The 90th Charter Day Celebration for A-Sig Alumni and the "Mothership"

Greetings A-Sig Alumni, fellow Nupes, dignitaries, family members, friends, and guests.

We welcome you all back to the Greater Baton Rouge and the illustrious halls and iconic buildings of the Southern University. 90 years ago, the chartering and steering committees had an amazing vision to seek to launch the first undergraduate chapter in the Southwestern Province. From its initial humble beginnings to our 90th Charter Day celebration, we gather in this magnificent occasion and our anchored venue, to pay tribute to those initial visionaries whose dreams have turned real, thanks to all the guide rights that have stewarded us as A-Sig brothers. Before becoming the reigning 3 times Province Chapter of the Year, the Mothership established a rich heritage steeped in tradition, I draw your attention to our inception and early history below:

The first chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. established in the southwestern region of the United States was chartered in 1928 in Marshall, Texas. The very next day following the establishment of the Marshall (TX) Alumni Chapter, the Houston (TX) Alumni Chapter received a charter. And about three years later, the San Antonio (TX) Alumni Chapter was established.

By this time, numerous alumni members of the Fraternity were actively working throughout the State of Louisiana, particularly in the southern metropolitan areas. Some of the early residents of the New Orleans and Baton Rouge area included: Dr. Henry E. Robinson, III; Dr. Taylor Segue; Dr. Leo S. Butler; Dr. August C. Terrence; Dr. Leonard G. Israel; Dr. Frank Johnson; and Coach Arnett W. Mumford, a charter member of the Marshall Alumni Chapter and its first Vice Polemarch.

In 1935, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity established an undergraduate chapter of the campus of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Alpha Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi was chartered February 22, 1935, making it both the first chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in the State of Louisiana and the first chapter for undergraduate students in the Southwestern Province. The charter members were: Polemarch Winfred W. Williams, honor student and President of the Senior Class; Vice Polemarch James C. Merrick, President of the Junior Class and the 1936 Magna Cum Laude graduate; Keeper of Records and Exchequer Joseph B. Britton, a 1936 Cum Laude graduate; star athlete and Strategus Carlyle Chapman; Lieutenant Strategus Norman J. Johnson; Historian and 1936 Cum Laude graduate, John Claude Vaughn; and members Horatio Thompson, Hannibal J. Patty and Stanford J. Purnell.

The first formal Scroller Club –a pre-membership club – in Louisiana was organized in December 1935, with six students: Buffington C. Cox, Vernon Dixon, Harold Frazier, Guy A. Hanks, Elton C. Harrison, and Alvin Williams who were initiated on December 18, 1935. The following semester, eight new members were initiated: Wallace L. Bradford, Lincoln J. Harrison, Morris T. Haydel, John J. Hedgemon, James E. Hines, Henry A. Lewis, Herbert W. Mack, and Floyd W. Marshall.

The Alpha Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi led in academic excellence achievement at Southern University among campus Greek-lettered fraternities. Dean Felton G. Clark, who later became the second President of Southern University, praised the Alpha Sigma Chapter for its efforts to encourage scholarship among its members, aspirants, and in-coming freshmen. The chapter was also highly praised for its presentation of Oscar Wilde’s play “An Ideal Husband” and a three-act comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Chapter cultural programs were well received by both the university and the surrounding community.

The first three Polemarchs of the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity were: Polemarch Winfred W. Williams (1935), Polemarch Stanford E. Parnell (1936), and Polemarch Elton Harrison (1937). Some of the chapter sponsors of Alpha Sigma and alumni supporters of the new chapter were Dr. Leonard G. Israel (Xi, 3/25/1923), Dr. August C. Terrence (Xi, 11/4/1921), Dr. Leo Stanley Butler (Xi, 12/27/1920), Professor Julius Kraft (Marshall Alumni, 2/22/1930), George D. Lipscomb (Theta, 1/1/1919) and William W. Stewart (Pi, 3/22/1923).

On behalf of the various 90th Charter Day Celebration Committee Members and leaders, welcome home to the 90th Charter Day!

YITB Sincerely,

Brother Anthony D. Winters, Esq., LL.M., LL.M.

