayor of Denver.

Brother Webb literally walked all over Denver, covering over 300 miles. He spent 31 nights in the homes of all kinds of people in all neighborhoods from a shelter for the homeless and public housing, to well-kept middle and upper class homes, to the mansions of the wealthy. He covered every neighborhood from Montclair to Montbello.

When Brother Webb earned a spot in the run-off on May 16, three of the six candidates threw their support to him. They, too, felt that he was the superior candidate. Their support proved to be much more than just a verbal commitment, they helped or sent volunteers to Webb's campaign office, held fundraisers, assisted with distribution of literature and helped get the vote out for Webb on election day.

When Brother Webb ran out of money, many fraternity brothers contributed funds, time and effort toward his election. Brother Tom Bradley, Mayor of Los Angeles, held a fundraiser for him in Los Angeles, California, when he needed money the most. We take a particular pride in his achievement.

The victory wasn't easy, but Wellington's faith and the confidence that his wife, Wilma, his family, and a close circle of friends had in him helped to keep him going when clouds of doubt gathered due to false and misleading information aired on radio, television and the print media - paid for by the opposition.

Brother Webb's grit and stick-to-it-ness certainly exemplified the "Motto" of Kappa Alpha Psi "Phi Nu Pi." His achievement will go down in the history of Denver and the state of Colorado as one of the finest examples of the people rising up and supporting a man who stood tall for the things he believed in and what would be best for their city of Denver.

The inauguration ceremony was held July 1, 1991, at The Greek Amphitheater in downtown Denver. The Colorado Symphony held a preinaugural concert, prior to the grand entrance of the Mayor-Elect and his First Lady. One of the songs played was "Wellington's Victory" by Beethoven.

At 11:00 a.m., the Symphony played "Fanfare for the Common Man" as the Mayor-Elect and the First Lady entered the outside theatre and walked to the stage to the excited applause and cheers of the crowd. At the end of the ceremony, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presented First Lady Wilma Webb with a beautiful bouquet of roses. The inauguration was indeed an outstanding event.

Among those in attendance were: Donald L. Scott, Chief of Staff for Mayor Maynard Jackson of Atlanta; Martin Luther King, III, and members of his staff, also of Atlanta; Fred L. Prime, Jr. from Detroit; Bill Elkins, Chief of Staff for Mayor Tom Bradley and five other representatives from Los Angeles; and former fellow graduate of Manual High School, Seattle Mayor Norman Rice, sent a representative.

The inaugural party and ball was held that evening at the new, large Colorado Convention Center in Exhibit Hall C. It began at 6:30 p.m. and ran until 10:00 p.m. Early in the evening, Mayor Webb presented a plaque and certificate to each family who hosted him and his wife during his 300-mile walk of the city.

Following the family presentations, the Denver Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity presented a beautiful walnut gavel to Mayor Wellington E. Webb. The presentation was made by Carl F. Dixon and William H. Coker, Il.

A notable preamble or prelude to Wellington Webb's election to the office of Mayor was the Denver County Democratic convention held in East High School's auditorium. One of two highlights of that convention was the election of Brother Chris Veasey as the first Black chairman of Denver County.

Brother Veasey's election, in and of itself, proved how the Denver Democratic Party was supportive of qualified Blacks in key positions. Following Brother Veasey's unanimous election to the chairmanship, the two major Democratic candidates for Mayor, Brother Webb and District Attorney Norm Early, spoke to the delegates.

Those in attendance at the convention were precinct captains and workers, delegates to the State Conventions, and party workers. Although there was polite applause for Early, Brother Webb's reception was practically a standing ovation. He received five times the applause that Early did from party workers. Yet, in spite of the favor showed Brother Webb, indicating strong party support, the polls still carried Early as the overwhelming favorite.

I am confident that those who supported him at the County Convention played a key role in Brother Webb's win over Early in the two-way run-off.

