KAPPA ALPHA PSI

The Beginning

 

Kappa Alpha Psi ushered Black Greekdom into Oklahoma during the 1921-22 school year with the establishment of Langston Chapter, now known as Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter. A unique feature of this Chapter is the fact that it is the oldest Black Greek-Letter organization in Oklahoma; the second oldest graduate Chapter west of the Mississippi River; and the 10th oldest Alumni Chapter in all of Kappa. The Chapter was formally chartered on April 25, 1922, on the campus of Langston University with the following Charter Members who represented some of the leading Black professionals in Oklahoma: Dr. Stacy Thompson and Dr. H. W. Conrad, both physicians in Guthrie; Dr. John Miller Marquess, President of Langston University; Attorney Henry C. Hawkins, Oklahoma City lawyer; Professor T. S. E. Brown of Oklahoma City; and Dr. W. L. Haywood, Oklahoma City physician and owner of a hospital in the city.

 

The following men were affiliated with the Chapter in the first year of its existence: Dr. W. H. Slaughter; Kappa Founder Dr. Byron K. Armstrong, Dean of Instruction at Langston; W. H. Forte, Superintendent of Okmulgee Separate Schools; John E. Buford, Langston University's first Dean of Agriculture; Ralph Tyler, Dean of Industrial Arts; J. M. Elsberry, Principal of Langston High School; Harry "Little" Long, head football coach; and Dr. I. W. Young, Boley and Oklahoma City physician who was later to become President of Langston University.

 

The Chapter functioned for approximately five years (until 1927) as Langston Alumni Chapter, and then became inactive and remained inactive for at least ten years. During this period, there was a void in Kappa activity in the state, until a group of men formed Tulsa Alumni on April 23, 1931. Some of Kappa's all-time greats started Tulsa Alumni, namely, B. C. Franklin, Rufus Sea Stout, C. Felton "Zip" Gayles, John Buford, Founder Byron K. Armstrong, Seymour Williams, Tollie "T. T." Moore, N. Webster Moore, Dr. R. A. Goodwin, and Attorney A. Moffet.

 

At the 1932 Grand Chapter Meeting in Charleston, West Virginia, Dr. I. W. Young (then Langston University President) persuaded Kappa to establish Alpha Pi Chapter at the Colored Agricultural and Normal University (later named Langston University), which was chartered on October 28, 1933, with Floyd F. Alexander as Polemarch and eleven other Brothers.

 

In 1937, Brothers Charles W. Morgan, Jr., H. V. Gear, C. Felton Gayles, Bert V. Wadkins, J. Lee Irving, E. U. Byrd, Hillard H. Sharp and others reactivated Langston Alumni Chapter as Langston-Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter, now based in Oklahoma City. In addition to Chapter formations in the 30's, a highlight of Oklahoma Kappas was the awarding of the coveted Laurel Wreath to Kappa Founder, Dr. Byron K. Armstrong.

 

Langston-Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter nurtured the formation of Muskogee Alumni (1946) and Wewoka Alumni (1956). The 1940's saw the Langston-Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter initiate Wyatt F. Jeltz, Vice Principal of Oklahoma City's Douglass High School, who later became Middle Western Province Polemarch; and Herbert C. King, longtime Lawton coach who later served for many years as Middle Western Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer, and was awarded the Elder Watson Diggs Award, posthumously. Also, in 1946, due to the generosity of Dr. C. W. Morgan, Jr., Kappa was provided with a meeting place in the Morgan Building and soon became popularly known as the Kappa Lounge. The decade of the 60's saw the establishment of Epsilon Gamma Chapter at the Central State College (January 1963) and Lawton-Ft. Sill Alumni Chapter (March 1963).

 

The Chapter continued to grow in numbers and prestige, and the Chapter's name was formally changed to Oklahoma City Alumni in the early 1970's. As "outgrowths" of Oklahoma City Alumni, the Alumni Chapters in Norman and Langston were chartered, and college Chapters at Oklahoma State, Oklahoma University, Northeastern State, Central Oklahoma and Cameron were formed.