Spring 1998 Initiate of The Mothership; 15 Klub

Committee Member

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WATERMARK Baton Rouge, Autograph Collection 150 N. Third St. Baton Rouge, 70801

Revel in the luxury of our host hotel while in the Red Stick.

Discover the perfect blend of timeless design and modern amenities at WATERMARK Baton Rouge Autograph Collection, a Marriott Bonvoy property. Located in downtown this boutique hotel features easy access to iconic attractions including USS Kidd and Manship Theater at the Shaw Center for the Arts. Families of students and alumni will appreciate our location just 4 miles from our beloved Southern University and A&M College and 2 miles from Louisiana State University. This historic hotel’s classic design continues to their rooms and suites boasting stylish decor and plush pillowtop beds. Modern amenities such as complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and flat-panel TVs are also included. When it's time to indulge, look no further than The Gregory, their on-site restaurant and lounge. Quick drinks and snacks can also be found at Milford's On Third, an on-site New York-style deli. Ready to get down to business. This former bank boasts four meeting venues including a 1920s vault redesigned into a scenic gathering space. WATERMARK Baton Rouge Autograph Collection adds style, flair and luxury fitting for our 90th Charter Day Celebration and Events.

Click HERE for hotel registration and more information.

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Somewhere Neighborhood Bar 214 3rd St. Suite 1B Baton Rouge 711pm (1911) - 935pm

To kick off our 90th Charter Day Celebration and Events, we begin at Somewhere Neighborhood Bar. With it's inviting atmosphere and laid-back charm, Somewhere is more than just a bar—it's a gathering spot where friends, old and new, come together to share stories, laughter, and good times. This neighborhood bar allows us A-Sig Mothership members a quick cocktail to begin an easy evening, where we can experience the warm charming welcome to Baton Rouge with fantastic, curated food and crafted drinks. So let’s kick back, and commence our Charter Celebration in Baton Rouge (the home of S.U. and our beloved A. Sig)—because at Somewhere Neighborhood Bar, everyone's a regular. The destination’s creator Daniel Unda is no stranger to the downtown service industry. Unda has worked in the area for almost 20 years and also currently serves as general manager at Capital City Grill.

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Greystone Golf & Country Club 9461 St. Andrews Ct. Denham Springs, LA 70726

730am Corporate Sponsorship Check-in, Continental Breakfast and Welcome; Safety Brief and Mulligan’s Purchase; 800am Driving Range, Warm-up, and Putting Green Practice; 825am Marshall’s Position; 830am -Shotgun Scramble Begins

To begin Day 2 of our 90th Charter Day Celebration Greystone Golf and Country Club, which is the perfect place to capture our golfing passions. Greystone is many things to many people! It's a special place to raise a family for those who have chosen to make this place their home! To golfers playing nearly 30,000 rounds of golf each year, it's a real joy to work their way around the diverse layout.

At Greystone Golf & Country Club, the golf professionals and managers pride themselves on the high quality of magnificent golf, superb amenities and outstanding service that they offer their customers. Greystone has become a staple of the community, and in the process earned recognition as one of the region's premier golf experiences in Louisiana. DIRECTIONS: Greystone is conveniently located just 10 miles east of the Interstate 10 / Interstate 12 split, roughly under 15 minutes from most workplaces in Baton Rouge.

Playing our 9-Hole, 2-Man Scramble

Our 9 hole, 2-Man scramble is organized with opposing team in Foursome scoring the opposite team. Golfer A and Golfer B form our team in a two-man scramble tournament. On the first tee, both golfers hit drives. They compare the results. Which ball is in the best position? Let's say Golfer B's drive is best. So Golfer A picks up his ball and moves it to the location of Golfer B's. (The most commonly used criteria for placing the moved ball is to place it within one club length of the selected ball's position.)

Both golfers then play their second strokes from that location. They compare the results of the second strokes and, again, select the ball in the best position. The other golfer moves his or her ball to that location.

This method of play continues until the golf ball is holed to record the team score by opposite team. Best scores at the end of 9 holes wins the tourney 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies.

For more information on Greystone Golf & Country Club, click HERE!

