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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:
It just gets better with time! Congratulations on one of our most successful Council Meetings. We started meetings on schedule, we ended meetings on schedule, even our banquets and luncheons began and ended according to schedule, you all deserve a standing ovation. We owe special thanks to Brother Clayton M. Evans, our Province Planning Chairman. His organizational skills are exceptional, Clayton thank you for all you do.
Locally, our host, primarily the Eta Chapter deserves praise also. In case you did not notice, the members of the Eta Chapter . . . Undergraduates . . . filled 90% of the roles that are normally played by our alumni host!!! Boy, did they rise to the occasion. We relied on them and they delivered. What else could I say? They had some significant help, their Advisor, Brother Eric Lee. Enough cannot be said for Brother Lee's contribution towards making this a successful event. One other note, if you had the chance to attend the formal ball you would have noticed that the affair was attended mainly by undergraduates and their female guests, dressed to kill. These young ladies showed up in numbers and wearing formal gowns. This I found to be very impressive.
As you may know, our next Council Meeting is scheduled for April 15-18, 2004 in St. Louis Missouri. We will jointly host our meeting with the Central Region of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Brother Evans has virtually completed planning for this event. The hotel is under contract, and you will love the room rates. Everything is just about in place. Clayton's on a roll!
Our fall C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference will be hosted by the Epsilon Gamma Chapter at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. And, while I'm on Oklahoma, let me say the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter has kicked off our Black & White season in style this past weekend. The ambiance of the Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum served as the backdrop to a festive event. The brothers sang to their sweethearts and did the snake dance, the party was on!!! I noticed over in the corner a table full of well dressed undergraduates, Epsilon Gamma came in style and their dates were the belles of the ball. Epsilon Gamma and I ended the night on their campus. Yes, I went to scout out our host campus at midnight. Thank God, there happened to be a party on campus, right!!! This expedition gave me the ability to see how the campus police handle undergraduate crowds. They did very well, and I don't anticipate any problems this fall.
I'm looking forward to seeing the work product from our newly appointed chairmen from the Denver Alumni Chapter, I've clustered the Senior Affairs, the Music, and Reclamation committees under one roof, their combined planning should make for a better atmosphere surrounding our meetings.
Yours in the Bond,
Province Polemarch Pruitt with Oklahoma State Senator
Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter Polemarch Wilbur P. Walker
 Province Polemarch Pruitt with members of Epsilon Gamma Chapter, including Assistant Province Keeper of Records and Exchequer Ashanti Z. Mitchell (far left), Chapter Advisor David Shelton, III (left of Province Polemarch), and Past Epsilon Gamma Chapter Polemarch Kenyatta Lampley (second from right)
 Singing the Sweetheart Song  The Snake Dance 
 Late night party with the Undergraduates of Epsilon Gamma
Visiting the North Central Province Council Meeting held in St. Louis:
Lifetime Achievement Awardees Congratulations are extended to the latest recipients of the Charles W. Morgan, III Lifetime Achievement Award, Brothers William Henry Coker, II (Denver), Elmer Joseph Crumbley (Omaha), and Mitchel Paul James (Denver). The province's highest award was conferred at the 81st Middle Western Province Council Meeting. More information about the award and each award recipient may be found at Charles W. Morgan, III Lifetime Achievement Award. 