 

In 1988, Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter proudly purchased its first permanent home in the acquisition of the Kappa Kastle, 1801 N. E. 10th Street. Brothers made personal loans to the Chapter to purchase the building. The loans were paid in full in 2003. Under the leadership of Brother Richard Thornton, there was a major renovation program in 2004. The value of the Kastle is currently $450,000.00. The following rooms are in the Kastle: Meeting Room, Willard Brooks Gallery and Board Room, Silhouettes Office, Ted Paul Music Listening Room, Recreation Room, Kitchen, Guide Right Lounge, Polemarch Office, and Reception Area where the Past Polemarchs Corner is highlighted. The Kappa Kastle is among the finest facilities in all of Kappadom.

 

The Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter is located in the Middle Western Province, Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. The Province consists of Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, and Northwestern Arkansas. Two members of the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter have served as Province Polemarch. Brother Wyatt F. Jeltz, Vice Principal, Douglass High School, served for more than 10 years during the 1950's and 1960's as Middle Western Province Polemarch. Brother Willie H. Burnett, Sr. became the second Chapter member to serve as Middle Western Province Polemarch (1994 to 1996), and served also as National Chairman of the Fraternity's Guide Right Commission.

 

Individual and Group Accomplishments

The Chapter's individual and group accomplishments are numerous. C. Felton "Zip" Gayles received the Elder Watson Diggs and Laurel Wreath Awards. Brother Gayles retired from Langston University after more than 35 years as Athletic Director, Head Football and Basketball Coach and History Professor. He was a Charter member at Morehouse College and was responsible for the Alpha Pi Chapter being founded at Langston University in 1933. Brother Gayles was successful in winning several championships in the tough SWAC and coached several Ail-Americans in football and basketball while at Langston University. Brother Gayles coached Brother Clarence Harkins who was an All-American end in football and Brother Marques Haynes an All-American basketball player and played for the famed Harlem Globe Trotters.

 

Brother Bert V. Wadkins was awarded the Elder Watson Diggs Award in 1977 and later feted for 50 years as Chairman of the Chapter's Guide Right Program, the longest ongoing Guide Right Program in the nation. In 1995, Brother James B. Abram was awarded the Elder Watson Diggs Award, after having served as Senior Grand Vice Polemarch.

Brother Charles W. Morgan, III currently serves as Middle Western Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer (since 1992). Life Member Morgan is the Fraternity's first Triple Life Member. Brother Kevin Cox has served for many years as Chairman, National Resolutions Committee and Moderator, Grand Chapter Candidates Forum. Brother Earle Fletcher served as Newsletter Reporter and Editor; and Past Senior Province Polemarch, Middle Western Province. Brother Anthony "Skip" Hill, Past Vice Polemarch, Oklahoma City Alumni, has served as Polemarch, Washington Alumni and Eastern Province.

 

Chapter Endowment Program

On March 11, 1984, the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter approved the Life Membership Endowment as an official Chapter endeavor. The Endowment gives the Chapter a perpetual source of income and provides a lifetime benefit for Brothers who choose to purchase individual endowment contracts. The endowment is funded by contributions from participating Brothers which are invested in securities approved by the committee. A sufficient amount of earnings is drawn from the security annually to pay the Local and Province dues for that year for each participating Brother, thereby creating a Local Life Membership.

 

Thirty-six (36) brothers have paid into the program. Under the leadership of the current Chairman, Brother Frank Wilson, III, a program is being developed whereby Brothers would include the Fraternity in their wills.

Willard Brooks Gallery

 

The Willard Brooks Gallery was dedicated June 9, 1996 in appreciation of his talent, dedication, and devotion. The Gallery is located in the Board-Conference Room at the Kappa Kastle. The collection was donated to the Fraternity by Brother Willard Brooks and consists of twenty-one (21) original portraits of Chapter Brothers during the period 1989 - 1996. The portraits were drawn by Brother Brooks from photographs. Following a stroke in 1985, Brother Brooks retired from Tinker Air Force Base after a career of more than twenty years. Given his paralysis, the collection is a masterpiece and a testimony to how Brother Brooks was able to overcome adversity to continue his lifelong passion for art. The penciled black and white portraits are magnificent works of art and a treasure that the Chapter holds in high esteem for Brother Brooks who is the Artist-in-Residence.

Brother Brooks is a native of Oklahoma City and was initiated in 1951 at Delta Chapter, Wilberforce University.

 

Undergraduate Chapters

 

Zeta Theta Chapter - Oklahoma State University

The establishment of the Zeta Theta Chapter was spearheaded by Brothers James Abram and C. Felton "Zip" Gayles. Their effort to start a chapter at Oklahoma State University (OSU) began in the 1967-68 school year. In December 1967 a Scroller Club was formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma. On May 2, 1968, twenty-one Scrollers crossed the sands at Delta Upsilon Chapter on the campus of Wichita State University. Seventeen of these neophytes were from Oklahoma State University, three from Wichita State University, and one from the University of Oklahoma.

