Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Beta Upsilon Chapter)

History of Alpha Phi Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated was founded on a cold, Tuesday evening, December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The fraternity was founded by seven impeccable men. These visionary founders are known as the "Jewels". Jewel Henry Arthur Callis, Jewel Charles Henry Chapman, Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones, Jewel George Biddle Kelley, Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray, Jewel Robert Harold Ogle, and Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy recognized the need for a strong bond of Brotherhood among African descendants in this country.

We are the first Intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans. The fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, at Cornell University. The Jewels and early leaders of the fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha's principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity.

Since being founded back in 1906, our fraternity has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African-Americans and people of color around the world. Alpha Phi Alpha has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community's fight for civil rights through leaders such as: W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Edward Brooke, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Honorable Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, and many more.

Beta Oop History

On April 21, 1936 the Beta Oopsilon Chapter was founded at then State Teachers College, changed later to Alabama State University. This chapter was founded by twelve distinguished gentlemen. These impeccable men are known as our mini-jewels. Mini-Jewel Charles T. Battle, George S. Bell, Douglas D. Bethune, Augustus C. Dickinson, William D. Graham, Elijah James, James G. McCorway, Eddie L. Mitchell, Edward W. Morris, Alphaeus C. Perry Jr., Thomas J. Perry, and Clarence T. Smiley. We are the second oldest chapter in Alabama. For 67 years many have watched this chapter blossom into a premier chapter, not only in the state of Alabama, but also in this wonderful Southern Region. We are currently 2003 Alabama District College Chapter of the year and Step Show champions, and have been named Alabama State University's Fraternity of the Year, 7-consecutive times, since it started in 1996. Of Course, every great man is not an Alpha man; however, all Alpha men are great men. So, I would like to take this time to pay homage to the great men of Alpha on a local level. Right here on this campus there are numerous buildings named after men who not only were instrumental in the development of Alpha, but also Alabama State University. Most of the male dorms are named after Alpha's; G.N. Card Hall, William H. Benson Hall, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Hall. The Levi Watkins Learning Center, C. J. Dunn Arena, and the newly renovated Lockhart Gym, are just a few other buildings named after Alpha men.