to the Ideals of Alpha
The campus of Howard University came alive October 5lh when the Brothers arrived at the ackbum Student Center to par¬ ticipate in the Chapter’s Annual Reclamation Roundtable, Frater¬ nal Fellowship, and Paraphernalia Night. With Brothers clad in some of their Black and Gold from col¬ lege days gone by, the occasion al¬ most resembled an old-fashioned revival meeting or reunion, as the Brothers rededicated themselves to the ideals of our great Fraternity. Led by Moderators, Brothers Frederick J. Laney and Morris Hawkins, Jr., the Brotherhood was introduced to the current of fi cers, as well as
Brothers in Mu Lambda’s glorious past.
The program committee was very innovative in its format for the evening; everything flowed smoothly and swiftly, as “brevity” was the evening’s keyword. The program included Brothers to dis¬ cuss Mu Lambda’s past (J. Leon Langhorne and former Chapter Presidents); Mu Lambda’s present (President LeRoy Lowery, III); and Mu Lambda’s future (C.C. Jones and Robert Brown). The re¬ marks from past chapter presidents were most inspiring: Brothers C.C. House, Elmer J. Moore, and William E. Calbert informed the (continued on page 5)
Henry A. Callis
Charles H. Chapman Eugene Kinckle Jones
George B. Kelley Nathaniel A. Murray
Robert H. Ogle Vertner W. Tandy
COLLEGE
CORDER
Mu Lambda Chapter proudly salutes our under¬ graduate Brothers at Bela Chapter (Howard University) and Omicron Omicron Chapter (University of the District of Columbia). We will continue to give our young Brothers the benefit of our experiences and hopefully wisdom as they strive to complete their studies. Brother LeRoy Lowery serves as advisor to Beta; Brother Louis Harding serves in ihe same capacity at Omicron Omicrom May our college Brothers be inspired by these words:
THERE GOES AN ALPHA MAN
by Peter Clarke
There goes aman of high impulse, of princely mien and grace. There goes aman of humble faith acredit to his race.
There goes aman of conscious vast, with will to reach his goal.
There goes aman of lordly rank of heroes’ stock and soul.
There goes aman of noble cast whom hardship cannot break.
There goes aman in merit clad, whom duty won't forsake.
There goes aman of culture verse who holds asportsman's creed.
There goes aman too vigilant to bow to lust or greed.
There goes aman whose life is spent in service, not in scorn.
There goes aman whose majesty shines like amaytime mom.
There goes aman who is afriend to love and duty truth.
There goes aman lo help uplift the lives of wholesome youth.
There goes aman with industry and faith at his command.
There goes the best man in or out for he’s an Alpha Man.
page 2
1989-90 Dues
Dues for the 1989-90 fraternal year are $85 fo. life members and $160 for non-life members. (The $160 includes $75 for the National Grand Tax, which is pro-rated as follows for recently graduated Brothers: 1st year—$37.50; 2nd year—$56.00.) Brother Ernest Smith/Brother Curtis Hunnigan will accept your check at the November meeting. Dues may also be mailed to Brother Smith at 5730 Blair Road N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011. Please take care of your fraternal obligations now. Alate charge must be assessed on all funds received after the November meeting.
Newsletter Committee
Editor: William D. Thomas (363-7976)
Associate Editor: C. C. Jones (483-3102)
Circulation Manager: Louis A. Ford (723-8592)
The deadline for submission of materials for the December issue is November 16,
Mu Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated P.O. Box 1993 Washington, D.C. 20013
President
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Treasurer
Associate Editor to The Sphinx
Chaplain
Education Director
Historian
Dean of Pledges
Corresponding Secretary
Financial Secretary Sergeant at Arms
LeRoy Lowery, ID (291-3129)
Morris Hawkins, Jr. (232-7265)
Robert M. Brown, III (354-8018)
Curtis A. Hunigan (484-4944)
William D. Thomas (363-7976) Father Jerry Hargrove, Jr. (397-2525)
Melvin Clark (526-4662)
William M. Joyner (256-4714)
Lee ATyler (723-9220)
Louis A. Ford (723-8592)
Ernest LSmith (723-7844)
Maryland D. Kemp (583-1261)
The following committees need Brothers to work with them to achieve their goals and objectives: and the Fall semi-formal. Call Brother Rodman Turner (7233461).
Anthony Bowen YMCA—
The “Y” is preparing to establish a Belford V. Lawson Room as part of their overall program to assist young people in becoming useful, productive citizens. They need our help. Call Brother Norris Dodson (726-4210).
Public Policy—A social action committee designed to make an impact on the community at large and support the Public Policy statements of the General Fraternity. One effort is to assist the other groups in generating a commitment to end hunger by the end of the century. Call Brother Wayland McClellan (723-0453).
Project Alpha—A special pro¬ ject of the General Fraternity is as¬ sisting in the reduction of teenage pregnancies by explaining the ramifications to young males. One or two seminars per year are planned. Call Brother Brother George Johnson (654-2371) Brother Harold Hill (332-4423).
