Torch Magazine May 1990

May 1990 Washington, D.C. MU LAMBDA Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated

Message from the President Beta Chapter Triumphs at Eastern Regional Convention

There is much to be gained by attendance at an annual conven¬ tion, and the latest Eastern Regional proved true to form. The major point is to conduct the busi¬ ness of the region dealing with its relationship to the fraternity in general. Lastly, there are social benefits of renewing acquain¬ tances and making new ones with Brothers sharing in the same goal — advancement of our principles through the use of collective strength. Next, there is much to be learned from others in the sense of projects attempted, problems en¬ countered and barriers overcome.

The journey to Stamford (CT) was worth the effort as each regional has been for me since 1985. There were six competitive interests to be reckoned with (College and Alumni Chapter of the Year, College and Alumni Brother of the Year, Alpha Man of Merit, and assistant VicePresident) between Mu Lambda and Beta. Beta was successful in two (see next column on this page). The other four were highly competitive and the competition (continued on page 3)

At the 58th annual convention of the Easter Region of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., in' Stamford, Connecticut last month, Beta Chapter of Howard University took top honors as College Chapter of the Year. President John H. Berry and Vice President Max Voltaire accepted the award on behalf of the Chapter. Over 15 other Beta Brothers were on hand to witness this milestone. Beta Chapter was cited for its manyfaceted programs which stress scholarship and community ser¬ vice. Beta’s list of accomplish¬ ments include over 40 service pro¬ jects representing adiversi fi ed effort in both the university com¬ munity and the D.C. area. (See past issues of this newsletter for documentation of Beta’s outstand¬ ing performance.

Brother Njisane Omawale was named Easter Region Assistant Vice President-Elect after an im¬ pressive campaign and decisive victory. Brother Omawale, athirdyear finance major at Howard, is a native of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to main¬ taining a3.76 grade point average, he is an active participant in nu¬ merous organizations in the School of Business. In Beta, he serves as Chapter Historian.

Mu Lambda congratulates Beta for these fi ne achievements and looks forward both to seeing one of its own (Brother Omawale) pre¬ side at sessions of the General Convention and to Beta Chapter becoming College Chapter of the Year for the entire Fraternity.

Mu Lambda Welcomes Brother Ponder

Brother Henry Ponder, General President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Irsc., sur¬ prised Mu Lambda Chapter as aspecial guest at the April 5meeting. Brother Ponder shared with the Chapter his vision of the Fraternity, in particular as It re¬ lates to the headquarters fund drive and the proposed changes in the intake process. He was well received by the chapter with arousing ovation and alively question and answer period.

April Attendance

Five Other visitors were recognized at the April meeting: Brothers Eluen H. Hoston, Jr. (Beta Epsilon ‘57); Rodney A. Sullivan (Eta Beta Lambda ‘72); Tyrone E. Stepter (Omicron Lambda Alpha ‘89); Samuel E. Thornton, 111 (Mu Xi ‘81); and Eugene M. Williams (Beta Lambda 72). Approximately 90 Brothers were In attendance. □

Omicron Omlcron

Omicron Omicron Chapter at the University of the District of Columbia held it annual Alpha Week from April 8through April 14. The list of activities included:

April 8: Morning worship at Asbury Unit^ Methodist Church.

April 9: The UDC Jazz Ensemble, performing on the Dennard Plaza; balloon re¬ lease.

April 10: Poetry Reading

April 11: Panel Discussion: Black Male/Female Relationships; Speakers: Dr. Nsenga War fi eld and Mr. Saleen Hylton; Pre-Smoker.

followed by a

April 12: Lecture: Blacks in the Civil War; Speaker: Mr Wilbert Luck.

April 13: Step Presentation; venders from Pyramid Bookstore and D.C. Tees; music on Dennard Plaza.

April 14: Joint pool party with the Iota 5^ta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., University of Maryland College Park.

In response to Omicron Omicron’s request for financial as¬ sistance in these activities, the Brothers of Mu Lambda re¬ sponded enthusiastically with a generous donation at its April 5 meeting. □

Dues for the 1989-90 fraternal year are $85 for life members and $170 for h non-lrfe members. (The $170 includes a$10 late fee and $75 for the ■ National Grand Tax, which is pro-rated as follows for recently graduated 1 Brothers: 1st year—$37.50; 2nd year—$56.00.) Brother Ernest Brother Curtis Hunnigan will accept your check at the May meeting. Dues may also be mailed to Brother Smith at 5730 Blair Road N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011. Please take care of your fraternal obligations now.

Fyinid by sending your taxdeductible contributions to Brother Frederick Laney, 1834 Shepherd St., N.W., Wash¬ ington, D.C. 20015. Your gene¬ rosity is most appreciated, for example, see the grateful re¬ sponse from a past recipient in last Torch. month's

Newsletter Committee

Editor: William D. Thomas (363-7976)

Associate Editors: C.C. Jones (483-3102), Ryland R. Harris (882-4467) Circulation Manager: Louis A. Ford (723-8592) The deadline for submission of materials for the June issue is May 17.