The line was named "The 21 Aegean Saints". The group from OSU was officially designated the Delta Upsilon - OSU Colony of Kappa Alpha Psi. The seventeen Brothers from OSU had the distinction of being the first integrated fraternity on campus. They were:

 

¥ Charles Biscoe ¥ Harold Kernal ¥ Lowell Kyle

¥ James Black ¥ Larry Kirkland ¥ Stanley Kyle

¥ Richard Carolina ¥ Douglas Kounter ¥ Glenn Moseley

¥ Michael Casteel ¥ Richard Escoe ¥ Jerry Redo

¥ Casey Childs ¥ Anceo Francisco ¥ Larry Williams

¥ Douglas Dixon ¥ Bernard Hollier

 

One of the seventeen neophytes was Douglas Kounter, a Caucasian American. This group of seventeen laid the foundation for the establishment of the Zeta Theta Chapter. Leading fraternity members toward greater community (1968-69) were Kappa Alpha Psi officers: Anceo Francisco, President; Douglas Dixon, Vice President; Glenn Moseley, Secretary; and Casey Childs, Treasurer. They encouraged members to become active in the Stillwater Tutoring Education Program. The program was concerned with the underprivileged African American and withe students of Stillwater and strived to raise their level of motivation.

 

In the Fall of 1968, Kappa began efforts to establish the fraternity on the OSU campus and in October of that year the first pledge period was initiated. At that time, Kappa at OSU was considered a colony and the pledges still had to travel to Wichita State University to be made. During 1968-69, four young men were initiated: Brothers Michael Gipson, Ernest Evans, Jerry Kernal and Alfred Henry. The follow year, an additional four Brothers were made; Zeno Warrior, Tom Whithers, Eldridge Gordon, and Eddie Douglass.

 

Unfortunately, many of the original seventeen graduated before the chapter was officially chartered April 3, 1971. The chapter was active until 1995 when the fraternity moratorium was imposed. The chapter remained inactive for seven years. In 2002, due to the efforts of two young men, Douglas Bass and Asa Gray, the initiative to reactivate the chapter began.

 

In the fall of 2002, Province Polemarch, Adolphus Pruitt, agreed to reactivate Zeta Theta. The cooperating graduate chapter was the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter. Without its assistance and encouragement, the reactivation of the Zeta Theta Chapter would have been impossible.

 

Six young men were initiated at a Middle Western Province Cluster Intake in Wichita, Kansas on October 18, 2002. Their names are Douglas Bass, Bryan Calvin, Craig Gadson, Anthony Gregory, Fredrick Love, and Justin Stevenson. These six Brothers formed the foundation that reactivated Zeta Theta Chapter. Brother T. Sterling Wetzel has served as Advisor of the Chapter since the reactivation.

 

Epsilon Gamma Chapter - University of Central Oklahoma

　

Epsilon Gamma Chapter Charter Members

Top Row: Dr. Finney, Sponsor; and Sponsor, unknown

Second Row: Melvin Combs, Attorney; Bill Johnson, Executive Director, Opportunities Industrialization Center, Chicago; and Larry Davis (deceased)

Third Row: Robert Hibler, M.D.; Floyd James; and Alex Clayton

Bottom Row: Herman Nichols, ret FBI; Anthony Y. Bluitt, Ph.D.; and C. D. Jones, Jr., Ph.D.

 

The Epsilon Gamma Chapter was charted February 23, 1963 at Central State College, now the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma. On September 27, 1961, Brother Bert V. Wadkins, Polemarch, Langston-Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter, recommended to the Grand Chapter that an Oklahoma City metropolitan chapter be established to serve members from the universities of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma City, and Central State College. Subsequently, the decision was made to petition for an active chapter to be established at Central State College. Undergraduates Floyd James, Bill Johnson, and Melvin Combs, Jr. were highly involved in the effort to have a chapter established on the campus.

