Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter History
During the mid-1940s, several members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity determined that there were many brothers living in the Columbia, SC area. As a result of numerous informal meetings and discussions, eleven of those brothers decided to apply for a charter.
On February 2, 1947, a charter was issued bearing the name Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Those charter members were Milton E. Cox, J.E. Dickson, M.A. Entzminger, Stephney Garrick, S.A. Guinyard, Walter E. Johnson, S.B. Marshall, W. Fredric Robinson, Walker E. Solomon, H.G. Thompson and R.C. White.
The members of the new chapter immediately elected officers and set goals. Brother J.E. Dickson was elected the first Polemarch of the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter. The initial goals set by the chapter were (1) provide a $50.00 scholarship to a student at each of the two historically black high schools in Columbia, C.A. Johnson and Booker T. Washington High Schools respectively; (2) provide books about and written by African Americans to each aforementioned historically Black school with the stipulation that both schools would provide a corner in their respective library dedicated to Black history and (3) provide career counselling. What started as a goal, to award $50.00 scholarships in 1947, has blossomed into a program that has awarded over $100,000.00 in scholarships.
Over the years, several Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter members have served in leadership positions at or above the alumni chapter level. Brothers James B. Hardy, Sr., Joseph A. Johnson and Chester Leaks served as Southeastern Province Polemarchs. Brother Collie Rayford, an initiate of Columbia Alumni, served as Southeastern Province Keeper of Records for more than 20 years and Brother Leaks reached a pinnacle of achievement at the Grand Chapter level by serving as Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer. The Joseph Jenkins Award was presented by the Southeastern Province to Brothers Rayford, Leaks and Jerome Brown, a former Province board member, for exemplary service while serving on the Province level. Also, the Province has recognized the service of deceased Columbia Alumni Brother Jerry Johnson by naming the undergraduate leadership award in his honor.
Brother Collie Rayford, who taught and coached for more than 40 years in Richland School District 1, was honored by the naming of the gymnasium at Columbia’s Sanders Middle School, the Collie Rayford Gymnasium. Likewise, Brother Theodius Oates, Jr., a longtime teacher and coach for nearly 25 years at Southeast Middle School in the Lower Richland area of Richland County School District 1, was honored by the renaming of Southeast Middle School gymnasium, the Theodius Oates, Jr. Gymnasium. Brother Bobby Young, who served as head coach of the girls varsity basketball team for 38 years at Columbia High School, was inducted into the Richland School District 1 Hall of Fame and the Richland District 1 theater on the campus of Sanders Middle School was renamed the Freddie E. Grace, Jr. Theater to honor the memory of now deceased Brother Grace who was a music educator. Streets have been renamed to honor the community service and leadership of Brothers Henry Reeder, Sr., a retired educator in Newberry, SC and J.T. McLawhorn, who continues to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia’s Urban League.
There have been many Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter members who have achieved noteworthy recognition in the political and public service areas. SC State Representatives Joseph Neal and Anton Gunn served in the South Carolina General Assembly until Brother Neal’s passing and Brother Gunn was selected to become an advisor to former President Barack Obama. Retired Circuit Court Judge Clifton B. Newman, who gained international recognition for his courtroom acumen while presiding over several high profile cases, continues to garner accolades for his experience and work in the legal field. Brother Stephen Benjamin, the first African American mayor of South Carolina’s capitol city, Columbia, presided over the city’s affairs for over ten years and later became an advisor to President Joe Biden. Brother Luther Battiste was one of the first African Americans to be elected to Columbia’s City Council, a position he held for 15 years. Lastly, Brother Dominic Brown, an Emmy Award winning meteorologist, became an active member of the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter while serving as chief meteorologist for Columbia’s WIS-TV.
The brothers of the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter holds and/or participates in the following events and activities annually:
A. Kappa Alpha Psi Founders Day/Charter Day Celebration/Recognition of 50 Year Brothers: A program celebrating the founding of our beloved Fraternity on January 5, 1911, the chartering of our Alumni Chapter on February 2, 1947 and presentation of the white (cream) jacket (s) to any brother(s) who have attained 50 years in the Fraternity and is financial with the Chapter, is held jointly each year and is open to all Chapter brothers, their families, friends, the Divine Nine and the community.
B. Beautillion Finale: This program is held annually to culminate the training/mentoring seminars open to high school juniors and seniors. Those who successfully complete the program can earn a scholarship which is sent to the institution named by the participant after enrollment is verified.
C. Kappa League Event: A program is held annually to recognize and celebrate the successful completion of the yearlong mentoring program.
D. Summer White Party: This is an annual event that brings together Chapter brothers and their invited guests for fun and fellowship.
E. National Pan Hellenic Council at Columbia SC Banquet: An annual banquet is held by members of the Divine Nine to promote fellowship among the membership.
F. Collie Rayford Golf Tournament: This annual golf tournament is held by the Columbia Kappa Foundation as a fundraiser to provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors.
G. Black/White Diamond Ball: The Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter holds this annual fundraiser dinner/dance during the month of December at the South Carolina State Fair Grounds. This event is an eagerly anticipated formal social function both locally and regionally and has become a favorite kick-off to the holiday season.
H. Monthly Senior Kappas Luncheon: Every second Tuesday in every month throughout the year all senior Kappas (60 and above) and any Alumni Chapter brothers are welcomed to dine together at a designated restaurant. Also, this monthly meeting is an opportunity for members of the Senior Kappa Affairs Committee to discuss any projects, activities or goals the group has set for the Fraternity year.
I. Senior Kappa Week: An annual observance of the Senior Kappa Affairs Committee (SKAC) that allows brothers 60 years and above to conduct visitations to the homes of homebound SKAC brothers and other community members who reside in their home, residential care facilities, assisted living and nursing facilities. The week’s observance usually ends with a SKAC luncheon.
J. Annual Fraternity Cook-out: Every year during the summer months the Columbia Alumni Chapter sponsors a cook-out for all Alumni Chapter members and their immediate families, including widows of brothers who have joined the Chapter Invisible. A significant part of this festive occasion is the awarding of scholarships to high school seniors by the Columbia Kappa Foundation.
The Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter Fraternity house was used as the official meeting place for over 40 years for all meetings both formal and informal, as well as recreational activities, such as the annual cook-out until structural problems developed which made it unsafe. The fraternity house, though presently not in use, is located approximately seven miles from downtown Columbia and a mere three miles from Columbia International University.
In every election cycle, whether it’s a general, state or local election, a “Get out the Vote” campaign is conducted solely by Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter or in conjunction with other organizations or entities.
At the 98th Southeastern Province Council Meeting, April 18-21, 2024, the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter was presented the Province’s highest award, the J. Michael Graves Chapter of the Year (large chapter) Award. This recognition was given for excellence in planning, programming and overall achievement within the Southeastern Province. An article was published in the Carolina Panorama Newspaper in recognition of the Columbia (SC) Chapter being named Chapter of the Year.
In the history of Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter, two foundations have been established. The Columbia Housing Foundation was established to purchase and maintain the fraternity house and property. The Columbia Kappa Foundation was established initially to serve as a fundraising vehicle to raise funds for scholarships to be awarded to graduating high school seniors. The Columbia Kappa Foundation has now been mandated to purchase or coordinate the construction of a new fraternity house since the Columbia Housing Foundation has become defunct.
The Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter serves as an advising Chapter on an ongoing basis to collegiate chapters at Allen University (Beta Rho), Benedict College (Gamma Mu), Newberry College (Xi Pi) and the University of South Carolina (Zeta Epsilon).
