Dr. Bill Bazzelle has dedicated much of his life to service, particularly as it relates to youth education. He served on the Board of Education while working in Orange, Texas and was later on the Board of Trustees of Wesley College in Dover, Delaware. However, his greatest impact has been in the service work done in Wilmington, Delaware with his fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc..
Kappa Alpha Psi, a historically Black fraternity and part of the prestigious National Pan-Hellenic Council, was founded in 1911. Members are dedicated to mentorship and community service. Dr. Bazzelle has long been involved in Kappa Alpha Psi's "Guide Right" program, where fraternity members work with boys and young men to develop leadership skills and strategies for academic success. Eventually, Dr. Bazzelle served as the director of the Wilmington Chapter’s and Northeast Province’s "Guide Right" programs, later becoming a member of the National Guide Right Commission.
Dr. Bazzelle’s efforts with Kappa Alpha Psi have led to the establishment of the Achievement Center, which supports formerly incarcerated individuals to reintegrate into Wilmington’s communities while also working to prevent local youth from entering the justice system. Through Kappa Alpha Psi, Dr. Bazzelle has managed this project for over 20 years in partnership with the Wilmington HOPE Commission.
Dr. Bazzelle follows his wife Minnie’s philosophy of "reaching back as you climb," meaning that, as you succeed, it is your responsibility to work to help others also succeed. By staying true to this phrase, Dr. Bazzelle has realized a life of science and service and has helped many more to do the same.
In this excerpt from Dr. William E. Bazzelle Sr.: A Life of Science & Service, Dr. Bazzelle discusses his life of service as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi:
Introduction | Heritage | Growing Up | College | Graduate School | DuPont Years | Family | STEM Mentorship | Philanthropy