 

On November 29, 1962, a petition was submitted by ten (10) men to establish an undergraduate chapter. One of the petitioners was Brother John H. Mack who was already a member of the fraternity, Gamma Eta Chapter. The other nine petitioners, and charter members were: Anthony V. Bluitt, Alex L. Clayton, Melvin Combs, Jr., Larry G. Davis, Robert D. Hibler, James Floyd, Jr., Bill W. Johnson, and Herman S. Nichols. On January 17, 1963, Brother H. H. Holloway, Executive Director, Grand Chapter, notified Brother Wyatt F. Jeltz, Polemarch of the Middle Western Province, that a chapter be established on February 23, 1963. Brother Jan Crump was one of the members of Alpha Pi Chapter, Langston University, that conducted the membership initiation ceremony.

 

The men of Epsilon Gamma have had a distinguished history of leadership and service both on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma and in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. A number of the graduates have continued their membership in the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter.

 

Several brothers have exemplified the character, commitment, and competency of the fine men of Epsilon Gamma, such as: Kenyatta Lampley, Alvin Nixon and David Shelton. As chairman of the Ways and Mean Committee, Brother Lampley has produced Black and White Balls to a level of prominence as a signature event for the chapter. Brother Nixon served as an advisor for many years to the undergraduate chapter prior to his relocation to Washington, D.C. to become Director of the Federal Witness Protection Program. Brother Shelton has done a yeoman's job for many years as Chapter Advisor. He has provided dedicated leadership and unswerving commitment to the development and growth of the young men of Epsilon Gamma.

 

Alpha Pi Chapter - Langston University

The Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter served as Advisor for Alpha Pi for many years prior to the reactivation of the Langston Alumni Chapter in the 1990's. Many fine Brothers of the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter were initiated at Alpha Pi. Alpha Pi Chapter was the primary lifeline for many years for the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter.

The contributions of the men of Alpha Pi are far too significant and numerous for citing. It is a considerable understatement that: "the greatness of Alpha Pi created a foundation of excellence that has enabled the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter to soar to heights of stupendous achievements".

 

Programs and Community Service

The Oklahoma Alumni Chapter has sponsored many innovative programs to address a myriad of community needs. Some programs have been modeled after National initiatives and others have been designed to meet unique needs that exist within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Coupled with the involvements of Brothers in numerous civic, political, educational, social, business, civil rights, professional, and neighborhood organizations, these programs have had and continue to have extensive impact and influence. The Chapter has a strong history and reputation for making a difference toward the advancement of the African American community. The following are some of the programs that are administered by the Chapter.

 

George M. Richardson Ebony Awareness Bowl

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, one of Harvard's first Black graduates, founded the Association of Negro Life and Study. In 1926, the Association initiated Negro History Week to commemorate the birthdays of two men most responsible for the welfare of Blacks in this country: Frederick Douglass, a prominent Black leader of the abolitionist movement during slavery, and President Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln issued the famous Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863. This historic document was the genesis of basic human rights for Blacks in America.

 

In 1995, the Social Action Committee of the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi developed an Ebony Awareness Bowl to teach, through the study of the rich heritage of Blacks, self-dignity and self-worth to our youth for whom there appears to be no identifiable, formalized program in our public school system.

 

Brother Charles McCauley has served as Chairman for many years. Under his capable leadership and guidance, the Ebony Bowl has attained a high level of professionalism and recognized as one of the major and excellently produced events held during Black History Month in February.

 

Hundreds of youth have participated in the Bowl and have won more than $35,000 in cash awards and trophies presented to winning church teams. The Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity named the event in honor of Brother George M. Richardson who brought the idea to the chapter and chaired the first Annual Ebony Awareness Bowl.

 

Clyde Benn Rebuilding Together With Christmas in April

Brother Clyde E. Benn was the initiator of the ChapterÕs involvement in the Christmas in April program. The program is now known as Rebuilding Together With Xmas in April. He was an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Leadership Oklahoma City and a host of other organizations. At the time of his death in 2000, Brother Benn was the State Director of Minority Health.

 

Brother Benn recognized early the need and value of the program to provide home repairs for the minority elderly and poor homeowners, and also as an important tool to assist in the revitalization of the Northeast quadrant. Because of his vision and commitment, the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter became the first African American organization to sponsor Christmas in April.

 

Brother Gerald Tillman has continued in the footsteps of Brother Benn. Brother Tillman brings exceptional knowledge, skills, and commitment in this leadership role. He is especially noted for his beyond the call of duty and dedication to assure that each homeowner is provided the most caring and compassionate attention to every detail to assure quality workmanship. He will often continue the job beyond the scheduled date and will personally devote his time, effort, and money to assure that the project is completed.

