Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity records, 1917–2017 | Morse Department of Special Collections

By Cynthia Harris and Natalie Smith

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Collection Overview

Title: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity records, 1917–2017

Extent: 11.0 Linear Feet

Arrangement: Materials are arranged by donor or main subject.

Date Acquired: 08/26/2006. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Kansas State University history, Kansas State University history - Documentation of student life and culture, Kansas State University history - Student organizations

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection is composed of materials relating to the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, and the Delta chapter located at Kansas State University. A portion of the collection is devoted to chapter member Frank Marshall Davis, which includes three of his publications and correspondence between Davis and Kansas State University faculty member, Carol E. Oukrop. The chapter materials also include exhibit contents of physical items and web archives of a later online exhibit. The collection also has some of Phi Beta Sigma's Conclave programs, their national publication (The Crescent), and multiple yearbooks featuring Phi Beta Sigma members. Additional items include group photographs of the Alpha Sigma chapter, artifacts from previous conclaves, and a large Phi Beta Sigma banner. Another item of note is the George A. Parker scrapbook; Parker was a delegate to the 1964 Republican National Convention.

Subject/Index Terms

Kansas State University history
Kansas State University history - Documentation of student life and culture
Kansas State University history - Student organizations

Administrative Information

Repository: Morse Department of Special Collections

Accruals: 2007; 06/23/2015; 02/08/2018.

Access Restrictions: No access restriction: All materials are open for research.

Use Restrictions: The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Physical Access Note: Original materials available during open hours of repository and any digitized materials that are online are available with Internet access. Some materials are fragile and use of copy is required.

Technical Access Note: Collection contains materials that are not accessible without proper technology.

Acquisition Source: Kevin Christian, Todd LeBon, Delta Chapter

Acquisition Method: Donation.

Preferred Citation: [Item title], [item date], Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity collection, [Series name], Box [number], Folder [number or title ], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.

Processing Information: Processor Cynthia Harris rehoused collection and updated description in 2015, and student assistant Natalie Smith updated container list in 2017. University archivist Cliff Hight reviewed it in 2017.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Frank Marshall Davis],
[Series 2: Kevin A. Christian],
[Series 3: Todd LeBon],
[Series 4: Linden Houston],
[Series 5: Theses, 1930, 1933, 1934],
[Series 6: Delta Chapter],
[All]

Series 1: Frank Marshall Davis

Box 1

Folder 1: Membership Cards, circa 1920s, 1946, 1953

The American Newspaper Guild, Associated Negro Press, Phi Beta Sigma Delta Chapter Fraternity

Folder 2: Copy of Membership Cards

Correspondence: Davis, Beth [Charlton].

Folder 3: Black World, Annual History Issue, February 1974

Black World magazine. (Chicago, IL: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.), Vol. XXIII No. 4

"Poems by Frank Marshall Davis," pages 22-26

Folder 4: I Am the American Negro, 1937

Davis, Frank Marshall. I Am the American Negro. (Chicago, IL: Black Cat Press)

Folder 5: Black Man's Verse, 1935

Davis, Frank Marshall. Black Man's Verse. (Chicago, IL: Black Cat Press)

This book is considered a "mini" because of its small size.

Folder 6: Through Sepia Eyes, 1938

Davis, Frank Marshall. Through Sepia Eyes. (Chicago, IL: Black Cat Press)

Folder 7: Copy of Through Sepia Eyes

Folder 8: Photographs

Box 2

Folder 1: Cassette Tapes, Undated: 2 Cassette Tapes of Frank Marshall Davis
Folder 2: Conversation between Frank Marshall Davis and Carol E. Oukrop, March 29, 1984: 36 page transcription of a conversation between Frank Marshall Davis and Carol E. Oukrop.
Folder 3: Program Announcement, Kansas Committee for Humanities, 1984-1985: Announcement of Grants and Deadlines. Carol E. Oukrop and Philip M. Royster applied for a grant to go to Hawaii to interview Frank Marshall Davis.
Folder 4: Correspondence, 1986, 1990-1993: Correspondence between Carol Oukrop and John Edgar Tidwell and between Carol Oukrop and Leonard Ray Teel.
Folder 5: Correspondence: Frank Marshall Davis to Carol Oukrop
Folder 6: Correspondence: Carol Oukrop to Frank Marshall Davis
Folder 7: Carol Oukrop: Frank Marshall Davis Materials and Interview CD

Box 3

Folder 1: Frank Marshall Davis Information 1
Folder 2: Frank Marshall Davis Information 2
Folder 3: Frank Marshall Davis Information 3
Folder 4: Frank Marshall Davis Information 4

Series 2: Kevin A. Christian

Box 4: Yearbooks

Item 2: Maroon and White, 1931

Maroon and White Yearbook. (St. Louis, MO: Sumner High School).

