…the Development and Perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, and Brotherhood among all Men!

1963

Founded at Morgan State University, Baltimore MD.

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CHAPTERS

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MEMBERS

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YEARS

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FOUNDERS

About iota phi theta fraternity, inc.

On September 19, 1963, at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University), 12 students founded what is now one of the largest, predominately African-American social service fraternities in the world: The Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated.

The Beginning
of iota

1963 was a turbulent year. History-making events occurred that would radically and permanently affect the country as a whole, and African-Americans in particular. Three weeks later and less than 50 miles away from the “March on Washington,” in Baltimore, Maryland, another group of men would make a different kind of history.

On September 19, 1963, at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University), 12 students founded what is now the nation’s fifth largest, predominately African-American social service fraternity: The Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated.

The Honorable Founders of Iota Phi Theta were: Albert Hicks, Lonnie Spruill, Jr., Charles Briscoe, Frank Coakley, John Slade, Barron Willis, Webster Lewis, Charles Brown, Louis Hudnell, Charles Gregory, Elias Dorsey, Jr., and Michael Williams.This group of men was unique for several reasons. First of all, many were long-time friends. Spruill, Coakley, Dorsey, and Gregory had known one another since grade school, and Spruill and Coakley’s friendship extended to when the two were pre-schoolers.

Even more uniquely, many of these men were what are now referred to as “Non-Traditional Students” and were 3-5 years older than the average college student. Gregory, Willis, and Brown were all service veterans, and Brown, Hicks, and Briscoe were married with small children. Of this group of 12, several were also working full-time jobs and all were full-time students.

Based upon their ages, heightened responsibilities, and increased level of maturity, this group had a slightly different perspective than the norm for college students. It was this perspective from which they established the Fraternity’s purpose, “The development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, and Brotherhood among Men.” Additionally, they conceived the Fraternity’s motto, “Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!”

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The growth
of the brotherhood

The Fraternity functioned as a local entity until the first interest groups were established in 1967 at Hampton Institute (Beta Chapter) and Delaware State College (Gamma Chapter). Further expansion took place in 1968 with chapters being formed at Norfolk State College (Delta Chapter) and Jersey City State College (Epsilon Chapter).

The Fraternity was officially and legally incorporated on November 1, 1968, as a National Fraternity under the laws of the State of Maryland.

The first steps toward moving the Fraternity from a regional to a more national scope were taken with the creation of Upsilon Chapter (Southern Illinois University) in 1974. It was also during this period that the Fraternity’s first 4 Graduate chapters were formed: Alpha Omega (Baltimore, MD, 1965), Beta Omega (Washington, DC, 1970), Gamma Omega (Hampton, VA, 1973), and Delta Omega (Boston, MA, 1973).

These chapters created the framework for the growth and development of the organization in the Northeast, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest Regions of the country. The next regional expansion occurred in 1983 with the establishment of the Alpha Chi (San Francisco State University) and Xi Omega (San Francisco Alumni) chapters in California.

The fraternity
today

Today, Iota Phi Theta® consists of over 300 chapters located in 40 States, the District of Columbia and internationally in the Republic of Korea, Japan and Colombia, South America. The scope of the organization extends throughout the nation, from California to New York; from Wyoming to Florida; and from Wisconsin to our international chapters.

As Iota Phi Theta continues to grow and strengthen, so will its commitment to making meaningful contributions to society in general, with particular emphasis on the African-American community. Throughout America, Iota Phi Theta has come to represent excellence in all areas. The Fraternity is, and shall forever remain dedicated to its founders’ vision of “Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!”

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BROTHERHOOD

“It only takes a few weeks to pledge but it takes a lifetime to be a Brother!”

That phrase is heard time and time again within the Brotherhood of Iota Phi Theta and it is one of our rallying points. Although it is slightly outdated, as Iota Phi Theta has moved away from “pledging” to a “Brotherhood Intake Process”, the spirit is still the same. Quite simply, the process you undergo before becoming a Brother is secondary to the responsibility you accept once you become a Brother.

Iota Phi Theta is more than a Fraternity, it is a concept … a way of life. By joining Iota Phi Theta, you are agreeing to always strive for excellence in all facets of your life – academically, professionally, and personally. Furthermore, you are committing to consistently strive to be the best despite any obstacles.

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