 

Since the inception of the program in 1995, many homeowners have benefitted by having their homes repaired and painted. Now, there are volunteers by the hundreds who give of their time, effort, and resources. In 2005, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Chapter's involvement and in recognition of a true servant leader the program was named in honor of Brother Clyde Evans Benn.

 

Guide Right

Guide Right is the premier program of the Oklahoma City Chapter. Brother Bert V. Wadkins was the first Director and served in that capacity for 50 years. The Kappa League is an organization oriented toward helping young men of junior and high school age to grow and to develop their leadership talents. It provides both challenging and rewarding experiences which richly enhance their lives.

 

Since the fundamental purpose of Kappa Alpha Psi is ACHIEVEMENT, it is therefore the Fraternity's primary purpose to help these young men to achieve worthy goals for themselves and to make constructive contributions to their community when leadership roles become their responsibility.

 

The training, experience, and interest of successful Kappa men provide youth with inspiration and counsel regarding their choice of a life's career. The interest of the entire community is aroused to the problems of youth as they seek to realize lives of usefulness.

 

In 2005, the Fraternity was awarded grants totaling $7,000 in support of the Guide Right program. Grants and contributions were received from Southwestern Urban Foundation, Remington Park, and Santreece Foundation. This was the first year that the Chapter sought funding from external sources. The highly successful response indicates the recognition, importance, and effectiveness of Guide Right in serving young men.

 

Michael L. Davis Food Basket Program

In 1983, the Oklahoma City Chapter chose to "raise the bar" in community involvement. To augment its annual Christmas Basket Project where food baskets were delivered to needy families in the Oklahoma City area, the Chapter began a monthly food basket effort. The 24th anniversary was observed in 2006 of the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter's monthly Food Basket Project.

 

Brother Michael L. Davis was appointed Chairman of the Committee. The membership donates nonperishable food items or monetary donations at each monthly Fraternity meeting. Brothers in the Chapter submit names of needy families to the Food Basket Committee for delivery. If no names are offered by the membership, the Food Basket Committee donates the baskets to the Urban League or to Neighbor for Neighbor. At Christmas, special food baskets are prepared for needy families in the community. Over the past 23 years, the Oklahoma City Chapter has donated more than 350 food baskets in and around Oklahoma City.

 

Brother Davis has served as Chairman of the Food Basket Committee since its existence. In appreciation of his many years of dedicated service, in December 2005, by a unanimous vote, the program was named in his honor: Michael L. Davis Food Basket Program. Brother Kevin Cox, Polemarch, Oklahoma City Alumni, stated that Brother Davis who often contributes food and money to supplement the chapter's contributions, is most deserving of the honor arid recognition.

Brother Davis was initiated in December 1977 at Epsilon Gamma Chapter, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma. He graduated with a BS Degree, Industrial Education, in 1979, and a BS Degree, Industrial Safety, in 1983. He has been an active and dedicated member of the Oklahoma City Alumni since 1979.

 

Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter Scholarship Foundation

Two scholarships are administered by the Foundation. The Thomas E. Wadkins and C. Felton "Zip" Gayles Scholarships were established from bequests of their estates. The purpose of the scholarships is to encourage and assist ambitious and worthy young people to continue their formal education.

The underlying premise of the program is that educational institutions impart knowledge, attitudes and skills which equip individuals to appraise, cope and assist in resolving societal problems. Annual Scholarships of $5,000 are awarded to deserving youth.

 

Adopt-A-School Program

The Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter has participated in the program since 1990 with the adoption of Douglass High School. The Adopt A School Program's primary objective is to focus on programmatic activities which provide community support, increase public awareness, improve the school environment, provide financial support, and enhance teaching and learning. The Alumni Chapter's involvement with this program was spearheaded by Brother Kenneth W. Arinwine, a Douglass alumnus, when he was Assistant Principal. Brother Walter Mason, III was the Principal of Douglass at the time.

 

Some Kappa activities have included: a speaker's bureau that has addressed AIDS/HIV, teen pregnancy, gangs, and drug abuse; Health Fairs; student stipends to prepare for ACT and SAT testing; scholarship and financial aid information; clothing and food for needy families; purchase educational supplies; and volunteer and financial support for renovation projects. Also, an after school tutoring and mentoring program was instituted in 1998.