Award Recipients Elmer Crumbley and Mitchel James 
General Counsel Report
My brothers in the Bond, I have missed you. Some family crises have kept me close to home and unable to share your good company at the C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference in Columbia and the Province Council Meeting in Lincoln. My heart, spirit, and mind were with you even though my physical presence was elsewhere. But, trust that even in my absence, I was guarding the vineyard and keeping an ever-watchful eye on events that impact the operation of our noble clan. "It’s a jungle out there" with many challenges, pitfalls and dangers, and we must vigilantly keep a watchful eye to protect the legacy, concept, and goals of Phi Nu Pi. Let’s discuss some noteworthy events to help keep brothers on their toes as they navigate the dark forests that offer few guideposts, many forks in the road, and temptations to travel the roads that lead nowhere. "Whom to Sue" A new defense to hazing suits has surfaced in several reported cases. Local chapters are claiming that aggrieved parties cannot sue them because they are unincorporated associations that cannot accept service of process in litigation matters. And, this defense has worked in a couple of cases. But, before you run out and re-institute the Scroller Club with the feeling of chapter invincibility, you should know that not all states are the same. In some jurisdictions, parties CAN sue unincorporated associations and, in those states that do not allow it, all the parties that run the unincorporated association are subject to suit. So the State giveth but it also taketh away. Your chapter may escape liability for insidious hazing but your chapter polemarch could lose his shirt, not to mention that beautiful house and car he used to convince that pretty young philly to marry him. Bottom line: this defense that seems attractive on its face is really no defense at all. "The First Amendment Does Not Apply" I reported in a previous article about the Klan-like activity of a couple of white fraternities. The members of these organizations dressed in "black face" in skits mocking black fraternities in a very disparaging and derogatory manner. The issue in these cases is whether the First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the offenders from prosecution by the University and the national organization. Although the matters are not finally resolved, it seems pretty clear that a University that receives public funds has no recourse against the students because First Amendment protections apply. This is not so for the fraternity. The fraternity can take whatever action it deems necessary to discipline its members for violating the organizations rules of conduct even if the rules are general and no more specific than prohibiting conduct that brings discredit upon the fraternity. I will say in again, "the Frat is not a republic." "Liability Updates" MIT Matter Settled: The family of Scott Kruger, 18, who died of excessive alcohol consumed at a Phi Gamma Delta party at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, settled their wrongful death suit with the University and the Fraternity. MIT agreed to pay $4.75 million to the family and pay another $1.25 million in scholarships in Scott’s name. The Fraternity agreed to pay $1.75 million and also promised to suspend the MIT chapter until 2007. The Frat will also produce a video for high school students on the evils of excessive alcohol consumption. 44 Sued in ODU Incident: Terry Sterling died, choking on his own vomit after drinking alcohol excessively while pledging Alpha Tau Omega at Old Dominion University. The family filed suit against the Frat for $5.35 million but the suit settled for an undisclosed amount just before trial. But, the mother then sued all the individuals involved in the incident and the couple who owned the house where the party took place. The individuals face massive compensatory and punitive damage awards that could potentially follow them the rest of their professional lives. AKA Suit: This matter is working its way through the legal process. You may remember that two young ladies drowned in the Pacific Ocean in the Los Angeles area while, allegedly, pledging Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The suit is for $100 million. The word on the street is that AKA’s liability insurance carrier cancelled their existing coverage and the organization could only get other coverage by paying annual premiums that are $300,000 more than what they paid prior to this incident. The cost of hazing is steep indeed. Brothers, the pitfalls of the forest are many for the weary who are unaware they exist. But, knowledge and prudence are potent beacons that will help guide you through the night. Until next time, I am always
Yours in the Bond,
Political Korner By Terry S. Milan Donald Betts Achieves In Politics
This month's spotlight is on Brother Donald Betts of the Wichita Alumni Chapter. Brother Betts was initiated through Delta Upsilon Chapter at Wichita State University. He was the first African American student body president of Friends University. Upon graduating from Friends and joining Wichita Alumni, he has played a vital part in helping to lift the Wichita Alumni Kappa League to new heights. During the 2002 State and Federal election season, at the age of 24, Brother Betts ran for the Kansas State House of Representatives and won the District 84 seat. He is currently a member of the Commerce and Labor Committee, the Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee, and the Ethics & Elections Committee. Brothers Betts is definitely a Kappa man who is achieving, striving, and making a difference in his community.Submitted by Brother James L. Goode
