Our Mighty History

On January 6, 1973, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was organized at Virginia Tech and on January 29, 1973 the Theta Iota Chapter was established and chartered by a group of ambitious Black men known as the Fine Nine. The Fine Nine included: Anthony Dennis Crisp, Darrell Anthony Givens, Clarence Linwood James, Jr., Jerry Nathaniel Johnson, James Kirkpatrick III, Lewis Anthony Marshall, Ronald Sinclair Robinson, Warren Carlton Rodgers Jr., and James Earl Williams.

This chapter quickly arose to the challenges of being the first Black Greek organization on the campus of Virginia Tech and created a strong brotherly bond that still pervades of ranks. The expansion of the Theta Iota Chapter continued on December 07, 1991 when three young men from Radford University crossed into Alphaland in an intake class of six. This eventually led to the Theta Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. to be recognized as a new organization on the campus of Radford University on April 17, 1992. Many Radford men continued to develop the tradition of a unified joint chapter for nearly 25 years with their brothers at Virginia Tech. After a fiver-year absence, on October 30th, 2021 the Theta Iota Chapter was ressurected from the ashes by seven young men who crossed into Alphaland to carry the torch high once again.

Since 1973, the Theta Iota Chapter has had the privilege of having 260 men cross into Alphaland. These men have carried on the tradition set by past Alpha's by adhering to the Fraternity Motto: Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind. The Theta Iota Chapter has set precedence in the New River Valley with being identified as leaders in community service and campus activities. Some of the chapter's recurring projects include: Phirst Thing Phirst, Train Like An Alpha, Sphinx Reading Program, JDC (Juvenile Detention Center), Nursing Home Visitations, Adopt-A-Highway, Voter Registration Drives, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service, Alpha Banquet and Ball, Black & Gold Pageant: Miss TI.

Through the various projects, Theta Iota has gained the respect of the university, community, and Alphaland. The Theta Iota chapter has always been a prestigious and competitive chapter which has resulted in winning and receiving numerous awards and honors. Theta Iota's greatest achievement came in 1981 as Alpha Phi Alpha National Collegiate Chapter of the Year.

Though it is nice to receive attention for service, all chapters of Alpha take greater pride in being part of a strong service organization which holds as its slogan:

FIRST OF ALL, SERVANTS OF ALL, WE SHALL TRANSCEND ALL.