 

Silhouettes

The Oklahoma City Chapter of the Silhouettes was organized October 31, 1976. Fayetta James-Arinwine was the first Silhouette President, In 2000, the Fayetta James-Arinwine Suite was remodeled and dedicated. Fayetta was the spouse of Brother Kenneth W. Arinwine. Fayetta provided exemplary leadership in developing the Silhouettes into a viable and effective auxiliary to support and to expand the mission of the alumni chapter. Dedicated and competent leadership has been the standard of excellence for the Presidents who have led the Silhouettes. Other Presidents have been Betty Adams, Veola Bray, Connie James, Yvonne Harwell, and Cheryl Factory.

 

Many outstanding programs have been designed and implemented by the Silhouettes including: Thanksgiving baskets to needy families, donations to the Food Bank and the Willard Brooks Art Gallery, supportive services to the Black & White Ball, Annual Golf Tournament, and the Annual Christmas Party.

 

One of the most important projects is the Health Packets for the Frank C. Love Cancer Treatment Program at St. Anthony Hospital. In 2001, the Silhouettes adopted the program and now prepares health packets every quarter for cancer patients who are in treatment. The patients and personnel are very appreciative of their services. A very unique program is the "Life Made Easier With a Friend". On the 5th of each month, Silhouettes are to remind a friend, a mother, a sister, or a daughter to take charge of their health. The Silhouettes always look forward to the Annual Sweetheart Dinner Party that is held in February, the Month of Love.

 

Polemarchs of the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter

Since its inception, the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter has had outstanding leadership provided by men of great distinction in terms of their academic preparation, professional attainment, civic involvement, and unswerving commitment to the purpose and ideals of Kappa Alpha Psi. The following Brothers who have served as Polemarch have established a legacy of excellence for the Chapter in Kappadom, Greekdom, and the larger community.

 

¥ Caesar Felton "Zip" Gayles (1937-1942), Legendary Coach and Athletic Director, Langston University

¥ Dr. Charles Wesley Morgan, II (1942-1947), Physician

¥ E. U. Byrd (1947-1952), Educator, Oklahoma City Public Schools

¥ Leroy Moore, Jr. (1952-1953), Educator and Coach, Oklahoma City Public Schools

¥ Hillard H. Sharp (1953-1958), Educator, Oklahoma City Public Schools

¥ Bert V. Watkins (1958-1961), Principal, Oklahoma City Public Schools

¥ Floyd F. Alexander (1961 -1962), Principal, Oklahoma City Public Schools

¥ Herbert Q. Hibler (1962-1965), Deputy Chief of Management, Tinker Air Force Base

¥ Willie D. Ewing (1965-1967), Housing Counselor, U. S. Department of HUD

¥ Wesley William Kirk (1967-1970), First Executive Director, Opportunities Industrialization Center

¥ Warren G. Gardner (1970-1973), Material Engineer, Tinker Air Force Base

¥ Delmas Jackson, Jr. (1973-1975), Relocation Officer, Urban Renewal Authority

¥ Michael Thomas Braswell (1975-1976), Attorney and Developer

¥ Kenneth Wayne Arinwine (1976-1978), Assistant Principal, Douglass High School

¥ Matthew Austin Mason, Sr. (1978-1980), Community Relations Director, Urban Renewal Authority

¥ Kevin Creuzot Cox (1980-1983), Oklahoma State Representative

¥ Charles Wesley Morgan, III (1983-1986), Business Owner

¥ Warren G. Garner (1986-1988), Principal, Oklahoma City Public Schools

¥ Willie Harrison Burnett, Sr. (1988-1992), Executive, Oklahoma Corporation Commission

¥ Charles Tollett, Jr. MD (1992-1994), Surgeon

¥ Leonard D. Benton (1994-1996), President, Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City

¥ LaMonte Bray (1996-1998), Minister and Postal Officer

¥ James Keel (1998-2000), Lt. Colonel (ret) USAF

¥ Sherman Cravens (2000-2001), Executive, Federal Aviation Administration

¥ Wilbur Walker, Sr. (2001-2003), Executive, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

¥ Massalena Gordon (2003-2005), Lt. Colonel (ret) USAF

¥ Kevin Creuzot Cox (2005-2010), Former Member, Oklahoma State Representative and Consultant

¥ Shawn M. Oglesby (2010- 2013), Executive, Federal Aviation Administration

¥ Thomas Jaha (2013- 2016), Oklahoma City Policeman

¥ Mark Phillip Temple, Sr. (2016 - 2018)

 

Notable Achievements

The Brothers of the Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter have a sterling record in pursuit of the Fraternity's highest tenet of achievement in all fields of human endeavor. While it is not possible to list all of those whose achievements have been noteworthy, the following Brothers who have not been listed elsewhere are exemplary of this founding value.

