Αlpha Phi Alpha finds its way back to campus

Published on April 28, 2009 by Andy Nelson

This spring, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the first intercollegiate fraternity for African-Americans, returned to KSU’s campus.

Alpha Phi Alpha introduced its new members to the KSU community on Thurs. April 23. The fraternity put on a step show for a packed crowd in the Intramural Gym. Photo by Adeolu Adebayo.

Alpha Phi Alpha introduced its new members to the KSU community on Thurs. April 23. The fraternity put on a step show for a packed crowd in the Intramural Gym. Photo by Adeolu Adebayo.

The fraternity was founded on Dec. 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

Since its founding, Alpha Phi Alpha has strived to promote excellence in leadership. The group’s mission statement says the fraternity “develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our communities.”

Past members of the fraternity include Martin Luther King Jr., Cornell West and Thurgood Marshall. Some of Alpha Phi Alpha’s national partners are the March of Dimes and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Harry E. Johnson, president of the Washington D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project, served as the national president of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. from 2001-2004.

Brent Obleton, program coordinator of the Multicultural Student Retention Services, reported that the fraternity came to KSU in the past, but was relocated to Southern Polytechnic State University because it could not be sustained at KSU.

“When it first came to Kennesaw, there were not a lot of African-American students on campus. With the recent growth, it is moving back to KSU,” said Obleton.

In Fall 2008, it was approved by the Student Activities Budget Advisory Committee.

“Few things can compare to the excitement that the men of the Tau Zeta chapter of Alpha feel about being back here on campus,” said Fraternity President Stephen Black. “We have worked hard to get to this point and we are ready to start conquering the objectives of our fraternity at KSU.”

Obleton also reported that many of Alpha Phi Alpha’s members are heavily involved in other organizations at KSU.

“We want to change the face of leadership here on campus,” he said. “We know that many of our members will be at the forefront of student organizations. We want to develop effective programming that will allow us to not only affect KSU’s community, but the surrounding community as well.”

Darius Robinson, vice-president of the fraternity, also has plans to make their presence felt.

“Our major goal is for campus involvement. There are many organizations on campus with a lot of activities. The problem is that we have a school with over 20,000 students in which the majority just go to class and go home,” said Robinson. “I plan for our fraternity to host an event that would see what the interests of the students are and in turn get them involved in an organization.”

“I am overjoyed that Alpha Phi Alpha has finally made it to the campus of KSU,” said Robinson. “People should get involved because there is a need for students to get out and have some fun outside the classroom. Alpha Phi Alpha prides itself on scholarship so we look forward to also having some interesting study sessions.”

“On behalf of all the Chartering members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Tau Zeta chapter, we would like to thank all our Brothers who have supported our journey into the House of Alpha,” said Black.

Responses to "Αlpha Phi Alpha finds its way back to campus"

  • Amber made a comment on May 4, 2009:

    What is with the faces being made?

    I doubt that a student organization on campus wants to come across as looking angry. Did the photographer stage this or the group?

  • The Sentinel made a comment on May 4, 2009:

    Its their step show

  • Aubrey made a comment on May 6, 2009:

    After I read “. . . Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the first intercollegiate fraternity for African-Americans, returned to KSU’s campus,” I was ready to start writing some heated letters.

    First, I did some fairly simple research (that maybe the article’s writer didn’t) and found on Alpha Phi Alpha’s website that “The Fraternity’s emphasis . . . is in the quality, dedication and integrity of its membership. The Fraternity reaffirms its strong opposition to discrimination based upon age, race, color, religious creed, national origin, sexual orientation and disability or the prejudice of candidates related to such matters.”

    In fact, the fraternity has allowed membership to men of all colors for quite some time now. While Alpha Phi Alpha’s website may not feature any men who are not black, I am confident that the KSU chapter will indeed keep the “quality, dedication and integrity of its membership” in mind when admitting new members and find those quality and dedicated members under many and various colors of skin.

