Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity celebrating a century of brotherhood, service
Members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity lead 91探花鈥檚 2019 Silent March, held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and in honor of the civil rights leader. Photo by Hannah Ruhoff/91探花 Communications and Marketing
91探花鈥檚 upcoming (BAR) will honor a significant milestone in the history of the University and for a group of Bobcats who over the past 100 years have established a legacy of excellence, service and brotherhood.
May 17, 2019, marked the 100th anniversary of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Phi Chapter, the first African-American student organization and fraternity at 91探花. During OHIO鈥檚 triennial BAR, to be held Sept. 12-15, Alpha Phi Alpha brothers past and present will come together to celebrate the organization鈥檚 rich history and the impact it has made on the campus and in the community.
Pictured is the 1925 class of Alpha Phi Alpha Phi Chapter members at 91探花. Photo courtesy of Sherman Lee, BSH 鈥98, MHA 鈥99
鈥淲ith the 100th anniversary, we鈥檒l have a lot of alumni coming back (to campus),鈥 said Tyrell Carter, the fraternity鈥檚 current president who is a senior studying psychology. 鈥淭hese are all very involved and respectful men, and I know our chapter has a huge legacy to carry on.鈥
In fact, it is those men that inspired Carter to join Alpha Phi Alpha.
鈥淭he guys that were here before me, they just had a great foundation,鈥 Carter said. 鈥淭hey were great individuals. They were leaders on campus, and they sparked my interest and made me want to follow in their footsteps.鈥
Terry Frazier, BS 鈥99, MED 鈥00, was also moved to join the fraternity, in 1996, by those who came before him.
鈥淭his fraternity has such a rich history with so many strong African-American men,鈥 said Frazier, noting that Alpha Phi Alpha was founded in 1906 as the first intercollegiate Greek fraternity for African Americans. Among the organization鈥檚 members are social justice pioneers Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall and W.E.B DuBois. 鈥淲hen I was on campus and was becoming acquainted with the brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha, I saw how they embodied this legacy.鈥
Frazier, who continues his involvement with the fraternity through its alumni chapter in East Lansing, Michigan, is coordinating the 100th anniversary celebration that will be held during BAR 鈥 20 years after organizing the chapter鈥檚 80th anniversary events as an OHIO undergraduate.
According to Frazier, BAR weekend will include a formal dinner celebrating the Phi Chapter鈥檚 100th anniversary and the dedication of a room in Baker University Center that will serve as a formal and lasting tribute to the organization鈥檚 legacy.
鈥淭his is a commemorative symbol,鈥 Frazier said. 鈥淚t shows we鈥檝e left a legacy.鈥
Members of 91探花鈥檚 Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha gather in 1999 for the chapter鈥檚 80th anniversary celebration. Photo courtesy of Terry Frazier, BS 鈥99, MED 鈥00
That legacy, according to Sherman Lee, BSH 鈥98, MHA 鈥99, includes a strong commitment to community involvement, outreach and service.
鈥淲hat stands out to me is, after becoming a member, I realized I was a part of something that was greater than myself,鈥 said Lee who joined the fraternity in 1997. 鈥淲hen people look at you, they associate you with this organization, so you have to say to yourself, 鈥楬ow do I want this organization represented?鈥 鈥 It made me a better student. It made me a better person. It made me a better man.鈥
The OHIO chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha has made significant strides in illuminating black history for both the University and local communities. Among the organization鈥檚 efforts is its involvement in 91探花鈥檚 annual weeklong celebration honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Alpha Phi Alpha sponsors the week鈥檚 Silent March and Brunch, leading members of the OHIO and Athens communities in a silent march through campus. This year鈥檚 event drew more than 200 people, building on a legacy started decades ago.
鈥淲e鈥檇 have a candlelight vigil on MLK weekend, and we鈥檇 bring out the community,鈥 Lee recalled from his days on campus. 鈥淣ot only the college, but Athens County as well.鈥
What started out in 1919 with a group of nine 91探花 men has not only survived but thrived. The Phi Chapter was recognized as Ohio District Chapter of the Year in both 2017 and 2018 and was named by 91探花鈥檚 Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.
It has also paved the way for a host of other multicultural organizations who have contributed to OHIO鈥檚 rich and diverse history. Four decades after the Phi chapter鈥檚 founding, in 1963, Delta Sigma Theta became the first historically black sorority at the University. There have been several other multicultural groups who are either currently or have once been recognized by OHIO, including: Alpha Psi Lambda National Inc., Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
After Alpha Phi Alpha members have graduated from OHIO, their commitment to the organization endures. There are fraternity alumni chapters across the country that welcome graduates to remain connected to the brotherhood. Lee said his membership in the fraternity鈥檚 alumni chapter in Cleveland encourages generosity and community involvement.
鈥淲e have a lot of community-focused initiatives,鈥 Lee said. 鈥淪ome initiatives include voter registration, also we have a food basket drive around the holidays that supports 100-plus needy families. In addition, we assist in helping take care of individuals in assisted living facilities to assure their needs are met. Really, it鈥檚 just about being active in the city you鈥檙e in and practicing community outreach and community service.鈥
Frazier said that the alumni networks keep fraternity members connected. Whenever he travels, he makes an effort to visit with his fellow Bobcat brothers.
Pictured are the current brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Phi Chapter, including President Tyrell Carter (far left).
鈥淚f I鈥檓 in Cleveland, I鈥檒l see Sherman [Lee],鈥 he said 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter what I鈥檓 doing, I鈥檒l check in on a brother if I鈥檓 in their city. It鈥檚 just a very tight brotherhood.鈥
Come BAR in September, these brothers will celebrate their contributions as the first multicultural organization at the University and the century of memories that accompany this anniversary. Current brothers will look toward the future of the chapter and the impact they hope to make.
鈥淲e have to carry on this work, so in another 100 years we can have a 200-year celebration for our brothers,鈥 Carter said.
The Alpha Phi Alpha Centennial Ball will be held Friday, Sept. 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom. This celebration is open to the public, and tickets are required.