Byron Kenneth Armstrong
Encyclopedia
Byron Kenneth Armstrong was a founder of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Incorporated. He served as the fraternity's first Grand Strategus and Grand Historian, and received the Laurel Wreath, the highest recognition of achievement bestowed by Kappa Alpha Psi.
in 1909, where he met Elder Watson Diggs
. Armstrong, at the end of the Spring term of 1910, visited his cousin, Irven Armstrong, at Indiana University. Armstrong was impressed with Indiana University, and, soon after, he and Diggs left Howard to enroll in Indiana University in 1910. There, Armstrong studied philosophy, mathematics, and sociology.
Indiana University campus. The two men convened with other African-American men at the university with the purpose of developing a fraternity which served in their common interest. On January 5, 1911, the men officially established the fraternity which would be known as Kappa Alpha Psi. Once founded, Armstrong became the fraternity's first Strategus (sergeant-at-arms).
While at Indiana University, Armstrong played a leading role in developing the fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi. He was responsible for developing the Kappa Alpha Psi insignia and emblems, after taking courses in ancient Greek culture. He also was responsible for suggesting the idea of the Laurel Wreath award, the highest recognition of achievement given by the fraternity.
from 1921–1927 and 1931-1935. While in Langston, Armstrong helped start the Langston Alumni Chapter, the Tulsa Alumni Chapter, and the Alpha Pi chapter (at Langston University) of Kappa Alpha Psi. In 1935, he received the Laurel Wreath, the highest recognition of achievement in Kappa Alpha Psi. In 1940, Armstrong earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Michigan
. He taught in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and served as visiting professor at Maryland State College (now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
). Armstrong also served as personnel director for Chrysler
until 1962.
Armstrong died on June 28, 1980 in Los Angeles, California
and was laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery.
Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Alpha Psi is a collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African American membership. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin...
Fraternity, Incorporated. He served as the fraternity's first Grand Strategus and Grand Historian, and received the Laurel Wreath, the highest recognition of achievement bestowed by Kappa Alpha Psi.
Early life
Armstrong was born in Westfield, Indiana in 1890. He attended Howard UniversityHoward University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
in 1909, where he met Elder Watson Diggs
Elder Watson Diggs
Elder Watson Diggs was a principal founder of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He was the fraternity's first Polemarch , and received the Laurel Wreath, the highest recognition of achievement bestowed by Kappa Alpha Psi.-Early life:Diggs was born in Madisonville, Kentucky, on December 23,...
. Armstrong, at the end of the Spring term of 1910, visited his cousin, Irven Armstrong, at Indiana University. Armstrong was impressed with Indiana University, and, soon after, he and Diggs left Howard to enroll in Indiana University in 1910. There, Armstrong studied philosophy, mathematics, and sociology.
Founding of Kappa Alpha Psi
Armstrong and Diggs were distressed by the status of African-Americans at the predominantly whiteWhite people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
Indiana University campus. The two men convened with other African-American men at the university with the purpose of developing a fraternity which served in their common interest. On January 5, 1911, the men officially established the fraternity which would be known as Kappa Alpha Psi. Once founded, Armstrong became the fraternity's first Strategus (sergeant-at-arms).
While at Indiana University, Armstrong played a leading role in developing the fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi. He was responsible for developing the Kappa Alpha Psi insignia and emblems, after taking courses in ancient Greek culture. He also was responsible for suggesting the idea of the Laurel Wreath award, the highest recognition of achievement given by the fraternity.
Later life
Armstrong received a master's degree from Columbia University in 1913. He served as the Dean of Education for Langston UniversityLangston University
Langston University is an institution of higher learning located in Langston, Oklahoma, USA. It is the only historically black college in the state, and the westernmost historically black college in the United States...
from 1921–1927 and 1931-1935. While in Langston, Armstrong helped start the Langston Alumni Chapter, the Tulsa Alumni Chapter, and the Alpha Pi chapter (at Langston University) of Kappa Alpha Psi. In 1935, he received the Laurel Wreath, the highest recognition of achievement in Kappa Alpha Psi. In 1940, Armstrong earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. He taught in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and served as visiting professor at Maryland State College (now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Maryland Eastern Shore located on 776 acres in Princess Anne, Maryland, United States, is part of the University System of Maryland...
). Armstrong also served as personnel director for Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
until 1962.
Armstrong died on June 28, 1980 in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and was laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery.