Jazz music filled Memorial Stadium’s Colonnades Club on Saturday night as gentlemen in crimson and cream suits clinked glasses and welcomed each other back to campus. Kappa Alpha Psi alumni, who had pledged as long ago as the year 1952, sat side by side with current members of the fraternity at a banquet to celebrate the first centennial anniversary of an African-American fraternity at the University.

In 1913, nine members of the “Illio Club,” the only student group of African-American men on campus at the time, became the first African-American fraternity at the University and the second chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi in the country.

On behalf of the University administration, Renee Romano, vice chancellor of student affairs, gave an address commemorating the history of the fraternity.

“Can you imagine what this campus was like in 1913?” she asked. “Nine men came together and felt they deserved the best education the world had to offer, so they came to the University of Illinois. They weren’t only going to come here and spend their time, they were going to leave a mark — one that lasted 100 years.”

In appreciation for the University’s support in allowing the fraternity to remain on campus for a century, chapter polemarch Rodney Simpson, the group’s executive officer, presented the University with plans for a bench that will be donated during Homecoming weekend next year.

Brothers of the fraternity began their celebration Thursday with several service events, including a blood drive and Build-a-Bear Workshop. The stuffed animals from the event were personalized and donated to the children of The Swann Special Care Center, a home and school for individuals with the mental and physical disabilities.

Simpson said one of the main objectives of the fraternity has always been to uplift the surrounding community and help where they can.

“At the end of the day, if you’re not helping your community, then really what are you doing to create actual change?” he asked. “Our motto is achievement in every field of human endeavor. And that is something we can truly say, as a Beta chapter, we have upheld throughout our history of the past one hundred years.”

James Montgomery, oldest present alumni of the fraternity and trustee for the University, gave the keynote speech at the banquet, addressing current issues that face urban black America and how the alumni of Kappa Alpha Psi can give back to the African-American community.

“There is an obligation to give back some of what you have achieved,” he said. “It is critically important that you spend (your capital) where you have the opportunity for it to come back into your community.”

William Patterson, alumni of the class of 1984, called Montgomery’s speech extremely inspiring.

“It was geared towards giving back to the community and encouraging the men that are here to recognize the fact that we have been given an opportunity…and should use (our) success to bring finances back into the African-American community,” he said.

Patterson said giving back to the community is not only the most important thing he can do as a fraternity member but also the most important thing he can do as an African-American man.

As the fraternity began their special rituals and the Kappa song played loudly in the next room, Anthony Wilson, current member of the fraternity and senior in Business, said he felt truly honored and excited to be a part of the centennial celebration.

“Members of our chapter, we always acknowledge what our founders have represented, and those are the same things we are doing today,” he said. “For me to be in chapter at a time like this is wonderful. I actually get to see members who have paved the way throughout Beta history the hundred years it has been here.”

Corinne can be reached at [email protected].