Marcus Peter Blakemore (1889-1959), born in Franklin, Indiana in 1889, attended common and high schools in Anderson, Indiana. As a result, the Delaware State University chapter was suspended for 10 years. "What they wanted to achieve being founded in the . Realizing that they had no part in the social life of the university and drawn together by common interests, they decided that a Greek-letter fraternity would do much to fill the missing link in their college existence. Able assistance provided by each of the remaining Founders furnished necessary sustenance for the embryonic group. Except for the years of World War I and II, when some Grand Chapter Meetings were suspended, Kappa Alpha Psi has grown and prevailed with unabating impetus. It is the nation's first Black Greek organization. Jesse Jerome Peters, later to become the eighth Grand Polemarch, was chairman of the committee, during the administration of W. Ellis Stewart as Grand Polemarch. One pledge was beaten so badly that many of the veins in his backside were broken and he developed a life-threatening gangrene infection. The five national Guide Right initiatives [16] are Kappa League, Jr. Kappa League, A-MAN Program,[17] St. Jude Research Hospital, and the premier program, "Kappa Kamp," which enables inner city boys to attend camps across the county. Many brothers have questioned whether or not the founders were Masons or. shown in 2nd picture from left to right are Past Polemarch Brother Roderick Ray,Past Polemarch Brother . Two of the founders were, Elder . One of the 5 Objectives of the Fraternity is: To promote the spiritual, social, intellectual and moral welfare of members. Many aspects of the Fraternitys rites are engrained in Christianity ideals and contain excerpts from the Bible. Founded October 13, 1926. Throughout the years, the Atlanta Alumni Chapter has served as a shining example of what committed Kappa Men can do. Taking careful attention to detail and to ensure the fraternity was rooted in authenticity, these Founder Diggs took courses in Greek heraldry and mythology and applied their combined knowledge to the development of these articles. Instead, because of social restrictions for African Americans, fraternity . For their works to establish the fraternity, Diggs was named permanent chairman, Lee was designated as secretary and Armstrong as sergeant-at-arms. The Fraternity's fundamental purpose is achievement. Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, was born in an environment saturated in racism. The fraternity has many notable members recognized as leaders in the arts, athletics, business, Civil Rights, education, government, and science sectors at the local, national and international level. Guy Levis Grant, Edward Giles Irvin, and Sgt. Through their combined labors, the fraternitys ritual and ceremonial forms, constitution, hymn and motto were created, and insignia and emblems were fashioned. The Masonic and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Brothers in 2007. Unfortunate events resulted in Edmonds losing contact with the fraternity, and for many years not much was known about his life and whereabouts. John Milton Lee, born in Danville, Indiana, September 7, 1890, was graduated from the Danville High School in 1910 and entered the University of Indiana and there completed three years of pre-medical work. Formidable barriers were put up to prevent the few who were enrolled from assimilating into co-curricular . With the new responsibility of supporting the family, George took a job with the area coal mines and worked with the coal mines and the railroad until he died of pneumonia on June 13, 1962. [24], Membership is a solemn commitment. Despite the growing hostility of Whites toward Blacks in Indiana, some Black students sought a college education at Indiana University, as it was a tuition-free university of the highest quality. George Wesley Edmonds (1890-1962) was born in Vanderburgh County, Knight Township, Indiana on August 13, 1890. It was clear at the outset that the new fraternity would not warm over principles or practices of other organizations. The name was officially changed to Kappa Alpha Psi on a resolution adopted at the Grand Chapter Meeting in December 1914. FOUNDED 1952 Learn about Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity, Inc. in OrgCentral. History. The Fraternity would seek to raise the sights of Black youths and stimulate them to accomplishments higher than might otherwise be realized or even imagined. One day as one of the Fraternity members, Frank Summers, was running the hurdles, Founder Diggs overheard a White student state, He is a member of Kappa Alpha Nig. This change became effective April 15, 1915. [19], The Student of the Year Competition is a contest that encompasses six areas deemed critical to a successful life - scholarship, talent, community