Edward Giles Irvin was a founder of Kappa Alpha Psi

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 was a recipient of the Laurel Wreath, the highest recognition of achievement for the fraternity.

Early life

Irvin was born in Spencer, Indiana

Spencer, Indiana

Spencer is a town in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,217 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Owen County.Spencer is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

 on August 13, 1893. He graduated from Kokomo High School

Kokomo High School

Kokomo High SchoolPrincipalMr. RemalyFounded1872School typePublic school Religious affiliationNoneLocationKokomo, Indiana, United StatesEnrollment2,137 studentsCampus surroundingsSuburbsMascotWildkatSchool colors...

 in 1910.

Founding of Kappa Alpha Psi

After graduating high school, Irvin enrolled at Indiana University

Indiana University

Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...

. He joined 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,...

 and other African-American men in forming the fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi, officially founded January 5, 1911. Irvin later became a member of the fraternity's first alumni chapter, the Chicago Alumni Chapter, established on April 6, 1919.

Later life

Irvin left Indiana University in 1911 and pursued a career in journalism. He served on the staff of the Indianapolis Freeman, the first black illustrated newspaper. and in March 1922, established his own newspaper called The Shining Star in Anderson, Indiana.

Irvin was successful at expanding the paper from initially being a leaflet to an eight-page paper. This success garnered the attention of management at the Gary Sun, who offered Irvin the job of editor. Irvin accepted the offer, but later left to become sports editor for the Chicago Daily Bulletin.

Irvin was a veteran of World War I, and served on the Selective Service Board during World War II and the Korean War. He was a recipient of a Distinguished Service Medal

Distinguished Service Medal (United States)

The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...

 from both President Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...

 and President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...

.

Irvin died on November 4, 1982, having been the last surviving founder of Kappa Alpha Psi. He was buried in Burr Oak Cemetery on November 12, 1982.

External links

• Official Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated website biography of Edward Giles Irvin