  • Kenya made a comment on May 12, 2009:

    Amber, are you looking for a controversy that is not there for some reason? What exactly would you have to be heated about? In you research, you would also have read that the 9 historically African-American Greek organizations were founded in times when white and black Americans were not allowed in the same organizations or the same universities in some cases. Perhaps if the reporter had used the word historically in the article it wouldn’t bother you so much. I am a KSU alumna and member of a sorrority. I’m sure if you take a good look at most Greek organizations on any campus you will note that they are very segregated on both sides. Of course it is not a national policy, but that’s just the way it is. Students gravitate toward those they are most comfortable with and there is also the consideration of legacy for some. I transfered from another university that had a very active rush season for mostly white sororities. Out of hundreds of girls only a handful were of any color. I would not have felt comfortable in that environment at all. I am happy that things are changing now with the next generation, but it does take time. The sarcastic tone of your comment really rubbed me the wrong way. If you want to find some racism somewhere you are going to have to look further than this story.
    Congratulations Tau Zeta, glad to see you back at KSU!

  • Kenya made a comment on May 12, 2009:

    Oops, that should have read Aubrey, not Amber.

  • Calvin Whitaker made a comment on May 13, 2009:

    Congrats to all of the new brothers of the Tau Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc! We are so pround of you!!!! This organization has been in existence for over 100 years now and we have brothers that come from all races and backgrounds. So please research the organization before making assumptions, and remember what what things were like for African-American’s in the early in 1900’s, so a orgnization such as this was needed back then.

    Knowledge is power.

    Fraternally,
    Bro. Calvin J. Whitaker
    Fall 2001
    Tau Zeta

  • Bob Williams made a comment on May 13, 2009:

    Its weird I know a few of the previous Tau Zeta brothers and none of them mentioned they know these guys?

  • Jim Daniels made a comment on May 13, 2009:

    It doesn’t matter if you are paper as long as you are doing the works of the organization go Alphas!

  • Andy Nelson made a comment on May 20, 2009:

    Hi Aubrey,

    I appreciate you taking the time to read my article and comment, but I think you may have walked away with the wrong conclusions. All I was trying to point out was that Alpha Phi Alpha was the first Greek organization that African-Americans were allowed to be a part of.

    The last thing I want to do is create controversy over a great organization such as Alpha Phi Alpha. Here’s to hoping they stick around.

  • Michael made a comment on June 7, 2009:

    Let me get this straight… There are two schools for Tau Zeta Chapter now? One at southern poly and one at KSU? That’s weird they should earn their own active letters, instead of being one chapter…

  • Mark Hoerrner made a comment on June 9, 2009:

    This Founding Father of the Delta Chi Fraternity at KSU welcomes the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha back to the campus. It is an honor to have greek men of character on our campus.

  • Mr. President made a comment on June 15, 2009:

    Working from the bottom up:

    Mr. Hoerrner, on behalf of the Tau Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., we thank you for your words of welcome and look forward to working with Delta Chi and all other Greek Organizations in the future.

    To Michael, Tau Zeta does not hold two charters, one at Southern Poly and one at KSU. The Tau Zeta chapter was FOUNDED at Southern Poly but did not charter. After a period of inactivity, instead of the chapter being lost it was moved back to KSU where it will forever stand and the young men in the above picture have earned the privilege of being the CHARTER line of the Tau Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

    Andy, Kenya, and Bro. Whitaker,
    I thank you for addressing the comments made by Aubrey.

    To Aubrey,
    I am sure you have read the comments directed towards you after you post and I will not waste time echoing their statements. I will say that ANY man who believes in the aims, goals, and standards set forth by the dear Founders of my Fraternity is more than welcome to submit themselves for admission regardless of age, race, color, religious creed, national origin, sexual orientation and disability.

    Thank you,
    S.J. Black
    Spring 2009
    Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
    Tau Zeta Chapter President

  • Kevin1914 made a comment on July 29, 2009:

    “Bob Williams made a comment on May 13, 2009:

    Its weird I know a few of the previous Tau Zeta brothers and none of them mentioned they know these guys?”

    Why is it weird? Maybe the cats you know aren’t as active in their home chapter and haven’t been around. You did say they were previous members which I am going to assume means they pledged years back. It’s quite possible your friends don’t know them, especially when there is a reactivation line and not everyone is invited to the MIP. It’s a two way street maybe your friends need to be more visible in their home chapter so new members can meet them.

  • Maria Simon made a comment on August 1, 2009:

    Congrats Alpha Phi Alpha!! Here is a funny Frat party graphic…. its how the “Other Guys” party!!! check it out!
    http://www.typobounty.com/Funny/College_Party.htm

  • Yep. made a comment on August 5, 2009:

    It’s about time a fraternity comes around with a mission that is not equivalent to getting wasted and laid this Friday night.

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