Center for Fraternity & Sorority Life

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. returned to Oregon State's campus with five new members in Fall 2020. Recognized as the first African-American fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University. A member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Alpha Phi Alpha joins OSU's other NPHC chapters with active undergraduate members: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

The Rho Beta Chapter also known as the "Rowdy" Rho Beta Chapter was founded in Anchorage, Alaska on April 21, 2001. The seat was moved to Portland, Oregon on February 16, 2013. The chapter encompasses the state of Oregon, including Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and Portland State University. Rho Beta is the 753rd seat in the House of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and is a part of the Greater Northwest District of the Western Region.

The five new members of the Rho Beta chapter are James Duncan II, Adam Rateb, Joel Prince Shungu, Henok Techeste, and Charles Moku Watson. When asked what being a member of Alpha means to him, James Duncan II, chapter president, shared "To me being an Alpha Man means to have an ambition to make a difference not just for yourself but the world you live in. It means to have a tenacious attitude, humble mind, and loving heart. It means to be a leader in every aspect of life."

Joel Shungu, chapter vice-president, shared what he is looking forward to doing now that Alpha is back at OSU, "As a chapter the most exciting thing is serving in the community. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated has four national programs that have made a huge impact in this world which excites me to bring them to our community here at Oregon State and other colleges in the area. Lastly, what am I excited about as a chapter is partnering with other organizations that are a part of the NPHC but also other organizations that aren't a part of NPHC because at the end of the end our goal is to serve our communities."

To learn more, you can follow the chapter on social media at @rhobetaalphas or contact the chapter president at [email protected]. For more information on Oregon State's NPHC chapters follow @osunphc or check out their website.