Seven Jewels
Henry Arthur Callis (1/14/1887-11/12/1974), was one of the founders (“Seven Jewels”) of Alpha Fraternity at Cornell University in 1906. He was the only one of the “Seven Jewels” to become General President. Henry Callis became a practicing physician, a Howard University Professor and a prolific contributor to numerous medical journals. Callis’ death in 1974 was a milestone for the fraternity, as he became the last Jewel to enter its Omega Chapter, thus leaving Alpha Phi Alpha without any living “Jewels”. The Callis papers, which included personal memoirs, certificates,
numerous awards ,etc. were donated to Howard
University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
Charles H. Chapman was one of the founders (commonly known as the “Seven Jewels”) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, at Cornell University in 1906. He was the first chairman of the committees on Initiation and Organization, during the organizational stages of Alpha Chapter. He entered higher education and became Professor of Agriculture at what is now Florida A&M University. Chapman died in 1934. A university funeral was held with a huge fraternity participation, being the first Jewel to enter Omega Chapter. He was described as a “brother beloved in the bonds”. He founded FAMU’s Beta Nu Chapter.
Eugene K. Jones (7/30/1885-1/11/1954), was one of the seven founders (“Seven Jewels”) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, at Cornell University in 1906. He became the second president and co-authored the fraternity name with Henry Callis. Jones was a versatile leader, who organized the first three Fraternity chapters that branched out from Cornell. He was a member of the first committee on Constitution and Organization and helped write the fraternity ritual. Jones’ status as a founder was not finally established until 1952. He was the first Executive Secretary of the National Urban
League (maintained tenure for 20 years).
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