Eta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha celebrates 50 Years at Prairie View A&M University

It was the fifties and fraternity life was sweeping the country and colleges and universities were eager to have fraternities and sororities on their campuses because of the promises of student development.  

As time moved on, these organizations presented concerns for the universities because students were being hazed and their academic standings were being affected. So what was once thought to be helpful became harmful in the eyes of the administrators.  This adverse affect, coupled with some life threatening events, caused the administrations to ban such organizations from their campuses, including The Texas A&M University System. 

With a change in the college climate, in 1969, the TAMUS Board of Regents decided to allow universities in the A&M System to allow Greek-Lettered Fraternities and Sororities to return to their campuses, including Prairie View A&M University.  Prior to that time, men who were interested in Alpha Phi Alpha at the university were initiated into the Delta Theta Chapter at Texas Southern University from 1958-1962 and later into the Epsilon Iota Chapter at University of Texas in Austin, from 1963 through 1969. 

Accepting the changes and the growth of fraternal members on the PVAMU campus, the administration, under the presidency of Dr. Alvin I. Thomas, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., commissioned a Task Force consisting of members of the fraternities and sororities to develop a plan to have the organizations at the university. 

As the other organizations were being formed, the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha enrolled at the university during the fall of 1969 petitioned accepted the university's request and petitioned the national Fraternity to secure a chapter.  The fraternity, following its due diligence, approved the establishment of a chapter and during the spring of 1970. The Board of Directors of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., chartered the Eta Gamma Chapter as the 356 chapter of the fraternity at Prairie View A&M University, effective May 15, 1970.

On May 15, 2020, we celebrate the 50^thAnniversary of the chartering of the ta Gamma Chapter at Prairie View A&M University.  Congratulations to the more than 400 men who initiated into the chapter over the years.

The Brothers took time out to celebrate the milestone event with a special meeting on ZOOM with brothers sharing experiences and achievements in the organization over the years.  Due to the COVID-19 Crisis this was the alternate way to celebrate on a personal level.  The brothers also addressed concerns from the college brothers and how the alumni brothers may assist and improve the communication and relationship and support of their activities.  

Plans are underway for an in-person celebration, temporarily set for the Labor Day Weekend, pending the change in the State's policy of Staying In.