Chapter History
Over the past forty years the Germany Alumni Chapter has made honoring and promoting achievement a goal of its long-term action plan. The following vignettes capture the commitment to that goal.
The Germany Alumni Chapter chartered on June 3, 1964 as the Germany Alumni Association, elevated the Northeastern Province to international Province prominence.
The Germany Alumni Association, the first outside the Continental United States, held its first Black and White Ball on May 29, 1965 at “Neuen Entracht” in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The Black and White Ball marked the conclusion of the first anniversary of the founding of the Association.
The Germany Alumni Association added another page to the history of Kappa by hosting the first official visit of a Grand Polemarch outside the United States. The highlight of the Grand Polemarch Holloway’s visit was the Thirteenth Annual Black and White Ball that was held at the 300-year old Castle at Schwetzingen. During his visit, the Grand Polemarch made a courtesy call on General George Blanchard, Commander-in-Chief, US Army Europe and Commander of the Seventh US Army. He was interviewed on AFV-TV and the telecast was aired throughout West Germany.
Founder Edward G. Irvin visited West Germany in August 1980 and spoke before the Germany Alumni Chapter’s Sixteenth Annual Black and White Ball. During his 13-day visit, the Founder toured a major German university, met two of the top Black generals in Europe, taped an interview for the Armed Forces Network television station, and rode a “Kappa Soul Train.”
During 1985-1987 Germany Alumni hosted several honored brothers including; the honorable Walter Fuantroy, the late and esteemed Judge George Crockett, and Congressman John Conyers.
On November 13, 1999 the Germany Alumni Chapter proudly hosted Dr. Tilghman L. Moore, Northeastern Province Polemarch. Dr. Moore was the first Northeastern Polemarch to visit the Western Europe Chapter. The highlight of the visit was when Dr. Moore pinned the Chapter’s neophytes and presented them with their membership certificates.
That same year the chapter hosted Bro Johnnie L. Cochran famed O.J Simpson defense trial lawyer. Bro Cochran visited several area high schools and conducted book signings at local PX bookstores.
In 2004 Germany Alumni Chapter hosted Bro. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., (M.D.) (NASA astronaut), a 1993 Achievement Award recipient and the first black astronaut to walk in space. He was the keynote speaker at the Annual Scholarship Ball and made a lasting impact on all who attended.
2005 was truly a memorable year for the chapter. The Grand Polemarch, Bro. Samuel Hamilton visited the chapter 28 April – 1May. He was accompanied by Bro. Lew Moore, past North Eastern Province Polemarch, and Brother Richard Snow, Executive Director, Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. During the visit, in addition to area orientations these honored guests also participated in an intake ceremony for new members with the Grand Polemarch presenting new members with their official membership certificates and signed copies of the history of Kappa Alpha Psi. Our honored guest also attended the chapter’s Scholarship Ball that weekend. The Grand Polemarch was the keynote speaker at the ball and received outstanding reviews and applause from attendees for an excellent message on the merits of scholarship and education.
2006 was a year that the Germany Alumni Chapter really excelled. To start the year off, the GAC had the largest turnout in recent years for their annual chapter picnic. Family and friends throughout the community joined in the festivities. The chapter voted to donate 10% or 1,000 to the Grand Chapter’s Hurricane Relief drive. At year’s end the chapter donated, 1,000 to the drive. This was one of the busiest years on record for the Germany Alumni Chapter. More social events and fundraisers were conducted more than any of the previous six years. Polemarch Demetrius White, Brother Ortise Uke, and Brother Terry Littlejohn represent the chapter in the Delta Fall Step show. To start the Christmas season off with at bang, the chapter participated in the 2006 United States Army Garrison Heidelberg’s Christmas Parade. The format and audience for the annual chapter Christmas Social was changed from only chapter members and their families to chapter members, families, friends, and supporters of the chapter. During the Social, the chapter conducted its first Christmas Raffle. Prizes included a Dell Laptop, $1,000, and a four-night stay at Edelweiss Lodge in Garmish, Germany. These events were a huge success for the chapter. Chapter historical displays were set up at two Black History programs in US Army in Europe communities. The chapter conducted its first March Madness Bowling tournament, which raised enough money for approximately four $1,000 scholarships.
To bring 2006 to a close the chapter conducted its Annual Scholarship Ball. A member of the chapter, Brigadier General Dennis L. Via, was the keynote speaker. The 2006 Brother of the Year award was presented to Brother Kimberly Durr. 210 members, guest, and friends from Europe and the United States were in attendance. Through hard work and a true commitment to achievement, the Germany Alumni Chapter doubled the amount of funds it had given in scholarships the previous year and eclipsing funds giving in any single year in over 10 years. The chapter gave a total of $8,000 to deserving Department of Defense Schools Seniors. This was one of the most dynamic years in recent his for the Germany Alumni Chapter.
2007 began with a bang with over 60 members, families and friends participating in the chapter picnic in August. In September the chapter began the tradition of attending annual Stuttgart Cannstatter-Volksfest as a chapter event. In December, the annual Christmas Social and Raffle was held at the Zum Ritter hotel in Heidelberg, Germany. This year’s raffle grew to five prizes: 1st Prize: $1,000, 2nd Prize: Dell Laptop, 3rd Prize: $500, 4th Prize, a Paris, France Trip for two, and 5th Prize: Two tickets to the play “A Christmas Carol” at the Heidelberg Castle. POC Claude Burnett reported the chapter raised $4,400 in this event. This was the best single fundraiser in the last five years. Our Founders Day Speaker was Germany Alumni Chapter Past Polemarch MAJ Claude Burnett, Ph D. Approximately 16 brothers were in attendance.
Lieutenant General (RET) Andrew P. Chambers gave the keynote address for the 2007 Annual Scholarship Ball. The 2007 Brother of the Year award was presented to Brother Howard “Donny” Moorer. 225 members, guest, and friends from Europe and the United States were in attendance. In keeping with the theme “Aiding Tomorrow’s Professionals in the Pursuit of Achievement”, the Germany Alumni Chapter awarded eight scholarships totaling $12,500 to deserving Department of Defense Schools Seniors. This was a $4,500 increase from the previous year and a new high for the support to the military communities in Europe.
The Germany Alumni Chapter continues its commitment to honoring and promoting achievement in every field of human endeavor, in service to the community, our country and the Fraternity as we approach a promising future.