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Baton Rouge Alumni House 668 Harding Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70807 1000am-735pm

1000am-200pm Professional Kappa Headshots; 1200-145pm OSvNS Bowling Tourney; 1200-145pm OSvNS Spades & Dominos Tourney; 215-245pm Southern University Chancellor John Pierre Welcome and Group Photo at A.W. Mumford Stadium and Golf Tourney Award Presentation; 300-600pm Chicken & Beer (catered by Corey Polk); 6pm-735pm (1935hrs) (Largest Pass the Cup in A-Sig History; and Depart to Don Juans) 800-1000pm Don Juan’s Cigar Bar

As Day 2 continues, The Mothership celebrates with the Flagship. Founded on February 22, 1935, “The Mothership” has served as a beacon for the Southwestern Province and its prominent initiates and alumni have had great partnership and stewardship from the Flagship chapter. The Mothership’s members were among the august chartering members and first Polemarch of the Flagship Chapter along with other brothers on March 15, 1942. This brotherly bond and interwoven familial connection has garnered a partnering relationship while fostering and supporting the Mothership Chapter’s continued guidance necessary for an undergraduate chapter’s existence and its sustained growth. This location is in a word “HOME.” As our collective and individual first memories as members of this esteemed Klan were cemented here, the frat house and the lot will serve as the perfect accoutrement, backdrop, and setting to share old stories from the first 90 years and capture new and lasting memories for the Mothership’s future.

To learn more about this rich, brotherhood and tapestry of fraternity, click HERE!

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NOTE!!! Order THE STATEMENT SWEATSHIRT seperately on the Alpha Sigma Shop and Newsletter through Curtis Parker, Jr. We request all members to wear THE STATEMENT SWEATSHIRT on February 21, 2025 at the group photo in A.W. Mumford Stadium. An image of the sweatshirt is below. Curtis advises order early so that the sweatshirt can be mailed to you before you attend the 90th Charter Day.

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Don Juan Cigar Bar 7539 Corporate Blvd Ste 170, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 800pm-1000pm

To cap off night 2 of our 90th Charter Day Experience, we have selected Don Juan Cigar Bar, located directly in the heart of Baton Rouge. As this is South Louisiana’s best place to enjoy a world-class cigar with your favorite cocktail. At Don Juan’s, we will continue sharing stories of the first ten decades of A-Sig while enjoying fantastic premium cigars paired with signature cocktails. With its wall to wall televisions and plush leather chairs, Don Juan Cigar Bar presents the perfect backdrop for us gather, reflect, and view an exciting sporting events.

For more information about Don Juan Cigar Bar, click HERE!

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Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank 10600 S. Choctaw Dr. BR, LA 70815 800am-1100am

As Day 3 and our actual Charter Day begins, we serve our community at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Community Service is a form of payment to the Baton Rouge community for decades of supporting the Mothership’s initiatives and events. Baton Rouge has embraced and guided the members of the Mothership and this event invests our time back to the Red Stick.

Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank started in 1984, out of necessity, as the Baton Rouge economy was among the worst in the nation. The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank was organized to aid in this problem in the fall of ’84 as an outgrowth of Urban Ministries Coalition. The downtown churches and social relief agencies, all members of the Coalition, had noticed three times the usual number of people coming to them seeking assistance. Also at that time, Delchamps Food Stores contacted United Way wanting to donate the food they could not sell to a local organization that would feed the hungry. United Way called together a small group that became the Steering Committee for the new Food Bank. We will volunteer and serve pursuant to this awesome mission.

For more information on Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, click HERE!

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KOK Wings and Things, 1509 Government St. Building D, Baton Rouge, 1130am-1pm

As Charter Day continues, after volunteering and serving the community through the Greater Baton Rouge Foodbank, we will have a volunteer’s only brunch. This celebratory event is for the food bank volunteers only. KOK Wings’ owners and developers had a dream, similar to the dream of the Chartering members of the Mothership. The KOK dream began back in 2016 when owners -- Avery Bell, Corey McCoy, Jared Johnson and Tre’Jan Vinson, fraternity brothers in Kappa Alpha Psi in a chapter launched from the Mothership, decided to take their chicken wings they created and curated for families and friends into food service with their desirous entrepreneurial spirit.

