Theta Theta Lambda Chapter History

Frankfurt, Germany

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated

Theta Theta Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated was chartered on February 15, 1963, in Frankfurt, Germany.  The founders and charter members were 14 members of the fraternity who aspired to establish a chapter in Europe. They were: James M. Ararett, Jr, Harold S. Burnside, Roscoe C. Cartwright, Leonce Gaither, Paul Lawrence Harper, Leo A. Morton, Wallace W. Price, Williams J. Stephens, Cloyd Trouth, James E. Williams, McCalin A. Garrett, Jr, James A. Johnson, Lovie M. Pearson, and Remus Rhodes.  The founders were men serving in various capacities with the Department of Defense, either as active duty military personnel, civilian employees or teachers in the Department of Defense Dependent School System.

Since the official chartering 46 years ago in 1963,  Theta Theta Lambda has had a long and distinguished presence in Europe, primarily in Germany. The main motivation for establishing a chapter of Alpha in  Europe was similar to that of the original founders at Cornell University. There was a desire among Theta Theta Lambda's founders to provide an opportunity for Alpha brothers residing in Europe an opportunity as brothers to meet, fellowship and provide Alpha service and leadership. Theta Theta Lambda has continued throughout its existence to commit to the tenets and ideals of  Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, by being actively involved in community services throughout military communities in Europe where Alpha brothers are located.

Because the military and civilian population through which Theta Theta Lambda draw its membership is dispersed throughout Europe, the chapter is organized in a cluster format.  There are and have been numerous clusters throughout Germany, Britain and other European countries. The majority of active brothers/members are organized in clusters at the following communities in Germany: Bad Kreuznach, Frankfurt/Rhein-Main, Hanau, Heidelberg/Mannheim, Kaiserslautern/Ramstein, Wiesbaden/Mainz, Munich, Stuttgart, Baumholder, Hohenfels and Wuerzburg. However, there has been Alpha representation at locations such as the Lakenheath/Mindenhall, England; Izmir and Ankara, Turkey; Torrejon, Spain; Vicenza and Livornia, Italy and Camp New Amsterdam, Holland.  Several brothers/members serving their country while residing in Belgium and Switzerland were affiliated through an associate membership with Theta Theta Lambda chapter. The locations and size of the clusters have always been closely tied to the overall U.S. military presence. 

There are approximately 50 active members in Theta Theta Lambda chapter.  Many members recently departed due to normal rotation of soldiers in the theater. The membership normally increases after the first fall meeting takes place in September after newly arrived brothers become aware that a chapter exists here in Germany. Notable figures who have been affiliated with Theta Theta Lambda chapter includes: Norvel Coots -  U.S. Colonel Army (Doctor), Ken Crowder - U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Jimmy Varnado - U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Bill Gamble - U.S. Air Force Colonel, Sylvestor Shannon - U.S. Army Colonel (Chaplain), Donald Thomas - U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel/School Teacher, and Ron Bailey - U.S. Marine Colonel.

Theta Theta Lambda will be celebrating its forty-fourth anniversary next spring in conjunction with its annual Black and Gold Scholarship Ball where scholarships are awarded to both graduating high school students and adult learners.  The primary aspect of this program, is the awarding of scholarships to graduating seniors and is a by-product of the National Go to High School-Go to College Program.  Over the past 46 years, through college/university partnerships with both Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Langston University, Bethume-Cookman College, Morgan State University, Fisk University, and Bowie State University), mainstream university partners such as the University of Maryland and National-Louis University, corporate sponsors (AT&T, American Airlines,) and the continued financial contributions from U.S. civilian and military personnel, Theta Theta Lambda has provided several thousand dollars in scholarships to deserving students. In addition to the mentoring and scholarship programs, Theta Theta Lambda sponsors an annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. banquet dinner, Alpha Phi Alpha Founder's Day Celebration, voter registration drive, teenage pregnancy prevention awareness program, and food and clothing drives. Theta Theta Lambda members have also been involved in the adoption and maintenance of a children's cemetery (where the children of American military personnel are buried), the support of orphanages in Germany and mentoring young men from Department of Defense Schools in military communities throughout Europe. Theta Theta Lambda also supports other National Pan Hellenic Organizations here in Europe.

Theta Theta Lambda approaches its 47^TH anniversary in 2010, maintaining its course of focus and possessing some of the finest members that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has to offer as it serves the families of U.S. military and civilian personnel and the greater at-large European community.

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