History

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Kappa Alpha Psi ®, a social fraternity, is comprised of functioning undergraduate and alumni chapters on major campuses and cities throughout the United States. It is the crystallization of a dream and the beautiful realization of a vision shared commonly by 10 astute founders: Elder Watson Diggs, John Milton Lee, Byron Kenneth Armstrong, Guy Levis Grant, Ezra Dee Alexander, Henry Tourner Asher, Marcus Peter Blakemore, Paul Waymond Caine, Edward Giles Irvin and George Wesley Edmonds.

It was the vision of these noble men that enabled them during the academic year of 1910 - 11, more specifically the night of January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana, to sow the seed of a fraternal tree whose fruit is available to, and now enjoyed by, college men everywhere, regardless of their color, religion or national origin. It is a fact of which KAPPA ALPHA PSI ® is justly proud that the Constitution has never contained any clause which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership merely because of his color, creed, or national origin. The Constitution of KAPPA ALPHA PSI ® is predicated upon, and dedicated to, the principles of achievement through a truly democratic fraternity.

Zeta Epsilon

The Zeta Epsilon Chapter itself was the inspiration of Brother William Turner who was initiated at the Beta Rho Chapter at Allen University in 1966.  After transferring to USC in the fall of 1966, Brother Turner served as the inspiration for men at Carolina who later pledged Kappa at Allen University.  These men would be the impetus in establishing a chapter here at USC. The continued initiation of USC students at Allen led to efforts to establish a chapter here at the University of South Carolina.  However, the brothers faced stern opposition from both the University and the Interfraternity Council (IFC).  The regulations and requirements for establishing chapters were structured in a manner meant to discourage the establishment of an African-American fraternity. To combat this evident racism and mounting opposition, the Executive Secretary of Kappa Alpha Psi came to Columbia to meet with USC officials. The negotiations were often tense and emotional.  In a meeting with then USC Dean of Student Affairs Eugene Cooper, Brother Executive Secretary Morris explained the goals and purposes of Kappa Alpha Psi.  In addition, he pointed out the necessity of a social outlet and a need for African-American college men of purpose the opportunity to share common ideas under a fraternal bond. Thus, on September 25, 1970, the Zeta Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi was chartered in Rutledge Chapel on the campus of the University of South Carolina.  The chartering of Zeta Epsilon is especially significant in that it marked the establishment of the first African-American Greek-letter organization on the University of South Carolina’s campus.

Since being chartered over 50 years ago, the Zeta Epsilon chapter has gone on to produce men of achievement in every field of human endeavor, from years when brothers are on campus leading in roles such as student government on campus to national officers throughout the fraternity. To when student days are done and brothers go to achieve successful careers ranging from CEOs, politicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, military officers, athletes, and even doctors to name a few.