EAC Historical Committee

The Preservation and Collection of Epsilon Chapter History

Past and Present

Dedication to Bro. Dr. Watson A.Young:

I would like to dedicate this maiden historical committee post to Bro. Dr. Watson Young. Dr. Young was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha, Epsilon Chapter on December 1, 1937. In 1966 he became Life Member #398 and joined the Omega Chapter on January 18, 2010, at 94 years of age. If it were not for Dr. Young, we (Epsilon) probably would not have a collection at the Bentley Library, which is now preserved for generations to come.  Dr. Young was the caretaker of the original minutes of Epsilon Chapter for at least 40 years before he passed the book along to me as chapter president in 1986. All of the minutes were housed in a bound book and were in perfect condition. It was the very first item donated to the Bentley Library. More to come on the life and times of Bro. Dr. Watson A. Young and the University of Michigan “Watson A. Young Scholarship”.

Marcus Webster

Co-Chair, EAC Historical Committee

Epsilon’s historical current situation:

Historical documents and artifacts of Alpha Phi Alpha, Epsilon Chapter (University of Michigan) are currently scattered worldwide. Whether stored in a box, garage, attic, or basement, these materials are valuable Epsilon history. This history is also being stored in libraries, newspapers, and magazines in both physical and electronic forms. If we do not address this situation, Epsilon is at risk of permanent loss of irreplaceable artifacts that represent our storied past.

Our goal as a committee is to secure Epsilon Chapter historical documents and artifacts, gathering the information in both physical and electronic formats so that we can preserve our rich history. This is a very tall order because it is the equivalent of creating a Presidential Library and Museum for over 100 presidents. In order for us to properly preserve Epsilon history, our long-term goal should be to establish an Alpha Phi Alpha Epsilon Chapter History Library & Museum, best located in a fraternity house so that we might serve many purposes.

The pillars of any historical preservation include a library, archive, and museum.  Thus far, we do have an archive at the Bentley Library on the University of Michigan campus, but we also have found some Epsilon history housed at the Credo repository at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

EAC Historical Committee’s overall goals are to:

• Gather

Collect and house historical items (charter, photos, videos, chapter minutes, plaques, etc.)

Categorize collection

• Record

Chronicle present-day, Epsilon-related events and brothers

Hire photographers and videographers for official Epsilon and EAC events

Encourage brothers to submit history in the making, major (firsts, newsmakers) and minor (parties, weddings, funerals, etc.)

• Memorialize

Educate about and narrate Epsilon history to brothers and the public at large

Enable brothers to submit oral and written historical narratives

Update list of Epsilon’s past executive teams (e.g., President, Vice President, etc.)

Update Epsilon family genealogy

Update list of Epsilon pledge classes/lines/intake groups

Integrate newly found Epsilon history into the intake process

• Protect

Prevent historical items from damage due to environmental factors such as humidity, fire, etc.

• Plan

Where will we house physical items?

What items do we want in the Bentley Library? Public vs. Brother’s eyes only.

Where will the electronic photos and videos be housed?

How do we coordinate with the undergraduate Historians?

How do we coordinate with the Theta Zeta Lambda and Gamma Lambda Historians?

How do we coordinate with the General Office/Corporate Headquarters Historians?

Is there a role for the U-M Department of Afroamerican and African Studies (DAAS)?

Are the Ann Arbor News and Michigan Daily resources?

African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County

 Near-term goals (by Q1 2023):

• Secure a site for hard historical artifacts like trophies, paddles, etc. To start, this may be a rental storage unit (preferably in Ann Arbor) that is managed by the EAC. Removing items currently housed in basements, attics, or garages. (Note: Theta Zeta Lambda has adopted this model.)
• Seek to establish an official EAC Historical Committee relationship with Bentley Li
• Develop a digital site to store pictures and videos (and possibly new images taken of artifacts to provide digital protection against the risk of loss of history), with a process for brothers to upload and create searchable metadata (e., event, location, date, Brothers in attendance).
• Ongoing memorializing of Epsilon Chapter Historical Data

Long-term goals (by Q2 2028):

• Fraternity house
• A permanent funding source for ‘E’ Chapter (e.g., endowment, EAC annual dues or U-M-based funding stream)

 

EAC Historical Committee Members

Derrick Scott – EAC Board Member Liaison
Co-Chairs: Wayne Stapleton and Marcus Webster

Committee Members:
Gary DeGuzman
James Latham
Ron Marine
Byron Roberts
Eugene Rush
Richard Smith
Michael Sudarkasa

EAC Historical Committee: history@epsilonac.org