The Kappa brothers who strongly supported Brother Webb were our Polemarch, James E. Caldwell, Past Polemarch Leonard Chadwick, Sr., Thomas H. Fields, Edward L. Schenck, Arthur Varnado, William H. Coker, II, E. Dean Brown, Mitchell P. James, Columbus (Chris) Veasey, Jr., and Past Grand Polemarch EIbert E. Allen, a faithful supporter of the Denver Alumni Chapter. Other officers and past officers who strongly supported Brother Webb's campaign were Bertrum A. Bruton, Robert P. Rogers, Gilbert E. Smith, William H. Coker, III, Webb Tarrant, Samuel R. Batey, Fred M. Riley, Al Nash, Willie Williams, Alfred C. Smith, Esq., Steve B. Tutt, Jim W. Hilliard, Carl F. Dixon, Charles R. Cousins, Bernard F. Gipson, Sr. , William U. Farrell, Earl Steward, and Robert Shelton. I'm sure there were others who supported Brother Webb, but those named here I saw at fundraisers or participated in other meaningful ways.

Efforts were made by these Kappas to give Brother Webb's mayoral campaign as broad coverage as possible. Brother William H. Coker, III and I distributed copies of a blue brochure which listed Brother Webb's achievements and qualifications during the Middle Western Province meeting at Colorado Springs on April 18-20, 1991. I had occasion to speak at one of the sessions and reminded the delegates of the Denver School Board candidacy of Brother Ed Garner and the mayoral candidacy of Brother Webb.

Unfortunately, Brother Garner was not successful in winning re-election to the School Board. However, after Brother Webb won a spot in the run-off, our efforts magnified and additional material and requests for support were mailed to all Province officers and Grand Charter officers, in addition to all of America's Black Mayors.

The election of Brother Wellington E. Webb as Denver's first Black Mayor stands as a tribute not only to all people who believe in the impossible dream, but to all Kappas everywhere who continue to strive for excellence and are willing to work hard for what they believe in. Even more important is the history and the legacy that we present day Kappas leave to the generations who follow us.

Brother Wellington E. Webb - Laurel Wreath Designee

You've seen it! You've wanted it! You've asked for it! WE HAVE IT! The OFFICIAL 75th Grand Chapter Souvenir!

Members who were fortunate enough to attend the last Grand Chapter Meeting in Cleveland received what has been cited as "THE BEST" souvenir ever offered by our fraternity. None were available for sale at that meeting, nor have they been offered since then. The supply was supposedly exhausted. BUT, we found more, and purchased ALL of them.

These cases are GUARANTEED to be the ORIGINAL and OFFICIAL issue. They are all BRAND NEW in unopened boxes. And, we have the LAST and ONLY cases available ANYWHERE! We are your SOLE SOURCE and the supply is limited. First come, first served!

The multi-functional case offers:

• Four zippered compartments accessible from the exterior
• One zippered interior compartment
• 20 interior sections and slots of varying sizes
• Cushioned compartment with velcro stabilizer for laptop computer
• Two fully-stitched, cushioned handles
• Detachable shoulder strap
• Heavy-duty wheels for mobile use
• Full-length, collapsible, "secret" handle in zippered compartment
• Heat-embossed Coat-of-Arms
• Deep crimson, washable exterior
• It's a briefcase, travel case, computer case, you name it
• GUARANTEED ORIGINAL, OFFICIAL and NEW!

Mine has served me well. In normal, everyday use for more than a year, I have sometimes carried more than 35 pounds of cargo in it. Other than normal wear on the rolling surface of the sturdy wheels, an occasional damp cloth has kept the case looking just like new. You'll get many years of enjoyment with this case, and display your fraternity pride by carrying it.

The cost is only $95 with FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the continental United States. Get yours today. Send your personal check or money order to:

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

OR . . . you may use your Visa or Mastercard by contacting us at Emporium@KAPsiMWP.com. Order today while supplies last.

---

Pay Your Province Dues Now!

     Personalized invoices for FY03 Province Dues have been sent via e-mail to 545 members for whom we have e-mail addresses. Another 2,158 were sent via postal delivery during the month of August to those members who reside in our province but who have not yet shared their e-mail address with us, or who don't yet have an e-mail address.

     Your Province Dues are due on or before October 1st, and are delinquent after November 30th. You may pay your dues by sending a check to our Province Headquarters, or you may charge your dues on your Visa or Mastercard via e-mail or by telephone at 405-CD-KAPPA (235-2772). Our mailing address is:

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

     The cost of annual dues is $30 for alumni members or $15 for those undergraduates who may still be in school beyond the date of graduation that was anticipated when they were initiated. Brothers, please don't wait until Spring. Send your dues NOW!

