East Texas State University
a Sweetheart
ZETA TAU CHAPTER
Miss Thelma Ray Harris
VSEMMA^MMMP^
Brother Robert A. Davis, one of the sponsors of Zeta Tau Chapter, served as Master of Ceremonies at the Neophytic Ball. Other guests; Dr. and Mrs. D. Whitney Halladay, President of E.T.S.U.; and Mrs. Pamela W. Davis, wife of Brother Davis.
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Brothers of Zeta Tau Chapter above are, from left to right: (first row) Brothers Ronald Scott and Melvin Lincoln; (second row) Brothers Donald Walker, Edgar Price, Larry Mumphrey, Robert Edison, Henry Moore and Willie Edwards; (third row) Brothers Gilfort Coleman, Judge Hall, Albert Rice, Marvin Williams, Troy Coleman and Tommy Simpson; (fourth row) Brothers Kenneth Berryman, James Adams, Paul Hicks, Kermit Jenkins, J. D. Harris, Clyde Austin and Bobby Pippins.
34
A neophytic chapter (Zeta Tau) of Alpha Phi Alpha was organized on the campus of East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. The chapter was perceived during the spring semester of 1968 "out of a social desire" of twentyone black young men to enhance themselves socially as well as academically. Inspired by the common interest, and guided by Brother Robert A. Davis and Dr. J. Mason Brewer, the twenty-one members of Zeta Tau, during the fall semester, were involved in establishing a "structural and financial" status with the university and with the national office of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. On February 27, 1970, the Sphinxmen of the Zeta Tau chapter were initiated into the fraternity by the Brothers of Alpha Sigma chapter (Wiley College, Marshall, Texas). Brothers I. J. LaMothe, Warren Scott, and L. W. Garrett (all from Marshall, Texas) also assisted in the ceremonies. In an orientation meeting after the initiation, Brother LaMothe recognized and correlated the objective of the new chapter with that of the Seven Jewels: "out of social protest (and) out of a social desire" to enhance the black man's or student's status in the American society was the objective of our Founders at Cornell University; such was the objective of the twenty-one brothers of Zeta Tau at East Texas State University. The evening, February 27, 1970, was climaxed with a reception honoring the neophytic brothers of Zeta Tau chapter; Miss Thelma Ray Harris, the sweetheart (member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority) was presented. The affair was also attended by members and friends from the administration, including President D. Whitney Halladay, and Vice-President and Mrs. John Koldus.