Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Pi Alumni Association Achievement In Every Field of Human Endeavor

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1 Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Pi Alumni Association Achievement In Every Field of Human Endeavor Greetings Brothers, As we embark upon 2018, I hope and pray that you and your families will have a blessed and prosperous year. Inclusively, let me thank each of you for allowing me to serve as the Chairman of the Gamma Pi Alumni Association, Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Incorporated. It s a prestigious honor, and I am so appreciative to you all for allowing me to serve in such capacity. Brothers, as we reflect back on 2017, let us not forget the successes, hardships, and struggles we embraced throughout the year. Also, let us be optimistic and assured that 2018 will bring upon greater success; and as Gamma Pi Achievers, and Men of Destiny, we will meet each hardship and struggle with the tenacity and fortitude to prevail. In the Spring 2017, the Gamma Pi family welcomed twenty-one young undergraduate Gamma Pi Brothers into the Bond. This was a monumentous occasion for it had been six years since Gamma Pi Chapter was last active on the Yard. Therefore, we graciously welcomed each Brother into the Brotherhood. Spring 2017 Brothers are: Kenneth C. Eley, Rodrick R. Patterson, Jr., Cedric S. Anderson, Jr., Andre D. Terry, Christopher O. Jackson, Marcellus K. Rankin, Courtney D. Taylor, Hollis D. Hunt, III, Sammie K. Pruitt, Kelsey L. Banks, Akeem J. Johnson, De Montae T. Hedrick, Cordrion S. Tucker, D Andre A. Smith, De Lance M. Turner, Terrence D. Bailey, Jordan R. Freeman, Thaddus Mayberry, Jr., Christopher D. McCoy, Patrick L. Chatman, De Edwin B. Hawthorn. Gamma Pi - Spring 2017

2 Unfortunately throughout 2017, we had several Brothers transition into Kappa Alpha Psi, Chapter Invisible. Our dear and beloved Brothers will be sincerely missed! Brother Needham Jones Gamma Pi Charter Member Spring 1949 Brother William Brown Gamma Pi Fall 1951 Brother Dr. John D. Rigsby Gamma Pi Spring 1953 Brother Alex Pipes Gamma Pi Spring (No Picture Available) Brother Eric Keys Gamma Pi Spring 1989

3 We also had Brothers, who had family members to pass away. Listed are those Brothers that informed the Gamma Pi Alumni Association of immediate family members that passed away: Brother Odell Kool-Aid Glenn Jr. (Gamma Pi-Fall 1985) Father Passed: Mr. Odell Glenn Sr. Brother William Wade (Gamma Pi Fall 1990) Mother Passed: Mrs. Alice Wade Brother Alfred Arrington (Gamma Pi Fall 1964) Daughter Passed: Dr. Shundra Arrington- Warren As a Family and as Brothers, we will cherish the life, legacy and memories of Love Ones lost in We will continue to pray for you, and we will continue to wish upon you and your family God s blessings, mercy and grace as we continue this life s journey. Although there were tremendous loss throughout 2017, the Gamma Pi Alumni Association also had tremendous success. The Gamma Pi Alumni Association continued to support the Gamma Pi Alumni Associations Endowed Scholarship Fund at Alcorn State University by donating fifteenthousand dollars towards our endowment which provides young undergraduate Gamma Pi Brothers scholarships at Alcorn State University. Brother Dr. Albert Chico Allen (Gamma Pi Spring 1970) was honored as a 2017 Alcorn State University Hall of Fame Awardee for the School Agriculture and Applied Sciences. In 1974, Brother Allen was instrumental towards helping to establish the Mississippi State University s Eta Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Incorporated.

4 We had Brother William Brown (Gamma Pi Fall 1951) and Brother James Williams (Gamma Pi Fall 1965) to be inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame. Brother William Brown (Gamma Pi Fall 1951 / Chapter Invisible 2017), a posthumous inductee, was a former defensive lineman for Alcorn State University. Brother Brown was best known for his time as the track and field coach for Mississippi Valley State University s Delta Devils. While at Mississippi Valley, Brother Brown s men track and field teams won the NAIA outdoor track championship in 1980 and The championships served as the first national championships in the school s history. Brother Brown is a member of the Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State Sports Halls of Fame. In 1982, Brown was chosen as a United States Ambassador Olympic trainer/coach for the Bangladeshi Olympic Track team. Brother Brown worked for MVSU from 1968 to 1997, and he was instrumental in the chartering of the Zeta Zeta Chapter at Mississippi Valley State University. Brother William Brown (Gamma Pi Fall 1951) Chapter Invisible 2017) Brother James Williams (Gamma Pi Fall 1965) was a dual-sport star for Alcorn State University Brave s in the 1960s, earning All-SWAC recognition at cornerback as well as in track and field in 1966 and Following his collegiate playing days, Brother Williams played two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Brother Williams, a 1968 graduate from Alcorn, is a member of the Alcorn State University Sports Hall of Fame. Brother James Williams (Gamma Pi Fall 1965)

5 Brother Marino Casem, the Godfather was honored at the 3 rd Annual Marino Casem Scholarship Tournament, and during the Alcorn State University vs Southern University Football game. Gamma Pi Alumni Association s 3 rd Annual Marino Casem Scholarship Tournament Coach Marino Casem received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Alcorn State University s President, Dr. Alfred Rankins Alcorn State University s President Dr. Alfred Rankins Present Coach Marino Casem Honorary Doctorate Degree