---

Middle Western Province Opens Virtual Museum

We are proud to announce the opening of our Middle Western Province Virtual Museum. This new website has been 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, 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 initial emphasis is focused on items that MUST be digitized for permanent keep before they might be destroyed by deterioration or otherwise lost forever. Still, we recognize that history is being made right now for future generations to appreciate. Some of that history has already been preserved in issues of our province newsletter and elsewhere in our website.

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 Museum@KAPsiMWP.com.

---

Mother: Sorority Hazing May Have Caused Drowning

LOS ANGELES -- Two women who drowned during a nighttime beach visit may have been undergoing a sorority hazing, the mother of one victim said Tuesday.

Kenitha Saafir, 24, of Compton and Kristin High, 22, of Los Angeles were pulled to shore in Playa del Rey by police officers but pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

High, a California State University, Los Angeles, student and mother of a 2-year-old son, had been undergoing an initiation rite for the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, her mother, Pat Fargas, told reporters.

"She's crying back from her death to say 'stop this hazing,' " Fargas said.

Fargas alleged the women had been undergoing initiation rituals for weeks. They'd been pushed into the water blindfolded and with their hands tied, according to a local station.

"I tried to talk to all of them this weekend and said 'stop it, and I'm gonna call and report this,' and now it's too late," she said.

Police said they could not immediately confirm the account.

Uniformed officers were sent to a Playa del Rey beach at about 11:30 p.m. Monday after reports of women screaming, Officer Eduardo Funes said in a statement.

The officers were met by four people who said that two of their friends "were swept into the ocean and had not come out," Funes said.

The officers removed their leather belts and boots and dove into the ocean in heavy surf, located the women and pulled them out.

Attempts by the officers and paramedics to revive them failed.

The sorority had no information on the incident, Executive Director Betty James said from its Chicago headquarters.

"The sorority expresses its condolences to the families and will cooperate with authorities in their investigation," she said.

Alpha Kappa Alpha has an anti-hazing policy adopted two years ago by the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., which includes representatives of nine historically black fraternities and sororities.

The policy calls for holding people who engage in hazing "personally liable to the victim and to answer to the law and the organization," according to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Web site.

     Life Member Primus M. Moore, a 1968 Alpha Pi initiate and member of the Muskogee Alumni Chapter, was appointed as Director of the McAlester Professional Development Center of the McAlester Public Schools. Brother Moore was Principal of Eugene Field Elementary School, where he has served for the last six years.

     Brother Moore just completed a term as President of the Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals. While serving as president of OAESP, Brother Moore was appointed to the Principals Standard Committee for the National Association of Elementary School Principals, which developed, wrote and published "Leading Learning Communities: Standards for What Principals Should Know and Be Able To Do."

     Brother Moore began his teaching career in 1970 for the Gary Community School Corporation in Gary, Indiana. He returned to McAlester, Oklahoma in 1982 where he has served as a classroom teacher, counselor, and principal. He is Past Polemarch of the Muskogee Alumni Chapter.

---

Featured Undergraduate Chapter - Alpha Mu

---

Undergraduate Chapter of the Year

     For the second year in a row Alpha Mu has been honored as the Middle Western Province Undergraduate Chapter of the Year. The award was bestowed in April at this year's Province Council Meeting held in Kansas City, Missouri. The Alpha Mu Polemarch, Brother Ronald Young, accepted the award and dedicated it to the past initiates of Alpha Mu whose shoulders they stood on and for which they were recognized Undergraduate Chapter of the Year 2002.

     Alpha Mu organized events such as a Bon Fire, Horse Back riding, Annual Picnic, Elementary Mentoring, and the Tom Joyner Scholarship Barbeque. They were also host to speakers like Brother Jamal Harrison-Bryant during Black History Month, Ruthie of the Real World Hawaii spoke about alcoholism, Rev. Mark Tolbert educated students about the Keys to Financial Excellence, Brother Adolphus Pruitt, Middle Western Province Polemarch, gave a Career Building presentation and Brother Keaton Strong, Middle Western Province Junior Vice Polemarch, was guest speaker at the Founders' Day Banquet.

     Brothers of Alpha Mu dominated the campus of Lincoln University as the Entertainment Director for Campus Activities, Resident Advisor, Football Team Captain, Mr. Homecoming, R.O.T.C. Cadet, and Pan-Hellenic Council President, Treasurer, Historian and Chaplain.

