The History Of

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Black-sponsored Greek letter organizations on the Indiana campus might well have begun in 1903, but there were too few registrants to assure continuing organization. In that year a club was formed called Alpha Kappa Nu with the purpose of strengthening the Blacks' voice at the university and in the city of Bloomington. The reason for choosing the Greek letter name is not known, but it is known that the club expired within a short time. There is no record of any similar organization at Indiana until the chartering of Kappa Alpha Nu in 1911.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on the campus of Indiana University on January 5, 1911. Originally charted and incorporated Kappa Alpha Nu on April 15, 1911, the name was officially changed to Kappa Alpha Psi on April 15, 1915.

The founders sought a formula that would immediately raise the sights of black collegians stimulating them to reach accomplishments higher than they had imagined. With achievement as its purpose, Kappa Alpha Psi began uniting college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a bond of fraternity. Subsequently, chapters spread in succession to the University of Illinois, the University of Iowa, and Wilberforce University campuses. By 1919, the Kappa Alpha Psi experience had generated serious interest among black college degree holders to form Alumni Chapters.

The Fraternity is predominantly African-American whose fundamental purpose is achievement. Kappa Alpha Psi seeks to train its membership, particularly undergraduates, for leadership roles in their respective communities and the attainment of a high degree of excellence in their academic pursuits.

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