ALPHA PHI ALPHA HISTORIAN Brother
Most Notable Black Historian
Charles H. Wesley by Bro. C. Anderson Davis Bro. Charles H. Wesley is possibly one of the most beloved brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is one of America's outstanding historians and a scholar of the first magnitude. One would have to write a book to tell of the many deeds performed by Bro. Wesley for the good of mankind. One of his outstanding achievements was the establishment of Central State College and leading it through many difficulties to become one of America's outstanding institutions of higher learning. This great scholar, poet, author, historian, writer, spokesman for his people, educator, minister, statesman, college president, and brother will long be remembered for the impact he has made on the American scene. Bro. Wesley was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha at Zeta Chapter, Yale, 1913. He has been a member of Beta, Mu Lambda (Chapter President) and Chi Lambda, 1913-1965. He was general president of Alpha Phi Alpha from 19311941, and has been the Fraternity's historian since 1941. Alpha is a great organization because of the leadership and high example set before the brothers, undergraduate and graduate, by Bro. Wesley. Bro. Wesley retired as president of Central State College in 1965. Bro. Wesley was born in Louisville, Ky., the son of Charles Summer and Matilda (Harris) Wesley. He was educated at Fisk, B. A.; Yale, M. A.; Harvard, Ph.D. with honorary degrees from several universities, Phi Beta Kappa and Distinguished Alumni Award, Fisk University. Bro. Wesley began his professional career as University Scholar at Yale, Austin Scholar at Harvard, and Guggenheim Fellow, London, England. He 6
became successively Instructor of History, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of History, Director of the Summer School, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Dean of the Graduate School at Howard Univesrity; President of Wilberforce University and President of Central State College at Wilberforce, Ohio. He served as Educational Secretary of the Army YMCA and with the International Committee of the YMCA, as Overseas Secretary. He is President of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History; Membership in the American Historical Association; Society for the Advancement of Education; American Association of School Administrators; Fellow of the American Geographical Society; Member of the Advisory Committee, Ohio Congress of Parents and Teachers; Past President, Inter-University Council of the State of Ohio; Past President, of the Associaton of the Ohio College Presidents and Deans; Past President, Ohio College Association and currently is serving a record term on the Executive Committee of the Ohio College Association; Member of the State Committee on Community Colleges. Bro. Wesley is the author of the following books: Negro Labor in the United States; The History of Alpha Phi Alpha; A Development in College Life, Ten editions revised and enlarged, Washington, D. C , 1929-1961; Richard Aliens Apostle of Freedom; The Collapse of the Confederacy; The Negro in America; A manual of Research and Theisis Writing for Graduate Students; The History of Sigma Pi Phi: First of the Greek Letter Fraternities for Negro Americans, 19401954; A History of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks of the World, 1898-1954; History of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio, 1849-1960; The Changing African Historical Tradition; over one hun-
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, wrote 16 books on the Black man and edited the JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY until his death.
dred articles in scholarly periodicals; Author with Carter G. Woodson of gro Makers of History; The Story of Negro Retold and The Negro in History.
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Bro. Wesley has received numerous awards for educational achievements. Among these are: The Achievement of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity "in recognition of Outstanding Achievements in the field of ducational LeadeErship"; The Diamond Jubilee Citation of the Kentucky Educational Association for "the devotion of a life to the promotion and preservation of democratic ideals through the means of an education that makes men free to think unfettered"; The Certificate of Award and Placement on the Honor Roll of the John Brown Galley of Fame of the Improved, Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of the World, "for distinguished and meritorious performance of Public Service in fostering .promoting and developing American Ideals"; and the Anniversary Founders Award of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in recognition of "His Outstanding Contributions to its History and for Significant Achievements in the Field of Education"; The Gold Medal Award of the United Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Masonry, 33rd Degree, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction.