Alpha Lambda Chapter holds the distinction of being the first graduate chapter in the history of the fraternity in Louisville, Kentucky. The inception was the outgrowth of an University Club of young college men that met at the Western Branch Library coordinated by Jewel Eugene K. Jones to discuss current topics of the day. After graduating from Cornell University in 1908 with an M.A. in sociology, Jewel Jones moved to Kentucky and taught at the University of Louisville from 1908 to 1909, and then a high school instructor at Louisville High School from 1909 to 1911. It was the tireless efforts of Jewel Jones convincing the General Organization the need for a graduate chapter. It was noted that Jewel Jones maintained the group while the decision was made.
With the establishment of the graduate chapter, the permanent foundations of Alpha Phi Alpha was taking shape. However, opposition was met that argued that “the fraternity was for undergraduates, and that graduates should be content with four years of activity and control.” It wasn’t until later the General Organization began to support the formation of graduate chapters, but encouraged young men to join undergraduate chapters first and then assist with the development of graduate chapters.
Jewel Jones encouraged the following young men of the University Club to become members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity: J.O. Blanton, A.S. Brock, W.T. Peyton, J.H. Hubert, W. Welch, F. Johnson, C.A. Powell, J.T. Clark, W. Ballard and D.L. Lawson. On April 11, 1911, with the assistance of Brother Richard Hill, a graduate of Fisk University and a student at the Univ. of Michigan law school, traveled to Kentucky to establish the Alpha Lambda Chapter. At the 4th Annual Convention, Lambda was designated for the group since eight undergraduate chapters were already established. Jewel Jones served as one of the first Presidents of Alpha Lambda.
During the 5th General Convention, the first alumni reunion was held on December 26, 1912. Brother Brock (delegate) made the recommendation that graduate chapters would be designated similar to undergraduates but Lambda as the final letter. The recommendation was motioned by Jewel George B. Kelley and second by Brother Dunn and became the naming for graduate chapters thereafter. Alpha Lambda hosted the 29th General Convention in 1941, with the significance of establishing the election system for the fraternity.
Side note: North Carolina’s first graduate chapter was Kappa Lambda seated in Greensboro, NC founded on June 9, 1923. Most of the early Brothers of Kappa Lambda were transient educators along with the depression that led to a period of inactivity between 1932-1940. Hence, Beta Theta Lambda was founded on May 7, 1938.
This is your moment in Alpha History.
Brother Sean C. Hall
Historian