Photographs of Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter member Wirt Dudley Walton on pages 10, 97 and 98. Walton was a music teacher at Sumner High School.

Item 4: Red and Black, 1920

Red and Black Yearbook. Lawrence High School, Lawrence, Kansas.

Item 3: Maroon and White, 1935

Maroon and White Yearbook. (St. Louis, MO: Sumner High School)

Photographs of Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter member, Wirt Dudley Walton on pages 11 and 67. Walton is listed on page 13 under "Music" Faculty.

Item 5: Red and Black, 1921

Red and Black Yearbook. Lawrence High School, Lawrence, Kansas.

Item 6: The Blue M, Manhattan High, 1922

Box 5: Subjects

Folder 1: 25th Conclave Anniversary Program, 1939

Official Silver Anniversary Souvenir Program

Folder 2: 35th Conclave Anniversary Program, 1949

Souvenir program.

Folder 3: 38th Anniversary Conclave Program, 1952

Conclave program of December 27-30, 1952. Includes photograph of the Phi Beta Sigma General Board. Everyone in the photograph has been identified.

Folder 4: 58th Anniversary Conclave Program, 1972

August 15-19, 1972, Miami Beach, Florida.

Folder 5: 65th Anniverary Conclave Journal, 1979

December 26-30, 1979 at Washington, D.C.

Folder 6: 67th Anniversary Conclave Journal, 1981

July 25-31, 1981, Charleston, South Carolina.

Folder 7: 75th Conclave Souvenir Journal, 1989

August 8-13, 1989, Washington, D.C.

Folder 8: 81st Anniversary Conclave Program, 1995

July 11-6, 1995, Washington, D. C.

Folder 9: Conclave '99, 1999

July 6-11, 1999, Dallas, Texas

Folder 10: Conclave 2001, 2001

July 9-15, 2001, Detroit, Michigan

Folder 11: Conclave Memphis, 2003

July 8-13, 2008, Memphis, Tennessee

Folder 12: Theta Sigma Chapter, 1962

Photograph of the 1962 Theta Sigma Chapter, Buffalo, New York

Folder 13: Forcean Yearbook, 1927

Includes Chapter photograph of Alpha Alpha Chapter, Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio

Folder 14: The Sentinel Magazine, 2007

Official publication of Iota Nu Sigma Chapter, Chicago, Illinois

Folder 15: Edgerson, Eugene, The Harlem Globetrotters, 2006

Four authographed photographs - two of Eugene Edgerson by himself, and two with his teammates.

Folder 16: 60th Annual Eastern Regional Conference, 1974

Gamma Rho Sigma, host. May 3-5, 1974, Queens, New York. Includes autographs of Nipsey Russell and Gilbert Daley, Eastern Regional Director.

Folder 17: Phi Beta Sigma History Book, 1970

Only 100 copies made it to publication.

Folder 18: Theta Sigma Chapter; Beta Iota Chapter, 1928; 1948

1928 Theta Sigma Program; 1948 Theta Sigma Chapter photos; 1948 photo of Charter Members of Beta Iota Chapter, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

Folder 19: Nashville Area Sigma Chapters, 1940

Photograph, members of Eta Beta Sigma, Kappa-Meharry, Zeta Alpha, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee

Folder 20: Sigma Flash, Monthly News Bulletin, September 1946

This news bulletin was issued from The Office of the National Executive Secretary, Richmond, Virginia

Folder 21: Theta Sigma Chapter, 1948

Photograph, Theta Sigma Chapter at the home of Brother C. E. Ford, Buffalo, New York

Left to Right - Back Row: Brother Wardner Jones, Funeral Home Director; Brother Ernest Cannon, U. S. Post Office; Brother Dr. I. L. Scruggs, Medical Doctor; Brother Bennie Lipman; Brother Clarence Cooper, Chef, U. S. Central Railroad; Brother Thaddeus "Thad" Johnson; Brother Godfrey Tooten, Owner Liquor Store, Pharmarist; Brother Ernest Gadson

Letf to Right - Middle Row: Brother C. E. Ford, Wholesaler Livestock, Midwest to Canada; Brother Fred Barkley, Social Worker; Brother Leonard Chapman; Brother Alexander Hall

Left to Right - Front Row: Brother James Howell, Director of Maintenance, City of Buffalo; Brother George Nelson, Owner Olde Virginia Sausage Package Plant; Unknown; Brother Jacob Gale, Co-Owner, Olde Virginia Sausage Package Plant

Folder 22: Eastern Regional Conference, Souvenir Program, 1955

April 29-May 1, 1955, Washington, D. C.

