On May 18, 2025, Kappa Alpha Psi, Theta Delta chapter celebrated 50 years on Auburn’s campus. The celebration was weekend long, starting on May 15 and ending on their charter day, May 18. Along with this celebration, Mayor Ron Anders declared May 18, 2025 to be “Kappa Alpha Psi Day.”
In 1974, an extension of the Beta Zeta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi was founded with the Theta Delta chapter being chartered a year later on May 18, 1975. When a fraternity or sorority is chartered, it has been granted a local chapter and the right to operate on a university’s campus. Tony Holland, advisor for Kappa Alpha Psi and keynote speaker for the event explained the significance of the chapter’s charter.
“The Theta Delta Chapter was established on the Campus of Auburn University March 1974 by Dr. Ulyssess McBride, Dr. Earl Higgins, Dr. Clifford C. Baker, Micheal Smith, and Clarence Wilson […] The Theta Delta Chapter was Chartered on May 18, 1975. The Theme of ‘Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor’ characterized the many areas that the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Alumni have excelled in since leaving the campus of Auburn University,” Holland said.
Proclamation made by Mayor Ron Anders observing May 18, 2025 as Kappa Alpha Psi day. | Contributed by Parker Duncan
These Auburn men have put their best foot forward since leaving the University. Some running non-profits, working in law, business, music or even serving in the military. The celebration brought together over 250 undergraduates and alumni from the fraternity, as well as their friends and family.
Jordan Abdur-Rasheed is the current polemarch, or president of the Theta Delta chapter, recently crossed into the chapter. Crossing into a fraternity or sorority signifies that a prospect has been officially made a member after a long period of orientation. Once initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi, brothers are known as “Nupes.”
“[…] I was initiated in March, or somewhere around there and then, a couple weeks later, I was elected President,” Abdur-Rasheed said. “It’s been a great journey and it’s only up from here.”
Among their 50 years on campus, Kappa Alpha Psi has made their presence known through various events. One of the most notable being “Throw Down Thursday,” as told by Parker Duncan, senior in finance. Throw Down Thursday happens along the Haley Concourse at 12 p.m. Most notably, the Nupes will hand out roses on the concourse, and will have other events during this time as well.
Kappa Alpha Psi also holds community service events outside of the University. Most prominently, teaching people the significance of the NPHC. The most recent of these events was held at Richland Elementary School, in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and Our House in Auburn.
They’ve also held events with other fraternities on campus, like a blood drive with Lambda Chi. On the alumni side, Duncan explained that during their charter weekend, they took them around campus showing them everything that’s changed.
“We took alumni on tours to visit the campus that they’d left, just to show the differences from what it was when they were here to what it is now. Seeing the faces that they had when they went back to the places that had been, was good, it was nostalgic. A good experience as a whole, something good to be a part of,” Duncan said.
Newest members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity on May 18, 2025. | Contributed by Parker Duncan
Overall, Duncan and Abdur-Rasheed expressed their want and willingness to spread awareness of their fraternity’s accomplishments and presence on campus.
“We do a lot of service events and even have Kappa Week, it was a great opportunity to be around other young men like myself. Even with events like our 50 year celebration, it was a great bonding experience,” Abdur-Rasheed said. “The more I get to know alumni, especially the ones I didn’t know before, I understand our community more.”
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Brychelle Brooks, senior majoring in public and professional writing with a minor in information systems, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since August 2023. She previously served as the Campus Reporter, Opinion Editor and Newsletter Editor. She is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief.
