Brother Timothy Albert (Lambda Kappa Spring ’86) is a remarkable brother who has dedicated much of his life to Kappa Alpha Psi. He was the 25th Southwester Province Polemarch and has received a plethora of accolades and awards over the span of almost four decades of service.
At the most recent Provincial Council Meeting in Shreveport, Brother Albert received the Southwestern Province Lifetime Achievement Award. We interviewed him in an attempt to get to know this Brother better and give the world some insight into his Kappa journey.
How long have you been a member of Kappa Alpha Psi?
38 Years, I pledged the Spring semester of 1986.
Why did you join Kappa Alpha Psi?
As a young man from a small town (Eldorado, Arkansas), there were so many Kappas in town: Pierce Moore (Lambda Kappa Fall ’82), Henry Christopher (Lambda Kappa Fall ’82), Darren Foreman (Charter Member, Lambda Kappa Spring ’81), Nat Toliver, and Charles Freeman. Their uniqueness stood out to me.They were smooth and kool. When I got to campus, to my surprise, the chapter was coming off suspension. This gave me the chance to watch Fall ’84 and Spring ’85 cross. After I saw the brotherhood, I was sold. Mike Wilson (Lambda Kappa Fall 1984) was like a big brother to me, he put me on the spot in the student center and made me write down why I wanted to be a Kappa.
The determining factors were:
- My mother told me I needed to pledge and learn about brotherhood.
- The conversation I had with Roy Turner (Lambda Kappa Spring ’85) after he pledged
- My cousin, who was my LB (Kenny Woods) said let’s do this (pledge).
Scared to death but I signed my name and made a solemn promise. The rest is history.
What’s your favorite part of being a Lambda Kappa Nupe/Kappa?
The brotherhood. The chapter gave me an opportunity to serve, lead and develop my leadership skills. I see the unlimited potential of our current brothers on the yard, and I love what us old heads are doing in our respective fields. I just wish and hope that we keep the tradition of the chapter going and brothers come back for homecoming.
Tell me about your life experience as a Kappa over the years.
It actually started at Lambda Kappa, we got suspended in 1987. I was the Polemarch from 1987 until I graduated in 1990. Myself, Lawrence Owens “Kash” (Lambda Kappa Spring ’85) and Roy Turner (Lambda Kappa Spring ’85) graduated together, which was a first for the chapter.
We made a commitment to stay an extra semester in school to get Lambda Kappa back on track and back on the yard. This did not go over well with my mother, but she supported me. My leadership skills were nurtured at Lambda Kappa.
From there I relocated to Houston, and started working at Prairie View A&M University. After taking a year off from being active in the frat, I became the advisor of Zeta Beta Chapter and held that position for 10 years. I also served as the Polemarch of the Prairie View Alumni Chapter for 6 years.
When Grand Polemarch Bates was still the Southwestern Province Polemarch, I came up with an initiative that we would have a food drive in each city that the Province Council held. I was the chairman of this committee for 8 years. This initiative donated over 10,000 pounds of food for various shelters. This put me on the map and got me noticed. I have been a Cluster Chairman, Caucus Chairman, Alumni Board Member, and Province Meeting planner. I have also served on the National Reclamation Committee as well as the National Meeting planner team that plans and execute the Conclave.
In 2011, during the Centennial Conclave, I was appointed the 25th Southwestern Province Polemarch by the 32nd Grand Polemarch William Randy Bates. I had One of the longest tenures in the Province (6 1/2 years). I am currently a board member for the SELF Foundation in the SWP.
Tell me about your undergraduate experience as a Lambda Kappa Nupe.
My Lord, what a great time we had on the yard. We ran through the yard and the city! We stepped and won most Greek shows in the state of Arkansas. We threw the livest parties in the city after all home football and basketball games. Community service was a must. We partnered with the local youth shelter and provided tutoring, highway clean-up, turkey donations to the less fortunate families in the city, and visited the nursing home once a month. We hosted the spring Greek show and did a killer after party with the Omega Psi Phi Chapter on campus. “The day Hell froze over”.
I am most proud of what we accomplished because we were off the yard and we still worked harder than we did when we were on campus. Key point: we left the chapter better than when we inherited the reins.
What is your current occupation?
Professor of Sociology
What do you love most about what you do?
How you set and reach goals despite the obstacles you may face. The truth is in the journey not the destination. Being a resource to help others be successful.
Who inspires you?
My mother and my grandmother. Two women that taught a boy how to be a man. Who sacrificed a lot so I could have a better life. Everything I do in life I want to make them proud of me. I don’t want to disappoint.
What advice would you give to young Nupes?
Remember what you promised to do in your interview? Do it!
We all took a sacred oath at the sacred delphic shrine. It’s our obligation to achieve in every field of human endeavor. However, I have learned to realize brothers have different levels of commitment to the Bond. I accept the brother for where he is at, and if I can help him reach higher, I do my part.