Fred Fayne, who had completed his undergraduate studies at Dillard University, was initiated in Beta Gamma in 1953. He arrived on MU’s campus to attend medical school in the fall of 1959 and lived off campus in the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity House. Fred was joined by Kenneth Moppins and David Goss both of whom transferred to Mizzou from Harris Teachers College in 1959. Both had been initiated into the Beta Nu Chapter in 1958. Also joining Fred Fayne, David Goss and Kenneth Moppins were Roscoe Adams and William Hardy. Roscoe had been intiated into the Beta Nu Chapter May, 1959 and had recently earned an Associated of Arts degree at Harris. William “Bill” Hardy, who was initiated into the Alpha MU Chapter in 1959, also transferred from Lincoln University to MU in the fall of 1960.

With five Kappa men on campus and many others expressing interest in a fraternity, discussions began in earnest to try to establish the first African- American Greek Letter Organization on MU’s campus.

The Diamond Club

In the winter of 1960, Helton Reed, Wilbur Thomas, Marion Holmes, Lake Stith, Charles Hughes, James Rogers, Charlie Rose, Ulysses Walls, John Daneils, Jimmy Witherspoon, Pete Weddle, Paul Gibson, Ben Martin, and Reginal Beal formed an interest group called the Diamond Club.

Brother Fayne was appointed graduate student advisor to the Diamond Club and Brother George C. Brooks, who was an alumni member of Kappa Alpha Psi, served as the group’s advisor. Brother Brooks later became Dean of Financial Aid at the University.