< epsilon history
A Brief Account of the Epsilon Chapter
Since its inception in 1909 at the 5th Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon has continued to carry on the great traditions of Epsilon's 90+ years of success and the legacy that is Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Founded before all black Greek-Lettered Organizations with the exception of the beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., we stand above all who may try to compare themselves to us.
We are the MOTHER OF THE MIDWEST. Our history speaks for itself.
This is a brief account of our story...
On November 29, 1908, a letter was received from the University of Michigan stating that "the fellows there were considering the matter of a chapter at the said school." Mr. Augustus A. Williams of the Class of 1909, University of Michigan, wrote the following letter to Brother Roscoe C. Giles, Treasurer of the General Organization:
"1017 Catherine Street,
Ann Arbor, Michigan,
December 31, 1908.
Mr. Roscoe Giles,
Cornell University,
Dear Sir:
You have been recommended to me by Mr. Thorne of Yale University, as a source of information concerning a colored fraternity at your school and I would consider it a great favor if you would answer the following questions:
Has your fraternity chapters in other colleges?
To which do you belong?
How should a body of fellows proceed to become affiliated with your fraternity?
Send us all of the information possible, concerning your fraternity, including printed matter, if any. Thank you in advance for an early reply,
I am, sincerely,
Augustus A. Williams
U. of M., '09 "
This letter demonstrates the interest with which the news of the fraternity's organization was greeted in the West and that black college men were eager to seek such an organization. On January 16, 1909, another was read in the chapter-meeting from the University of Michigan. One week later, after a lengthy debate, Brother Giles suggested that the General Organization be advised to send a "delegate plenipotentiary" to Michigan, "giving the fellows there the understanding that the object of the organization is to promote union." At the next meeting it was agreed that the secretary should correspond with the other chapters in order to secure their opinions concerning the new organization. The secretary reported on March 13 that Beta Chapter had agreed to the organization as did Gamma Chapter. Brother Henry A. Callis, the president of Alpha Chapter, was delegated to organize the chapter at Michigan.
On April 10, 1909 Epsilon Chapter was established. The charter members were:
Brother George J. Clark
Brother William H. Dickson
Brother N. A. Dodson
Brother Eugene J. Marshall
Brother Augustus G. Purvis
Brother Stephen D. Sparks
Brother William Thorne
Brother Augustus A. Williams
Ever clinging to the motto “Accept Nothing Questionable”, we at Epsilon chapter continue the tradition of excelling scholastically, athletically, and socially. A testament to this truth, Epsilon Chapter boasts 10+ Phi Beta Kappa Members, 10+ Athletic All-Americans as recently as 2000, and a steady stream of honors, awards, and accolades for service.
We strive through comradeship to attain the noble goal of a balance between social and academic life and have proven wrong those who declare that both of these phase of
existence are incompatible and mutually inhibitory.
We understand and recognize that past is prologue to the future and that an intimate
familiarity with and reverence for what has gone on before is both central and essential
to our ongoing development and survival.
Brotherhood, scholarship, leadership, and service, the four principles upon which the Jewels founded Alpha Phi Alpha, continue to be the guiding values of Epsilon.
It can be said that fraternity life in Alpha Phi Alpha has shown us that the ideals to which we aspire are worth striving for and that Epsilon chapter continues to be a ‘rendezvous for fraters, a sanctuary for scholars, and a haven for gentlemen.’
The 2001 reunion brought some 65 brothers from all over the country and from across the generations home to Epsilon, making it very special time of fellowship, celebration, and reflection. In the not so distant future we look forward to many more brothers coming together to celebrate a century of scholarship, service, and love to all mankind.
"FIRST OF ALL..." AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Joe Evans, (E-12), First black Phi Beta Kappa
J. Leon Langhorne, (25), First black varsity letter winner in Tennis, 1925
Willis Ward, (34), First black All-American football player and player at Michigan
Jullis Franks (42), University of Michigan’s first black All-American in 1943
TORCH BEARERS OF EPSILON
Fredrick H. Miller, (10), 3rd National General President
Belford V. Lawson, Jr, (24), 16th National General President
Chester Chinn, (25-26), Top eye surgeon in New York City
Booker McGraw, (26-27), Senior official in U.S. Department of Housing
Bill Postles, (27-28), Leading dentist in Detroit, MI
Remus Robinson, (28-29), Eminent surgeon Detroit, MI
Cecil Poole, (50), First Supreme Court Judge, California
Godfrey Murray, (72-74), U of M & Jamaican Track Olympian
Gary Hardwick, (79-81), World-renown movie producer
Dhani M. Jones, (00), NFL star