the image of alpha (spring 2016)

Theta Rho Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Spring 2016

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THE IMAGE OF ALPHA First of All | Servants of All | We Shall Transcend All

2015 Black & Gold Scholarship Ball by Bro. Keith Laing On November 21, 2015, the Theta Rho Lambda chapter celebrated 51 years of “Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind” at the Sheraton Pentagon City in Arlington, Va. Bro. Vice President Lenard Williams was the master of ceremonies for the evening. Bro. Chaplain Gillis Taylor delivered the invocation and Bro. Director of Educational Activities Matt Johnson presented the scholarship. Bro. Kevin Glover presented Bro. Keith Laing with the Chapter’s Brother of the Year award and Bro. Otha Myers with a Lifetime Achievement award. Brothers and their guests then danced the remainder of the evening away. Congratulations on another job well done, Brothers, and here is to another 51 years of greatness in Northern Virginia and throughout the Commonwealth.


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Happy birthday to following brothers who have birthdays in the Spring:

Bro. George White January 7 Bro. Robert Wright January 13 Bro. Curtis Lopes February 2 Bro. Andrew Clay February 6

Bro. Matthew Johnson March 6 Bro. Keith Laing March 16

Bro. Romeo Wright March 26 Bro. Eddie Hill April 9

Bro. Benjamin Turman April 9 Bro. Sean Moore June 26

Bro. Mike Bajit July 6 Bro. Hezron Williams July 7

Bro. Shannon Thompson July 15 Bro. Justin Ortique July 16 Bro. Gillis Taylor July 30

Bro. DeMickel McGrigg August 4

Personal Announcements • Bro. Keith Laing has been named a

Washington Correspondent for The Detroit News.

• Bro. Chris Jones has been named Construction Manager for Capital Projects for WMATA.

• Bro. Benjamin Turman has been named Student Intern for the Passport and Visas Office of the Customs and Border Patrol.

• Bro. Matthew Johnson has been named District-Administrator/School Counseling Specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools.

• Bro. George White became a Life Member of the Fraternity.

2015 Education Foundation Scholarship Winner By Bro. Matthew Johnson Ross Cooper is an exemplary young man that has performed exceptionally well during his academic career at T.C. Williams High School. The son of a Dr. Debra Henry, a local psychiatrist, Ross has challenged himself to perform at a high level in his studies. In his first three years at TC Williams High School, Ross has earned an impressive 3.7 overall grade point average while taking 12 Honors or Advanced Placement classes. He has been selected for such prestigious programs as Boys State and the Sorenseen Institute for Political Leadership, which was hosted at the University of Virginia this past summer. Ross plans to NYU, UVA, Virginia Tech or VCU in the fall, where he will major in Environmental Science.

Congratulations to the following brothers who are celebrating Spring crossing anniversaries:

Bro. Robert Wright April 1, 1979 Bro. Eddie Hall May 1, 1980

Bro. Thomas Jones May 1, 1989 Bro. Hezron Williams February 17, 1992

Bro. Mike Bajit June 19, 1993 Bro. Sean Moore June 25, 1998 Bro. Keith Laing April 21, 2007

Bro. Shawn Pressley March 15, 2009 Bro. Salahedin Ali April 4, 2009 Bro. Curtis Lopes April 2, 2011

Bro. Romeo Wright April 9, 2011 Bro. George White March 16, 2013

Bro. Chris Jones March 9, 2014 Bro. Adam Jackson March 9, 2014

Bro. Matthew Johnson March 9, 2014


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2016 March of Dimes “March for Babies” By Bro. Mike Bajit Every year the Brothers of the Theta Rho Lambda chapter raise money to support research that improves the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. The Brothers start raising money early in the year and complete fundraising by walking in a march in DC. Theta Rho Lambda hosted two happy hours at the Sign of the Whale restaurant in Washington, D.C. to kick-off fundraising this year. On May 7, 2016 the Chapter joined hundreds of participants and contributors in the March for Babies at the Washington, D.C. waterfront. The walk started at Nationals Park, went through the Navy Yard neighborhood, and ended with crossing home plate inside Nationals Park. The chapter raised a total of $2,334 through various donations and contributions from corporations and individuals.

#PhirstFridays By Bro. Keith Laing For the third consecutive fraternal year, the Theta Rho Lambda chapter is conducting a “Phirst Fridays” happy hour series as a social community engagement initiative. The intent of the events is: to provide an avenue for brothers to meet and greet other brothers outside of the monthly chapter meetings; to create a medium for other Greek affiliates, friends and family members to expand their social network; and to increase the chapter’s visibility within the Arlington County and the City of Alexandria, Va. communities. Phirst Fridays, typically, are scheduled the first Friday of each month and at a location in Arlington or Alexandria that is easily accessible via Metro train. Phirst Friday was relaunched in April, and the venue to host the event was Continental Pool Lounge in Rosslyn. Following Continental Pool Lounge, Phirst Fridays were at San Antonio Bar and Grill in Alexandria in May and A-Town Bar & Grill in Ballston in June. Future events are planned for Kora Restaurant in Crystal City in July and Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill in the Courthouse area in August.

Upcoming Chapter Events June 11: Chapter Retreat, Fort Belvoir June 25: Chapter Cookout, Virginia Highlands Park July 1: Phirst Friday, Kora, Crystal City August 5: Phirst Friday, Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill, Courthouse


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After just passing the half year mark since I crossed the burning sands in to Alpha I have had nothing but positive experiences. Soon after crossing I learned that it was true about what they say, the real work begins once you cross. I was able to jump right in and serve at the Thanksgiving basket distribution preparation. Next I was attending my first black and gold ball. This event was both enjoyable and rewarding knowing your ticket purchase served a great cause. In addition to the cause it allowed for me to connect with brothers throughout the chapter on a greater scale. I have found Theta Rho Lambda to be a very welcoming chapter and look forward to contributing in the years to come. While attending the Eastern Regional Convention I was able to meet many brothers from across the country and have truly seen how deep the bond is. At the convention I was able to witness more of inner workings of the business side of Alpha. I learned a great deal and was able to bond with many of my chapter brothers as well as brothers the brothers throughout the region. One of my most memorable experiences was being able to meet the General President Mark S. Tillman. I look forward to attending more conventions and serving as a delegate once my Neophyte year is complete. Reflecting over my time in the fraternity I am proud to be a part of this organization. Moving forward I look forward to having a significant impact to our chapter and contributing to the community as whole.

Fraternity Mission Statement Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence,

while providing service and advocacy for our communities.

Fall 2015 – Solitary ConPHinement November 8, 2015

#1 Justin Ortique ICE-OLATED

a.k.a Ghost

Where Are They Now?

Bro. DeMickel R. McGrigg is currently assigned as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve, Army Pentagon, Washington, D.C. On 11 March 2016, he was selected to serve as the First Sergeant of the Forces Command/United

States Army Reserve Command, Special Troops Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He and his family will be moving to Fayetteville, North Carolina on 19 June 2016. His Change of

Responsibility Ceremony will be held at the FORSCOM/USARC Headquarters Building Atrium on 29 June 2016 at 10:00 am.

Life After Becoming an Alpha By Bro. Justin Ortique

the image of alpha (spring 2016)

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