involvement, poise and appearance, career preparation, and model chapter operation. Upgrade to remove ads. Their experiences at Howard gave rise to the chief motivating spirits which sowed of the seed for a fraternity at Indiana University and crystallized the idea of establishing an independent Greek-letter organization. degree from the Medical School of Indiana University in 1919. Grand Polemarch David II, implemented the division of the Fraternity into three districts. Fraternity and Sorority Educational Programs First Semester of Membership Experience. Careful consideration was given to ensure the organization established a firm foundation the first year before efforts to expand were attempted. Ezra D. (Dee) Alexander 32 Constantine Consistory No. Create. These men of vision decided the Fraternity would be more than another social organization. Founder Elder Watson Diggs, was quiet, polished, scholarly, a prolific writer and commonly referred to as 'the Father of Kappa'. [5] The organization known today as Kappa Alpha Psi was nationally incorporated under the name of Kappa Alpha Nu on May 15, 1911. January 5th - Kappa Alpha Psi. The Kappa League is a series of activities designed to help young high school male students develop their leadership talents. The state of Indiana became a stronghold for the Ku Klux Klan. This environment made day-to-day life for Blacks an arduous task and attempts to successfully achieve in school, nearly impossible. It remains the only Greek letter organization with its Alpha Chapter on Indiana Universitys campus. The charter members were Elder Watson Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong, John M. Lee, Henry T. Asher, Marcus P. Blakemore, Guy L. Grant, Paul W. Caine, George W. Edmonds, Ezra D. Alexander and Edward G. Irvin. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet correlate to Christ and the Founders relationship and connection to the church. Members of the fraternity need a minimum 2.5 GPA to be considered for Kappa Alpha Psi scholarships. It is a tribute to the ten deceased founders of Kappa Alpha Psi. Able assistance provided by each of the remaining Founders furnished necessary sustenance for the embryonic group. On December 30, 1929, a charter was granted to the Alpha chapter at Butler University making the organization a national college sorority. Ras J. In 1929, he married Laura Hammons. They found that through these close interactions, they had common interests and a close bond began to emerge. The organization was given the temporary name ofAlpha Omega, while they further developed the formation of the organization. John SingletonJohn Singleton, BET founder Robert Johnson and Johnnie Cochran are some of the more than 100,000 members of Kappa Alpha Psi. These men of vision decided the Fraternity would be more than another social organization. Thirkield Hall) at Howard . The Alpha Rho chapter of Chi Psi fraternity, founded at Rutgers College in 1879, was the first fraternity at Rutgers to own a fraternity house, or "Lodge", purchased in 1887. Consequently, eight other men met with Diggs and Armstrong for the purpose of organizing such a fraternity. "Membership Handbook". The Kappa Alpha Psi tree was vandalized on Howard University's campus. [44], Also in 2009, two Kappas at the University of North Texas were arrested and charged with a Class B misdemeanor for brutally beating a pledge with a paddle. The fraternity revised its membership development and intake process, instituted policies against hazing and has taken steps to reinforce and strengthen its stance against prohibited conduct. When MIT was founded in 1861, most students lived locally and commuted from home. Many African-American students rarely saw each other on campus and were discouraged or prohibited from attending student functions and extracurricular activities by white college administrators and fellow students. Kappa League was founded on Thursday, February 12, 1969, by the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., at Alain It was renamed the Kappa Instructional Leadership League The Founders were Mel L. Davis and Edgar H. Bishop. He was born in Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, on December 23, 1883, and was the eldest son of three children. . Their intolerance toward Blacks fueled the negative mindset of other Whites residing there. These men of vision decided Kappa Alpha Nu would be more than another social organization. The Past Polemarchs of the Hartsville Alumni Chapter of KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY,INC. The founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. are: Elder Watson Diggs, more affectionately known as 'The Dreamer', Dr. Ezra D. Alexander, Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong, Atty. A few clouds. Established on notable ideals including unity, honorable achievement, and service