[IOTA-4A'88F]

Originally posted by MSUAlumni
I have researched all of the organizations, and with the exception of being the newest and smallest...

First, I would like to give thanks to MSUAlumni for your respectful interest and massive massive respects to everyone that commented. IotaNet and SunTzu, bruhs, yall rock.

Even though we may be the newest and smallest to be inducted into the NPHC, Iota is, by far, not the newest or smallest. There are many black fraternities and sororities all across campuses that were founded after us. We, as Iotas, have to recognize their boldness, respect their choice and applaud their determination to, in essence, find their own path to blaze. Build their own tradition.

Originally posted by MSUAlumni
Was there any resentment that your organization was admitted to the NPHC? What is the general relationship, being positive or negative, with the other organizations of the NPHC?

Bros IotaNet and Solomon1906 (of A Phi A) gave great comments. Yes, there were some resentment and, unfortunately, there is still a residue of resentment from the some of the old old heads. Is that to be expected? Yes. Change is hard for some in Black Greekdom. With some of the new heads, it's more of a 'friendly' rivalry on different levels, BUT the most important thing is the respect for each other's achievements. The same type of resentment we faced is going to be the same type of resentment the next fraternity or sorority will face when it's time for them to petition NPHC. Like IotaNet, I was around when we were not a part of the National Pan Hell, it was a uphill battle to gain respect and along that road, IOTAS prevailed.

Originally posted by MSUAlumni
why did you choose IOTA over the more "popular" organizations.

As a young NYC buck, the only fraternity experience I had were local fraternities (Order of the Feather and Pen & Scroll Military Fraternity) where they perform countless community service programs which I benefitted from. I knew I wanted to be a fraternity man. When I stepped on Morgan's campus, I had no idea what an Alpha, Que, Kappa, Sigma or Iota was. I quickly made friends with all, but mostly with Iotas. Many Iotas I became friends with, I didn't know they were Iotas mainly because Iotas (in the late 80s) didn't wear that much "P" and wasn't much available. Some Morgan Iotas took me to an Towson Iota party and as the brothers were "gripping" each other up, one mistakingly gave me the grip. I quickly said I wasn't frat. He looked at me and said, "You came with frat, so you are frat tonight and that whole night I was introduced like frat (with me quickly saying I wasn't) and treated as such. That blew my mind. And I never looked back. I knew I made the right choice.


Yes, indeed, 2000 was a good year for Iota Phi Theta. I was not able to attend the grand opening/dedication of the Nat HQ's, but I was there to get it ready. That day, I cried (happy cry) because that building represented the hard work of every Iota from 1963 to 2000. I will be the same hard work for every Iota from 2000 on.