QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(GRADED A+)
Preamble - ANSWER-To promote a more perfect union among college men; to aid in
and insist upon the personal progress of its members; to further brotherly love and a
fraternal spirit within the organization; to discountenance evil; to destroy all
prejudices; to preserve the sanctity of the home, the personification of virtue and the
chastity of woman.
Henry Arthur Callis - ANSWER-became a practicing physician, Howard University
Professor of Medicine and prolific contributor to medical journals. Often regarded as
the "philosopher of the founders," and a moving force in the Fraternity's
development, he was the only one of the "Cornell Seven" to become General
President. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., he was a medical consultant to the
Veterans Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama. Upon his death in 1974, at age 87, the
Fraternity entered a time without any living Jewels. His papers were donated to
Howard's Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
Charles Henry Chapman - ANSWER-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
Eugene Kinckle Jones - ANSWER-became the first Executive Secretary of the
National Urban League. His 20-year tenure with the Urban League thus far has
exceeded those of all his successors in office. A versatile leader, he organized the
first three Fraternity chapters that branched out from Cornell—Beta at Howard,
Gamma at Virginia Union 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. Jones also
has the distinction of being one of the first initiates as well as an original founder. His
status as a founder was not finally established until 1952. He died in 1954.
George Biddle Kelley - ANSWER-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. He
resided in Troy, New York and was active with Beta Pi Lambda Chapter in Albany.
He died in 1963.
, Nathaniel Allison Murray - ANSWER-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 organization of the new fraternal group, as well as the
Committee on the Grip. The charter member of Washington's Mu Lambda Chapter
was a frequent attendee of General Conventions. He died in 1959.
Robert Harold Ogle - ANSWER-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 died in 1936.
Vertner Woodson Tandy - ANSWER-became the state of New York's first registered
black architect, with offices on Broadway in New York City. The designer of the
Fraternity pin holds the distinction of being the first African American to pass the
military commissioning examination and 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. He died in 1949, at age 64.
Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and love for all mankind - ANSWER-Aims
Annie C. Singleton - ANSWER-Mother of Alpha
What is a Shingle - ANSWER-Certificate of Membership which states that one is a
duly initiated member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Charles H. Wesley - ANSWER-Author of The History of Alpha Phi Alpha:
Development in College Life
Gamma Iota - ANSWER-What is Hampton University's Chapter Called
The First General President of Alpha Phi Alpha - ANSWER-Moses A. Morrison
is where the Preserved Archives of Alpha Phi Alpha are located at - ANSWER-
Morrland- Spingarn Research Center
Flower - ANSWER-Yellow Rose
Black and Old Gold - ANSWER-Colors
Invictus By William Ernest Henley - ANSWER-Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever Gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.