Folder 23: 50th Anniversary Conclave Souvenir Program, 1964

December 26-30, 1964, Washington, D. C. Two programs, one cover red the other white. In the white cover program, President Lyndon B. Johnson "LBJ" wrote "To Phi Beta Sigma Fratenity with best wishes, Lyndon B. Johnson". Also in the white cover program there is an original photograph of the 50th Anniversary Conclave Committe.

Folder 24: The Crescent Magazine, 50th Anniversary, December 1, 1964

Vol. 50, No1

Folder 25: Correspondence to Kevin A. Christian from Clarence Pair, January 4, 2001

Clarence Pair, Alpha Chapter, 1918, wrote to Kevin Christian documenting the early years of Sigma and the founding of Zeta Phi Beta, the sister sorority.

Folder 26: Our Cause Speeds On, 1957

Savage, W. Sherman and L. D. Riddick. Our Cause Speeds On. (Atlanta, GA: The Fuller Press)

Folder 27: 75th Anniversary Edition, Phi Beta Sigma Membership Directory, 1989

A directory listing of Phi Beta Sigma members.

Folder 28: Phi Beta Sigma, National Membership Directory, 2003

A directory listing of Phi Beta Sigma members.

Folder 29: 45th Anniversary Conclave Souvenir Program, 1959

45th Anniversary Conclave Souvenir Program, Washington, D. C., December 26-30, 1959.

Folder 30: The Crescent, November 1938

Vol. XIII, No.3

Folder 31: The Crescent, Spring 1949

Special Edition.

Folder 32: The Crescent, Fall 1951

Vol. XXXV, No. 2.

Folder 33: The Crescent, December 1954

Vol. 38, No. 2

Folder 34: The Crescent, May 1960

Vol. 46, No. 1

Folder 35: The Crescent, December 1960

Vol. 46, No. 2

Folder 36: The Crescent, May 1961

Vol. 47, No. 1

Folder 37: The Crescent, December 1961

Vol. 47, No. 2

Folder 38: The Crescent, December 1962

Vol. 48, No. 2

Folder 39: The Crescent, December 1963

Vol. 49, No. 2

Folder 40: The Crescent, December 1965

Vol. 51, No. 2

Folder 41: The Crescent, May 1969

Vol. 55, No. 1

Folder 42: The Crescent, December 1969

Vol. 55, No. 2

Folder 43: The Crescent, May 1970

Vol. 56, No. 1

Folder 44: The Crescent, December 1972

Vol. 58, No. 2

Folder 45: The Crescent, May 1973

Vol. 59, No. 1

Folder 46: The Crescent, November 1973

Vol. 59, No. 2

Folder 47: The Crescent, Fall 1974

Vol. 60, No. 2

Folder 48: The Crescent, Fall 1975

Vol. 61, No. 2

Folder 49: The Crescent, Spring 1976

Vol. 62, No. 1

Folder 50: The Crescent, Fall 1976

Vol. 62, No. 2

Folder 51: The Crescent, Fall 1979

Vol. 65, No. 1

Folder 52: The Crescent, Spring 1981

Vol. 66, No. 1

Folder 53: The Crescent, Spring 1982

Vol. 67, No. 1

Folder 54: The Crescent, Spring 1985

Vol. 69, No. 1

Folder 55: The Crescent, 1986

Vol. 70, No. 3

Folder 56: The Crescent, Summer 1988

Vol. 71, No. 1

Folder 57: The Crescent, Winter 1992-1993

Vol. 74, No. 1

Folder 58: The Crescent, Spring 1996

Vol. 76, No. 2

Folder 59: The Crescent, Winter 2002

Vol. 77, No. 1

Folder 60: The Crescent, Summer/Fall 2002

Vol. 77, No. 2

Folder 61: The Crescent, Winter 2004

Vol. 77, No. 3

Folder 62: The Crescent, Spring 2005

Vol. 77, No. 3

Folder 63: The Crescent, Winter 2005

Folder 64: The Crescent, Fall 2006

Folder 65: Special Conclave Edition, 2007

93rd Anniversary Conclave of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at Charlotte, North Carolina, July 31, 2007.

Folder 66: The Crescent, Fall 2009

Post Conclave Edition, The Crescent Magazine, Fall 2009.

Folder 67: The Crescent, Spring 2010

The Crescent, Phi Beta Sigma Magazine, Spring 2010.