Archives—Established to pre¬ serve the legacy and heritage of Mu Lambda, Beta, and Alpha Phi Alpha in Washington. The pur¬ pose is to collect, archive, and dis¬ play memorabilia for the enlight¬ enment of all. Call Brother William Joyner (256-4714).
Membership—The committee will enhance and encourage recla¬ mation and retention efforts to bring inactive Brothers back into the fold. They will also serve as a welcoming committee for visitors and new Brothers to make them feel “at home.” Call Brother Steve Tappan (232-7936).
Program—This committee plans the presentations for the monthly meetings as well as cer¬ tain special observances such as Founders’ Day or 25- and 50-year Brothers Luncheons, etc. The Chairman is Brother Morris Hawkins (232-7265).
Boy Scouts of America—We intend to work with an established Troop and supplement the leader¬ ship duties. Call Brother Charles Patton (486-2426).
Auditing—Assembled to check the financial records of the chapter on an annual basis. Call Brother LeRoy Lowery (291-3129).
Newsletter—Functions to col¬ lect articles, prepare, publish, and disseminate the monthly organ of the chapter 10 times per year. Call the Editor, Brother William D. Thomas (363-7976).
Leadership Development Institute—A monthly program to supplement and expand the princi¬ ples of the annual program. This is apilot program approved for the Eastern Region to reach more high school students on aregular basis. Call Brother Vernon X. Smith (686-6693) or Brother Maurice White (387-3734).
Telephone—This committee will alert the members of Mu Lambda to events that take place between monthly meetings, spe¬ cial announcements, etc. Call Brother Arlester Brown (3909567) or Brother Louis Ford (7238592).
Budget and Finance—Formed to oversee the funds of the chapter and encourage fiscal responsibil¬ ity. Call Brother Ernest Smith (723-7844) or Brother Curtis Hunnigan (484-4944).
Social—Convened to arrange Chapter dances—the Spring Ball
goals.
Williams
Go to High School, Go To College (revisited)—This commit¬ tee will assist in developing and implementing the only national program for Alpha Phi Alpha. It will be designed to inspire our young, Black males to seek higher Call Brother Frank (949-0708) or Brother
James McQueen (362-5421).
Activities—Formed to design, promote, and implement fundrais¬ ing activities during the Fraternal year that will also extend fellow¬ ship. Proposals include tennis, bridge, and golf tournaments; group attendance at plays; and a major award banquet for area citi¬ zens. Call Brother LeRoy Lowery (291-3129).
Pledge—Assigned to oversee the intake process. They will re¬ view applications, conduct inter¬ views, screen applicants, and over¬ see the pledge period. Call Brother Lee Tyler (723-9220).
Step Team—^Assembled to put the best foot (collectively) forward at various exhibitions throughout the area. One major event is the Delta Sigma Theta Graduate Step Show in the Spring. Call Brother Robert Brown (354-8018).
Amenities—Functions as the initial contact point in case of deaths, hospitalizations, nursing home stays, etc. Contact Brother Jerry Hargrove (397-2525).
□
i-vipiid particularly on many predomi¬ nantly white campuses shaken by racial tension. The groups are among the most influential and best-endowed of all Black organi¬ zations. Their members commit themselves to service long after their college days are over.” (em¬ phasis added). The article goes on to say that “the organizations have long offered scholarships and other assistance to less well-off Blacks, and they are ...taking a lead in fighting illiteracy, drug abuse and other problems.”
The article goes on to quote James Blanton, executive “direc¬ tor” (sic), Henry Ponder, General President, and the Wisconsin University chapter president, all of Alpha Phi Alpha. All address the Greek-letter organizations fulfill¬ ing aneed and “...desire to band together in the face of rising racial tension.” The article further ac¬ knowledges that “The Black fra-
Ttcher Tape
ITIu Lambda
Phi Alpha. How prophetic the arti¬ cle becomes when it states, “...the groups have been doing some soul-searching because of initia¬ tion rites.” This is in light of re¬ ports of aprospective Sphinxman dying during pre-induction horse¬ play at Morehouse this month.
The need for continued re fl ec¬ tion is brought home by all of the aforementioned topics. We are full of pride after an evening of fel¬ lowship; we feel sorrow for vic¬ tims of amajor earthquake; we come together to salute those transferring to Omega chapter, the chapter of sweet rest; we band to¬ gether as apeople to ward off ra¬ cial adversity; we commit to alife of service to our fellow-man; yet, we record the needless death of what might have been apromising career of aprospective Brother. To paraphrase Dinah Washington, “What ADifference A(Month) Makes!”
