Alpha History

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was started on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York on December 4,1906. The fraternity as we know it today evolved from a Social Study Club then into Alpha Phi Alpha Society and finally into a fraternity. Although there are several men who had a hand in organizing this meeting group for black men on college campuses geared toward fostering scholarship and service, there are seven individuals who had the foresight, tenacity, and dedication for seeing the creation of such a fraternal organization for black people.

These men are known as the "Seven Jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha" and are the following: Jewel Henry Arthur Callis, Jewel Charles Henry Chapman, Jewel Eugene Kinkle Jones, Jewel George Biddle Kelley, Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray, Jewel Robert Harold Ogle, Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy.

Without these men, the dynamic institution known today as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. may have remained a dream forever.

Go to top of page.

Chapter History

The "KnockOut" Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. came into fruition on December 7,1975. Seven young black males enrolled at Duke University, known as "The Seven From Heaven", sought to bring the Light of Alpha to Duke's campus making it the Fraternity's 433rd undergraduate chapter.

Kappa Omicron's Founders are the following: Arnold Blakeney, Charles Hill, Jr., Peter Hurst, Jr., Oscar Mayers, Jr., James Morse, Jr., Joseph Person, and Lonnie Wilson. Since the charter date over 21 years ago, 115 men have marched onward and upward toward the Light of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. through the Kappa Omicron chapter. While undergraduates, KO Brothers have been A.B. and B.N. Duke scholars, student organization presidents, athletic team captains, resident advisors, the list goes on and on. Upon graduation, these brothers have gone on to become successful businessmen, doctors, lawyers, professors, and more importantly, successful men.

In 1993, the Kappa Omicron Chapter was the first Black Greek Letter Organization to be granted main-campus housing at Duke University, and has received numerous accolades from administrators for increasing interaction within the Black community and even with other cultural groups. This year, the Chapter's current service projects include: raising money for our Durham High School Scholarship fund, mentoring mentally challenged patients at the Murdoch Center, tutoring youth at the United Way, sponsoring forums on cultural and racial interaction on campus and a host of other programs geared at uplifting people. In short, Kappa Omicron is dedicated to upholding the high standards of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Go to top of page.