Piney Woods To Receive $1 Million Donation [Piney Woods is a private boarding school FOUNDED and RUN by men of Kappa Alpha Psi.] ONE MILLION DOLLAR DONATION: Piney Woods School to acknowledge benefactor in Los Angeles April 26. Piney Woods School, in conjunction with the Association of Historically African-American Boarding Schools, will host the First National Black Boarding Schools Weekend in Los Angeles, April 25-27. (Apr. 17, 2003) Los Angeles, California -- At one time, there were over 100 Black boarding schools throughout this country. Today there are only four, and the survival of these schools is more critical now than ever before. The Piney Woods School, in conjunction with the Association of Historically African-American Boarding Schools, will host the First National Black Boarding Schools Weekend in Los Angeles. Reverend Nelson Wilson, owner of BMW Prosthetics has pledged $1 million of which $200,000 has already been received by Piney Woods. Reverend Nelson will be honored at a VIP reception Saturday night, April 26. This historic fundraising weekend will take place in Los Angeles, April 25-27, 2003. The weekend will also honor the Piney Woods' founder, Dr. Laurence C. Jones. One of the goals of the weekend is to renew interest in and garner financial support for historically Black boarding schools from corporations, foundations, churches, organizations, civic groups, and individuals. This event will also bring together graduates and former students of member schools and alumni from other historically Black boarding schools, eighty of which are no longer in operation. The host of this inaugural weekend is The Piney Woods School (founded 1909) which is located 21 miles south of Jackson Mississippi. The largest of the four remaining Black Boarding Schools, Piney Woods has been visited by Mississippi native Morgan Freeman, television and publishing titan Oprah Winfrey, and has been the subject of a program segment on CBS 60 Minutes. Charles H. Beady, Jr., Ph.D., is the president of The Piney Woods School and will be available for interviews concerning the school and activities for this historic weekend which will include an education forum and a grand reunion. There will also be a free concert featuring Piney Woods' Cotton Blossom Singers and the Pine Forge Academy Choir. The concert will be emceed by KNBC-TV anchorman Chris Schauble and held at the West Angeles Church of God In Christ. Dr. Beady says he can hardly contain his enthusiasm as prospects for a successful affair continue to come together. "We are expecting at least 1,000 alums of The Piney Woods School and another 1,000 alums of other historically African-American boarding schools to join us. This will be special." Beady said. All activities are open to adults (regardless of race) who attended, are interested in, or want to support historically Black boarding schools. Activities for youths and boarding school students will also be available. For registration information call The Piney Woods School at 601.845.2214 or go online to www.pineywoods.org
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Message from the Senior Province Vice Polemarch
Planting the Seed - First Fruits As your newly elected Senior Province Vice Polemarch, I would like to thank each and every member of the Middle Western Province for your vote of confidence in me as one of your leaders. My goal is to serve you with integrity and distinction as I attempt to make a significant contribution through a team approach working under the leadership of our visionary Province Polemarch, Brother Adolphus M. Pruitt, II. As I set forth my goals and objectives, I will be seeking brothers across our Province to assist me in continuing to strengthen the pursuit of "ACHIEVEMENT" in every field of human endeavor. Having given serious consideration to this important responsibility, I have three general areas of focus that are critical to beginning to serve the brothers in the Middle Western Province. My areas of concentration will center on 1) Undergraduate affairs, 2) Reclamation and retention and 3) Increasing chapter efficiency and effectiveness. As I begin to travel throughout the Province, I will be assessing our undergraduate and alumni chapters in the areas of operational efficiency, financial stability and general compliance. We have bright and talented brothers in our chapters and now is the time to capitalize on their individual abilities. A major opportunity that we have is the transition from undergraduate to alumni status. Increasing our level of undergraduate participation will begin to scratch the surface of retention and brother participation as we begin to set high goals and objectives. Let's move forward and create a more comprehensive vision. As we do so, the Middle Western Province will begin to move at a faster pace into a direction of reclamation and retention. It is time for all brothers to "step up to the plate" and take his rightful place among the leaders and visionaries of our noble clan. Our Province Polemarch has begun transitioning our Province into the 21st century through technological innovations. Increasing our ability to navigate through the tools of technology will allow more efficient communication and impact the strength of our chapters through collaboration. As men of "ACHIEVEMENT", it is vital that we begin using the concept of a "Think Tank" to significantly reduce the liability exposure of our chapters and utilize the expertise of our membership to strengthen our long-term financial position. Lastly, I want to give the brothers an overview of my recent trip to Washington, D.C. While visiting the nation's capital, members of Kappa Alpha Psi had the opportunity to explore the political process and interface with members of congress. The impact of our fraternity was impressive as brothers made legislators take notice regarding issues important to our respective communities. Now that the fraternity has made a decision to become proactive in the political process, our process is going to pursue a maximum level of participation. I will be contacting each Chapter Polemarch within our province in an effort to accomplish three goals: 1) Register every brother within your chapter to vote, 2) assure that each member of your chapter votes in each election, and 3) track the results. This simple but effective technique will start our effectiveness on making a major statement to elected officials in our province. I look forward to dialoguing with each of you at some point in the future. If you have ideas, do not hesitate to contact me. Let the communication lines open for impact. Again brothers, let's work together to have THE premier Province in our great fraternity.
Yours in the Bond,
Denver Alumni Hosts Reception for Mayor Wellington E. Webb's Laurel Wreath Award at The City of Denver's Cableland On April 4, 2003 the Denver Alumni, Colorado Springs Alumni, Beta Theta, Omicron Zeta, and Omicron Pi Chapters gathered at Denver's Cableland for a reception honoring the 2003 Kappa Alpha Psi Laurel Wreath Laureate, Brother Wellington E. Webb - Mayor of Denver, Colorado. The ceremony was well attended and remarks were made by Brother Chris Veasey, Jr. the Laurel Wreath Reception Chair, Denver Alumni Chapter Polemarch K .C. Matthews, Colorado Springs Alumni Polemarch John F. Baker, Beta Theta Chapter Polemarch P. Sterling Rowe, Jr., Omicron Zeta Chapter Polemarch Burvell L. Williams, III, and Omicron Pi Chapter Polemarch Nicholas A. Dogan. Polemarch Matthews read remarks from Middle Western Province Polemarch Adolphus M. Pruitt, III, who was unable to be attend do to business commitments. First Lady Webb spoke eloquently of her husband's commitment to Kappa and public service. Brother Webb said he is humbled by the honor and grateful for Kappa achievement and brotherhood which has sustained him through his years of public service.
Denver Alumni - Senior Kappa Affairs At this time the Denver Alumni Chapter has 23 Senior Kappas. The group was organized by Brother Franklin "DB" Jackson assisted by Brother Robert Shelton. The senior Kappas meet every second Tuesday of the month for lunch at the Forbidden City Restaurant. The meetings have proven to be a means of reclaiming Brothers. The Senior Kappas have also compiled a list of the wives whose husbands have passed on to the Chapter Invisible. It is a goal of the group to keep widows informed of Kappa events and let them know they are not forgotten. Brother Franklin "DB" Jackson is the chairman of the Senior Kappa Affairs Committee for the Denver Alumni Chapter, and has been appointed to spearhead the Province Senior Kappa Affairs Committee.
Brother Franklin "DB" Jackson, Ph.D. - Chairman
American Cancer Society Partners with Kappas and Deltas at Nuggets Game On February 28, 2003, The American Cancer Society, Delta Sigma Theta Soroity, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity passed out information to fans regarding Breast Cancer and Prostrate Cancer. The Denver Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity has been involved in numerous informational and fund raising activities with the American Cancer Society including "Climb For A Cure", "Prostate Cancer Screening and Awareness", etc. During the month of May, the chapter will host a forum on prostate cancer. Brother Ered Nash, M.D., Denver Alumni Chapter Health Committee Chairman, will spearhead that effort. Participating in the American Cancer Society event were Brother K.C. Matthews (Denver Alumni Polemarch) and his wife Mary, Brother Joseph Clay and his wife Tonya, Brother James Rowe and Jacketa Rowe, Brother Paul Sample and wife Jackie. Also attending were Sy and Beverly Jenkins. All of the ladies are Deltas.
