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Centennial celebration information
IT'S KOMING!
The Nashville Guide Right Foundation of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated Nashville (TN ) Alumni Chapter presents the Centennial Celebration.
NAC Marching Toward 100 Years of Achievement in 2026
Honoring Brother Sterlin Adams - 14th NAC Polemarch
Brother Sterlin Adams may not appear in many recent Polemarch photographs, but he remains a living Past Polemarch whose legacy continues to shape the Nashville (TN) Alumni Chapter. Now residing in Tallahassee, Florida, Brother Adams is seldom able to return to Nashville; nevertheless, his impact on the chapter is enduring and unmistakable.
A proud initiate of the Pi Chapter, Brother Adams served as Polemarch from 1973 to 1976, where he was widely known for his first-class style, high standards, and reputation as a perfectionist in leadership. During his tenure, the Kappa House at 901 26th Avenue North was remodeled, the chapter’s Happy Hour tradition was established, and numerous scholarships were awarded to deserving students.
Under his administration, the chapter’s Black & White Balls became hallmark events—hosted at the National Guard Armory and featuring two live bands, ensuring continuous music and an elevated experience on both sides of the venue.
Brother Adams was honored as the guest speaker at the chapter’s 90th Charter Celebration in 2016, held at Temple Church, where his presence reminded all in attendance of the excellence and tradition he exemplified as Polemarch.
by
Brother Larry Morris
NAC Historian
nac marching toward 100 years of achievement
HONORING BROTHER "JT" SMITH
As we proudly march toward our 100th anniversary, and in this season of giving, it is fitting to shine a spotlight on one of our most dedicated brothers—James “JT” Smith.
Brother Smith faithfully chaired the Chapter’s Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, laying the foundation for the tradition we continue today. His leadership and vision created a blueprint that remains central to our annual efforts to serve families in need across Nashville.
A retired barber by trade, Brother Smith’s barbershop at 16th & Jefferson Street was a cornerstone of the community. For decades, it stood as a gathering place second only to the Kappa House, where brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi could connect, fellowship, and organize. The Chapter often hosted fish fries and leveraged the shop’s high-traffic location to raise funds that supported our mission and programs.
Beyond his service to the fraternity, Brother Smith is a proud Vietnam War veteran and a 1983 initiate of the Nashville (TN) Alumni Chapter. Today, he continues to reside in North Nashville, embodying the spirit of brotherhood, service, and resilience that defines our Chapter.
We honor Brother Smith not only for his contributions to Kappa Alpha Psi, but also for the lasting impact he has made on the Nashville community. His legacy reminds us that the work we do today is built upon the dedication of those who came before us.
by
Brother Larry Morris
Historian
Nashville (TN) Alumni Chapter
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Centennial Feature: Honoring Brother Professor Neal McAlpine
A Cultivator of Growth — In Science, Service, and the Bond of Brotherhood
As the Nashville (TN) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. approaches its 100th year of achievement, we proudly highlight one of our distinguished brothers whose life’s work blossomed far beyond the classroom — Brother Professor Neal McAlpine.
For more than 40 years, Professor McAlpine served as a Professor of Horticulture at Tennessee State University, specializing in ornamental and flowering shrubs and plants. He held a Master of Science degree in Horticulture and became widely respected for his groundbreaking research with orchids and peaches. Each peach season, he demonstrated his commitment to community and education by opening the university orchards to the public once research samples were collected — a gesture that reflected both generosity and love for people.
Professor McAlpine’s influence extended well beyond the United States. From 1980 to 1984, he taught at Egerton College in Njoro, Kenya, where he helped establish the college’s horticulture curriculum — leaving an enduring global legacy in agricultural education.
His excellence was recognized through numerous awards and his induction into the School of Agriculture and Home Economics Hall of Fame, where he wore his medallion with great pride every day.
Initiated in 1939 through the Alpha Theta Chapter, Professor McAlpine went on to become one of the most respected and beloved members of the Nashville Alumni Chapter — and at one time, the oldest living Kappa Alpha Psi member until his passing in 2003. A proud Mason and man of faith, he embodied the ideals of Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor with quiet dignity and enduring purpose.
Through his research, mentorship, and lifelong service, Brother Professor Neal McAlpine cultivated more than plants — he cultivated people, communities, and excellence that continue to grow long after his time.
nac - marching toward 100 years of achievement
Bridging the Gap Through Brotherly Love: A Look back to 1993
As the Nashville (TN) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., chartered on April 24, 1926, marches boldly toward our 100th year of achievement, we take a moment to reflect on a special piece of our history.
In the April 1993 edition of The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal, two of our very own—Brother Cecil Hardy and Brother James Reese—were featured together on the cover. The article inside, titled “Bridging the Gap Through Brotherly Love,” captured something timeless: the unity of generations within the Bond.
Brother Hardy, initiated in 1947, was the chapter’s most seasoned member at the time. In that Journal feature, he reflected on the future of Kappa Alpha Psi, sharing what he hoped to see by the year 2000. Standing beside him was Brother Reese, a Fall 1991 initiate and then the youngest member of Nashville Alumni. He shared the excitement of his first two years as a Kappa man.
That powerful image of the oldest and youngest brothers side by side embodied the strength of our fraternity: wisdom and legacy passing into the hands of new leadership, ensuring continuity of our purpose. Just months later, in July 1993, Kappa men from across the nation convened in Nashville for Conclave—making the moment all the more significant for our chapter’s history.
As we prepare to celebrate a century of service, let us remember how far we have come and how important it is to keep bridging the gap through brotherly love.
Yours in the Bond,
Brother Larry Morris
Chapter Historian