posted on October 07, 2008 17:10
(October 7th, 2008) Philadelphia, PA - The Indiana Historic Bureau has announced that Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the only national collegiate fraternal organization founded at Indiana University, will be awarded a Historic State Marker to indicate the significance of the fraternity, its mission and legacy at the university located in Bloomington, Indiana.
The marker will be placed at the site of the Kappa Alpha Psi Elder Watson Diggs Memorial and unveiled during the 40th Anniversary and Reunion Celebration of the Groups Student Support Services Program, which will be held on the campus during the 2008 Homecoming Weekend, October 24-26, 2008.
The Groups Student Support Services (GSSS) is a federally-funded program, designed to be a major gateway to Indiana University for first-generation, low-income, and physically-challenged aspiring students. GSSS was established in 1968 and annually admits over 200 students each year, producing an alumni base of almost 9,000. "This is a monumental occasion," Grand Polemarch Dwayne M. Murray, Esq. said, upon hearing the news of the marker, "and to have our marker unveiled during the celebration of an organization that also has achievement as its fundamental purpose makes it even more significant."
The Indiana Historical Bureau's marker will inform the public of the considerable national and international influence of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity on the heritage of American colleges and universities. The unveiling is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. and will serve as a kickoff to Kappa's Centennial Celebration in 2011.
This endeavor was achieved under the guidance of Professor Emeritus William H. Wiggins, Jr., Group Alumni Association Board Member and member of the African American Landmarks Committee of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, which is housed on the third floor of the Diggs Memorial.
Kappa's Executive Director/COO, Richard Lee Snow, North Central Province Polemarch, Michael J. Owens, as well as other national and local fraternity dignitaries will attend the ceremony. "I encourage every Brother who can attend this event to travel to the home of Kappa to share in this moment of history," Murray said.
Kappa Dennis C. Hayes, Groups '69 and Senior Vice President/General Counsel, NAACP, will be the 40th Anniversary Banquet's keynote speaker. Brother Hayes also has been nominated to serve as the 2008 Homecoming Parade Marshal.