Charles Cousins Honored in Denver
Entrepreneur Cousins' name to adorn plaza
By Cindy Brovsky, Denver Post Staff Writer
When Charles R. Cousins was attending Manual High School in 1936, white students had dances in the gymnasium with a good sound system while the black students' social events took place in a wrestling practice room with padded walls. "I rigged up a sound system and got the principal to agree to let me use it for our dances," recalled Cousins, a Denver native. "It got so popular that I started renting out (the sound system) to other students for $1.50 a night." And so his long career in the jukebox music industry began. When white-owned jukebox and vending businesses tried to take over the restaurants and bars where his machines were located, Cousins bought the buildings. And so his long career in real estate began. "These are cases of disadvantages being turned into advantages," he said last week. The city is recognizing Cousins' longtime devotion to the Five Points community by naming a plaza outside the new Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library after him. The $16 million library at 2401 Welton St. will have its grand opening at 10 a.m. April 26. The 40,000-square-foot building includes a branch library on the first floor, a research floor and a full museum. The museum will chronicle the history of African-Americans in Colorado and the West. "This is a great honor and very humbling," Cousins said of having the plaza named for him. Cousins, 85, owns more than 30 buildings in Five Points, whose tenants range from a bank to bars. He has dabbled in businesses throughout Colorado, from a cooking store in Westminster to a casino in Black Hawk. He also is a mainstay at Manual High School, whether attending all of its basketball games, paying for banquets for the students or buying them athletic jerseys. He was honored by Manual as the "student of the century" during the school's 100th anniversary. "Some of the students come to me like a father," Cousins said. "My greatest joy is continuing to be a part of that school." City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth suggested the plaza be named after Cousins, a proposal unanimously endorsed by the Library Commission. "He is a true entrepreneur, leader in this community and just a great man," Wedgeworth said. Cousins joins former Denver Public Schools board member Omar Blair and former City Councilman Elvin Caldwell in being honored at the library complex for decades of knocking down walls of discrimination. "Mr. Cousins is a true icon in this community," said city librarian Terry Nelson. "There are many unsung heroes. The key was to recognize those who are living." Cousins' parents, Charles L. and Alta, raised six children in the Five Points neighborhood. Cousins started a lifetime of work as a youngster, making deliveries on his bicycle for drug stores and dry cleaners and catching worms to sell to anglers at City Park. His car license plate, "IOU-00" reflects his self-made success. "The license plate means, "I owe you zero," he said. "But I owe everything to my fine parents." Cousins is most proud of his civic work in the community, including numerous awards from nonprofit groups. He served as a firefighter for three years while developing his jukebox music and vending business. As he became a successful businessman, he never once considered leaving the Five Points neighborhood. He and his late wife, Dorothy, have one daughter, Dr. Renee Cousins, who is his partner in business ventures. "This has been my home my whole life," he said. "I've seen the peaks and the valleys but never thought about leaving."
Province Life MembershipThe 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:
636 N.E. 36th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105
We now have nine 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 . . .
International Headquarters Webpage Please be advised that the following information has been posted on the International Headquarters Webpage:
Chapter Invisible? Brothers, we now have a CHAPTER INVISIBLE 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 Province Keeper of Records and Exchequer. Please help us fill in the blanks and also provide us with any additional brothers to be memorialized.
Visit Our Virtual Museum The Middle Western Province Virtual Museum 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 MUST be digitized for permanent keep before they might be destroyed by deterioration or otherwise lost forever. 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.
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.
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You've seen it! You've wanted it! You've asked for it! WE HAVE IT! The OFFICIAL 75th Grand Chapter Souvenir!
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:
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:
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.
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79th Province Council Souvenirs
E-Mail Addresses
The technology of the Internet has become more than a luxury in the year 2003. 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. We have restocked our supply and the cost is $25 each. Contact our Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer to purchase your pin today. Don't miss this one! Order NOW!
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