​​​​​​​Elder Watson Diggs 

Timeline of Elder W. Diggs

1883- Elder Diggs was born on December 23 in Hopkinsville, KY (Christian County). Although little is known about his youth or family, it is noted that Diggs had a younger sister and brother.

 

1908- In the spring of 1908 Diggs graduated from Indiana State Normal (Indiana State University) with an unknown degree.

 

1910- Returned to college to further his education. Enrolled in Howard University, where he met Byron Armstrong (also a founder of Kappa Alpha Psi).

 

1911- Both Diggs and Armstrong left Howard and transferred to Indiana University, where Kappa Alpha Psi was born. Diggs also became the fraternity's first Grand Polemarch, chairman. He served as this position until 1917.

 

1912- Diggs marries his childhood sweetheart Clara Bell Smith, a schoolteacher, in Lexington, KY. The couple returned to Indiana so that Diggs could finish school and Clara worked as a schoolteacher. However, since it was illegal for a married woman to teach, the couple's marriage had to be kept a secret. 

 

1913- Clara becomes terminally ill and dies in March. 

 

1914- Continued to work toward expanding the fraternity to other universities, while serving as principal at an Indiana School where he worked to improve the cultural and academic lives of African Americans. 

 

1916- Became the first African American graduate from Indiana University School of Education, and married his second wife, Elizabeth Byrd, that summer. 

 

1917- Resigned as principal to serve in WWI, becoming the first Kappa to join the military. He entered the United State's first Officer's Training Camp at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. After being stationed in Europe, Diggs served with the he 368th Infantry in Europe and later became a Lieutenant. After returning home from the war, Diggs fought to change the Indiana Constitution that prohibited African Americans from serving in the National Guard in Indiana.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Machine Gun Co., Chicago Regiment of Colored Soldiers, 8th Illinois Infantry)

 

1924- Received the Laurel Wreath, Kappa Alpha Psi's highest honor, for his fight and dedication to improve and expand the fraternity. 

 

1944- Returned to Howard University for his master's degree in education. 

 

1947- On November 8, Diggs dies at the age of 64. As a way of honoring Diggs, the Indiana public school where he served as principal for 26 years renames their school "Elder W. Diggs School #42".