The Elizabeth City (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was established to extend the fraternity's mission of "Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor" to the Elizabeth City and Northeastern North Carolina community.
The Genesis and Early Affiliations
The narrative commences with the Rocky Mount Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, a foundational entity in the region. Its jurisdiction initially extended far, encompassing the Elizabeth City area and surrounding locales such as Ahoskie, Roper, Plymouth, Gatesville, Windsor, and Williamston, N.C. The geographical expanse, however, posed significant logistical challenges, hindering consistent attendance for members residing closer to the Albemarle region.
The Chartering of Epsilon Alpha Alumni Chapter
Recognizing an increase in local membership, coupled with the establishment of Elizabeth City State University as a viable institutional base, discussions within the "Bond" led to the decision to form a new chapter.
- Charter Date: The chapter was formally chartered on July 15, 1970, at Elizabeth City State University.
- Original Name: It was established as the Epsilon Alpha Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc.
- Meeting Location: Chapter meetings were initially held at "The Beach House" in Hertford Beach, Hertford, N.C., a property owned by the chapter's first Polemarch (president), Dr. Joseph Weaver.
Evolution and Inactivity
A significant organizational shift occurred in February 1985 when the chapter experienced a split, leading members in the Ahoskie region to charter their own new chapter. The original Epsilon Alpha Alumni Chapter subsequently evolved into its properly named iteration: the Elizabeth City (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The chapter continued to operate until it entered a period of inactivity around the early 2000s, "approximately" 2005 or 2006.
Re-establishment and Modern Era
The chapter's dormant period concluded during the 2009-2010 fraternal year, a re-establishment spearheaded by the concerted efforts of James E. Robertson, Jr. and Cecil Perry, who assumed the roles of the newly re-established chapter Polemarch and Vice Polemarch, respectively. They were supported in this crucial endeavor by:
- Cornell McBride
- Fentress Morris
- Alan Harris
- Billie J. Reed
- A.C. Robinson
- Rodney Robinson
- Dr. Charles Cherry
- John Kendale
- Horace Reid
- Harold Murrill
This revitalization marked a new chapter in the fraternity's history in Elizabeth City, ensuring the continued legacy and function of the organization in the region.
Yours in the Bond,
James E. Robertson, Jr.