Folder 68: The Crescent, Winter 2011

The Crescent, Phi Beta Sigma Magazine, Winter 2011.

Box 6: Yearbooks, 1920-1927; 1931-1932; 1949; 1952; 1965

The yearbooks include photographs of members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Delta Chapter.

Item 1: Royal Purple, 1921

Royal Purple Yearbook. (Manhattan, KS: Kansas State Agricultural College)

Photograph of Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter on page 226.

Item 2: Royal Purple, 1922

Royal Purple Yearbook. (Manhattan, KS: Kansas State Agricultural College).

Photograph of Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter Members on page 255.

Item 3: Royal Purple, 1923

Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS: Kansas State Agricultural College)

Photographs of members of the Phi Beta Sigma Delta Chapter and their House Mother on page 328.

Photograph of the Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter House on page 329.

Item 4: Royal Purple, 1924

Royal Purple Yearbook. (Manhattan, KS: Kansas State Agricultural College)

Photographs of the members of Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter and their House Mother on page 282.

Item 5: Royal Purple, 1925

Royal Purple Yearbook. (Manhattan, KS: Kansas State Agricultural College)

Photographs of the members of the Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter and their House Mother on page 276.

Item 6: Royal Purple, 1926

Royal Purple Yearbook. (Manhattan, KS: Kansas State Agricultural College)

Photographs of the members of the Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter and their House Mother on page 298.

Item 7: Royal Purple, 1927

Royal Purple Yearbook. (Manhattan, KS: Kansas State Agricultural College)

Photographs of the members of Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter and their House Mother on page 332.

Item 8: The Archives, 1965

The Archives Yearbook. (Jefferson City, MO: Lincoln University)

Photograph of Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter member, Earl E. Dawson, who was President of Lincoln University on page 5.

Item 9: The Panther, 1949

The Panther Yearbook. (Prairie View, TX: Prairie View A & M College)

Photograph of Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter member Francis F. Fry, who was the Chief Engineer on page titled "Mechanical Arts."

Item 10: The Panther, 1952

The Panther Yearbook. (Prairie View, TX: Prairie View A & M College)

Photographs of Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Chapter members Francis F. Fry (Chief Engineer) and Claude L. Wilson (Dean of Engineering) under pages titled "Engineering."

Item 16: The Archives, 1942

Item 17: The Lion, 1953

Box 7: Oversize

Oversize Photographs and Artifacts.

Item 1: Photograph, Alpha Sigma Chapter-Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, 1959: A group photograph of Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Sigma Chapter.
Item 2: Photograph, 45th Anniversary Conclave, 1959: A group photograph of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at the 45th Anniversary Conclave.
Item 3: Photograph. 50th Anniversary Conclave, 1964: A group photograph of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, 50th Anniversary Conclave, 1964.
Item 4: Photograph, Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Sigma Chapter, 1922: A framed photograph, of individual photographs, of the Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Sigma Chapter, 1922.
Item 5: Bag, Blue with Zipper, Conclave, Charleston, 1981: A blue vinyl bag with zipper. Phi Beta Sigma 1981 Conclave, Charleston. Masking tape has the name "Albert Giles."
Item 6: White Canvas tote bag with blue handles and trim., 1989: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. 1914-1989, Diamond Jubilee Conclave, Washington, D. C.

Box 9: Oversize scrapbook, 1964

Scrapbook of George A. Parker from his time as a delegate to the 1964 Republican Convention, San Francisco, California.

Drawer H3.5: Oversize banner

Phi Beta Sigma banner

Series 3: Todd LeBon

Our Cause, The Official Magazine of the Eastern Region of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

The Sentinel, The Official Newsletter of the Iota Nu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Chicago, Illinois

