APCAA Acquires Rare 1981 Sphinxmen Letters Commemorating The 45th Anniversary Of Alpha Rho’s Phenomenal 15
Historic handwritten correspondence offers a remarkable glimpse into the Golden Decade of Alpha Rho Chapter and the unique pledge experience at Morehouse College.
APCAA Staff
In recognition of the 45th anniversary of the Phenomenal 15’s initiation into Alpha Rho Chapter, the Alpha Rho Chapter Alumni Association (APCAA) proudly announces the acquisition of a rare collection of original, handwritten “Sphinxmen 15” letters, written in the fall of 1981 to Ms. Angela Y. Dawson, a Spring 1981 initiate of the Fortuitous 53 at Howard University’s Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The newly recovered correspondence represents an extraordinary addition to the APCAA Archival Collection at the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library, expanding its focus on the personal experiences, social relationships, and undergraduate traditions that shaped Alpha Rho Chapter’s history.
Written just 14 days into the Phenomenal 15’s six-week pledge period, the letters provide an intimate, firsthand glimpse into the lives of young Morehouse men preparing to join the distinguished brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
The correspondence dates to an era fondly remembered as Alpha Rho’s “Golden Decade,” when the chapter maintained an undergraduate membership averaging approximately 45 to 65 brothers each academic year. During this period, fraternity and sorority pledge lines were prominent fixtures of Atlanta University Center campus life, attracting considerable attention from students and returning alumni.
A recurring theme throughout the newly acquired letters was an invitation for Ms. Dawson to visit Morehouse during Homecoming, when pledge groups frequently became centerpieces of the festivities. The letters capture the excitement, anticipation, camaraderie, and social connections surrounding one of the most memorable experiences in undergraduate Greek-letter life.
Pledging during the latter decades of the 20th century was a highly visible experience, extending beyond the individual pledge groups to the broader campus community. Sphinxmen would emerge for breakfast as early as 6:00 a.m., dressed in coordinated attire, before moving together in formation throughout campus until late in the evening. Their synchronized movements, public appearances, and shared responsibilities became defining features of the undergraduate experience. Against this historical backdrop, the handwritten letters are especially revealing: they document the personal voices of young men navigating the demands of pledging while maintaining friendships and relationships beyond Morehouse.
On Friday, November 20, 1981, these 15 young men completed their journey and crossed the burning sands into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., through the Alpha Rho Chapter at Morehouse College. The Phenomenal 15 consisted of:
#1 Albert L. Vivian; #2 Michael S. James; #3 Carr T. Preston; #4 Victor A. Tall; #5 William T. Barnes III; #6 Theodore M. Alexander III; #7 Ernest W. Quarles; #8 Stewart A. Rainer; #9 Henry M. Goodgame Jr. (Line President); #10Anthony L. Trufant; #11 Wade H. McKinney IV; #12 Noah E. Wills III; #13 Cyril J. Turner; #14 Brian K. Buchanan Sr.; and #15 Craig B. Douglas.
Their pledge period was directed by Bro. Kenneth G. Bostic (Spring 1980), who served as Dean of Pledges, assisted by Bros. BMaynard Scarborough (Fall 1980), Wesley L. Palmer Curl (Spring 1980), and Frank J. Kidd III (Fall 1979) as Assistant Deans of Pledges. The Phenomenal 15 also established a remarkable chapter milestone that continues to stand 45 years later: four legacy members — Bros. Theodore M. Alexander III, William T. Barnes III, Wade H. McKinney IV, and Noah E. Wills III — entered Alpha Rho with familial connections to the chapter through their fathers or uncles. Their initiation underscored the powerful tradition of intergenerational brotherhood and the enduring influence of Alpha Rho within Morehouse families.
The acquisition further distinguishes the APCAA Archival Collection as an expanding repository of chapter-specific historical materials, complementing its collection of original documents, photographs, publications, memorabilia, and other artifacts spanning more than a century of Alpha Rho history. By preserving these previously inaccessible letters, APCAA is broadening the historical record beyond institutional milestones to include the personal correspondence and everyday experiences that illuminate the chapter’s culture, traditions, and influence.
As APCAA prepares for the December 3, 2026, grand opening of the Alpha Rho Chapter Archival Collection at the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library, this acquisition marks another significant milestone in the association’s commitment to preserve our past, document our present, and provide future generations with a permanent place where Alpha Rho history can be studied and experienced.
And to be 1,924% clear, APCAA’s undertaking represents an unprecedented commitment to chapter-specific historical preservation within Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Through its professionally curated archival collection and exhibition environment, the association has established a permanent foundation for protecting, interpreting, and promoting Alpha Rho’s extraordinary legacy, including artifacts dating back to the chapter’s earliest years.
Forty-five years after the Phenomenal 15 entered Alpha Rho’s brotherhood, their handwritten words have found a permanent home—ensuring that the voices of 1981 will continue speaking to generations yet to come.
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