to the public, Kappa Alpha Psi is an organization of . In the school years of 1910-11, a small group of Black students attended Indiana University. Their intolerance toward Blacks fueled the negative mindset of other Whites residing there. January 9th - Phi Beta Sigma. Aside from his success as a Journalist, Brother Irvin was a pioneer in promoting basketball and track athletics in the small town schools of Indiana. The Founders sought one anothers company between classes and dropped by one anothers places of lodging to further discuss the means of formulating the fledgling fraternity in an effort to relieve the depressing isolation. Paul Waymond Caine was born in Charleston, Indiana, in 1891 and attended grade school and high school in Greencastle, Indiana. [54], In March 2014, several Kappas from the University of Memphis were arrested and charged for hazing and beating pledges. The state of Indiana became a stronghold for the Ku Klux Klan. The name of Fraternity and the image it portrayed was of paramount importance. Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarships. [37] Any member, who participates in underground pledge activities, or hazing of any kind, shall be expelled from the fraternity.[38]. [27], In February 2022, fraternity member and head financial director of the fraternity, Curtis Anderson, was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for embezzling $3 million from the fraternity over six years. Founder Edward Giles Irvin served in the U.S. Army during the WWI as a Combat Medic and was cited for bravery for his actions with the Expeditionary Forces in France. Kappa Alpha Psi was the first to Black Greek Lettered Organization to issue a monthly publication. (Jua) Baraka. Posted on November 12, 2018 by Fran Becque, Ph.D. Some confused the abbreviation of the letters to refer to the state of Kansas. The History. He was a graduate student at the University of Minnesota in 1917. In March 2019, Delaware State University student Marlon W. Jackson died and three other students were hospitalized after a car crash due to sleep deprivation caused by pledging the fraternity. The Historyof the Order. [55], In March 2014, five Kappas from the University of Central Arkansas were arrested for beating pledges. And today, 5 . Kappa Alpha Psi is the 2nd oldest existing collegiate historically Black Greek Letter Fraternity and the 1st intercollegiate Fraternity incorporated as a national body. The fraternity is the oldest predominantly African American Greek-letter society founded west of the Appalachian Mountains still in existence, and is known for its "cane stepping" in NPHC organized step shows. Reliance would be placed upon high Christian ideals and the purpose of ACHIEVEMENT. In 1980, the Silhouettes were officially recognized and granted a seat on the board of directors of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. Phi Beta Sigma. Notable Prince Hall Masons *Bro. He enrolled at Indiana University in 1909 and helped the other Founders in organizing Kappa Alpha Nu. Kappa Alpha Psi expanded through the Midwest, South, and West at both white and black colleges. 1890-1958. Track and Field was the only sport which Blacks were able to demonstrate their athleticism. KAPPA ALPHA (KA) ORDER: Kappa Alpha Order was founded on 21 December 1865 at Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) at Lexington, Virginia, by James Ward Wood and three others. The first chapter in the West was established in 1923 at University of California, Los Angeles Upsilon chapter. [41], In 2006, the chapter at Florida A&M University was suspended after two members were sentenced to serve two years in prison and three others given three years of probation due to an anti-hazing law established in Florida following a hazing death involving the Kappa Sigma fraternity at the University of Miami in 2001. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Carol R. Carter was the first woman elected a national officer of Alpha Kappa Psi. The administration maintained an attitude of indifference, as Blacks slowly matriculated and were likewise swiftly forgotten. When was the fraternity founded? The fraternity's first chapter in the South was established in 1921 at Morehouse College Pi chapter. [42][43], In 2009, Louisiana State University (LSU) placed an eleven-year ban on the fraternity for repeated hazing violations and severe abuse of pledges. He served as Grand Polemarch for the first six consecutive years of the Fraternitys existence. at the Detroit College of Law in 1928. However, few Blacks could remain longer than a year or so without having to withdraw in search of employment. