The Phi Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is proud to recognize and celebrate this year’s distinguished honorees—individuals whose leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to service embody the very principles upon which our Fraternity was founded. Each honoree has demonstrated exceptional dedication to uplifting communities, advancing educational opportunities, and championing equity and excellence. Through their professional achievements, civic engagement, and transformative impact, they serve as living examples of scholarship in action and leadership with purpose. We honor them not only for what they have accomplished, but for the doors they have opened, the lives they have inspired, and the legacy of empowerment they continue to build for future generations.
Dr. Theresa Price
The Jewel's Jewel
Dr. Eric Bishop
The Jewel's Jewel
Charles Henry Chapman was born in 1876. Before attending Cornell he was a student at Howard University. after graduation, he entered higher education and eventually became professor of agriculture at what is now Florida A&M University. Chapman was a founder of FAMU's Beta Nu chapter. During the organization stages of Alpha chapter, he was the first Chairman of the committees on initiation and organization. A university funeral was held with considerable Fraternity participation when he became the first Jewel to enter Omega chapter in 1934.
Mr. Vernon Jackson
George Biddle Kelley, born in 1884, became the first African American engineer registered in the state of New York. He worked many years for the New York State Barge Canal, and later went on to being a very successful tax consultant. Not only was he the strongest proponent of the Fraternity idea among the organization's founders, the Civil Engineering student also became Alpha chapter's first President. In addition, he served on committees that worked out the handshake and ritual. Kelley was popular with the brotherhood. He resided in Troy, New York and was active with Beta Pi Lambda chapter in Albany. He died on May 5, 1962.
The Jewel's Jewel
Nathaniel Allison Murray continued in graduate work after completing his undergraduate studies at Cornell. He later returned home to Washington, D.C., where he taught in public schools. Much of his career was spent at Armstrong Vocational High School in the District of Columbia. He was a member of Alpha chapter's first committee on organization of the new Fraternal group, as well as the committee on the grip. The charter member of Washington's Mu Lambda chapter was a frequent attendee of general conventions. He died on December 6, 1959.
Bishop Kelvin Simmons
Mr. Emmitt Terrell
The Jewel's Jewel
Eugene Kinckle Jones, born July 30, 1885, entered the Cornell Graduate School of Sociology in 1906; after obtaining a B.A. from Virginia Union University. A versatile leader, he organized the first three Fraternity chapters that branched out from Cornell: Beta at Howard, Gamma at Virginia Union and the original Delta at the University of Toronto in Canada. In addition to becoming Alpha chapter's second President and joining with Callis in creating the Fraternity name, jones was a member of the first committees on constitution and organization and helped write the Fraternity ritual. He later became the first Executive Secretary of the National Urban League. His 20-year tenure with the Urban League thus far has exceeded those of all his successors in office. Jones also has the distinction of being one of the first initiates as well as an original Founder. His status as a founder was not finally established until 1952. He died in 1954.
Dr. Judy White
Dr. Judy D. White began her K–12 education career as a classified staff member assisting the principal at San Bernardino High School. She later earned her teaching credential and taught in multiple settings within the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD). Her career in public education includes service as a principal, assistant superintendent, and deputy superintendent within SBCUSD before being selected in 2011 as Superintendent of the Moreno Valley Unified School District (MVUSD).
During her six-year tenure at MVUSD, Dr. White led 3,400 employees serving more than 33,000 students and increased graduation rates by 20.5% in Riverside County’s third-largest district, while guiding the district to notable county, state, and national recognition.
In 2017, Dr. White made history as the first Black and first female Superintendent of Schools for Riverside County, serving until her retirement in 2020. Beyond her professional leadership, she is the founder of MOSAIC and has served as a College Board trustee, a board member for CAAASA and Create Thirst, and as a consultant for One Step Beyond. The community has called Dr. Judy White a history maker and stereotype breaker because she has been either the first female or first person of color in over 10 positions. Dr. Judy D. White has received more than 150 awards while implementing excellence on purpose, she has become an ordained minister in 2025 and joining the team at Think Transcend as a Vice President ushers in the next season of service.
The Jewel's Jewel
Robert Harold Ogle entered the secretarial field and had the unique privilege of serving as a professional staff member to the United States senate committee on appropriations. He was an African American pioneer in his Capitol Hill position. He proposed the Fraternity's colors and was Alpha chapter's first secretary. Ogle joined Kelley in working out the first ritual and later became a charter member of Washington, DC's Mu Lambda chapter. He died on December 3, 1936.
Dr. Norman Towels
The Jewel's Jewel
Vertner Woodson Tandy was born on May 17, 1885. in 1904 he attended Tuskegee Institute, transferring the next year to Cornell. Upon graduation, he became the state of New York's first Black registered architect, with offices on broadway in New York City. The designer of the Fraternity pin also holds the distinction of being the first African American to pass the military commissioning examination and was commissioned First Lieutenant in the 15th infantry of the New York State National Guard during the first World War. He was Alpha chapter's first treasurer and took the initiative to incorporate the Fraternity. Among the buildings designed by the highly talented architect is Saint Phillips Episcopal Church in New Tork City. He died on November 7, 1949.
Mrs. Charlotte Black
The Jewel's Jewel
Vertner Woodson Tandy was born on May 17, 1885. in 1904 he attended Tuskegee Institute, transferring the next year to Cornell. Upon graduation, he became the state of New York's first Black registered architect, with offices on broadway in New York City. The designer of the Fraternity pin also holds the distinction of being the first African American to pass the military commissioning examination and was commissioned First Lieutenant in the 15th infantry of the New York State National Guard during the first World War. He was Alpha chapter's first treasurer and took the initiative to incorporate the Fraternity. Among the buildings designed by the highly talented architect is Saint Phillips Episcopal Church in New Tork City. He died on November 7, 1949.
Mr. Marion Black
The Jewel's Jewel
Vertner Woodson Tandy was born on May 17, 1885. in 1904 he attended Tuskegee Institute, transferring the next year to Cornell. Upon graduation, he became the state of New York's first Black registered architect, with offices on broadway in New York City. The designer of the Fraternity pin also holds the distinction of being the first African American to pass the military commissioning examination and was commissioned First Lieutenant in the 15th infantry of the New York State National Guard during the first World War. He was Alpha chapter's first treasurer and took the initiative to incorporate the Fraternity. Among the buildings designed by the highly talented architect is Saint Phillips Episcopal Church in New Tork City. He died on November 7, 1949.
Mr. Reggie Webb
The Jewel's Jewel
Vertner Woodson Tandy was born on May 17, 1885. in 1904 he attended Tuskegee Institute, transferring the next year to Cornell. Upon graduation, he became the state of New York's first Black registered architect, with offices on broadway in New York City. The designer of the Fraternity pin also holds the distinction of being the first African American to pass the military commissioning examination and was commissioned First Lieutenant in the 15th infantry of the New York State National Guard during the first World War. He was Alpha chapter's first treasurer and took the initiative to incorporate the Fraternity. Among the buildings designed by the highly talented architect is Saint Phillips Episcopal Church in New Tork City. He died on November 7, 1949.
Our Mission
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. DEVELOPS LEADERS, PROMOTES BROTHERHOOD AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, WHILE PROVIDING SERVICE AND ADVOCACY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.