The Beginning of Theta Tau
Interest was stirred into starting a chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and other national black Greek letter organizations as a result of the Liberal Arts Program of General Motors Institute. In the spring of 1973, liberal arts students of various organizations put forth efforts to recruit persons interested in starting their respective pledge clubs. The liberal arts members of Alpha Phi Alpha consisted of Fred Goodlet, Dwight Jackson, Earl Johnson, Darryl Mayfield, Percy Taylor and LaVon Woodley.
The liberal arts members contacted Bro. William A. Tipper, president of the Epsilon Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Flint, Michigan, to secure information as to what was to be done to start the chapter at GMI. Bro. Tipper was the main force behind the establishment of the Theta Tau chapter. He aided most by providing insight to members of the Sphinx Club interested in the establishment of the chapter. He served as liaison between the members of the Sphinx Club and the National Office of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Bro. Tipper served as Alumni Chapter Advisor to Theta Tau and was appointed State Director for the state of Michigan chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha in 1975. The request for recognition of the chapter was presented to the national body at the 67th Anniversary Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. The chapter was named Theta Tau and was recognized as the 393rd chapter of the organization. Bro. William A. Tipper made a formal request for the charter at the convention and this fact perhaps sped the process of approving the chapter.
Bro. Dwight M. Jackson, a member of the GMI Liberal Arts Program and graduate of Kentucky State College, served as Dean of Pledges to the members of the Sphinx Club. Through his efforts, dedication, and hard work, the members of the Sphinx Club were able to be initiated and gain insight into the goals of Alpha Phi Alpha. The Charter members of Theta Tau Chapter are; Harry L. Alston, Jr., Robert Brown, Phillip Dawson, Richard E. De Vaughn, Wayne D. Ervin, Erick W. Grier, Daniel Harbison, Donald W. Owens, and James A. Tatum. The date of initiation was July 28th, 1973 at the Brennon Center in Flint, Michigan. Charter members Alston and Owens attended the 67th Anniversary Convention in the week following initiation. The chapter was recognized by the administration of GMI on August 20th, 1973.
The liberal arts members contacted Bro. William A. Tipper, president of the Epsilon Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Flint, Michigan, to secure information as to what was to be done to start the chapter at GMI. Bro. Tipper was the main force behind the establishment of the Theta Tau chapter. He aided most by providing insight to members of the Sphinx Club interested in the establishment of the chapter. He served as liaison between the members of the Sphinx Club and the National Office of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Bro. Tipper served as Alumni Chapter Advisor to Theta Tau and was appointed State Director for the state of Michigan chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha in 1975. The request for recognition of the chapter was presented to the national body at the 67th Anniversary Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. The chapter was named Theta Tau and was recognized as the 393rd chapter of the organization. Bro. William A. Tipper made a formal request for the charter at the convention and this fact perhaps sped the process of approving the chapter.
Bro. Dwight M. Jackson, a member of the GMI Liberal Arts Program and graduate of Kentucky State College, served as Dean of Pledges to the members of the Sphinx Club. Through his efforts, dedication, and hard work, the members of the Sphinx Club were able to be initiated and gain insight into the goals of Alpha Phi Alpha. The Charter members of Theta Tau Chapter are; Harry L. Alston, Jr., Robert Brown, Phillip Dawson, Richard E. De Vaughn, Wayne D. Ervin, Erick W. Grier, Daniel Harbison, Donald W. Owens, and James A. Tatum. The date of initiation was July 28th, 1973 at the Brennon Center in Flint, Michigan. Charter members Alston and Owens attended the 67th Anniversary Convention in the week following initiation. The chapter was recognized by the administration of GMI on August 20th, 1973.