Box 10

Folder 1: Our Cause, Spring 2009: Our Cause, The Official Magazine of the Eastern Region of Phi Beta Sigma Franternity, Inc., Vol. 1, Issue 1
Folder 2: Our Cause, Spring 2011: Our Cause, The Official Magazine of the Eastern Region of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Vol. 2, Issue 1
Folder 3: The PBS Open, 2006-2007: Phi Beta Sigma, Iota Nu Sigma Chapter, Chicago, Illinois, Golf Tournament, 2006-2007.
Folder 4: The Sentinel, Winter 2004: The Sentinel is the Official Newsletter of the Iota Nu Sigma Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Chicago, Illinois.
Folder 5: The Sentinel, Spring 2005: The Sentinel is the Official Newsletter of the Iota Nu Sigma Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Chicago, Illinois,
Folder 6: The Sentinel, Fall/Winter 2005: The Sentinel is the Official Newsletter of the Iota Nu Sigma Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Chicago, Illinois.
Folder 7: The Sentinel, Spring 2006: The Sentinel is the Official Newsletter of the Iota Nu Sigma Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Chicago, Illinois.
Folder 8: The Sentinel, Fall 2006: The Sentinel is the Official Newsletter of the Iota Nu Sigma Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Chicago, Illinois.
Folder 9: The Sentinel, Spring 2007: The Sentinel is the Official Newsletter of the Iota Nu Sigma Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Chicago, Illinois.
Folder 10: The Sentinel, Fall 2007: The Sentinel is the Official Newsletter of the Iota Nu Sigma Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Chicago, Illinois.
Folder 11: Infinite Greek Magazine, Winter/Spring 2004: Infinite Greek, The Magazine created for Greeks by Greeks, Miami, Florida.
Folder 12: Infinite Greek Magazine, Summer/Fall 2004: Infinite Greek Magazine, The Magazine created for Greeks by Greeks, Miami, Florida.

Series 4: Linden Houston

The Sunflower Yearbook, Topeka High School, Topeka, Kansas, 1918.

Box 4

Folder 1: The Sunflower Yearbook, 1918: The Sunflower Yearbook, Topeka High School, Topeka, Kansas, 1918

Series 5: Theses, 1930, 1933, 1934

Theses written by members of the Delta chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

Item 1: Fry, Louis Edwin. The Characteristics of the Egyptian Mastaba, 1930

Louis Edwin Fry's 1930 thesis.

Call # LD2668 .T38 1930 F79

Location: University Archives.

Item 2: Settler, Sheridan H. Full Feeding Versus Limited Feeding of Swine on Peanut Pasture, 1934

Sheridan H. Settler's 1934 thesis.

Call # LD2668 .T4 1934 S41 C.2

Location: University Archives.

Item 3: Wilson, Claude Leonard. A Study of Asphalt Bridge Plank, 1933

Claude Leonard Wilson's 1933 thesis.

Call # LD2668 .T4 1933 W52

Location: University Archives.

Series 6: Delta Chapter

Box 11: Subjects

Folder 1: Balton, Monroe, 1930

November 20, 1930 Phi Beta Sigma initiation certificate received by Monroe R. Balton. Gift of Family given to Dr. Myra Gordon for donation to the University Archives.

Student directory shows where Balton lived while attending Kansas State Agriculture College and Applied Science.

Student photograph from Royal Purple Yearbook, 1935.

Folder 2: Fry, Louis E., Jr., 2007

Arch + Black, an ongoing project that provides convenient access to online resources related to architecture and African Americans.

Folder 3: Scott, Simon Walter, 1928

14 page notebook containing Simon Walter Scott's biography information. Gift of daughter, Virginia C. Spencer.

Folder 4: Media, DVD, Phi Beta Sigma House History, 2006

PowerPoint of Phi Beta Sigma House History with photographs.

Folder 5: Media, DVD, A Pilgrimage to Delta Chapter, 2006

Media, DVD, A Pilgrimage to Delta Chapter, 2006.

5 copies, plus Master Copy.

Folder 6: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, 1920-1927

List of members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Kansas State Agriculture College and Applied Science, 1920-1927.

Box 7: Oversize

Item 7: Poster, Meet ~N~ Greet, Circa 2006-2012: Poster announcing that the Phi Beta Sigma Delta Chapter is inviting young men to attending a "Meet ~N~ Greet" gathering in the Hemisphere Room of Hale Library on September 10. No year listed. Circa 2006-2012.
Item 8: Diploma, Simon Walter Scott, 1928: Photocopy of Simon Walter Scott's 1928 Bachelor of Science in Rural Commerce Diploma, Kansas State Agriculture College. Gift of daughter, Virginia C. Spencer.
Item 9: Centennial proclamation, 2017

Box 8: Exhibit materials, 2006–2008

This box includes copies of materials used in an exhibit in the Morse Department of Special Collections in conjunction with an August 2006 Phi Beta Sigma event at Kansas State University titled the Charles I. Brown Historical Symposium: A Pilgrimage to Delta Chapter. Images and information pertain to the chapter house, 1020 Colorado Street; housemother, Bertha Scott; Charles Ignatius Brown; chapter members who studied agriculture, architecture, engineering (chemical, electrical, mechanical), journalism, general science, and veterinary medicine; and the symposium.

Additionally, the department developed an online exhibit in 2008 about the Delta chapter. Web archives of the site can be found at http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.lib.k-state.edu/depts/spec/exhibits/pbs/index.html.