call the chairman or myself to of¬ fer your assistance. One event per year or per month, we have ava¬ riety that, hopefully, will appeal to all of our constituents. If not, let’s talk about what is missing. Let us continue the legacy of the most important chapter, of the most im¬ portant Fraternity, in the most im¬ portant city, serving the most im¬ portant people—our own! Alpha Phi Alpha and Mu Lambda— Making ADifference! ^
Richardson in Alexandria, Virginia
Janette Harris with abash on the occasion of her golden birthday
Mu Lambda is proud to salute 3college students from our family this month: Bandele F. McQueen, son of Brother and Mrs. James T. McQueen, afreshman at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville; Clyde Blassenoale. Jr., asenior at William and Mary College and Nina Blassenoale. afreshman at Hampton University; their parents are Brother and Mrs. Cl /r*e Bla fi sennale. Sr. ...... .Brother Ha Hem HWilliams, former head of the D.C, Department of Corrections is now Regional Director, Justice Design, Henningson, Durham, and Brother Rudolph Harris recently feted his wife Brother Horace Dawson served as co-chair for the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church’s October 15 Observance of Higher Education Day. This marked the continuation of aseries of programs begun last year, whose signi fi cance was spotlighted in Bill Raspberry's nation-wide syndicated Orchids to Brother John T. Fliopen who was prominently featured in the October 12 District Weekly of the Washington Post when he took part in aceremony of placing awreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns and presenting the only plaque in the Arlington Cemetery Amphitheater in memory of African-Americans in World War II. Brother Flippen proudly served with the 92nd Division, 370th Regimental Combat Team, and is currently President of this veterans group. Brother Jerome Atkins was named Chapter Parliamentarian at the October meeting; recently relocated to this area, after military retirement. Brother Atkins was initiated at Beta Chapter, Howard University Brother James Gilleylen, former President of Xi Tau Lambda Chapter, North Dallas, Texas, recently relocated to Washington, D.C.; he is Deputy Director of the District's Of fi ce of Planning, page 4
JirotJier $. jRupert ^itott
Brother J. Rupert Picott, ana¬ tive of Suffolk, Virginia, entered Omega Chapter on Wednesday, Octob^er11.Aneducatorbytrain¬ ing, Brother Picott was for 22 years the executive secretary of the Virginia Teachers Association, which represents that state’s African-American teach¬ ers. He also worked tirelessly for the U.S. Office of Education and the National Education Association. Brother Picott also served as executive director of the Afro-American history (ASALH) group in the mid-1970’s. Under his leadership at ASALH, President Carter declared the en¬ tire month of February to be Black History Month, instead of the usual one week observance. Many state governments have is¬ sued similar proclamations.
Brother Picott was initiated into Alphadom at Gamma Chapter at Virginia Union. He served the Fraternity at various levels, in¬ cluding Eastern Region Vice President from 1956-57. In Mu Lambda he is fondly remembered for chairing the Program Committee, which provided an outstanding array of speakers for discussions over the years.
In the 1960’s, Brother Picott was founder and president of the Independent Voters League in Virginia, and he served on the Virginia State Advisory Committee on Civil Rights.
He was aformer member of the Board of Visitors of Mary Washington College Fredericksburg, Virginia, and elder of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. His books included, “The Black Experience in Elementary and Secondary Education, 1950 to 1975.”
His first wife, Altia Picott, died in 1984. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Picott; two chil¬
dren by his first marrriage, a brother, asister, and two grand¬ children, and ahost of other rela¬ tives and friends.
Condolences
Brothers of Mu Lambda extend Christian sympathy to Brother Maryland D. Kemp in the passing of his wife, Mary Celeste Kemp, on Saturday October 14 at Providence Hospital. The wake was held on Wednesday October 18 at the Northeastern Presbyterian Church, where fu¬ neral services were held on Thursday, October 19. Internment was at Fort Lincoln Cemetery.
Anative of Denton, Maryland, and agraduate of Delaware State
Paraphernalia Night
(continued frojfi page 1)
Chapter about what Alpha had done in the Metropolitan Washington in earlier years. Brother Vernon Gill remarked about the 80th Annual General Convention held in Washington, D.C. in 1986 and about the impor¬ tance and effectiveness of the in¬ take process at the graduate level. In speaking of the present, Brother Lowery discussed how the chapter is “making adifference” in Washington by participating in community projects. In consider¬ ing the future, Brothers C.C. Jones and Robert M. Brown, III gave fresh perspectives on where the chapter was heading, and what the Fraternity meant to younger Brothers.
In Mu Lambda’s pursuit of trivia, Brother Hawkins identi fi ed Brothers by their year of initiation; initiation chapter; Alpha relatives, including sons and fathers. Brother
College, her career included over 20 years of meritorious service with the Naval Investigative Service Headquarters.
Brother Maryland Kemp and family wish to thank the Brotherhood for the many acts of kindness and prayers during their time of bereavement. □
George Johnson’s eloquent rendi¬ tion of the “House of Alpha” brought astanding ovation.
Ahighlight of the evening, however, was the opportunity for Brothers to speak about their rela¬ tionship to Alpha. In testimonial style, agood number of these Brothers expressed their inten¬ tions to return to the fold by join¬ ing us in Mu Lambda. Brother Louis T. Harding led the Chapter in the singing of “Give Me that Good Old Alpha Spirit” and a soul-stirring rendition of the Fraternal Hymn.
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