A Moment in Alpha History: The Fraternity Shield
In the Fraternity’s early development, the dove, torch in hands, fasces, and the Sphinx were the chosen symbols to represent our dear Fraternity. On January 13, 1911, the Kappa Chapter was chartered at Ohio State University which was developed from the Omusu Society (a social literary club whose name was a combination of the schools), which comprised students from OSU and medical colleges after a letter of interest was sent. Charter members listed: Brothers: James A. Dunn, Clarence A. Jones, L.H. Hathcock, C.P. Lyman. Fred Holsey, J.C. Kingslow, and W.O. Stokes. The Kappa Chapter’s impact was immediate.
In December 1911, during the 4th Annual Convention hosted by the Epsilon Chapter in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Committee on Ritual reported that there was no official design for a shield and, at that convention, it was authorized by a committee to make an official Fraternity shield. Brother James Arthur Dunn (see the attached photo) of the Kappa Chapter quickly answered the call at the request of his chapter Brothers, and the Kappa Chapter submitted his design. Brother Dunn was a student in the Department of Architecture at Ohio State University. After several drafts of the design, it was noted that “the difficult part of the design was the arrangement of the several emblems so that the scale of one would not be inharmonious with the scale of the other.” Brother Dunn explained that “they should always be placed so there is no impression of discord due to the different sizes”.
Brother Clarence Jones (line brother) was a delegate at the convention and on the Committee on Shield, submitted Brother Dunn’s design. He made no haste about this design being superior to all the ones submitted. At the close of the convention, he wired the Brothers of the Kappa Chapter, “Dunn’s design selected, congratulations.” See the attached photo of an early design of the Fraternity Shield.
Brother James Arthur. Dunn was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on January 13, 1911, at Ohio State University through the Kappa Chapter. Later, he was employed by the Dayton Power and Light Company as a draughtsman and later by Montgomery County as a deputy engineer with the tax map division. He was the first Black architectural engineer to graduate from OSU. He entered the Omega Chapter on March 28, 1958, at 73 and was a member of Theta Lambda in Dayton, Ohio, where he was a charter member.
Later, the Fraternity Shield took a modern redesign (see the attached photo) where you can see Alpha Phi Alpha is in the center between the banner for Knowledge and Achievement, seven stars were added representing the Jewels, garland on the side, and a fleur-de-lis on top designed by Brother Dr. Ferdinand Lucien Rousserve (see the attached photo) who was an architect, professor, housing consultant, president of the Board of Directors of the Urban League of Greater Boston, and State Department delegate on the United States Committee for United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, became our new official shield. Brother Rousserve was the 2nd and 3rd Vice President (History books state he was a Southern Vice President) under General President Brother Dr. Rayford W. Logan. Brother Rousseve entered the Omega Chapter on July 18, 1965, two days after his birthday on July 16. He was a member of the Sigma Lambda Chapter.
Other notable Kappa Chapter members: Brother Henry Lake Dickerson, 5th General President and the President of Bluefield State College (WV) and Morriston College (TN), noted for stating, “Think Alpha Phi Alpha. Talk Alpha Phi Alpha. Promote Alpha Phi Alpha and labor for the broad principles of idealism for which Alpha Phi Alpha was created so that humanity shall look on us as a body worthwhile” and Brother Jesse Owens (1935), who won four Gold Olympic medals during the Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.
Fraternity Shield: the official emblem of the fraternity. Only the life membership, membership milestone pins (25, 40, 50, 60, 75), and the Alpha Phi Alpha signet ring (style #4044b) are approved by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to incorporate the official shield of the fraternity. Any pin or paraphernalia other than those mentioned above should not be worn by a brother and should be disposed of. The “fraternity shield” may be used on official fraternity programs, stationary, flyers, etc. The “fraternity shield” should never be used on personal stationery, business cards, etc. The “fraternity shield” should never be used by organizations other than Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. This includes non-profit or corporate entities owned by a local chapter. (Protocol & Etiquette Manual, pg. 17 and current Fraternity Design/Crest)
Sources-The Sphinx Magazines, The History of Alpha Phi Alpha, Ohio State University Archives-Brother Dunn, Tulane University-Rousseve Papers, Protocol & Etiquette Manual.
This is your Moment in Alpha History.
Brother Sean C. Hall, Historian