     Alpha Mu's motto is "Make it Happen" and they credit their achievements to a being greater than themselves and pray for the advancement of all people.

Alpha Mu Brothers pose with the 29th International Grand Polemarch after being awarded Undergraduate Chapter of the Year 2002 for the Middle Western Province.

Beta Nu Polemarch takes notes from the Neos of Alpha Mu as they all work diligently on Resolutions for the 80th Middle Western Province Council Meeting.

---

Alpha Mu Graduates Five

The month of May was witness to the departure of five brothers from the Alpha Mu Chapter. The Graduates were Brother Carlos Jackson, Physical Education Degree; Brothers Eric Harris and Brock Rutledge obtained a Computer Science Degree; while Brothers Phillip Santoli and Nnawuihe "Emeka" Nosiri both received Political Science Degrees as they strolled off of the graduation platform and into to professional world. Brother Santoli was also commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the U.S Army as an Infantry Officer.

---

Football Star

Brother Toranza Every is a native of Thibodaux, Louisiana and arrived at Lincoln University on a full Athletic Scholarship. Every was the starting Quarterback for the football team and has since become starting Receiver and Football Team Captain. Brother Every's Football goal is to break the record for All Purpose Yards set by Lamar Parish in 1970 and to eventually have his number 5 jersey retired at Lincoln University. Toranza Every is a senior majoring in Criminal Justice and will graduate in May of 2003. As a champion athlete he remains aggressive in the classroom to maintain his 3.14 GPA. Toranza aspires to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation to "assist with the protection of America's freedom." Brother Every was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi in the Spring of 2002 and is the Strategus for the Alpha Mu Chapter.

---

DeJuan Groce - University of Nebraska Football Captain

Lincoln, Nebraska - August 19, 2002 - Head Coach Frank Solich announced Nebraska's 2002 captains following a two-hour practice Saturday morning in sweats at Memorial Stadium. Center John Garrison, cornerback and punt returner DeJuan Groce and rush end Chris Kelsay were selected as captains by a vote of the team.

"All three guys had excellent seasons last year and were leaders for us during the offseason," Solich said. "I feel really good about all three of those guys leading this football team."

Groce, a Garfield Heights, Ohio native, has served as NU's right cornerback the past two seasons and proved to be a threat returning punts as well. His 17 pass breakups in 2000 is the best single-season mark in school history, while his 14 in 2001 are tied for third all time. As the No. 1 punt returner, Groce racked up 469 yards on 33 returns, the third-best total in school history in 2001.

"All of these guys had excellent seasons last year," Solich said. "Even though they weren't captains last year as underclassmen, they also were leaders last year and that carried over into the off-season. The players appreciate the work ethic of those three, and what they get done in the off-season."

---

Harvest Sampleton Leaves Oklahoma

     The Lawton-Ft. Sill Alumni Chapter held a "Going Away Bash" for Brother Harvest Earl Sampleton on August 24th. Brother Sampleton is leaving the province to accept permanent employment in New York. He is a Past Chapter Polemarch and has been a tireless worker in numerous other capacities in the chapter. The members of his chapter recognized his contributions with a commemorative plaque. We all wish Brother Sampleton the very best in his future endeavors.

---

Chapter Polemarch Lynn S. Anderson presents plaque to Brother Sampleton

Left to right: Brothers Jesse Stewart, Lynn S. Anderson (Chapter Polemarch), Odell Vernis Gunter, Sr., Harvest Earl Sampleton, Rodney Jay Williams, Andrew C. Hill, Thaddeus Burnett, Leandre Anthony, and Lawrence J. Abrams, Jr.

---

C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference

     Plan now to attend the C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference (CRWLC) of the Middle Western Province for the Fall of 2002. It will be hosted by the Wichita State University Chapter, the Delta Upsilon of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, on October 19th in Wichita, Kansas. There will be a Cluster Initiation on the prior evening of Friday, October 18th. All members are invited to attend.

     Chapter officers who are REQUIRED to attend the CRWLC in the Fall of 2002 or the Spring of 2003 are:

• Polemarch
• Vice Polemarch
• Keeper of Records
• Keeper of Exchequer
• Membership Intake Chairman
• Chapter Advisor

     All meetings will be held on the campus of Wichita State University in Hubbard Hall at 1845 Fairmount. The host hotel will be the Northrock Suites at 7856 E. 36th Street North. Rooms are $64 per night, and reservations may be made by calling 316-634-2303.

