NU GAMMA ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.
NGA HISTORY
Nu Gamma Alpha, Inc., was founded and organized in Washington, D. C. in 1962, under the leadership of Ronald Gilkes and Robert Coates. There was a third brother, whose name cannot be identified, and he was also instrumental in forming NGA, along with Ronald Gilkes and Robert Coates. These three brothers always had a tight bond and were seen around campus and at all events together. The other brother was also instrumental in making NGA move forward. The brothers who were on the first line were; Eddie Cleveland, Arvelle Greenwood, Gary Cole, Althear Lester, Dennis S. Houston, Luther McAdams, Eric Garrison, William Hall, Arnie Evans, Ronald Gilkes, Robert Coates, and the most famous of them now, Larkin Arnold (Sparky). Larkin Arnold went on to become the VP of Epic Records. Signing famous artists like Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Natalie Cole, and the list goes on. There were twelve men existing under a common bond. This common bond and divine brotherhood promoted the founding of the Alpha Chapter of NGA, based on unbiased brotherhood in an atmosphere of unprejudiced. Larkin Arnold and Gary Severe Cole attended American Univeristy, from which they graduated. In addition, Nu Gamma Alpha was so popular on campus, that the president at the time became very intrigued with them, and Dr. James Cheeks, President of Howard University at the time, was made an honorary member. Therefore, Nu Gamma Alpha, Inc, Gents, LTD, brought about a mystic and curiosity that indicated that admission into the organization was limited and exclusive to a select group of brothers who met their criteria.
The twelve men were initiated in the basement of John Tate’s house. He eventually pledged on the third line. John Tate had always been thought to be the founder, but it was his basement apartment that was used to start the line. John was well-known around campus as well. He was from Detroit. He drove a fancy car like the rest of them according to oral history, John worked at the Post Office, as well as some of the other brothers. He was one of the smoothest brothers around. On a recent record check, it appears that John Tate died in May of 2020, in Detroit.
The 12 brothers became very popular on campus and soon everyone wanted to be involved with NGA. It should be noted that the 12 brothers were always well dressed, had money, and were professional and they drove convertible cars around campus and the city. Therefore, this created a status symbol, in which everyone gravitated to NGA. They definitely had a certain mysticism, which created a high level of status, and people wanted to know more about them and wanted to be accepted into the organization. They had extremely high social and moral skills.
The Southern Regional Chapters had their beginnings from a brother by the name of Baxter “BB” Wright, who organized a chapter on the campus of Livingston College in Salisbury, North Carolina. The Southern Region’s first chapter is Gamma, which was conceived through the initiation of 12 brothers in the fall of 1967, during the months of November at Livingston College.
In the Spring of 1968, the second Southern Regional Chapter was formed on Johnson C. Smith University’s campus in Charlotte, North Carolina. The chapter was given the name Delta Chapter. The charter line had twelve pledgees who became brothers of Nu Gamma Alpha in March of 1967, under the leadership of Brother James Baxter (BB) Wright.
In the Fall semester of 1968, two chapters were founded by Brother Harold Parks of Delta Chapter (President), and Brother Rubin Wilson Gamma Chapter (President). Harold Parks became a brother in March of 1968. He was a charter member of the Nu chapter, formed at New York City College, New York.
There were two other chapters formed in 1968, They are Epsilon at A & T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Omicron Chapter at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Omicron Chapter at Shaw University was officially formed in 1968, and they had a chapter that went over at Howard University in 1967.
In the Fall semester of 1969, Brothers at A&T State University formed the Zeta Chapter at Winston-Salem State University.
In the Fall semester of 1970, Brothers at Shaw University formed the Kappa Chapter at St. Augustine University. The first chapter at St. Augustine consisted of one outstanding Brother.
In the Spring semester of 1970, Brothers at Shaw University formed the Theta Chapter at North Carolina Central University. The first chapter at North Carolina Central consisted of five outstanding Brothers.
The Iota Chapter of Nu Gamma Alpha Fraternity, Gents, Ltd., (NGA.), began on the campus of Agriculture Mechanical and Normal College (AM&N) on October 5, 1971. The Fall of 1971 date is a transitioning date for former members of the Wine SI FI Society (WSF) that started in 1966. The desire to become brothers of Nu Gamma Alpha was to provide a legitimate foundation and noble cause for a band of brothers seeking organizational structure to amplify ideology on social issues and academic acceptance at
A & M College.
A mention of the WSI Society is essential to highlight the ultimate founding brothers of the soon to become, Iota Chapter of Nu Gamma Alpha. Inspired by WSF founding Brothers Lancing Chace and Calvin Hill, WSF desired to become a more acceptable organization to students and faculty on the A & M campus. After a review of established fraternal organizations, Nu Gamma Alpha was accepted and brothers George Howard and Andrew Bishop, traveled to North Carolina A&T University to obtain a charter that would establish the chapter on the campus of A&M College. In the fall of 1973, A & M College became a member of the University of Arkansas system of universities, and A & M College became the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
In the Spring semester of 1974, Brothers at St. Augustine University formed Omega Chapter at NC State University. The first chapter at NC State consisted of eight (8) brothers.
In the Spring of 1977, Brother Andre Crawford of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff formed Beta Kappa Chapter at Chicago State University. The first chapter at Chicago State consisted of 25 brothers.
In the Spring of 1978, Brothers at Chicago State University formed Sigma Nu Chapter at Aurora University
In the Spring of 1979, Brothers at Chicago State University formed Tau Sigma Chapter at Northeastern University
Gamma Chapter at Livingston College initiated the Epsilon Chapter charter line, with Brother John Satterwhite presiding.
We the brothers of Nu Gamma Alpha are continuing to be committed to serving the community, providing scholarships to students, and moving NGA forward for the betterment of society. We are Men of Distinction and represent ourselves in a manner that reflects an attitude of excellence.
On 11/30/22, the men of Nu Gamma Alpha fraternity and women of Nu Gamma Mchumba, returned to the campuses of Saint Augustine's University and Shaw University, to reengage both universities to allow both organizations to be reinstated to the campuses. The following brothers and sisters attended the meeting; Kenneth Jackson, Enhart Joyner, Flora Joyner, and Rachael Bland. This is the beginning process for both organizations to start lines in the Spring of 2023. The excitement of the two meetings has been a very positive note for NGA and NGM. The Nu Beginning has started.
On 08/29/23, Nu Gamma Alpha Fraternity pledged its first pledgee virtually by way of Zoom. Brother Kedric Tolbert of Japan became a brother and made history by being the first to pledge virtually. The process. The Dean of Pledgee was Brother Kenneth Jackson. In attendance were Brother Michael Batts, Brother Larry Monger, and the President of NGA, Brother Dr. Alton B. Byrd.