On June 9 at the Holiday Inn Select-University Center, reporters Marc Willis of WPXI-TV and John Cater of KDKA-TV had the task of reporting good news for a change. Both newscasters are members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and were thrilled to be on the dais for the occasion.

WATCHING THEIR BACKS—Members of the Village behind the students: front row from left: Andre Steed, Christopher Turner, Mohammed Ibrahim, James McNeil and Raymar McLain. Back row from left: Warner Johnson (director Alumni Relations, RMU), Tom Motley (program chair), Davis Hobbs (president KSEF), Darlene Motley (RMU staff member), Daria Motley (RMU staff member), and Rex Crawley (department head and associate professor communications, RMU/vice president, KSEF).

The occasion was the seventeenth annual Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund of Western Pennsylvania High School Scholarship Awards Luncheon with “Good News” as the theme. Over 150 were there to witness the presentations of scholarships to the deserving students.

“Everyone wins when you go to college and continue your education,” said Tom Motley, KSEF program chairman, during his welcome.

Also on the positive afternoon program were Ted Duncan and KSEF president, David Hobbs, Anthony Dixon, Rex Crawley, Warner Johnson and Brian Murray.

The highlight of the proceedings was the awarding of the scholarships; KSEF has received support from Robert Morris University and NEED (Negro Education Emergency Drive) in the awarding of the scholarships.

The 2007 KSEF Scholarship Luncheon Awardees were:

RMU Incentive Awards (these awards were not matched)

Brittani Murray ($3,000)

Antonio Ross ($3,000)

Christopher Turner ($1,000)

Edward Kaikai ($2,000)

Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund Financial Awards (matched 50 percent by NEED)

Christopher Turner ($2,000)

Mohammed Ibrahim ($1,000)

James McNeil ($500)

Raymar McClain ($500)

And the second full RMU scholarship valued at $60,000 was presented to Andre Steed. Winning the scholarship was a surprise to Steed and his mother Rachellie; they left the luncheon with permanent smiles on their faces.

The Scholarship Endowment Fund was the brainchild of past Polemarch of the Pittsburgh Alumni Chapter, Thomas A. Motley.

The foundation currently consists of 16 members of the fraternity that make up its board of directors. Officers of the board of directors are: President, David Hobbs, Vice President, Rex Crawley, Secretary, Walter L. Watson and treasurer, Samuel J. Stephenson.

Other members of the Board of Directors are: Alexander Carlisle, John Davis, Michael L. Dear, Theodore Duncan, George Lewis, Michael McClendon, Eric Morris, Sr., Thomas Motley, Brian Murray, Moses McNeese, Michael Thomas and Aaron A. Walton.