---

Province Life Membership

     The Middle Western Province now offers a Province Life Membership that is available to the first 100 members who pay the one-time fee of $600. Participants are absolved from the payment of Province Dues for life. The Province Life Membership Program does not absolve participants from their obligation to pay Grand Chapter and Local Chapter Dues and/or assessments. Each Province Life Member will receive a lapel pin, certificate, and numbered identification card.

     A Subscribing Life Membership Program is also available for an initial payment of $230, with a payment of $230 in the second consecutive year, and a final payment of $200 in the third consecutive year.

     Payments may be charged to your Visa or Mastercard, or you may send your personal check or money order to our Province Headquarters at:

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

     Questions may be directed to our Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer.

     We now have seven fully paid Province Life Members. Congratulations to our brothers whose names will forever be engraved in the archives and history of the Middle Western Province . . .

• 001 - Elbert Dean Brown, Sr. (Denver)
• 002 - Mark G. Brown (Denver)
• 003 - Elbert Dean Brown, Jr. (Denver)
• 004 - William E. Hines (St. Louis)
• 005 - Isaac Dowdell (Colorado Springs)
• 006 - James A. Freese (Kansas City)
• 007 - Webb A. Tarrant (Denver)

     We also have three members who have entered the program as Subscribing Life Members. They will each receive a Province Life Membership number in the chronological order in which they are paid in full. These brothers are to be commended for making their permanent financial commitment to our province. Two of them are from the Colorado Springs Alumni Chapter, Brother John Fitzgeral Baker (the Chapter Polemarch) and Brother Glen Anthony Fields (the Chapter's Membership Intake Chairman). The third is Brother Martin N. Davis, a 1985 Mu Epsilon Chapter initiate. What's so special about Brother Davis is that he does NOT actually reside in our province. He is a resident of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Despite the miles that separate him from us, he has maintained his devotion to the province of his initiation.

BROTHERS, if Brother Davis can support our province from afar, we should certainly be able to do so from within. There are only 90 Province Life Membership slots remaining. Act now!

---

Visit the Middle Western Province EMPORIUM

Our province EMPORIUM 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.

CLICK HERE to visit the EMPORIUM

---

University of Alabama campus still reeling from fire and shooting

Shock from the mid-August shooting and arson instances did not wear off of University of Alabama students.

The fire followed a picnic sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta sorority and Omega Psi Phi fraternity the night before. The event was interrupted by gunshots and the arrests of two University students, Timos Fears and Rodney Demille Moore, for reckless endangerment. Hours later, an early-morning fire broke out at the Delta Sigma Theta house. No one was injured in either incident.

Some students said they had read stories about the events in local newspapers, but most learned of the fire through word-of-mouth.

"I can't believe that someone would do this on our campus," said Jessica Kinney, a freshman majoring in interior design. "It makes you wonder why someone would do this."

Other students were not as shocked. Dave Murib, a junior majoring in engineering, said the fire does not shock him.

"It doesn't surprise me that this stuff happens. People get drunk and crazy and, then they do things like this. I've seen people set Dumpsters on fire plenty of times. But it has never been aggressive toward other people like this is."

All students interviewed hoped that those responsible for the blaze at the sorority house would be found and arrested. Matt Magathan, a senior majoring in business management, said the perpetrators should be expelled from school if they are students.

"This is serious stuff, when you have people setting buildings on fire, especially buildings where people are sleeping," Magathan said. "I don't want people like that on our campus, causing trouble and getting people hurt."

Rumors about the fire's cause have been circulating around campus. Barbara Stampul, a junior majoring in political science, said she had heard several stories about the incident, but authorities have not confirmed any of them.

"It's very unfortunate that this happened. Thank goodness no one was hurt," Stampul said.

Eight women were in the sorority house at the time of the fire, according to a statement the University released Thursday. Tiffany Hall said the fire could have been much worse, without the fire alarm and the women evacuating the house.

"I have heard about fires in dorms where people don't get out of bed because they think it's a false alarm. This should remind everyone to take fire alarms seriously," Hall said.