GREENVILLE ALUMNI CHAPTER HISTORY
In the fall of 1910 a group of 10 young men at Indiana University began meeting for the purpose
of organizing a fraternity. Thus on January 5, 1911 on the campus of Indiana University -
Bloomington, Indiana the seed of a fraternal tree was planted whose fruit is available to coll-
ege men regardless of color, religion or extraction.
Thirty nine years after the organization and incorporation of Kappa Alpha Psi (born Kappa Alpha
Nu), the Spartanburg Alumni Chapter was chartered on June 11, 1950. It was the brainchild of
Brother J.C. Abercrombie. J.C. Abercrombie was joined by Frank Bennett, Harry C. Gardin, Herman
Glover, Thomas E. Hampton, and H.C. Ogelsby. At the September 19, 1965 meeting the chapter
name was changed to THE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG ALUMNI CHAPTER by the Grand Chapter. This process
was originated during the administration of Brother Thomas E. Hampton, Sr and became effective
under the administration of the designation of the Chapter with the other areas, institution and
facets of this Metropolitan Statistical Area. In September 2003 the chapter name was changed to
the GREENVILLE ALUMNI CHAPTER, as a result of an alumni chapter being established in Spartanburg,
SC.
From this distinguished nucleus has evolved a parade of professional men that have truly
achieved in every field of human endeavor. The composition of the current membership reflects
this. Among the chapter’s members are business managers and educators, some which have PhDs.
There are numerous members in all levels of city, state and federal government including dele-
gates and State Senator, architects, banking/finance, engineers, attorneys, judges, health ser-
vice professionals, veterinarian, dentists, physicians, accountants, ministers, insurance agents
and real estate brokers. There is a myriad of other occupations, some quite unique.
An interesting note is that the chapter has six members with 30 more years of membership in the
fraternity. Two members, Bennie L. Cummingham Sr and founding chapter member Thomas E. Hampton,
Sr. were initiated into Alpha Lambda Chapter at South Carolina State University in 1946.
The Greenville Alumni Chapter has a history of aid to and development of youth. It has expanded
the fraternity’s National Guide Right Program into a year round activity. Its tutorial and men-
toring programs takes place at several venues in different forms: Greenville Elementary School,
Stone Academy and SAT workshops at Greenville Urban League, Violence Prevention Workshops, Week
without Violence, Career Day at Greenville Technical College and the annual Kappa Knights
Program.
Within the fraternity we have furnished many regional (Province) and national (Grand Chapter)
officers - The current Province Polemarch is Solomon S. Bradley and Theoplious Welfare serves
as the auditor for the SouthEastern Province. Brother Chester Leaks and Preston Smith have
served as Province Polemarch. There are a host of brothers who have served and is presently ser-
ving as past officers and committee chairmen. The Greenville Alumni Chapter, at the 1999 Grand
Chapter Meeting received the Paul W. Caine Alumni Chapter of the Year
Award. This award is presented for outstanding achievement in the Fraternity beyond the pay-
ment of dues and assessments.
The Greenville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc is a pro-active organization
striving to make a positive impact on the citizens of the Upstate of South Carolina. We have
embarked on a major financial program establishing a Scholarship Foundation and Community Pro-
ject Foundation. The two foundations are perpetual funding of scholarship and community ser-
vice programs. In order to continue the course and expanding the services discussed above,
your support is greatly needed. With your support, KAPPA will continue to make a difference.