MU CHAPTER HISTORY
Mu chapter at the University of Minnesota may be traced to the meeting of March 11, 1911, of twelve students enrolled at the University. Mr. Gale P. Hilyer and Mr. James L. Titus called the meeting because they felt:
“Whereas, the colored students of the University of Minnesota, do feel the need of organization and cooperation, and do realize the need of promoting good fellowship among ourselves, and of furthering the interests of ourselves and our race, looking to the Almighty Father for guidance, do organize this club”.
With these intentions in mind, the social club Pi Alpha Tau was established. The following men were present: James L. Titus, Gale P. Hilyer, Benjamin F. Bullock, R. C. McCullough, Jasper Gibbs, Jr., Hammond Turner, Raymond W. Cannon, Nelson D. Ricks, Frederick L. Parker, John H. Hickman, Jr., William M. Godette and George Edgar Butler.
The goal of the social club was to maintain high literary and musical ideals among the black people in Minneapolis and St. Paul, sponsoring many cultural events. The social club received much praise from the president of the University, Cyrus N. Northrop, for promoting unity among the black students on campus, including this written response about the new organization:
“I am very glad that you propose to form a club of the Colored (Black) students in the University. Such a club can do great good in promoting friendship and acquaintance among yourselves, and in securing respect from others. It will be a stimulus to faithful scholarly work, and will show you what you are able to do. I congratulate you on your prospect and I wish your club the greatest of success in all the years to come.”
On May 27, 1911, it was decided to appoint a committee to communicate with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the idea of converting the social club into a chapter. The secretary of the social club sent an application for establishment to the fraternity on December 4, 1911. A favorable reply was received and C. C. Middleton of Epsilon Chapter, University of Michigan came to Minneapolis and established Mu on April 12, 1912 and Mu became the 11th Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. This chapter soon became one of the leading chapters in the General Organization, and from its membership, several leaders of the fraternity have been chosen.
THE FIRST INITIATES OF MU CHAPTER:
“Whereas, the colored students of the University of Minnesota, do feel the need of organization and cooperation, and do realize the need of promoting good fellowship among ourselves, and of furthering the interests of ourselves and our race, looking to the Almighty Father for guidance, do organize this club”.
With these intentions in mind, the social club Pi Alpha Tau was established. The following men were present: James L. Titus, Gale P. Hilyer, Benjamin F. Bullock, R. C. McCullough, Jasper Gibbs, Jr., Hammond Turner, Raymond W. Cannon, Nelson D. Ricks, Frederick L. Parker, John H. Hickman, Jr., William M. Godette and George Edgar Butler.
The goal of the social club was to maintain high literary and musical ideals among the black people in Minneapolis and St. Paul, sponsoring many cultural events. The social club received much praise from the president of the University, Cyrus N. Northrop, for promoting unity among the black students on campus, including this written response about the new organization:
“I am very glad that you propose to form a club of the Colored (Black) students in the University. Such a club can do great good in promoting friendship and acquaintance among yourselves, and in securing respect from others. It will be a stimulus to faithful scholarly work, and will show you what you are able to do. I congratulate you on your prospect and I wish your club the greatest of success in all the years to come.”
On May 27, 1911, it was decided to appoint a committee to communicate with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the idea of converting the social club into a chapter. The secretary of the social club sent an application for establishment to the fraternity on December 4, 1911. A favorable reply was received and C. C. Middleton of Epsilon Chapter, University of Michigan came to Minneapolis and established Mu on April 12, 1912 and Mu became the 11th Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. This chapter soon became one of the leading chapters in the General Organization, and from its membership, several leaders of the fraternity have been chosen.
THE FIRST INITIATES OF MU CHAPTER:
- Brother Benjamin F. Bullock
- Brother Raymond W. Cannon
- Brother Jasper Gibbs, Jr.
- Brother John Hickman, Jr.
- Brother Gale P. Hilyer
- Brother Reuben C. McCullough
- Brother Frederick L. Parker
- Brother Nelson D. Ricks
- Brother James L. Titus
- Brother Louis Valle
Mu Chapter hosted and celebrated our Centennial on April 12th 2012. Since then Mu Chapter is taking on new initiatives by offering membership through two other college institutions; Augsburg College and Hamline University. Now Mu Chapter is in the beginning stages of becoming a city-wide chapter in Minneapolis and St. Paul and truly embodying the spirit of Alpha in Minnesota.
