The Image of Alpha (Spring 2015)

Theta Rho Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Spring 2015

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THE IMAGE OF ALPHA First of All | Servants of All | We Shall Transcend All

Golden Jubilee Black & Gold Ball Bro. Kevin Glover, Chapter President On December 30, 1964, the first satellite chapter outside of the city of Washington, DC was established across the banks of the Potomac River in the Commonwealth of Virginia in Arlington County. This new Chapter was known as Theta Rho Lambda. On November 15, 2014, the Theta Rho Lambda Chapter celebrated 50 years of “Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind” at the Sheraton Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia. The keynote speaker for the event was VACAPAF President Bro. J. Alphonso Taylor. Although the General President was not able to attend the event, he sent the Chapter a proclamation by way of the Executive Director Bro. William D. Lyle. Good times were had by all, and everyone in attendance complimented the Chapter on a job well done. We have reached this major milestone as a body of one and will continue meeting and exceeding all tasks placed before us as one. Congratulations on a job well done, Brothers, and here is to another 50 years of greatness in Northern Virginia and throughout the Commonwealth.


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Personal Announcements

• Bro. Edward Charity, Jr. (SP ’91, TRL) graduated from the George Mason Universi ty School of Business with a Master's Degree in Technology Management, on Saturday, May 16, 2015.

• Bro. Keith Laing became a Life Member of the fraternity on February 6, 2015. (LM #13030)

Area 4 Founders Day Bro. Kevin Glover On December 6, 2014, the Brothers of Area 4 gathered to celebrate the Founders of our great Fraternity at Ebenezer Baptist Church located in Woodbridge, VA. Bro. Dennis Kemp Sr., was the keynote speaker. It was a record-setting turnout for the annual event. The Chapter honored Bro. Hezron Williams as our Brother o f the Year. Even though we were ce lebrat ing the accomplishments of all Chapters within Area 4, Theta Rho Lambda also took time to honor the late Bro. Marion Barry, Jr. at his Omega Service in the District of Columbia later that day.

Toys-for-Tots Bro. Lenard Williams

On December 12, 2014 the Brothers of Theta Rho Lambda went to the Hopkins House Helen Day Preschool Academy to deliver purchased toys to the students. The Brothers in attendance were Bro. Hezron Williams, Bro. Otha Myers, Bro. Benjamin Turman, Bro. George White, Bro. Shannon Thompson, Bro. Lenard Williams, and Bro. Marten Wallace. The preschool was very happy with our contributions and sent the Chapter a letter expressing their gratitude for our generous donation.


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Winter Wonderland Bro. George White

The Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Theta Rho Lambda Chapter participated in the City of Alexandria's Winter Wonderland on December 18, 2014 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street. At the Winter Wonderland, Alexandria children were able to pick gifts and take photos with Santa and his elves. There were games and activities for the children, as well. The Brothers of Theta Rho Lambda served in various roles, from taking pictures and playing music, to directing and assisting families through the Winter Wonderland. We also helped children select books to take home. The City of Alexandria's Winter Wonderland was a collaborative effort with the Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority (ARHA); City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; and, Toys-for-Tots. It was a delight to see the smiles and the joy that this event provided for many of the residents of Alexandria.


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2015 VACAPAF Convention Bro. Keith Laing

The Theta Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was one of five host chapters for the 72nd Virginia Association of Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (VACAPAF) convention, joining Xi Alpha Lambda in Prince William County, Zeta Upsilion Lambda in Reston, Omicron Alpha Lambda in Fredericksburg and Iota Alpha at George Mason University. The convention was held on Feb. 5-8 at the Sheraton Pentagon City, which was also home to our 50th Anniversary celebration in November 2014. By all accounts, the convention was a large success. Two-hundred eighteen brothers from across the district gathered in the heart of our charter area, Arlington, Va. The chapter, as well as our other counterparts in Area 4, received kudos from brothers from all corners of VACAPAF on delivering a well-run convention. During the convention, the following brothers were elected to district offices:

· President—Bro. Sean Bates

· 1st Vice-President—Bro. Leon Cole

· 2nd Vice-President (College Brother)-- Bro. Christopher Spriggs

· Recording Secretary-- Bro. Carl Bentley

· Corresponding Secretary--None

· Treasurer-- Bro. Chauncey Pointe

· Financial Secretary-- Bro. Robert “Bob” Stevens

· Chaplain— Bro. T. Martin Flowers

· Parliamentarian-- Bro. Duane Boone

· Historian--None

· Sergeant-At-Arms— Bro. Randall Kennedy

· Associate Editor to “The Sphinx”—None

· Director of College Affairs— Bro. Calvin Harris

· Assistant Director of College Affairs (College Brother)-- Bro. Justice Turner

Fraternity Mission StatementAlpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic

excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.