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated is a historically African American Greek-letter fraternity that was founded on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington. The NPHC is composed of nine international black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities and promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other mediums for the exchange of information, and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. The goal of the League is to help the students achieve worthy goals for themselves and to make meaningful contributions to their communities. The Greek Letter was chosen in place of N and the Fraternity acquired a distinctive Greek letter symbol andKappa Alpha Psithereby became an indistinguishable Greek-letter Fraternity. . In 1920, he received the D.D.S. Omega Psi Phi. By Skip Mason. Study sets, textbooks, questions . He was born in Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, on December 23, 1883, and was the eldest son of three children. The 20 pearls indicate the nine original founders, seven sophomores who were invited a month later and four women who incorporated the sorority and expanded its influence on college campuses. [66] Currently there are 12 provinces with the following names: Kappa Alpha Psi has chartered over 721 undergraduate, alumni, and international chapters. Consequently, the few Blacks who took up residence in Bloomington in those early years were socially ostracized and encountered extreme acts of prejudice and discrimination. An educator by profession, he taught in the public schools of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was elevated to a principalship. degree from Indiana Dental School, then a part of the University of Indiana; he practiced dentistry in Indianapolis. Click here to view past events and photos , 2322-24 North Broad Street Henry Tourner Asher, Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore, Paul Waymond Caine, George Wesley Edmonds, Dr. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin.The fraternity has over 150,000 members with 721 undergraduate and alumni chapters in every state of the . [39] As a result, the fraternity has had many complaints of hazing lodged against it, most related to the pledging process. Founded in 1911 at Indiana University, the . Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, was born in an environment saturated in racism. J5 refers to the day the fraternity was founded " 5 January. Browse 82 kappa alpha psi stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. 25, Indianapolis, Indiana One of the Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Through its worldwide prominence, Kappa Alpha Psi has had a global impact on events which affect our local communities as well as places around the globe. There was an additional misunderstanding being attributed to the acronym of the Fraternitys Greek letters, KAN. The Chief Founder and others. Guide Right is a program for the educational and occupational guidance of youth, primarily inspirational and informational in character. It would be the only Greek-letter organization founded with the concept of achievement. [49], In April 2012, the fraternity at Arkansas Tech University was permanently banned from campus for beating a pledge into a coma. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc was founded on the campus of Indiana University on January 5th, 1911. After his death on November 8, 1947, the name of the school where he taught was changed to the Elder Diggs School in his memory. Moment #8. The Founders sought one anothers company between classes and dropped by one anothers places of lodging to further discuss the means of formulating the fledgling fraternity in an effort to relieve the depressing isolation. that Jewels Robert Harold Ogle and George Biddle Kelley were. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight The state of Indiana became the 19th state of the Union in 1816 and it founded Indiana University in Bloomington four years later. The racial prejudice and discrimination encountered by the founders strengthened their bond of friendship and growing interest in starting a social group. [57][58], Also in 2015, a former pledge at Coppin State University sued the fraternity for $4 million due to injuries he sustained while pledging. Tech: Kappa Alpha Psi banned permanently for hazing | thv11.com", "Kappa Alpha Psi Pledge Left 'Paralyzed' In Hazing Incident at California State Bakersfield - Welcome To KollegeKidd.com", "Kappa Alpha Psi Member Pleads Guilty To Charges In Youngstown State University Hazing Case - Welcome To KollegeKidd.com", "Most UGA frat members facing hazing charges accepted into pretrial diversion", "U Of M Frat Members Arrested For Hazing Ritual", "Four more UCA students arrested for hazing", "D.C. man alleges he was hazed, sues fraternity and police officer", "45-year-old man sues Kappa Alpha Psi for $2 million after alleged hazing - theGrio", "Man Sues Fraternity for $4 Million Over Hazing", "Two UCF fraternities face hazing accusations", "Hazing allegations