PUBLISHER’S
PUBLISHER AND EDITOR’S LETTER
THE LAST TIME I SAW THE 14TH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
W
e pause in this edition of The Sphinx to pay tribute to one of those giants in the “Alpha—Endless Procession of Splendor” who stood as a major influence on the Fraternity and its official organ. This edition, published in the 101st Anniversary Year of the Fraternity, is respectfully dedicated to the memory of Brother C. Anderson Davis who served as the 14th Editor-in-Chief of The Sphinx. The last time I saw Brother Davis was at the Fraternity’s 93rd Anniversary Convention in Dallas, Texas. The Sphinx magazine was celebrating its 85th Anniversary that year and the living former Editors-in-Chief—who then were Brothers C. Anderson Davis, George M. Daniels, J. Herbert King, Charles F. Robinson, III, and John J. Johnson, III—were being gathered for a special Convention recognition. In addition, each of the Editors had been asked to contribute an article for the 85th Anniversary Edition Sphinx, which was first issued at the Convention. I was serving my first term as Editor-in-Chief of The Sphinx at the time and contacted each of the former Editors, inviting them to the Convention and asking that they prepare an article for the issue. My call to Brother Davis, the senior ranking Editor, found him recovering at his home in Houston, Texas following an illness and unable to prepare the requested article. He graciously asked if his column that appeared in the Golden Jubilee Edition Sphinx—published in 1964 and celebrating the magazine’s 50th Anniversary—could be printed in place of a new submission. Because the Convention that year was being held in Dallas, and not too far from his home in Houston, he promised to try to attend. Brother Davis’ column and memorable words that follow from the Golden Jubilee Edition appeared in the issue: “What shall we say of The Sphinx? It has been the voice sounding the call to Alpha’s thousands—MARCH FORWARD—with the endless procession of splendor, which is ours today and forever more, and never a backward look or step.” The reprinting of his article was followed by a tremendous moment when Brother C. Anderson Davis came to the podium and addressed the full 93rd Anniversary Convention body during the special recognition of the Editors. Surrounded by all of the living Editors-in-Chief, he presented himself as a shinning example of the splendor that he often recognized in others. In a recent conversation with Brother Davis’ stepdaughter, I learned of the passing of his wife, Mrs. Bertha Davis, soon after the former Editor-in-Chief passed away. Our prayers are again extended to his entire family. A tribute and recognition of the 14th Editor’s life and accomplishments can be found on page 89 in this issue. We also recognize the remarkable life and career of Grambling State University football coach Brother Eddie G. Robinson in this Sphinx. Our feature on the legendary coach begins on page 80. In preparing the Spring/Summer 2007 magazine, I had the opportunity to travel to Orlando, Florida where I visited the site of the Fraternity’s 101st Anniversary Convention—the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel and Resort—and met with and interviewed the hotel owner, Harris Rosen. His philosophy of caring has led to great success for the Florida hotelier, which in turn has led to unprecedented philanthropic giving involving more than simply writing a check. The private hotel-chain owner has demonstrated a humanitarian philosophy and commitment that has resulted in a major impact on communities in Orlando and throughout Florida. Our interview with Mr. Rosen takes us to the once-impoverished, largely African American community of Tangelo Park in Orlando. Former drug dealing and a high crime rate there has been replaced today by rising property values, soaring high school and college graduation rates, and some of the highest elementary and middle school test scores in the country. This story of faith and success begins on page 28. Fraternally,
SEATON J. WHITE, III Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
The Sphinx: www.APA1906.net
Spring • Summer 2007
13