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(continued from Page 4: 2015 VACAPAF Convention)

Addi$onally, the following awards were announced:

2015 Award Winners 2014 MARCH FOR BABIES · #1 VACAPAF Alumni Chapter 2014 March for Babies – Xi Alpha Lambda · #2 VACAPAF Alumni Chapter 2014 March for Babies – Zeta Upsilon Lambda · #3 VACAPAF Alumni Chapter 2014 March for Babies – Omicron Alpha Lambda · #1 VACAPAF College Chapter 2014 March for Babies – Upsilon Gamma · 2014 College Chapter Brother of the Year – Bro. Kenton Meronard (UG) · 2014 Brother of the Year – Bro. J. Alphonso Taylor · Top VACAPAF Walker – Bro. Rory MioW (OAL) · #2 VACAPAF Walker – Bro. Sam Bagwell (OAL) · #3 VACAPAF Walker – Bro. Maurice Lane, Jr. (XAL) 2015 COLLEGE AWARDS · Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Winner – Bro. Carlos GarreW (Gamma) · Belford V. Lawson Oratorical 1st Runner Up – Bro. Kenneth Anderson (Upsilon Gamma) · 2015 Scholars Bowl Winner – Theta Rho (VCU) · 2015 Scholars Bowl 1st Runner Up – Gamma (VUU) · 2015 Step Show Champions – Gamma Iota (HU) · 2015 Step Show 1st Runner Up – Epsilon Pi (NSU) · 2015 Miss VACAPAF Pageant · Miss VACAPAF 2015 – Danyel Smith (Theta Rho) · 1st Runner Up – Jada Short (Kappa Pi) · 2nd Runner Up – Kartesha Perry (Gamma) · Miss Talent – Denise Jones (Gamma Iota) · Miss Scholarship – Danyel Smith (Theta Rho) · Miss Congeniality – Danyel Smith (Theta Rho) · Miss Photogenic – Jordan Jones (Epsilon Pi) · 2015 CHAPTER AWARDS · Charles H. Wesley Brotherhood – Gamma Iota & Delta Beta Lambda · Patriarch of the Year – Bro. Darryl Sharp (XAL) · College Chapter of the Year – Gamma (VUU) · Alumni Chapter of the Year – Xi Alpha Lambda · College Brother of the Year – Bro. Derrick Stephenson, Jr. (Upsilon Beta, CNU) · Alumni Brother of the Year – Bro. Tony Bowden (ENL) · VACAPAF Renaissance Brother of the Year -‐ Bro. Rhomie Heck (Delta Beta Lambda) · 2015 SPIRIT AWARDS · College Chapter traveling the greatest distance – Theta Iota (VT) · Alumni Chapter traveling the greatest distance – AKL (Roanoke VA) · College chapter with the most registered brothers outside host area – Xi Delta · College chapter with the most registered brothers inside host area – Iota Alpha · Alumni Chapter with the most registered brothers outside host area – Delta Beta Lambda · Alumni Chapter with the most registered brothers inside host area – Xi Alpha Lambda · College Brother with the highest GPA – Bro. Ijezie Ikwuezunma (Xi Delta) · College Chapter with the highest GPA – Gamma Iota (HU) · Oldest Registered brother – Bro. John L. Johnson · Brother with longest member in Alpha – Bro. Chester Johnson (XAL)


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2015 Eastern Region Convention Bro. Shannon Thompson