surface at third FSU fraternity", "Hazing investigation underway after fraternity pledge suffers injuries", "Three fraternity members charged with hazing in Virginia - The Washington Post", "University investigates hazing allegations after student is killed and three are injured in crash - The Washington Post", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kappa_Alpha_Psi&oldid=1140213792, Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor, Kappas, Nupes, Pretty Boys, Sons of Diggs, Northern (States Covered: Northwest OH, MI, Western NY), Eastern (States Covered: DC, MD, VA, Bermuda), Southern (States Covered: AL, FL, The Bahamas, Republic of Panama, U.S. Virgin Islands), Western (States Covered: AZ, CA, NV, AK, OR, WA, ID, UT, HI, Japan, South Korea), North Eastern (States Covered: DE, CT, MA, NJ, Eastern PA, RI, Eastern NY, ME, NH, VT, Germany, United Kingdom), South Eastern (States Covered: GA, SC, South Africa, Nigeria), South Western (States Covered: AR, LA, Southern MS, NM, TX), North Central (States Covered: IA, IL, IN, WI, MN), East Central (States Covered: OH, Western PA, Northern WV), South Central (States Covered: KY, TN, Northern MS), Middle Eastern (States Covered: NC, Southern WV), Middle Western (States Covered: CO, KS, MO, NE, OK), This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 00:57. [7] Frederick Mitchell's name is on the application for the incorporation of the fraternity but withdrew from school and thus never became a member of the fraternity. Since the beginning, every endeavor was directed toward establishing the Fraternity upon a strong foundation before embarking on plans of expansion. In 1920, Xi chapter was chartered at Howard University. Eight other fraternity members received University discipline but no criminal charges related to a hazing incident.[65][63]. One of the 5 Objectives of the Fraternity is: To promote the, It was clear at the outset that the new fraternity would not warm over principles or practices of other organizations. Kappa Alpha Psi Apparel & Merchandise. He entered Carver Elementary School and Clark High School in Evansville, graduating in 1910. The Constitution of KAPPA ALPHA PSI is predicated upon, and dedicated to, the principles of achievement through a truly democratic Fraternity. For this and other outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, he was awarded . The name was officially changed to Kappa Alpha Psi on a resolution adopted at the Grand Chapter Meeting in December 1914. Three organizations (Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Gamma Rho) were founded on predominately white college campuses. In 1921, the fraternity installed the Omicron chapter at Columbia University, its first at an Ivy League university. To this Fraternity, the maker of the commitment becomes synonymous with the commitment itself. Founded in 1911 on the campus of Indiana University at a time when Greek life wasn't an option for Black students, the fraternity now has more than 200,000 member-examples of its creed including . It is a fact of which Kappa Alpha Psiis proud that the Constitution has never contained any clause which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership merely because of his color, creed, or national origin. In his lawsuit, he stated he was even beaten and terrorized by CSU Kappa alumni members in their 30s and 40s. Primarily, under the efforts and leadership of the calm, methodical, and philosophical Elder W. Diggs and the critical, and scholarly Byron K. Armstrong, the Kappa Alpha Nu Fraternity was founded. Fraternity members contributing to the new foundation could deduct their donations as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. Kappa Alpha Psi celebrated its 100th anniversary on January 5, 2011; one of four African American intercollegiate fraternities to do so. They found that through these close interactions, they had common interests and a close bond began to emerge. He proposed forming a separate 501(c)(3) charitable foundation to accept contributions to finance the headquarter's renovation project. The fraternity today still owns and occupies the same property at 114 College Avenue. November 12th - Sigma Gamma Rho. And that the Order of the Eastern Stars (PHA) is considered the "Mother of all" Greeks of: Alpha Kappa Alpha. On January 5, 1911, the Fraternity then became known as Kappa Alpha Nu, possibly as a tribute to the Black students of 1903 (the Alpha Kappa Nu Greek Society) who preceded them at Indiana University. Ezra Dee Alexander (1892-1971) was born in Bloomington, Indiana in 1892, the site of Indiana University. [25], To be considered for membership, a candidate must have at least a 2.5 gpa on a 4.0 scale. The state of Indiana became the 19th state of the Union in 1816 and it founded Indiana University in Bloomington four years later. The three districts grew into