Our History

One hundred and eighty years ago, Emory University was founded in 1836 in the red clay hills of Oxford, Georgia.  Seventy years later, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first African-American undergraduate fraternity, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in the snows of Ithaca, New York.  Another seventy years later, and only 13 years after Emory had admitted its first black students, both historic institutions were formally introduced to each other when the Mu Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on March 27, 1976, as the first African-American Greek Letter Organization on Emory’s campus. 

Under the guidance of Brother Andrew Jackson Lewis, our beloved “Generalismo,” the following seven young men were initiated into the Fraternity through Mu Alpha:  Franklyn Harvey (“Chipper”) Geary, Jr., Leon B. Smith, Jr., Anthony B. Adams, Gary Praylo, Vergil C. Demery, Ehrman H. (“Lucky”) Eldridge, and William S. Odum, Jr.  Building upon the Charter Brothers’ shared vision, determination, and tenacity, over the last 40 years, the brothers have collectively and individually pushed onward and upward to advance the Fraternity’s motto of “First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All.”  In so doing, we have been servant leaders within Emory and Alpha and have sought to advance and improve both great institutions.

Over the last 40 years, the Chapter’s commitment to community service has been constant and unwavering.  Our brothers have volunteered with Project Alpha, Volunteer Emory, Go To High to College, the I Have a Dream Program, and on several campus and community projects.  In addition, the Chapter has raised and donated over $100,000 for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia through the Chapter’s “Step for Sickle Cell” Step Show.  Although awards and recognition were not the goal of the Chapter, the Chapter is honored to have been selected as Alpha Phi Alpha’s National Undergraduate Chapter of the Year in 1989 and in 1999 and as the Regional and District Undergraduate Chapter of the Year on multiple occasions.  Similarly, Emory’s Office of Greek Life has recognized the Chapter with the Dean’s Cup, the Fraternity Service Award, the Positive Image Award, and the Outstanding Scholarship Award. 

Individually, our brothers have held leadership positions within Emory and Alpha.  Within Alpha, we have had one brother, Bro. Jovier Evans, named as the National Undergraduate Brother of the Year. In addition, Bro. Justin Harlow as an Assistant Regional Vice President for the Fraternity, and numerous brothers being assistant district directors. Alphas have been two of the four African-American presidents of Emory’s Student Government Association.  Our brothers also have served as the president of the Interfraternity Council, the Black Student Alliance, the NAACP, the Brotherhood of Afrocentric Men, and other institutions. Alphas have touched every aspect of Emory, several brothers have been members of Emory’s Senior Society, Phi Beta Kappa, 100 Senior Honorary, Honor Council, Conduct Council, University Senate, Mortar Board, Order of Omega (Greek Honor Society), and the voices of inner strength. We also have been recipients of the Martin Luther Brittain Award, Emory's Humanitarian Award (highest awards were given at Emory University), Emory Medal (received by Bro. James Oneal), IFC's Outstanding President, and IFC's Greek Man of the Year. Brothers have also been varsity and intramural athletes (and champions), including Troy Thompson, who won the NCAA Championship for the triple jump.  

Now 195 young men have initiated into Alpha through Mu Alpha.  Those brothers represent a diverse group of racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.  We came to Emory from all regions of the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia and are united by our beloved Alpha Phi Alpha.  After graduating from Emory, we have maintained Alpha’s and Emory’s high standards and expectations while pursuing careers in medicine, law, corporate America, nonprofit institutions, education, entertainment, public administration, hospitality, literature, public health, government agencies.  In addition to our respective career paths, we are husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, cousins, uncles, role models, leaders, scholars, athletes, activists, and friends.  

“MANLY DEEDS, SCHOLARSHIP, AND LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND.”