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THE BEGINNING
In 1958, a group of young men of the music department at Florida A &M University began preparation to petition Kappa Kappa Psi for a local chapter on campus. These men were carfully selected by the band staff and represented the best of the best in the marching band. The petition was not completed but out of the students' efforts arose a service organization known as the Harmonic Minors club for bandsmen. With membership composed of outstanding bandsmen, the club was willing to render service in whatever capacity it could to enhance and augment the program of the University Bands.
Through the dedicated effort of the club, many notable projects were fulfilled during the years of 1958 and 1959. The club decorated the annual homecoming float for the music department; served as the host committee for visiting bands; placed permanent markers on the band rehersal field; and handled the entire music display and exhibits, representing sixtey-seven pulishers and manufactures at the annual Florida State Music Educators Association Clinic sponsored by the music department at Florida A&M University.
In
1959, Dr. Foster, asked Mr. James H. Latimer to serve as faculty advisor
to the group and to re-investigate the possibility for the club to become
affiliated with Kappa Kappa Psi. Through his untiring efforts and the
new spark brought to the club by Mr. Latimer, the visions of two years
of hard work were again placed in front of the Grand Council of Kappa
Kappa Psi. The petition was approved and the installation date
was set. On May 26, 1960, the Delta Iota chapter was installed at Florida
A&M University. The initiation ceremony was presented by the Gamma
Nu chapter of Florida State University. After the initiation, the chapter
was officially installed by Dr. Manley R. Whitcomb, Grand President of
Kappa Kappa Psi and Director of the Florida State University Bands and
was recognized as the Delta Iota Chapter, the 105th chapter of Kappa Kappa
Psi.
James Barnum, Charles Bing, Leonard Bowden, Lenard Bowie, Albert Brooks, Charles Buggs, George Campbell, Wallace Clark, William P. Foster, Edward Holt, Robert James, James Latimer, Ruffie London, Charlie Nelson, Robert Thomas, Joseph Walden The chapter was the third chapter installed at a Historically Black College or University behind the Gamma Omega chapter at Texas Southern and the Delta Alpha chapter at Langston University and the first HBCU chapter in the southeast. Ironically, though installed by the Florida State University chapter in 1960, the first African-American did not attend Florida State University until 1962.
During the first year of operation as a chapter, the Brothers had the unique oportunity to meet the Brothers from the Delta Alpha chapter from Langston University on their way to perform in Miami in the fall of 1960. The chapter started the first pledge class by selecting seventeen of the best members of the FAMU band. Included in these seventeen members were Thomas Lyle who would serve as Director of Bands at Alabama State University, John Daniels who would later serve as a chapter sponsor for several years as well as a professor in the music department, and our current director of bands Julian White.
For the 1961-62 band season, the brothers held an orientation for the freshman band members. The chapter also hosted the members of the "Jaguar Band" of Southern University and also hosted the members of Jackson College during the 26th annual Orange Blossom Classic held in Miami, Florida. The chapter designed displays, arranged the display area, painted all clinic signs, and served as clinic guides and assistants for the Florida State University Music Educators Association. The chapter made a great impression on the band members on what the fraternity was about. As leaders in the band, the brothers took the lead in every aspect dealing with the band possible.
THE FUTURE
The Delta Iota chapter has set a standard for leadership in which each member must strive to achieve.
The chapter has continually produced some of our greatest leaders in the field of bands. Examples such as Bro. George Edwards director of bands at Prarie View A&M University, and Bro. Jorim Reid director of bands at North Carolina Central University, Bro. Kalomo Bailey director of bands at Kentucky State University, Bro. Don Roberts director of instrumental music for Dekalb County Georgia, and Bro. Marvin Johnson director of bands at Savannah High School represent only a few of the leaders this chapter has produced. As band directors, these Brothers have and will influence generations of musicians. As performers, Brothers such as Wycliffe Gordon, Scotty Barnhart, and Vincent Gardner will help permeate the musically legacy of DI worldwide.
Continuing
our Leadership within the Fraternity, the chapter is proud to have produced
8 district officers, Bro. Akil Mason(Southeast
District Vice-President 98/99), Bro. Nicholas Thomas (Southeast District
Member-At-Large 00/01), Bro. Alvin Benton(Southeast District Vice-President
01/02), Bro. Johnson Joseph(Southeast District Secretary/Treasurer 04/04),
Bro. Robert Bryant (Southeast District Secretary/Treasurer 05/06), Bro.
Jarrell Thomas(Southeast District Vice-President 03/04-President 04-06),
and Bro. Samuel Rowley(the first Souteast District President 03/04 from
an Historically Black College or University). The chapter has the unique
distinction of producting two district presidents back-to-back. The chapter
has also produced 2 District Governors Bro. Ronald Sarjeant and Bro. Warren
L. Duncan, Director of Bands Tuskegee University.
As it was in 1960 when the 11 best bandsmen were selected to charter this chapter, it stands today as the chapter continues to Lead in all aspects of the Marching "100" Band and the Music Department at Florida A&M University. "As
DI goes, so goes the "100", and as the "100" goes,
so goes DI" "DI Motto: We do not make leaders, we attract leaders and FOSTER leadership!" Udugu Fi Ngoma!
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