(1890-1947)Revered Founder Elder Watson Diggs
"The Dreamer"
| (1890-1947) |
ELDER WATSON DIGGS. Born in Madisonville, Kentucky, Elder Watson Diggs graduated from the Indiana State Normal School (now the Indiana State Teachers College) at Terre Haute, Indiana, in the Spring of 1908, and entered Howard University in 1909. In June 1916 he was granted a degree by Indiana University. His leadership ability, sincerity of purpose, enthusiasm and dedication earned for him the respect of his fellows, and the office of the First Grand Polemarch of the newly established Fraternity. He held that office for six consecutive years (to December 1917), for this and other outstanding achievements, he was awarded the first Laurel Wreath, the Fraternity's highest recognition for achievement, in 1924. Upon America's entrance into World War I, Diggs resigned his principalship to enter the Nation's first Officer's School Training School at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and was commisioned as a lieutenant. Writing for the May 1916 issue of the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal, E. W. Proctor reflected the esteem in which Diggs was held with statement: "(He) will be graduated this June. Our Grand Polemarch has been the alpha of every attempt directed toward some good end. It is with great regret that we are about to loose him." Diggs died November 8, 1947, and a public school in Indianapolis was named in his memory. |