At first, the four continued to serve their wares out of their home kitchen at 117 Clinton St. while also working their regular jobs. They set aside all the money they could, and within a year, they were able to build a food truck trailer to take their cooking on the road. However, there was one oversight the four did not account for — funds to buy a truck to haul the trailer. Vinson said they had been turned down for a loan by numerous banks, but that didn’t stop them.

Their unconquerable zeal and passion for serving others helped them overcome those early setbacks, whereby they rented a truck every time they needed to bring out the trailer to events like Mardi Gras in Franklin, which ate into most of their profits, but with some help from Acadiana Food Hub, the four behind KoK were able to press on and, in another year, were able to realize their dream and open the restaurant and ultimately, they have six locations throughout south Louisiana.

The Mothership and volunteers for Day 3 will be able to enjoy Kitchen on Klinton, which is first and foremost a purveyor of bar food. While its key staples are fried chicken wings — traditional and boneless — and fully loaded fries, the restaurant also has a full bar and serves fried shrimp and fish. Let’s patronize our dear brothers at the Baton Rouge location.

For more information about the great food at KOK Wings and Things and their successful brand, click HERE!

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90th Charter Day Celebration Dinner,

Sullivan’s Steakhouse 5252 Corporate Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

711pm (1911hrs)- Cocktail Hour (cash bar); 735pm(1935hrs) Rededication Ceremony; 800pm Dinner; 930pm Award Ceremony and Charter Commencement; 1000pm Universal Language Band Concert; and 1100pm DJ.

Day 3 of our 90th Charter Celebration concludes with our seminal and penultimate event. Please join us as we formally observe and celebrate the Chartering of our Chapter since February 22, 1935. No better place to enjoy this incredible milestone than Sullivan’s Steakhouse and Ringside Lounge. Sullivan’s elevates the culinary experience and is Baton Rouge’s premiere dining destinations. Here, we will indulge in a night of Southern elegance and world-class, ambiance at Sullivan's Steakhouse. Enjoy and savor a uniquely crafted, three-course dinner, live music, and a chic, sophisticated, adult atmosphere. This is the perfect way to commemorate the first 90 years of the Mothership Chapter and launch towards our fall version of this celebratory year. The program will feature a brief award presentation, ceremonial pomp & circumstances, followed by music and fun with an incredible live performance by the award-winning Universal Language band and two DJs to dance the night away in the Ringside Lounge. This will be a historic night to remember. Happy 90th Charter Day to the Mothership!

To learn more about Sullivan’s Steakhouse and Ringside Lounge, click HERE!

To learn more about this exceptional band, please follow them on Instagram @universallanguageband

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Living Faith Christian Center, 6375 Winbourne Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70805 1015am

Day 4 brings an appropriate conclusion to our 90th Charter Day Celebration at Living Faith Christian Center. This religious service center pays homage to the Founders and our noble klan’s foundational principles. The Founders were God-fearing and serious–minded young men with the imagination, ambition, courage, and determination to defy custom in pursuit of a college education and career. The ideals of the church were an important foundation of the fraternity. One of the 5 Objectives of the fraternity is: “To promote the spiritual, social, intellectual and moral welfare of members.” Many aspects of the fraternity’s rites are engrained in Christian ideals and contain excerpts from the Bible.

It was clear at the outset that the fraternity would not simply mimic the principles or practices of other organizations. Nor would the fraternity seek its members in the manner of other Greek organizations – from among the sons of wealthy families or families of social prestige. These men of vision decided the fraternity would be more than another social organization. Reliance would be placed upon high Christian ideals and the fundamental purpose of ACHIEVEMENT.

Thus, LFCC is the most appropriate place to conclude our 90th Charter Day celebration, which draws close to the fountainhead underpinnings of this klan. LFCC is led by internationally acclaimed author, pastor, and founder, Bishop Raymond W. Johnson. He is a multifaceted leader, teacher, and preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, A-Sig, let’s gather and honor our Klan’s Christianian principles and celebrate the first 90 years and beyond.

For more information on Living Faith Christian Center, click HERE!

Event Venue

Baton Rouge, United States