 

AWARDS

Achievement Award

 

The Achievement Commission has responsibility for the selections of a member(s) to receive the Biennial Achievement Award which is the Chapter's most distinguished and prestigious recognition. In addition to achievement which is the principal basis of exceptional merit, other criteria include: character, manifested interest in Kappa Alpha Psi, outstanding performance, community service, and unusual courage or valor.

 

1947 Charles W. Morgan, II 1968 James B. Abram, Jr. 1982 Matthew A. Mason 1998 Clarence Harkins

1949 C. Felton Gayles 1970 William E. Sims 1984 Kevin C. Cox 2000 Leonard D. Benton

1951 W. L. Haywood 1972 Herbert Q. Hibler 1986 Major R. Wilson 2002 Robert T. Adams

1953 Bert V. Wadkins Thomas E. Wadkins 1988 Curley S. Sloss 2004 Michael L. Davis

1956 Wyatt F. Jeltz 1974 Leroy W. Kirk Charles A. Tollett, Sr. 2006 Shawn M. Oglesby

1958 Roosevelt Fleming John V. Patmon 1990 Michael C. Lewis 2008 James R. Keel

1960 Stacy C. Thompson 1976 Kenneth W. Arinwine George M. Richardson 2010 Gerald R. Tillman

1962 Hillard Sharp 1978 Floyd F. Alexander 1992 Willie H. Burnett, Sr.

1964 Warren Gardner Edward M. Porter 1994 Frank F. Wilson, III

1966 Addison C. Sales 1980 Oscar E. Rice 1996 Terry W. Smith

 

Founders' Award

 

The Founders' Award is presented to a Brother whose leadership, service, and devotion have been exemplary of the principles of the Founders. The selection of the recipient of the Award is the responsibility of the Achievement Commission. In 1996, Brother James B. Abrams, Jr. inspired the Oklahoma Statewide Founders' Day Banquet. The sponsorship of the Banquet rotates among the alumni chapters and brings together alumni and undergraduate Brothers to celebrate and to rededicate to the principles of the Founders. Since 1996, the Founders' Award has been presented during the Oklahoma Statewide Founders' Day Banquet.

 

1991 Richard Edward Thornton 1998 Charles B. McCauley 2006 George Bush

1992 Kenneth Wayne Arinwine 1999 Michael L. Davis 2007 Gerald Tillman

1993 Matthew Austin Mason, Sr. 2000 Bobby J. Sharp 2008 T. Sterling Wetzel

1994 Neil Pierce 2001 Charles A. Tollett, Sr. 2009 Charles B. McCauley

1995 Major R. Wilson 2002 Robert T. Adams 2010 Ernest E. Eason

1996 Kevin C. Cox 2004 Michael T. Braswell 2011 Frank F. Wilson, III

1997 George M. Richardson 2005 Kenyatta Lampley 2012 F. Leroy Tilford

 

Polemarch's Awards

 

The awards are presented annually by the Polemarch in recognition and appreciation of Brothers who have provided noted leadership and service. The awards recognize the dedication, commitment, competency, and loyalty of Brothers to assure the effectiveness and success of the Polemarch's administration.

1991 Neil Pierce 2000 Sherman L. Cravens 2007 Jan A. Crump

1992 Thurman R. Patterson 2001 Shawn M. Oglesby and Michael E. Gipson

1993 Robert L. Factory 2002 Richard E. Thornton and Jesse J. Greathouse

1994 Charles B. McCauley and Leonard D. Benton and Thomas Sterling Wetzel

1995 Clyde E. Benn 2003 James L. Mosley 2010 Arnold Burleigh

1996 Robert T. Adams 2004 Arnold J. Parham and Alvin C. Nixon

1997 Arnold Jay Parham 2005 Kenneth W. Arinwine and Vincent R. Washington

1998 James R. Keel and Martin Andrews 2011 Leroy W. Kirk, III

1999 George Bush 2006 David Shelton, III