four "regions". [11], By 1913, the fraternity expanded with the second undergraduate chapter opened at the University of IllinoisBeta chapter; then the University of IowaGamma chapter. Howard University and the Creation of Kappa Alpha Nu Seven years after the creation and dissolution of Alpha Kappa Nu, forces were set in motion . Kappa Alpha Psi proudly boasts of members who epitomize the very essence of Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor. He was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Indianapolis. He was an active member of the Methodist Church of Chicago and a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges. The Founders were God-fearing, and serious minded young men who possessed the imagination, ambition, courage and determination to defy custom in pursuit of a college education and careers. Paul Waymond Caine (1891-1931) was born in Charleston, Indiana, in 1891 and attended grade school and high school in Greencastle, Indiana. "The Birth of a Nation" was based on a Kappa Alpha member's book. His family won a $1.4 million wrongful death lawsuit against the fraternity and several Kappas served time in prison. The administration maintained an attitude of indifference, as Blacks slowly matriculated and were likewise swiftly forgotten. After this, Kappa Alpha Psi chartered undergraduate chapters on Black college campuses at Wilberforce UniversityDelta chapter, and Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)Epsilon chapter. He served as Grand Polemarch for the first six consecutive years of the Fraternity's existence. He received his M.D. [21], The NIC serves to advocate the needs of its member fraternities through enrichment of the fraternity experience, advancement and growth of the fraternity community, and enhancement of the educational mission of the host institutions. The decision upon the name Kappa Alpha Nu may have been to honor the Alpha Kappa Nu club which began in 1903 on the Indiana University campus but had too few registrants to effect continued operation. [63][64], In April 2019, three Virginia State University members were arrested and charged with 10 counts of hazing. This change became effective April 15, 1915. By the end of the first year, the ritual was completed, and a design for the coat of arms and motto had begun. He joined nine other students in founding Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. At the time of his death in October 1959, he was residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he maintained his practice of dentistry. Founder Elder Watson Diggs, was quiet, polished, scholarly, a prolific writer and commonly referred to as 'the Father of Kappa'. Kappa League was adopted by the Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at the 56th Grand Chapter which was held August 12-15, 1970. Who are the Founders of Kappa League The founders of the Kappa Instructional Leadership League were Mel L. Davis and Edgar H. Bishop. Steward brought the idea to Los Angeles from Dayton, Ohio, where he had worked closely with Jay Crosby to expand the guide right activities of Dayton (OH) Alumni chapter. John Milton Lee fired the first shot. His father had worked in the coal mines of Vanderburgh County for many years. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University . Most of them were working their way through school. The organization was given the temporary name of, The Founders were God-fearing, and serious minded young men who possessed the imagination, ambition, courage and determination to defy custom in pursuit of a college education and careers. One day as one of the Fraternity members, Frank Summers, was running the hurdles, Founder Diggs overheard a White student state, He is a member of Kappa Alpha Nig. The fraternity is unique among NPHC affiliated organizations in that it has two names: Kappa Alpha Psi () and Phi Nu Pi (). It is the beautiful realization of a vision shared commonly by the late Revered Founders that enabled them to sow the seed of a fraternal tree whose fruit is available to, and now enjoyed by college men everywhere, regardless of their color, religion or national origin. Diggs and his brother (William Ellis) and sister (Effie) were reared by their mother, Cornelia. Kappa Alpha Nu began uniting college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a Bond of fraternity. George married the former Willa Mae Forte and settled in Stevenson, Indiana. As the Institute's reputation and enrollment increased, however . We must realize and acknowledge that the first eight of what know makes up the bulk of the BGLO's were founded between 1906 and 1922. After finishing Indiana University, he earned his Masters degree at Columbia University in 1913, and subsequently the Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Michigan.
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