On March 28, 1910 Iota Chapter, being the ninth chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Syracuse University, Syracuse New York. The organizers of the chapter were Most Noble Lord and Precious Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray, Roscoe C. Giles (2nd President of Alpha Phia Alpha), Lemanuel Graves, and Frank Plummer. The charter members were Clarence S. Janifer, M. Walker Clair, J. Vernon Herring, and Noble R. Pyrtle. Due to external problems within the university, Iota chapter experienced a short fraternal existence at Syracuse University and was disbanded in 1923. Iota chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is now recognized at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, GA.
On April 14, 1949 Delta Zeta chapter, being the 94th chapter of the General Organization of Alpha Phia Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded by 14 aspiring young men dedicated to upholding the high scholastic principles of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Due to external pressures and problems, Delta Zeta Chapter became inactive and was discontinued.
On April 14, 1973, Delta Zeta Chapter was re-established at Syracuse University with a founding line of 30 ambitious dedicated black men, who saw the need for another black organization that could help bring about more changes within the black college community as well as the greater Syracuse black community. Since the founding line of thirty proud Alphamen, Delta Zeta has crossed twenty-eight lines with over one hundred brothers into the realm of Alpha Phi Alpha. Delta Zeta Chapter produced such prestigious Syracuse University personalities as: McArthur Sullivan (Student Government Association President 1973-74), James Fletcher (Student African American Society Financial Affairs Chairperson), Aljia Dumas (Student African American Society Administrative Chairperson), William Belardo (Student Government Association Comptroller), Ervin C. Allgood (Co-Founder/Director of Black Celestial Choral Ensemble), Mark C. Darrell (University Judicial Board Justice), Richard Lendor (President of Society of Minority Architects), Norman R. Jimerson (Urban League Representative), Steven D. King (University Judicial Board), Ernest N. Smith (Student Government Association - President), Jason E. Foy (University Judicial Board), Alberto A. Ebanks (Student Government Association), Chadwick A. Jackson (National Society of Black Engineers), Arthur Vaughn (NAACP President), Torry Johnson (Black Celestial Choral Ensemble), Kyle A. Richards (NAACP President), Sidney J. Turner (Student Government Association- Chief of Staff), Jared M. Green (National Society of Black Engineers- President), and Michaeljulius Y. Idani (Student Government Association- President).
On October 30, 1998, Delta Zeta Chapter was re-activated at Syracuse University, through Sigma Omicron Chapter at Oswego State University, with a line of two distinguished men. These men were: Steven A. Whitaker, Jr., and Chad A. Jeffries. These men helped to bring the light of Alpha back to Syracuse University and continue the legacy of strong positive Alphamen at Syracuse University. On March 26, 1999, three men, Jared M. Green, Jason A. Fosi, and Michaeljulius Y. Idani entered this chapter. On November 12, 2000, two men, Rahnold P. Thomas and Charles E. Hayward III entered the chapter. On November 8, 2002, six men, Ian F. Cumberbatch, Gezzer Ortega, Oswaldo Ortega, Renaldo A. Williams, Shawn C. Hardie, Christopher M. Telesford entered the chapter and these proud brothers are the latest addition to the rich history of Delta Zeta Chapter here at Syracuse University.
Delta Zeta's commitment to the community can be seen through its involvement with the Syracuse Urban League, The Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse, The Dunbar Center, and the Paul Robeson Scholarship- an annual chapter based scholarship awarded to an outstanding college-bound Syracuse high school senior, CROP WALK- a walk to benefit individuals that need clothing and shelter, Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Bishop Forey, and the Comstock KidsFest just to name a few.
With it's many and varied programs and functions, Delta Zeta strives to continue in the Alpha Phi Alpha tradition of leadership, scholarship and achievement. The chapter has been awarded for its efforts by being named "Alpha Phi Alpha Eastern Regional Chapter of the Year" in 1979 and the highest honor an Alpha chapter can receive "Alpha Phi Alpha National Chapter of the Year" in 1980. In the academic year of 2000/01, Delta Zeta received outstanding chapter program of the year, Greek Man of the Year Award (Michaeljulius Y. Idani), Future Leaders of Tomorrow (Chuck Hayward), and first place in the 2000 and 2002 Stepshows.