Guy Levis Grant
Encyclopedia
Guy Levis Grant was a founder of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Incorporated. He was instrumental in developing The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi, the primary historical document for the fraternity, and was named Grand Historian Emeritus of the fraternity.
) in 1909.
. There, he met Elder Watson Diggs
and the other men with whom he would establish the fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi. The fraternity was officially founded on January 5, 1911. Grant remained active in the fraternity, helping to establish the Beta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at the University of Illinois (now University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
).
).
After receiving his degree, Grant practiced dentistry in Indianapolis and, in 1929, married Laura Hammons. He was a member of various civic and professional organizations, as well as being a member of the Second Baptist Church in Indianapolis. Grant continued to serve Kappa Alpha Psi, serving on the Grand Board of Directors and being named Grand Historian Emeritus of the fraternity.
Grant died on November 11, 1973 in an Indianapolis nursing home. Among those who attended Grant's funeral was Founder Edward Giles Irvin
. Grant was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery
, near the grave of Founder Elder Watson Diggs.
At the 59th Grand Chapter Meeting for Kappa Alpha Psi, the Guy Levis Grant Award was established. The Award is given to members of undergraduate chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi who have accomplished significant achievements. Up to four of these awards may be given during a Grand Chapter Meeting.
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 He was instrumental in developing The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi, the primary historical document for the fraternity, and was named Grand Historian Emeritus of the fraternity.
Early life
Guy Levis Grant was born in New Albany, Indiana in 1891 to Robert and Lucy Grant. When Robert Grant died, Guy took responsibility for ensuring the education of himself and his younger brothers. He attended public school and graduated from Scribner High School (now New Albany High SchoolNew Albany High School (Indiana)
Founded in 1853, New Albany High School is one of the oldest public high schools west of the Alleghenies and the first in Indiana. New Albany High School has the first rastafarian-run FM radio station to be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and has had their own cable TV channel ...
) in 1909.
Founding of Kappa Alpha Psi
After high school, Grant entered Indiana UniversityIndiana 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...
. There, 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,...
and the other men with whom he would establish the fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi. The fraternity was officially founded on January 5, 1911. Grant remained active in the fraternity, helping to establish the Beta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at the University of Illinois (now University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
).
Later life
In 1915, Grant graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. In 1920, he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from Indiana Dental School (now Indiana University School of DentistryIndiana University School of Dentistry
The only dental school in Indiana, Indiana University School of Dentistry , is located on the IUPUI campus in downtown Indianapolis.- History :...
).
After receiving his degree, Grant practiced dentistry in Indianapolis and, in 1929, married Laura Hammons. He was a member of various civic and professional organizations, as well as being a member of the Second Baptist Church in Indianapolis. Grant continued to serve Kappa Alpha Psi, serving on the Grand Board of Directors and being named Grand Historian Emeritus of the fraternity.
Grant died on November 11, 1973 in an Indianapolis nursing home. Among those who attended Grant's funeral was Founder Edward Giles Irvin
Edward Giles Irvin
Edward Giles Irvin was a founder of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He was a recipient of the Laurel Wreath, the highest recognition of achievement for the fraternity.-Early life:...
. Grant was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery, located at 700 West 38th Street in Indianapolis, is the third largest non-governmental cemetery in the United States at . It contains of paved road, over 150 species of trees and plants, over 185,000 graves, and services roughly 1,500 burials per year. It sits on the highest...
, near the grave of Founder Elder Watson Diggs.
Legacy
As Grand Historian, Grant had collected a large amount information concerning the history of Kappa Alpha Psi, with the hopes of seeing a recorded history of the fraternity. This and other information was compiled and transformed into a publication titled The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi, written by Past Grand Polemarch C. Rodger Wilson and William L. Crump, then the editor of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Journal.At the 59th Grand Chapter Meeting for Kappa Alpha Psi, the Guy Levis Grant Award was established. The Award is given to members of undergraduate chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi who have accomplished significant achievements. Up to four of these awards may be given during a Grand Chapter Meeting.