Celebrating 65 years of brotherhood on campus, Alpha Phi Alpha, a Divine Nine fraternity, hosted its largest reunion event for Homecoming weekend.
Established in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha is the oldest black collegiate fraternity, first founded at Cornell University. Beyond being the first black fraternity, it is also a part of the Divine Nine, a group of historically Black Greek organizations called the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).
Alpha Phi Alpha has been able to uphold its legacy and drive for the past 65 years at BGSU, with around 150 members returning to campus for the reunion.
Jayden Donald, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and co-chair of the Alpha 65th anniversary planning committee, said being a part of his community meant being part of a family for life.
“What…brotherhood really means, especially at this level, is just having a sense of a community and then having people who push the best and the brightest out of you…We take care of each other when we’re low.” Donald said. “We’re always there for each other. There’s not a space or an accomplishment that somebody has in this field that the Alpha brothers aren’t there to support each other.”
The importance of this community, Donald explained, reigns strong, especially at a predominately white institution like BGSU.
According to data from BGSU, as of 2024, the university has 1,118 African American undergraduate students out of a total of 16,891 undergraduate students.
The community that Divine Nine fraternities like Alpha Phi Alpha provide is important for these students.
“My first week on campus, I didn’t see a single student of color, and so it actually forced me to go out of my comfort zone and to look for spaces that looked like me, that I had a sense of comfortability and identity, that I could flourish,” Donald said. “From there, discovering the chapter, just even having the chapter here is paramount in itself, because it allows students to see other people who look like them, to have a sense of comfortability.”
The ceremony was held on the Saturday of Homecoming weekend, and Alpha Phi Alpha members held their reunion brunch. Throughout the two-hour ceremony, Smith says that they were able to provide three scholarships, as well as host an initiation ceremony for newer members.
Justus Roberts, a co-chair of the Alpha 65th reunion planning committee, said around 150 members flew out from across the country to attend the event. Out of the 150 members in attendance, eight original members from BG’s first chapter in 1959 were there.
As the current sitting president, Ian Smith explained how much it meant to have their founding members there, proving how deep their bond of brotherhood goes. He also explained the importance of his role as president- ensuring that more reunions like this continue to happen.
“I want us to keep getting bigger. I never want us to die. It’s been here 65 consecutive years….” Smith said. “I want to do another 65 years. I want to put it in a place that has never been. I want to be able to have the funds that this chapter has never had.”
Smith also added how people should always seek out connections, especially after finding his community through Alpha Phi Alpha at BGSU. He explained that, even if it’s not brotherhood, people should find something that works for them.
“There’s somebody out there for you, there’s a group of people out there for you. No matter how independent you feel like you are, find your group. Find your people. Find people that will support you with your future endeavors,” Smith said.
For more information on Alpha Phi Alpha and how to get involved with their organization, Donald said to check out their Instagram at bgsupharohs1906, or their official website at Apa1906.net.
