Q&A with Amanda Belcher, Fraternity Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Alpha Kappa Psi

Posted On September 17, 2021 By Nicole Klemp In Alumni, Blog Articles, Volunteers /  

During the fall of 2020, we launched an anonymous survey regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to better understand how well our fraternity fosters a culture in which all members can be their true authentic selves.

In this survey, we found that over 80% of our student members and 65% of our alumni members believe that Alpha Kappa Psi has a responsibility to provide DEI training.

Some of that foundational work has already begun, so to learn more, we sat down with Amanda Belcher, AKPsi’s Fraternity Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to learn more.

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20 Years Later: Remembering the Brothers We Lost on September 11th

Posted On September 9, 2021 By Nicole Klemp In Alumni, Blog Articles /  1

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil and a tragic day for our nation. At 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 collided into the World Trade Center’s north tower in New York City, killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more. Just 17 minutes later, a second plane, United Airlines Flight 175, flew into the south tower. About 30 minutes later, a third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the west side of the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., while a fourth plane, United Flight 93, crash-landed into a field in Pennsylvania killing all 40 souls on board.

So many innocent lives were lost during this attack, including three of our own Alpha Kappa Psi brothers: Thomas E. Burnett, Minnesota ’85, David H. Winton, Fordham ’91, and Jayceryll M. de Chavez, Rutgers ’98-Life.

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Tribute to Women

Posted On October 5, 2020 By akpsi In Alumni, Updates /  

This year we celebrated the 45th anniversary of AKPsi allowing women to join the fraternity!  But did you know, it took several years before the opposition was finally defeated?

In 1972, President Nixon (and AKPsi brother), signed Title IX, which states that no person, on the basis of sex, can be excluded from participation, or denied benefits, under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

A Title IX exemption was introduced and in 1973, the Fraternity Alliance for Inalienable Rights, a 17 member organization which AKPsi was a member, was formed to oppose Title IX for professional fraternities.

During Convention in 1975, Alpha Kappa Psi initiated a fundraiser to combat Title IX, and a write-in campaign to attempt to sway legislators also began. A committee for female membership was created and proposed the Fraternity should bar women due to the Title IX exception legislation.

However, when it became apparent that non-inclusive legislation would not be approved, it was actually the Board of Directors that voted on August 7, 1976, to admit women into the Fraternity.

“Given the exposure we had to the business community-at-large, we could no longer deny women the same right to learn as we had learned.” John Eppinger Jr, Jacksonville ’75 Life

The Fraternity’s growth is directly linked to the admittance of women and makes up roughly half its membership. Women are chapter Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Pledge Educators. They are Chapter Advisors and Regional Directors. In 1985, AKPsi elected the first Female Fraternity Vice President, in 1991, the first Female Foundation Chairman, in 2003, the first Female Fraternity Chairman, and in 2007, finally, the first Female Fraternity President.

 

 

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Zeta Pi Chapter Receives Surprise Visitor

Posted On November 4, 2019 By akpsi In Alumni /  

Beginning in 1964, Jim Anderson and soon-to-be fraternity brothers paved the way for future students at Fort Hays State University by founding Alpha Kappa Psi’s 139th chapter, Zeta Pi. Chapter members received a special treat last spring when Anderson returned to his old stomping grounds.

Anderson said he visited his alma mater to have an opportunity to talk to students who are still abiding by the principles and values he put in place 55 years ago.

His visit began with a tour of campus and a walk down memory lane with current Zeta Pi chapter members. Anderson even gave a speech, detailing his career and the importance of a work-life balance, which he understands as a father of four.

“It was an incredible experience to connect with one of the founding members of Zeta Pi and to see and hear their successes after leaving the university,” said brother Kattie Jenik.

Jenik said the chapter hopes more alumni will visit and tell their stories to the student members who are still learning and writing the first chapter in their lives.

Since graduating in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in business, Anderson began a long and impressive career in insurance, including a decade as the chief executive officer of Fremont Life Insurance Company from 1986 – 1996. He also spent time as the senior vice president of Americo Life, Inc., managing marketing and sales operations. Anderson is retired now, residing in Paso Robles, California.

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