Page 49 - Kappa Eta 40th Anniversary History Book

Kappa Eta Chapter History

The Birth of Kappa Eta Chapter

1970’s

In the spring of 1975, ten Seton Hall University undergraduate students with the
assistance of their faculty advisers gave birth and organized the first black
college fraternity on a predominately white campus. This event was encouraged
by George Garrison (Alpha Chapter, presently in Omega chapter) and James
Deas (Upsilon Phi Chapter), the faculty advisers. The ten young men were
Richard Treadwell (Saints Thirteen Sinners, Spring 1973), Clayton Graham,
Reginald Murray, Joseph Rouse, Carlton Stewart (Fifteen Ways of Death, Spring
1974) and Clarence Bibby, Curtis Caldwell, Thomas Clark, Charles Graham,
Donald Rucker (Last Fourteen, Spring 1975). At this first meeting a decision was
made to file an application with the International Office of Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc. for a local chapter.

The next meeting was held the fall of 1975 and the chapter’s first officers elected
were Richard Treadwell became the first Basileus, Clayton Graham, Vice Basileus,
Joseph Rouse, Keeper of Records & Seals, Thomas Clark, Keeper of Finance and
Carlton Stewart, Keeper of Peace.

During the 1975 fall semester a meeting was held with the university president,
Monsignor Faye, Basileus Richard Treadwell, Keeper of Records & Seals Joseph
Rouse and Faculty Advisor, George Garrison. At this meeting a presentation was
made on why there was a need for a black college fraternity on campus, the
fraternity’s ongoing commitment to the cultural, social and civic life in our
community. The university president and faculty council approved our application
to be recognized as an organization on campus.

One the second Sunday of February 1976 in the Presidential Suite of the Student
Center, our charter ceremony was held for Kappa Eta Chapter. The charter was
presented to the chapter by past Grand Basileus, James Avery and Lance Wilson,
Second District General Counsel on behalf of Theodore Greer, Second District
Representative. It was a sunny wintry day for the charter brothers of Kappa Eta
Chapter as family, friends, faculty and administrators witness this historical event
taken place on at Seton Hall University. The history of Kappa Eta continues….

Kappa Eta 1975-2015 ver June-25-2016 Page 48