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A Brief History of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated ^TM 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^TM. The Founders of Iota Phi Theta are 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. 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!" GROWTH ... 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 incorporated on November 1, 1968 as a National Fraternity under the laws of the State of Maryland. Alpha Chapter, 1968 The first steps toward moving the Fraternity from a regional to a 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. Today, Iota Phi Theta consists of over 198 chapters located in 40 States and the District of Columbia.  The scope of the organization extends throughout the nation, from California to New York; from Wyoming to Florida; and from Wisconsin to The Bahamas Islands. SUMMARY ... As Iota Phi Theta continues to grow and strengthen, so will its commitment to make meaningful contributions to society in general, with particular emphasis in 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!" For more information about Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated^TM, please visit www.IotaPhiTheta.org
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