6 Brother De Lance Turner (Gamma Pi Spring 2017) had a phenomenal year as Alcorn State University Brave running back for he was the 2017 AFCA FCS Coaches' Second Team All- American, he rushed for 1,357 yards which was the second-most in the nation. Turner was a twotime SWAC Offensive Player of the Week winner, he rushed for 134 yards in the SWAC Championship game against Grambling State. Turner s career-high 272 yards rushed was against Southern which was the second-most in school history in a single game. In three season, Turner ranked fifth all-time in history (2,121 total rushing yards) at Alcorn State University. Turner holds the longest run in school history with an 88-yarder in the season-opener against Miles College. In addition to total yards, Turner finished second in the nation in yards per carry (7.54) this year and sixth in all-purpose yards per game (146.67). Brother De Lance Turner (Gamma Pi Spring 2017) 68 th Year Gamma Pi Founders Day Celebration The Gamma Pi Alumni Association in support with the Natchez Alumni Chapter and Vicksburg Alumni Chapter Celebrated Gamma Pi 68 th Founders Day, April 8 9, On Saturday, April 8, 2017 the Brothers celebrated and fellowship during a picnic on the campus of Alcorn State University, and on Sunday, April 9, 2017, Brothers joined together to honor the Gamma Pi Founders during a banquet held on campus. Brother Jonnie Gilmore (Gamma Pi Spring Charter Member) was in attendance.

7 Brother Jonnie Gilmore (Gamma Pi Spring Charter Member) Brother Dr. John Plump was the Key-Note Speaker for this celebratory and monumentous occasion. Brother Dr. John Plump, Brother Henry Houze and Gamma Pi Spring 2017 Brothers 2017 Gamma Pi Alumni Association Honorees As the Association continues to achieve, I contend that it s imperative that we acknowledge and honor those Brothers that go far-and-beyond the call of duty to serve. In recognition for outstanding support and commitment to service the 2017 Gamma Pi Alumni Association Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Incorporated Honorees were: - Brother Earnest Thompson - Brother Marvin Smith - Brother Sylvester Harris - Brother John Plump - Brother Albert Allen - Brother Archie Taylor - Brother Erskin Mitchell, Jr. - Brother Preston Lee - Brother Kenneth Tillage - Brother Hank Hopper - Brother Eric Fox - Brother Robert Norvell, Sr. - Brother Richard Seals - Brother Placid Eze - Brother Norman Felder - Brother Tommie Pittman - Brother Willie Alexander - Brother Herman Scales - Brother Marcus Taylor - Brother Art Davis - Brother Riley Ruffin - Brother Joe Haynes - Brother Neeko Smith - Brother Michael Joiner - Brother Michael Davis - Brother Sylvester Washington - Brother William Wade - Brother William Hughes We look forward to honoring Brothers in 2018 for their dedication and commitment to serve.

8 Gamma Pi Alumni Association s 2018 Goals and Objectives As we advance our cause, I encourage each Brother to get involved, become active, and participate in our efforts. This year (2018) the Gamma Pi Alumni Association s Goals are as follows: 1. Membership Campaign Annual Membership Dues $ Raise and Donate $15, Gamma Pi Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Program (Scholarship Contribution Campaign) Alcorn s Homecoming Support Gamma Pi Alumni Association s Reunion, 4 th Annual Marino Casem s Scholarship Golf Tournament, Gamma Pi Alumni Association Bereavement Program and other Charitable Endeavors 4. Complete Strategic Plan for Gamma Pi Legacy Memorial Monument at Alcorn State University (Legacy Campaign) 5. Support Gamma Pi Alumni Association s Honors Program Continued financial support to build upon the Gamma Pi Alumni Association s endowed scholarship fund at Alcorn State University will always be our major priority. Therefore, the goal for 2018 is to raise and donate $15, to Alcorn State University. Our plan will be to present the contribution during Alcorn s 2018 Homecoming weekend. The Gamma Pi Alumni Association Scholarship Contribution Campaign (SCC) will be the funding source for this effort. Information will be disseminated to Brothers within the near future with regards to this endeavor, and we strongly encourage each Brother to participate.

9 Gamma Pi Alumni Association s 2018 Programs / Event Schedule - Gamma Pi Founders Day Celebration - April 7-9, 2018 Alcorn Campus - Alcorn State University Homecoming Weekend Celebration October 6, th Annual Marino Casem Scholarship Golf Tournament November 16, 2018 (Clear Creek Golf Course) Vicksburg, Mississippi - Gamma Pi Alumni Association Reunion November 16 18, 2018 (Alcornvs-JSU Weekend) River Walk Hotel/Casino, Vicksburg, Mississippi - Honors Program, Bereavement Committee, and Community Service Gamma Pi Alumni Legacy Memorial Monument Brothers, as we advance our cause together towards the pursuit of excellence in every field of human endeavor, it is fitting, to never forget, from whence we came ; hence, we will continue working towards establishing the Gamma Pi Alumni Legacy Memorial Monument at Alcorn State University. This will be a historical monument that photographically depicts Kappa Alpha Psi Founding Fathers, and engraved names of every Brother that pledged Gamma Pi, to include Gamma Pi Alumni Association s members. The goal for 2018 is to complete the comprehensive strategic plan. The Gamma Pi Alumni Association s Legacy Campaign will be the funding source for this historical and groundbreaking endeavor. In closing, I know there are high expectations warranted by the Gamma Pi Alumni Association of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. As a Bond, we achieved much in 2017!!! Let s do more in 2018!!! Therefore, Brothers! I seek your continued prayers and support towards making the Gamma Pi Alumni Association, the best it can be!!! This is our Extraordinary Legacy, THE LEGACY OF GAMMA PI!!! Yo!!! Wishing each Brother a joyous and prosperous 2018 Yours In The Bond, Dr. Chuck Patrick, PhD. Chuck Patrick, Ph.D., Gamma Pi Fall 1990 Chairman Gamma Pi Alumni Association