A Moment in Alpha History: Seven Days of Reflection (Day 5)
Today we honor and reflect on The Compassionate Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray for spreading the spirit of true fraternity into developing universal brotherhood. He was a strong advocate in discussions of becoming a fraternity and seconded the motion to become a fraternity. Jewel Murray served on Committees for constitution, organization, grip, and treasurer in the earlier stages. History records that he, along with other Jewels, set up some of the earlier undergraduate chapters of the Fraternity. A noted educator in Washington, DC at Dunbar High School, he along with Jewel Ogle and Brother Dr. Wesley chartered the Mu Lambda Chapter and was elected Chaplain. Attending several General Conventions, he was often invited to deliver the Founders’ Address speaking on the early stages of the Fraternity, Brotherhood, his passion and future for our beloved Alpha Phi Alpha. After leaving Dunbar High and began teaching at Armstrong Manual Training High School. He has been noted for providing a large portion of the history of the Fraternity. He enjoyed his designation as “Jewel” and ‘Founder” of our fraternity and his role to solidify our permanent foundations. He entered Omega Chapter in December 1959. Please read and reflect on quotes from Jewel Murray:
-Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray, 28th Convention.
“Since Alpha Phi Alpha has always stood for the highest ideals and aims, I feel now is the time to put into action the slogans of the Founders “Service Above Self” and “Lift As We Climb” and make them living realities that touch the lives and the future of all Alpha Phi Alpha men throughout the world.”
“Why have these Brothers not kept pace with the great onward movement of Alpha Phi Alpha? Why is it that these Brothers are habitually absent from chapter meetings? A partial answer to the foregoing is that these Brothers need a real heart-to-heart talk with a view of reacquainting themselves as to how absolute necessary it is for them to continue to affiliate with their local chapters, as they did in the beginning of their undergraduate days. The fraternity needs them as necessary integral parts of its forward moving program.”
“Aim to cut out too much politics in the selection of your chapter officers. Select only those brothers for nomination who possess qualities of leadership, scholarship, and character that you will feel proud in having them as leaders. Get rid of the machine politics whereby as many chapters are handicapped in carrying out any kind of program, which program would always react to the glory and fame of dear old Alpha Phi Alpha.”
-Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray
“The ideals of your founders were for a fraternal organization built squarely upon the solid foundation of quality rather than quantity. This was attested to at the time soon after our fraternity was chartered and the news of its formation given out to the world at large. Men were not taken into the fraternity simply because they were colored students in the same university as we were. What we wanted and placed special emphasis upon, was men of character, good fellowship, good scholarship, unselfish devotion to our cause, and men who would work and cooperate in unity for the good of Alpha Phi Alpha.”
This is your moment in Alpha History.
Brother Sean C. Hall, Historian