OUR HISTORY
Delta Phi Lambda has a rich history of commitment and participation in the civic affairs of the West Alabama community. The belief in the credo “where there is unity there is strength” led to the 1947 loose association of Alpha men, educated at various colleges and universities throughout the southeast, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The names of many of those who participated in the formative years of the Chapter are lost to history. Nevertheless, upon petition to the 35th General Convention held in Atlanta, Georgia, seven men, dubbed “Chapter Jewels”, formally chartered the Delta Phi Lambda Chapter on February 15, 1949. They were Jesse L. Anderson, James W. Beatty, Maceo T. Bowie, Hezekiah T. Carstarphen, W. Richard Jones, William L. Kimber, and Herman B. Smith, Jr.
The Chapter began the process of maturation during the early years of the civil rights movement in Alabama. Just eight months before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Chapter went on record on April 1955, decrying the actions of the Tuscaloosa police in the shooting of a black youth. It went further by establishing a fund to assist the mother of the victim. Delta Phi Lambda promoted the advancement of black youth by being true to the only two words surrounding the fraternity shield, “Knowledge and Achievement”, by donating funds to secure books for Tuscaloosa’s African-American high school-Druid High School.
Chapter brothers have held high the principles of the fraternity through participation in nearly every facet of our community. The chapter’s only surviving founder, Bro. Dr. Herman B. Smith, Jr., served as chancellor of the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. Bro. Dr. Harold N. Stinson served as president of Stillman College; several brothers have served as leaders in education as instructors, professors, and administrators. Most notably, Bro. John H England, Jr. served as one of the first African-Americans elected to the Tuscaloosa City Council, the first African-American circuit judge in Tuscaloosa County, and only the third African-American to sit on the Alabama State Supreme Court. Bro. Bryant Melton was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives. Committed to the health of our community, the Chapter established the Sickle Cell Disease Association of West Alabama in 1986 to helping in the fight against this disease, which disproportionately affects African-Americans. Bro. Benjamin Winston was the Executive Director and along with Present Board Members: Brothers Carl Montgomery, Willie Allen, Herb Ragsdale, and Eric McCalpine.
Delta Phi Lambda brothers wanted young men who matriculated at local colleges and universities to experience the same sense of community and brotherhood they recalled during their college days, and as early as 1955 made efforts to establish a college chapter at Stillman College. Their efforts were thwarted as college administrators felt that fraternity and sorority philosophy would have no impact at Stillman. A subsequent attempt in 1958 yielded the same result. However, in May of 1961, brothers began dialogue with the College’s administration, which led to the chartering of the Epsilon Chapter in November 10, 1962. The Kappa Alpha Chapter at the University of Alabama followed in December 2, 1974, and the Pi Delta Chapter at the University of West Alabama (formerly Livingston University) in November 12, 1983.
The Delta Phi Lambda Chapter continues to provide leadership and service to the West Alabama community through its annual academic scholarships, and support of philanthropic causes. We are most proud of our work as an Adopt-A-School partner at Oakdale Elementary, providing mentoring, tutoring, and moral support to local elementary school children, faculty, staff, and parents.