Alpha Phi Alpha charters at Stevens

Applause from over 80 people filled Babbio Patio. Cheers roared across the the patio after five men recited “If” by Rudyard Kipling. The men began to sing a song, and each man proceeded to give a yellow rose, the flower of Alpha Phi Alpha, to his mother in the audience. Afterwards, even more cheers filled the patio.

“Are you ready to meet them?” a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha asked the audience. The audience shouted affirmatively in excitement. Then, the chartering line of Alpha Phi Alpha was introduced.

Five men crossed as the chartering line of the Phi Theta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha last Wednesday night, April 10, on Babbio Patio, becoming the first members of Alpha Phi Alpha at Stevens. Alpha Phi Alpha is the first African-American fraternity at Stevens. Additionally, it is the first National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organization on our campus.

The five men of the chartering line were, in order, Antony Cruz, E’Nigel Owusu-Ansah, Grant Fowler, Joshua Hector, and Koby Dawes.

The men first expressed interest in bringing Alpha Phi Alpha to campus as early as Spring 2018. The fraternity then received provisional recognition at the end of the Spring 2018 semester. With provisional recognition, the fraternity could host informational meetings, events, or community service projects to determine interest on campus. The chapter held provisional recognition until its chartering line was initiated.

Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Malcolm McDaniel, aided the prospective chapter by assisting them with room reservations, publicizing the organization to Stevens students, and allowing them to participate in Meet the Greeks. Throughout the process, McDaniel was constantly communicating with the Eastern Region District IV Director of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Multiple individuals expressed excitement with Alpha Phi Alpha arriving to campus. “I think this is an exciting time for Stevens to establish the first National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organization on our campus. I believe it will bring a different perspective to the Fraternity and Sorority community, encourage more conversation about the Cultural Greek Council and diversity, as well as provide men interested in joining a fraternity with more options,” said McDaniel. “I am excited to work with Alpha Phi Alpha and to help them build a foundation for a lasting impact on the Stevens community.”

Karun Sehkar, President of the Cultural Greek Council, echoed these sentiments. “I’m excited to see what these five great men have in store for campus,” said Sehkar. Sehkar also believes that Alpha Phi Alpha’s chartering at Stevens is extremely important and will bring more recognition to the Cultural Greek organizations on campus.

Alpha Phi Alpha was unable to comment before publication of this article.

Aside from Sigma Psi Zeta, which will be chartered later this semester, there are no future plans for expansion within the Stevens Greek community.