Alpha Phi Alpha - Central State
DELTA XI CHAPTER
Alpha Phi Alpha - Central State
DELTA XI CHAPTER
In the Beginning
In The Beginning...
In the Beginning....
In The Beginning....
The Delta Xi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, has stood as a distinguished embodiment of the Fraternity's timeless principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. Since its chartering on January 8, 1951, at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, Delta Xi has cultivated generations of leaders whose commitment to academic excellence, servant leadership, and community engagement reflects the vision of Alpha Phi Alpha's founders.
Founded by twelve visionary young men affectionately remembered as the "Infamous Delta Xi," the chapter has built an enduring tradition of excellence that has become woven into the history of both Central State University and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Their courage, determination, and commitment established a brotherhood whose influence continues to shape the lives of students, alumni, and communities throughout the nation.
These charter brothers created a legacy rooted in achievement, integrity, and service that has inspired generations of Alpha men. The Delta Xi Charter Line consists of:
• James D. Smith
• Lester Embry
• Marvin Glenn
• Laurence H. Holland
• Robert Conley, Jr.
• Nathaniel King
• Kenneth P. Levison
• Maurice E. Morgan
• Chester C. Pryor II
• Roger Hamilton Spots
• Ulysses S. Todd, Jr.
• William H. Vann
Their collective vision established more than a fraternity chapter, created a lifelong brotherhood whose influence continues to shape the lives of students, alumni, and the broader Central State community.
As a collegiate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Xi proudly carries forward the vision established by the Seven Jewels, who founded the Fraternity on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University. Emerging from a study and support group formed by African American students confronting racial isolation on a predominantly white campus, Alpha Phi Alpha evolved into the nation's first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men. Throughout its history, the Fraternity has championed academic excellence, leadership development, civic engagement, and social justice, while producing generations of influential educators, jurists, ministers, public servants, scientists, and civil rights leaders.
Throughout its history, Delta Xi has exemplified these ideals through active participation in campus leadership, student governance, athletics, National Pan-Hellenic Council initiatives, and community service. The chapter has consistently demonstrated its commitment to uplifting others through educational outreach, civic engagement, and annual leadership in Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorations and community service initiatives that reflect Alpha Phi Alpha's enduring commitment to advocacy and social progress.
Few collegiate chapters share as profound a connection to Alpha Phi Alpha's national leadership and historical scholarship as Delta Xi. Among the chapter's most influential institutional mentors was Dr. Charles H. Wesley—renowned historian, educator, the Fourteenth General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, official Historian of the Fraternity, and President of Central State University. During the formative years of Delta Xi, Dr. Wesley personally mentored and sponsored many of the chapter's early brothers, helping establish a culture rooted in scholarship, discipline, leadership, and service. Historical photographs documenting his relationship with Delta Xi remain preserved within the Charles Harris Wesley Collection at Howard University, serving as enduring reminders of his extraordinary influence upon the chapter.
Dr. Wesley's influence extends far beyond his leadership at Central State University. Recognizing the importance of preserving the Fraternity's legacy for future generations, he authored The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in Negro College Life (1929)—the Fraternity's official and seminal historical work. Through meticulous scholarship and unwavering historical objectivity, Dr. Wesley documented Alpha Phi Alpha's founding at Cornell University, chronicled its remarkable growth from a collegiate study group into a national leadership organization, and preserved the stories of the Seven Jewels and the generations of Alpha men who advanced educational achievement, civic responsibility, and Black leadership throughout America. His work established the historical foundation upon which much of Alpha Phi Alpha's institutional memory continues to rest and remains one of the Fraternity's most important intellectual contributions. In addition to this landmark publication, Dr. Wesley authored a biography of Founding Jewel Henry Arthur Callis, further preserving the lives and accomplishments of Alpha Phi Alpha's pioneering leaders.
Influence
Heritage
The chapter's distinguished heritage was further strengthened through the leadership of Dr. Lionel Hodge Newsom (1919–1991), another extraordinary Alpha whose life reflected the Fraternity's highest ideals. Initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha while attending Lincoln University (Missouri), Dr. Newsom served with distinction during World War II before embarking upon an exceptional career in higher education. As the Twenty-Second General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated (1965–1968) and later President of Central State University (1972–1985), he continued the remarkable tradition of Alpha leadership at the University's highest level. Throughout his career, Dr. Newsom remained deeply engaged in the work of Alpha Phi Alpha through chapter leadership, mentorship, and national service while also contributing significantly to Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, higher education, and public service. His legacy endures through the generations of students, educators, and fraternity brothers inspired by his example and through the Central State University administration building that proudly bears his name.
As the Delta Xi Chapter commemorates its Diamond 75th Anniversary, we celebrate far more than the passage of time. We celebrate seventy-five years of principled leadership, enduring brotherhood, academic excellence, and unwavering service. We honor the vision of our charter brothers, the mentorship of Dr. Charles H. Wesley, the transformative leadership of Dr. Lionel Hodge Newsom, and the countless brothers whose dedication has strengthened Delta Xi across seven and a half decades.
Inspired by a proud past and guided by Alpha Phi Alpha's timeless motto, the brothers of Delta Xi continue to build upon the foundation established in 1951—preparing future generations to lead with integrity, pursue excellence without compromise, and remain, in every generation, First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All.
