HISTORY

On September 19, 1963, at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University), 12 students founded what is now the nation’s fifth largest, predominately African-American social service fraternity: The Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated. The Honorable founders of Iota Phi Theta were: Albert Hicks, Lonnie Spruill, Jr., Charles Briscoe, Frank Coakley, John Slade, Barron Willis, Webster Lewis, Charles Brown, Louis Hudnell, Charles Gregory, Elias Dorsey, Jr., and Michael Williams. Based upon their ages, heightened responsibilities, and increased level of maturity, this group had a slightly different perspective than the norm for college students. It was this perspective from which they established the Fraternity’s purpose, “The development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, and Brotherhood among Men.” Additionally, they conceived the Fraternity’s motto, “Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!”

NOTABLE IOTA’S

Zemira Jones: Vice-President of Operations, Radio One, Inc., Norman Johnson, Esq.: Judge, District Court of Maryland, Daniel Henson: Former Commissioner of Housing, City of Baltimore, MD, Elvin Hayes: NBA Hall of Fame, Chidi Iwuoma: Defensive Back, Pittsburgh Steelers, Melvin Lister: 2000 and 2004 Olympic Team, Long Jump / Triple Jump, Calvin Murphy: NBA Hall-of-Fame, Terrence “T.C.” Carson: Television, Film, & Theatre Actor, (Formerly of “Living Single”), Spencer Christian: former Weather Anchorman, “Good Morning America” , Desi Arnez Hines, II: Film Actor, (Boyz in the Hood, Harlem Nights, House Party), George Nock: Award-winning Fine Artist (and former Washington Redskins Running Back), Jason Manuel Olazabal: Film, Theatre, & Television Actor (Bad Boys II, Inside Man, Law & Order)

Website: www.iotaphitheta.org