On Friday, September 9, 2011, members of both the newest and the oldest historically black fraternities at William & Mary established their archives at Swem Library. The Alpha Delta Sigma chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, established at W&M in 2010, presented various artifacts used by the charter members. The items included a kente cloth worn by a brother at commencement, a watch signifying the importance for pledges to be on time, and other artifacts. The Kappa Pi chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, established at W&M in 1975, brought correspondence, posters, and other materials relating to their chapter’s history.
Donald Gardner ’11, Richard Bourne-Vanneck ’11, Justin Reid '09, and Mario Newby '11 represented Omega Psi Phi. Bobak Kasrai '09 and Jerome Carter ’12 represented Alpha Phi Alpha. The Omega Psi Phi brothers chose September 9 as the day to establish their chapter’s archives because it marked the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History by the distinguished scholar Carter G. Woodson, himself a member of Omega Psi Phi. The chapter is establishing its archives at Swem to make them widely accessible and to ensure their preservation. As Reid noted, “Fifty years from now, we want future brothers to be able to see these items belonging to the charter members.”
Amy Schindler, the University Archivist, and Bea Hardy, Marian and Alan McLeod Director of the Special Collections Research Center, accepted the collections. The University Archives holds the College’s official records as well as the records of numerous student organizations, including many Greek social and academic fraternities.
The Special Collections Research Center is open for use by students and the public 10-5:45 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; 10-8:45 on Wednesdays; and 10-1 on Saturdays.