Our History
The Beta Gamma Chapter was chartered on the lofty hill of Virginia State College on December 22nd, 1926. From its inception, the chapter has upheld a proud legacy of service, leadership, and brotherhood rooted in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated’s mission of Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind. Over the years, Beta Gamma has distinguished itself through several traditional programs that are exclusive to the chapter and intentionally designed to uplift the campus and surrounding community. Signature initiatives such as Barbershop Talk, weekly Motivational Monday videos accessible through the chapter’s Instagram, and a range of student, alumni, and community spotlights supported by engaging educational graphics reflect Beta Gamma’s commitment to mentorship, visibility, and meaningful dialogue. These programs are not isolated events, but living expressions of the chapter’s mission in action.
In addition to its campus-centered impact, Beta Gamma established VACAPAF, the Virginia College Alpha Phi Alpha Forum, as a lasting contribution to collegiate leadership and advocacy across the Commonwealth of Virginia. VACAPAF was founded to unify collegiate chapters, strengthen collaboration, and provide a structured platform for leadership development and policy-oriented discussion. Through this initiative, Beta Gamma further solidified its role as a chapter that leads beyond its immediate campus while shaping student experiences and the broader direction of Alpha Phi Alpha’s collegiate presence in Virginia.
Traditional Programs
Beta Gamma’s traditional programs play a critical role in shaping campus culture by addressing the social, civic, and personal development needs of students. Initiatives such as Pass the Plate, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Pumpkin Smash, and the Golden Gala directly respond to community needs while fostering unity and service-minded leadership. Programs like Workout with the Alphas, Alphas Go Pink, and Rock-A-Thon promote physical wellness, health awareness, and philanthropy, reinforcing the idea that service extends beyond academics into holistic well-being. Collectively, these efforts position Beta Gamma as a visible and dependable force for positive change on campus.
VACAPAF
In the middle of World War II, Luther H. Foster, President of Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), invited two college and six alumni chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to meet at the college to discuss Alpha Business. The College Chapters represented at that meeting were Gamma Chapter of Virginia Union University founded in 1908, and Beta Gamma Chapter of Virginia State College founded in 1926.
The six alumni chapters represented at the meeting were as follows: Zeta Lambda of Newport News, Virginia, founded in 1920; Nu Lambda of Virginia State College, Petersburg, Virginia founded in 1923; Alpha Kappa Lambda of Roanoke, Virginia founded in 1928; Alpha Phi Lambda of Norfolk, Virginia founded in 1935; Beta Gamma Lambda of Richmond, Virginia founded in 1935; and Gamma Alpha Lambda of Lexington, Virginia founded in 1941.
letters of recognition
