On this momentous day, at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 1938, our esteemed Brother John E. Payne, chairman, and other Brothers in the Durham community laid the foundation for the 152nd “House of Alpha” to be established, marking the beginning journey of our illustrious chapter in the Bull City. The desire to establish the Beta Theta Lambda Chapter was twofold: The brothers felt there was more to be done in Durham and were desirous of paving the way to establish an undergraduate chapter at North Carolina College at that time. With these two leading factors, considering travel for Brothers having to attend other meetings in other chapters, it was decided that a chapter must be established in Durham, North Carolina. At that time, Brother James T. Taylor was elected as the 1st Chapter President, Brother Dr. Charles H. Wesley was the 14th General President, and Brother Charles Wesley Greene was in his 14th year as the Southern Regional Vice President. There were four living Jewels: Jewel Henry Arthur Callis, Jewel George Biddle Kelly, Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray, and Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy. (*Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones was not recognized as a Jewel in 1938 as that designation was James A. Morton*). As we commemorate 86 years of unwavering service and advocacy for our community, let us pause to honor the rich history of this great chapter and the noblemen who have shaped it into what it is today. We also want to express our deepest gratitude to “The Pioneers” of Beta Theta Lambda Chapter. It is because of these Brothers, who 86 years ago, had the foresight and courage to explore, develop, and establish the Beta Theta Lambda Chapter in Durham, NC, on May 7th, 1938, that we stand here today. The Pioneers were:
Brother Dr. Alfonso “Toby” Elder was a civil rights advisor and the 2nd President of North Carolina College, now North Carolina Central University.
Brother Dr. Alphonse Heninburg was a nationally known educator and lecturer. He received his Ph.D. from NYU. He moved to Durham to accept a position as assistant to the President of North Carolina College, President Dr. James Shepherd. He was also head of the Department of Education and active in Durham’s civic affairs and race relations. He took leave to be a field secretary for the Department of Industrial Relations of the National Urban League. Later, he was secretary to the Department of Welfare of NYC and joined the Yeshiva University School of Education and Community Administration faculty to teach social welfare courses.
Brother Dr. Charles L. Holmes was a Professor of Political Science at North Carolina College.
Brother Dr. Lawrence Howland Knox was a noted Chemist known for his path-breaking scientific brilliance. In 1916, he was one of only 30 African Americans to receive a Ph.D. degree in all branches of chemistry. He received almost forty patents in the field of steroid chemistry.
Brother John E. Payne, the precursor of the Beta Theta Lambda Chapter, was an activist in civil rights, education, employment, and other work related to minority rights. He was a clerk for Asa Spaulding, an insurance executive in Durham.
Brother Dr. Robert P. Randolph served as Student Health Services Director and University Physician at North Carolina College from 1957 to 1966.
Brother James Morse Schooler, Sr., a noted educator administrator, was designated the “Dean of ANCA.” He served as President (two terms).
Bro. James T. Taylor was a noted educator and community leader and holds the distinction of serving as the first President of the Beta Theta Lambda Chapter. He was a Professor of Psychology at North Carolina College and was the first chair of the Psychology Department. Later, he became Dean of Men, Athletic Director, and then Director of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Also, he was an organizer/co-founder of the Durham Committee on Negro Affairs, which is known today as the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.
Brother William J. Walker was an instructor at North Carolina College in business methods (he replaced Brother C. T. Willis after his sudden death in 1954) and became a Southern Fidelity Mutual Insurance Company manager during Black Wall Street in Durham (Parrish Street). He was also on the Board of Directors of Mechanics and Farmers Bank. He was a businessman in Durham.
Brother Dr. Carrol T. Willis was a noted educator and chair of the Department of Commerce, where he developed, planned, and structured NCCU’s business education and commerce department.
Happy 86th Charter Day, Brothers.
Fraternally,
Brother Sean C. Hall,
Historian
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