The Legacy of Theta Began Today!!

On this day, 100 years ago, Theta Chapter had it's earliest beginnings.

On November 28, 1909, Second General President Roscoe C. Giles received a letter from Bro. George C. Middleton, secretary of Epsilon Chapter at the University of Michigan.

The purpose of this letter was to inform President Giles that an application had been received to establish a chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha at the University of Chicago so that they could "draw their members from all schools in Chicago."

This event would lay the foundation for what would become Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. For many years, Theta would serve as the city chapter of Chicago for Alpha, drawing students from colleges and universities in and around the Chicago area. This would include, but not be limited to the above named University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, Northwestern University, and also the then named Rush Medical College, from which many members of Theta would matriculate (including Jewel Henry A. Callis).

Therefore, on this day, we pause to recognize the genesis of Theta Chapter. The reception of this letter by General President Giles is interesting to members of Theta, as a couple of years later, President Giles would relocate to Chicago and affiliate with Theta Chapter, going on to become president of our august chapter. Little did they know that Theta would go on to initiate more than 1,000 men into our chapter and serve as an important fixture in the lives of not only black Chicago, but Chicago and the state of Illinois itself.

Coming up: The approval of the application for Theta Chapter, setting up the creation of Theta, the founding of Theta Chapter.