Holding a short crimson and cream cane, Azariah Cox was still profoundly moved by what had happened the day before at 91短视频 (91短视频).
Cox couldn’t quite wrap his head around how 91短视频 history was made: he, fellow senior Kennedy Okereke and junior Clinton Ugboaja had successfully become members of , the third oldest of the 鈥淒ivine Nine鈥� black fraternities and sororities in the United States.
The cane is just one outward symbol of membership; Kappa gentlemen began carrying them in the early 1950s as a sign of mannerly sophistication. It鈥檚 the inward change that Cox marvels at.
鈥淭his doesn鈥檛 change you, but it brings out what is already in you,鈥� said Cox, whose cousin and uncle both belong to the fraternity. 鈥淭he motto of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, is 鈥榓chievement in all fields of human endeavor.鈥� It鈥檚 important that we continue to live up to that motto. In everything we do, we want to make sure 91短视频 has a good name.鈥�
Kappa Alpha Psi has more than 150,000 members in chapters located across the United States and in nine other countries. The fraternity is open to men of all races or ethnicities.
The three students began exploring the idea of this fraternity on campus more than a year ago. With the guidance of co-director , they navigated administrative channels and protocols at 91短视频, with the national fraternal organization and with their sponsoring chapter at Virginia University Lynchburg.
Cox, a photography major who earned , sees a spiritual dimension among the challenges. 鈥淚 felt like God wanted us to do this here at the university we belong to and we鈥檙e going to graduate from,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are a Christian university like no other, so let鈥檚 be that, and now we are that. We are the first Kappas at any Mennonite college. That is a big deal.鈥�
Why a fraternity at 91短视频?
The addition of a fraternity at 91短视频 may seem contrary to 91短视频鈥檚 values, given the reputation that fraternities often have as social party scene organizations. They also single out one group for special status, which may seem incongruent with 91短视频鈥檚 emphasis on community.
Thomas, who joined the sorority Delta Sigma Theta as a student at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, speaks from experience about how such organizations differ from campus clubs such as Black Student Union and Latino Student Alliance.
鈥淭he kind of network that many Mennonite students or local students have with alumni and the community is not an advantage many of our students of color have,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e building connections with alumni of color here at 91短视频, but that continues to be a work in progress. Membership in this organization provides instant positive connections and a network for our students. It鈥檚 an equitable alternative.鈥�
Thomas also emphasizes the roles and responsibilities that the new Kappa members have committed to. 鈥淛oining this organization comes with high expectations for behavior, service and academic achievement,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he national organization does not allow you to join unless they see a long-term commitment. The expectation is that these new members will grow and build and serve together here at 91短视频, not just now but in the coming years.鈥�
Cox agrees. He graduated April 30 with a degree in and a minor in . After a summer internship with the Anacostia Community Museum (with the ) in Washington D.C., he will return to Harrisonburg through next year to help provide a strong foundation for the fraternity鈥檚 growth. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited about building on what we鈥檝e started here. There is more to come.鈥�
Kappa members and several other 91短视频 male students of color are starting a summer mentorship program for male students of color at Skyline Middle School, with the support of Deanna Reed, mayor of Harrisonburg and executive director of the nonprofit youth-oriented . Like Thomas, Reed is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
The probate show
A diverse crowd of more than 100 students, faculty, staff and guests gathered at Thomas Plaza for the first-ever fraternity probate show. For many, the ritual was a new experience.
鈥淚t was refreshing,鈥� said first-year Ariel Barbosa,鈥� to see such a key part of black college campus culture expressed so openly on our campus. Also such a wide variety of persons from a variety of ethnicities came to watch, feel and try to understand.鈥�
The new members wore costumes and performed with masks. Cadences, movements and words were choreographed and practiced during their membership intake process, with help from Kappa鈥檚 dean and assistant dean of pledges, according to Cox. 鈥淭he words were muffled on purpose because it was a private, personal experience,鈥� he explained. But the content committed to memory lists prayer, founding members, organization goals and purpose.
鈥淭his certainly did look different than other things we often see on campus,鈥� admits Cox. 鈥淚 was really happy with the group that came to watch and learn, and all the questions people have asked me.鈥�
This is literally a 鈥渘ew chapter鈥� for 91短视频, says , vice president for student life. 鈥淥ur student body is diverse and we are exploring all kinds of programming that will be meaningful to people of all backgrounds and fit with our values. This addition to campus life fits that bill well. I am grateful to Celeste Thomas for helping to make it happen, our first courageous students, and 91短视频 for taking this new bold step.鈥