Henry
Arthur Callis (1887-1974):
Callis would be the only one of the Jewels to become
General President. He was a medical consultant at the
Veterans Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama and would become
a Professor of Medicine at Howard University. Callis
was a member of the American College of Cardiology and
one of the first African Americans to be certified by
the American Board of Internal Medicine. He was also
a charter member of Theta Chapter and Xi Lambda Chapter
in Chicago. Upon his death in 1974, at age 87, the Fraternity
entered a time without any living Jewels. |
Charles
Henry Chapman (1876-1934 ):
Chapmans focus was education. He would become
a Professor of Agriculture at what is now Florida A&M
University (FAMU). During the organization stages of
the Fraternity, he was the first chairman of the Committees
on Initiation and Organization. He would later be a
founder of FAMUs BN chapter. Chapman would become
the first Jewel to enter Omega chapter in 1934. |
Eugene
Kinckle Jones (1885-1954):
Jones has the distinction of being a Jewel as well as
one of the first initiates. During the organization
stages of the Fraternity, Jones along with Callis created
the Fraternity name. He also was a member of the first
Committees on Constitution and Organization and helped
write the Fraternity ritual. Jones helped organize the
first three chapters during its initial period of expansion
Beta at Howard, Gamma at Virginia Union, and
Delta at the University of Toronto in Canada. Jones
entered Omega Chapter in 1954. |
George
Biddle Kelley (1884-1962):
One of the strongest proponents of the Fraternity during
the early stages of its creation, Kelley would become
Alpha Chapters first President. He also served
on the committees that developed the handshake and ritual.
Kelley would later be a founder of Beta Pi Lambda Chapter
in Albany, NY. Kelley would also become the first African
American engineer registered in the State of New York.
His focus was civil engineering. Kelley entered Omega
Chapter in 1963. |
Nathaniel
Allison Murray (c 1880's-1959):
Murray was part of Alpha Chapters Committee on
the Grip as well as a charter member of Mu Lambda in
Washington, D.C. Murrays focus was education.
After completing his undergraduate studies at Howard,
Murray would continue his education at the graduate
level. He would then teach at Armstrong Vocational High
School in Washington D.C. Murray entered Omega Chapter
in 1959. |
Robert
Harold Ogle (1886-1936):
Ogles focus was in the secretarial field. He would
become Alpha Chapters first secretary, as well
as become known as the one who proposed the Fraternitys
colors. Ogle would join Kelley in developing the first
ritual and later became a charter member of Mu Lambda
along with Murray. Ogle later served on the staff of
the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Ogle would enter Omega Chapter in 1936. |
Vertner
Woodson Tandy (1885-1949):
Tandy was Alpha Chapters first Treasurer as well
as the designer of the Fraternity pin. He was instrumental
in the incorporation of the Fraternity. Tandy would
become the first African American to pass the military
commissioning examination and received the commission
of First Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New
York State National Guard. Tandy would also become the
State of New Yorks first registered architect.
He is known for designing the Saint Episcopal Church
in New York City. Tandy entered Omega Chapter in 1949. |