top of page
Fraternity
History
SAN JUAN, PR
CHARTERED JULY 17, 2021
Henry Arthur Callis
1887-1974
Callis se convirtió en médico en ejercicio, profesor de medicina en la Universidad de Howard y colaborador prolífico de revistas médicas.
A menudo considerado como el "filósofo de los fundadores" y una fuerza impulsora en el desarrollo de la Fraternidad, Callis fue el único de los "Siete de Cornell" en convertirse en Presidente General. Antes de mudarse a Washington, DC, fue consultor médico en el Hospital de Veteranos de Tuskegee, Alabama.
Tras su muerte en 1974 a la edad de 87 años, la Fraternidad entró en una época sin Joyas vivas. Sus artículos fueron donados al Centro de Investigación Moorland-Spingarn de Howard.
A menudo considerado como el "filósofo de los fundadores" y una fuerza impulsora en el desarrollo de la Fraternidad, Callis fue el único de los "Siete de Cornell" en convertirse en Presidente General. Antes de mudarse a Washington, DC, fue consultor médico en el Hospital de Veteranos de Tuskegee, Alabama.
Tras su muerte en 1974 a la edad de 87 años, la Fraternidad entró en una época sin Joyas vivas. Sus artículos fueron donados al Centro de Investigación Moorland-Spingarn de Howard.
Charles
Henry Chapman
1870–1934
Chapman entered higher education and eventually became Professor of Agriculture at what is now Florida A&M University. A university funeral was held—with considerable fraternity participation—when he became the first Jewel to enter Omega Chapter in 1934.
Described as “a brother beloved in the bonds,” Chapman was a founder of FAMU’s Beta Nu Chapter. During the organization stages of Alpha Chapter, he was the first chairman of the Committees on Initiation and Organization.
Described as “a brother beloved in the bonds,” Chapman was a founder of FAMU’s Beta Nu Chapter. During the organization stages of Alpha Chapter, he was the first chairman of the Committees on Initiation and Organization.
Eugene Kinckle-Jones
1885–1954
Jones became the first executive secretary of the National Urban League. His 20–year tenure with the Urban League thus far has exceeded all his successors in office.
A versatile leader, he organized the first three fraternity chapters that branched out from Cornell and Beta at Howard, Gamma at Virginia Union University, and the original Delta at the University of Toronto in Canada.
In addition to becoming Alpha Chapter’s second president and joining with Callis in creating the fraternity name,.
Jones was a member of the first Committees on Constitution and Organization and helped write the Fraternity ritual.
A versatile leader, he organized the first three fraternity chapters that branched out from Cornell and Beta at Howard, Gamma at Virginia Union University, and the original Delta at the University of Toronto in Canada.
In addition to becoming Alpha Chapter’s second president and joining with Callis in creating the fraternity name,.
Jones was a member of the first Committees on Constitution and Organization and helped write the Fraternity ritual.
George Biddle Kelley
1884–1962
Kelley became the first African-American engineer registered in the state of New York. Not only was he the strongest proponent of the fraternity idea among the organization’s founders, the civil engineering student also became Alpha Chapter’s first president.
In addition, he served on committees that worked out the handshake and ritual. Kelley was popular with the brotherhood.
George Biddle Kelley resided in Troy, New York, and was active with Beta Pi Lambda Chapter in Albany.
Described as “a brother beloved in the bonds,” Chapman was a founder of FAMU’s Beta Nu Chapter. During the organization stages of Alpha Chapter, he was the first chairman of the Committees on Initiation and Organization.
In addition, he served on committees that worked out the handshake and ritual. Kelley was popular with the brotherhood.
George Biddle Kelley resided in Troy, New York, and was active with Beta Pi Lambda Chapter in Albany.
Described as “a brother beloved in the bonds,” Chapman was a founder of FAMU’s Beta Nu Chapter. During the organization stages of Alpha Chapter, he was the first chairman of the Committees on Initiation and Organization.
Nathaniel Allison Murray
1884–1959
Murray pursued graduate work after completing his undergraduate studies at Howard. He later returned home to Washington, D.C., where he taught in public schools.
Much of his career was spent at Armstrong Vocational High School in the District of Columbia. He was a member of Alpha Chapter’s first committee on the organization of the new fraternal group, as well as the Committee on the Grip. While a charter member of Washington’s Mu Lambda Chapter, Murray was a frequent attendee of general conventions.
Much of his career was spent at Armstrong Vocational High School in the District of Columbia. He was a member of Alpha Chapter’s first committee on the organization of the new fraternal group, as well as the Committee on the Grip. While a charter member of Washington’s Mu Lambda Chapter, Murray was a frequent attendee of general conventions.
Robert Harold Ogle
1886–1936
Robert Harold Ogle entered the career secretarial field and had the unique privilege of serving as a professional staff member to the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations.
He was an African-American pioneer in his Capitol Hill position. He proposed the fraternity’s colors, and was Alpha Chapter’s first secretary.
Ogle joined Kelley in working out the first ritual, and later became a charter member of Washington’s Mu Lambda Chapter.
He was an African-American pioneer in his Capitol Hill position. He proposed the fraternity’s colors, and was Alpha Chapter’s first secretary.
Ogle joined Kelley in working out the first ritual, and later became a charter member of Washington’s Mu Lambda Chapter.
Vertner Woodson Tandy
1885–1949
Vertner Woodson Tandy became the state of New York’s first registered Black architect, with offices on Broadway in New York City.
Tandy was the designer of the fraternity pin, and holds the distinction of being the first African-American to pass the military commissioning examination. He was commissioned first lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York State National Guard.
He was Alpha Chapter’s first treasurer, and took the initiative to incorporate the fraternity. Among the buildings designed by the highly talented architect is Saint Phillips Episcopal Church in New York City.
Tandy was the designer of the fraternity pin, and holds the distinction of being the first African-American to pass the military commissioning examination. He was commissioned first lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York State National Guard.
He was Alpha Chapter’s first treasurer, and took the initiative to incorporate the fraternity. Among the buildings designed by the highly talented architect is Saint Phillips Episcopal Church in New York City.
bottom of page