Mu Lambda Chapter

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated P.O. Box 1993 Washington, D.C. 20013

Recording Secretary Treasurer

Associate Editor to The Sphinx

Chaplain

Education Director

Historian

Dean of Pledges

Corresponding Secretary

Financial Secretary

\

LeRoy Lowery, HI

Morris Hawkins, Jr. (232-7265)

Sergeant at Arms t

Robert M. Brown, HI (354-8018)

Curtis A. Hunigan (484-4944)

William D. Thomas (363-7976) Father Jerry Hargrove, Jr. (397-2525)

Melvin Clark (526-4662)

William M. Joyner (256-4714)

Lee A. Tyler (723-9220)

Louis A. Ford (723-8592)

Ernest L. Smith (723-7844)

Maryland D. Kemp (583-1261) President Vice

rPresident's Message (continued from page 1) won out, this time. The experience was certainly worthwhile in that the lessons learned will make for better efforts in the future. The winners are all to be congratu¬ lated.

The intangible benefits from the successes of Beta Chapter and Brother Nijisane Omawale were considered quite high because of the first hand knowledge of the ef¬ forts expended in those cam¬ paigns. The two entities are de¬ serving of all of the plaudits one can bestow. Alpha will be much better because of their inputs. We will continue to follow Beta’s progress as they go on to Miami for the general convention compe¬ tition. Brother Omawale has a hard year of work ahead of him but he, too, can count on our con¬ tinued support.

Mu Lambda was well repre¬ sented at the convention. Seen in the business sessions and in the corridors were Brothers Brackeen, Brice, Buck, Harding, Ryland, Harris, Hawkins, Kemp, Lowery, Queen, Steve Tappan, Thad

Tape

Ulij La^nb[Ja

Taylor and Tyler. Brother Buck was lauded for his contributions as General Comptroller, Brother Hawkins led the singing of the fra¬ ternal Hymn, Brother Taylor com¬ peted for the Alpha Man of Merit award and your president reported on the Leadership Development Institute and chaired two commit¬ tee meetings. There was much time for fraternizing, but there was work done also. Omicron Omicron was also present with at least 3 Brother in attendance. Nu Bela was out in force supporting Brother Martini in the oratorical contest. In fact, all six DC chapters were represented at the conven¬ tion, as well as most of the subur¬ ban chapters. There were few deci¬ sions made without the in fl uence of the metropolitan area.

As this fraternal year ends it is important to keep in mind the dynamic nature of what is going on around us. To say this is the way something was done in the past, therefore, it should continue in the same fashion, is to ignore the signs. We as an organization that is consistently in the forefront of history-making events, must be in touch with current events if we

are to remain viable and func¬ tional. Neither can we ever rest on our laurels of the past if we are to be relevant in the future.

Attendance, and participation, in conventions at Stamford and Miami will go along way towards keeping abreast of the winds of change. Are we to be reactive or proactive? Receivers or transmit¬ ters? Recognizing that the general convention is the supreme body governing our Fraternity, let us not miss an opportunity to have our opinions factored into the decision equations. Plan now to attend the General Convention August 2-8 or at the very least, attend the re¬ maining chapter meeting to formu¬ late our chapter’s position on th_e issues. See you Thursday!!

Brothers Maryland D. Kemp (2); John G. Wynn (8); Thomas J. Yeldell (14); and Norris A. Dodson III (18).

numerous professional achievements

Brother Harold W. Hill was named to the 1989-90 volume of "Outstanding Young Men of America; "he was cited for his work in Project Alpha, and Leadership Development, service as Assistant Advisor to Beta Chapter, v: with the United Way, and the Epilepsy Foundation of America as well as Brother Earle T. Jones serves as chairman of the 19th Annual Maxi Arts Gala. This festival of the visual and performing arts showcases the best and most talented students of Washington, from elementary through high school age. Astage show will be presented on May 6at 2:30 and 6P.M. at Howard University's Cramton Auditorium. For more information, contact Brother Jones at 829-1304

Brother Frank E. Finder is "up and about" after abrief illness; he will be inducted into the Florida A&MUniversity Hall of Fame on April 27

Brother Robert Freeman has been selected Chairman of the newly-formed Kwame Nkrumah Foundation, Accra, Ghana. Brother Frank Finder serves as Vice Chairman.

SEND US YOUR NEWS FOR THE TICKER TAPE 1!CONTACT THE NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE_TO SUBMIT NEWS BITS SUCH AS BIRTHS. MARRIAGES, GRADUATIONS. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. ETC.

Monthly meeting of Mu Lambda Chapter, 7:00 P.M., Blackburn Student Center, Howard University. 3 ■ Tune

Monthly meeting of Mu Lambda Chapter, 7:00 P.M., Blackburn Student Center, Howard University.

2-8

August National Headquarters Fund Drive

84th General Convention, Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. Fountainbleau Hilton and Towers, Miami Beach, Florida;

May Meeting

The agenda for the May 3rd Chapter meet¬ ing will include areport from the Nominating Committee of of fi cers for the 1990-91 Fraternal Year. Remember to bring an inac¬ tive Brother along to share this special eve¬ ning of fellowship. Senior Brothers who do not drive at night would greatly appreciate a ride to the meeting.

'ioo/r 5/00

y^jyr c/vexiAc to Phx, ^a^tioruit

(:feoxiA:;yjba>r*te/p^ P,0. Qox^ SQ9f7 fUJ/nol^ 60653-9998.

Help!!!

Uolunteers are needed to maintain and seruice the refreshment har at our monthly meetings. If you mould like to help by purchasing supplies, bartending, etc., please contact rBrother LeRoy Lomery. )

K

Mu Lambda Chapter

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. P.O. Box 1993 Washington, D.C. 20013