The 83rd Eastern Regional Convention took place March 25-29, 2015. It was hosted in Newark, NJ, which is the state also known as the “Pathway of the Revolution;” coincidentally, on the convention’s agenda were elections for Eastern Region Vice President (VP) and Eastern Region Assistant Vice President (AVP). Bro. R. Anthony Mills (Delta Lambda) was re-elected to his post as Eastern Region VP, and Bro. Augustus Tolson, III (Gamma Iota) was re-elected to Eastern Region AVP. Additionally, certified candidates running for the Office of General President were given a platform to introduce themselves to the Region and share their vision and goals. In the wake of recent allegations of hazing at Eta Zeta Chapter and Mu Lambda Chapter, General President Bro. Mark S. Tillman and Eastern Region VP Bro. Mills addressed hazing. Both Brothers provided their perspectives on the topic, and more specifically, Bro. Mills encouraged Brothers to give their candid opinions on hazing and the implications of such acts. Also, some discussion was devoted to the validity of IMDP. Bro. Christopher Jones (Theta Rho Lambda) participated as a panelist during the “Seven Essential Success Strategies for the Alpha Professional” training workshop. Bro. Jones presented his personal seven keys to success. Lastly, neophyte training and pinning ceremony took place for all recent neophytes that were initiated during Fall 2014 and Spring 2015.

2015 March for Babies Bro. Lenard Williams

Every year the Brothers of Theta Rho Lambda raise money to support research that improves the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. The Brothers start raising money early in the year and complete fundraising by walking in a march in DC. This year Theta Rho Lambda hosted a Happy Hour at La Tasca Restaurant in Arlington, VA to kick-off fundraising this year. On May 2, 2015 the Chapter joined hundreds of participants and contributors in the March for Babies at the Washington, DC waterfront. The walk started at the Nationals Stadium, went through the Navy Yard neighborhood, and ended with crossing home plate inside Nationals Stadium. The chapter raised over $1000 dollars through various donations and contributions from corporations and individuals.


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A Look at Alpha History Bro. Chris Jones

Brother LeRoy Lowery, III, Past Eastern Regional Vice President once quoted that “to ‘know’ history one must memorize dates, names and events. However, to ‘appreciate’ history one must gain insight into the conditions that led to the events, or to paraphrase Indian lore – ‘walk a mile in their shoes’”. It is this section of the Theta Rho Lambda newsletter we shall dedicate to giving a short insight and appreciation into the history of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. This inaugural piece will be dedicated to the founding of this great fraternity.

Imagine a setting: 43 years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, 48 years before Brown v Board of Education, and 58 years before the Civil Rights Act. The time period - just described - is a time in this nation’s history when Blacks and other minorities were, literally, losing their lives fighting for racial equality. Although some things have drastically changed for the better, today’s Blacks may struggle to fully comprehend the trials and obstacles Blacks endured back in the early 1900’s. Honestly, can you place yourself back in time in America’s history where segregation was permissible? Most likely in 1906, your parents and grandparents were slaves, and no one in your family’s lineage was literate nor possessed an education beyond high school. Yet, our seven Jewels were students at Cornell University, which is an Ivy League institution. Many of the founders studied in various fields such as medicine, engineering, education and architecture. They were men of great tenacity by establishing an organization with meaningful impact on this nation and the world. On December 4, 1906, none of these men probably imagined such prosperity in creating Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. History, however, never looks like history when you are living through it! They were ordinary men who overcame extraordinary circumstances. We thank our Jewels for their vision, determination, and indomitable spirit by forever upholding the light and remaining steadfast to the objectives and aims of Alpha. As we approach 109 years as a fraternity, let’s “walk a mile in their shoes” and reflect and gain a greater appreciation for the evening on that ICE COLD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1906. #CCJKMOT

Reclamation through Theta Rho Lambda Chapter • Visit our Chapter Web site: www.thetarholambda.org for information about the chapter • Attend one our Phirst Friday events to meet Brothers in a social setting • Email us at [email protected] to find out when and where our next chapter meeting will be

http://www.thetarholambda.org

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.thetarholambda.org

mailto:[email protected]


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President: Bro. Kevin Glover

Vice-President: Bro. Lenard Williams

Recording Secretary: Bro. Andrew Clay

Corresponding Secretary: Bro. Richard Stitt

Financial Secretary: Bro. Mike Bajit

Treasurer: Bro. George White

Chaplain: Bro. Gillis Taylor

Historian: Bro. Hezron Williams

Director of Intake and Membership:

Bro. Chris Jones

Associate Editor of the Sphinx:

Bro. Keith Laing

Director of Educational Activities:

Bro. Matt Johnson

Sergeant-At-Arms: Bro. Robert Wright

Parliamentarian: Bro. Otha Myers

Chapter Officers

As a result of the election conducted at the regular Chapter meeting on May 9, 2015, the following Brothers will be serving as Chapter Officers for the fraternal years 2015-2017:

Documents

The Image of Alpha (Spring 2015)