Among other endeavors, he was employed by the New York Engineering Department, where he worked on the Barge Canal, a collection of state waterways, during the 1920s. We welcome and encourage committed individuals to apply as volunteers in the Capital Region on New York. “Alpha needs Quality not Quantity” — George Biddle Kelley, 1924 (18th General Convention) In the small town of Troy, New York, on July 28, 1884, George Biddle Kelley was born to Richard and Mathilda Decker Kelley. Born to Richard and Mathilda Decker Kelley, George was the grandson of one of the most cultured and “Before I close, I wish to urge upon all the Brothers the necessity for a broader bond of brotherhood in the communities where you reside. Show more addresses Contact Information × Close. Chartered member of Washington's Mu Lambda Chapter : Educator at Armstrong Vocational High School in Washington D.C. He pondered if the ideas and purposes for which he and the others helped to establish the fraternity were still present: After 29 years, I find that the undergraduates have a very small part in the affairs of the fraternity and are so outnumbered by the Alumni and graduate brothers that they are looked upon with tolerance if they venture to raise their voice and protest against the passage of certain laws which they later have to accept. Kelly’s father was a veteran of a Civil War regiment from Massachusetts. “Alpha needs Quality not Quantity” — George Biddle Kelley, 1924 (18th General Convention). Template:Alpha Phi Alpha Founders George Biddle Kelley (born in August 24,1884 in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States) was one of the seven founders (commonly referred to as Jewels) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Cornell University in 1906, and Alpha chapter’s first President. At Cornell he and six others founded the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in 1906 the … Past Assistant Eastern Region Vice Presidents, A. Charles Haston Brothers Keeper Program, Our Eastern Region Assistant Vice President, Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Special Edition Voteless People is a Hopeless People AlphaEast Tshirts, STATEMENT ON RACIAL ATTACKS ON SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, The War is on! Telegrams were received from throughout the nation including Governor Nelson A. Rockerfeller, U.S. George Biddle Kelley. Became the first African American engineer registered in the state of New York. DuBois and Paul Laurence Dunbar, and shared his recitations with the brothers. Born in Troy, NY and attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute briefly before attending Cornell, George B. Kelley graduate with his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Cornell in 1908. He became the first African-American engineer registered in the state of New York. The Fraternity has truly lost a worthy Founder and one whose chief thought was for its progress.”. Founders’ Day In Baltimore. on July 28, 1884, George Biddle Kelley was born to Richard and Mathilda Decker Kelley. Jewel Kelley was interred at the Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York. He studied at the Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute before entering the College of Civil Engineering at Cornell University in 1905, where he graduated in 1908. He served as the first president of Alpha Chapter and chairman of the first Ritual Committee. â¦We are honored.â. 2014. A fashion designer, she also studied at New York University and the Oswego Normal College. He would return to Troy … He said to them “thank you for all you have done for me” then turned over and died. Biography [edit | edit source]. In September of 1934, Jewel Kelley married the former Harriet Gross of Jersey City, New Jersey. Together. During the days of C.C. Alas decision was ultimately to come regarding the fraternity versus the literary club, and on December 4, 1906, George Biddle Kelley, who chaired the meeting, carried the motion when it was made to become a fraternity. Kelley was appointed treasurer of the literary group which evolved from the gatherings. His disposition and emotional response to many situations revealed the uncompromising nature of his personality. December 1926, during the Nineteenth Annual Convention at the St. Luke Auditorium in Richmond, Virginia, Jewel Kelley joined founders Murray and Callis as the guest founders for the convention with all of them making remarks during the annual founder’s address. Kelly often delighted audiences with the works of W.E.B. I am therefore writing to assure you that I will be glad to give whatever support I can…Prior to going on vacation, I visited the office of the Secretary of State at Albany and made some notes on the original incorporation of Alpha Chapter. The artist spent May and June in Charleston, where he produced a large folio of drawings of the local people involved in everyday activities from which the illustrations for the libretto of … "Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY is the only school that has a Jewel buried near it's campus. Kelley was described as … His grandfather, the late Rev. 28 Jul 1884. Summary Programs + Results Financials Operations. Entered Omega Chapter in 1959: Robert Harold Ogle. He reminded them to be “intensed” in their efforts. In 1908, George Biddle Kelley graduated from Cornell University's College of Civil Engineering. In addition, he served on committees that worked out the handshake and ritual. Kelley credited his father’s spirit and influence for given him vision in establishing the fraternity. It is my belief that many members of Alpha Phi Alpha wish to honor those who organized their Fraternity.”. Home | George Biddle Kelley. John Henry Russell, Jr., né le 14 novembre 1872 à Mare Island et décédé le 6 mars 1947 à Coronado (Californie), est un major général américain qui fut le 16 e commandant du Corps des Marines des États-Unis.Il était le fils de l'amiral John Henry Russell. This rapidly evolving corona virus (COVID-19) has imposed an upsetting, fluid situation upon our fraternity, region, chapters, families, communities, business and the world. In addition, he served on committees that worked out the handshake and ritual. Jewel Kelley responded to General President Charles Wesley in a letter on January 22, 1941, and said: “Your statement that my letter to Bro. Then-Colonel Biddle is in civilian clothes at right. As a young man he attended the Troy Military Academy, a military preparatory school. EIN. William Phillip Biddle was born on December 15, 1853 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As the director in the Central YMCA and member of the Boys Work committee of the “Y”, Jewel Kelley served as Vice Chairman of the Troy Council of the New York State Anti-Discrimination Commission. Ruling year info. He became the first African-American engineer registered in the state of New York. I hope that you believe that I am sincere.” Wesley offered an apology for any “discourtesy” which may have been shown to him. We are so surrounded by brothers of deep legal learning, and oratorical ability that the timid undergraduate sits back with the idea of the early American Revolutionist that he is a victim of taxation without representation. His mother, Mathilda Decker Kelley, was born in New York; his father Richard Kelley was an escaped slave from Virginia who fought for the Union Army in the Civil War. Biography Education. We have grown because the various Brothers from the dates of their initiation have nurtured the plant…I cannot close without giving thanks and credit to the colored of Ithaca who so kindly aided us in our years at Cornell and encouraged us in the formation of our Fraternity. His father migrated from Virginia as a fugitive slave during the Civil War, and his mother came from a long line of distinguished Hudson River citizens who were established in Newburgh, New York. BIOGRAPHY George Biddle Kelley, born in Harlem New York on July 28 of 1884 was one of the founding members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the first chapter's president. Kelley is on the board of directors for a number of corporations, including Allied Signal, Inc., GenCorp, Inc., Saul Centers, Inc., Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.; and the Wackenhut Corporation. Birth. Kelley attended the Troy Military Academy, a military preparatory school. Five of the seven founders were reunited in Cincinnati for the Silver Jubilee Convention in 1931. I am enclosing this abstract for your benefit.”. In an editorial in the 1948 edition of The Sphinx, Jewel Kelley remarked again about undergraduate relationships: “The undergraduate should be allowed a still greater participation in the management of the fraternity as it relates to them….All programs as to fraternity activities in local communities should be, as far as possible, through the direction of undergraduate brothers.”. In the address he stated: “I think we often lose many good men who might be excellent members of the fraternity because of cliques and some of the methods used in many of the chapters. Kelley was described as sometimes conservative, unyielding and adamant. Past General President Raymond Cannon who witnessed the event recounted the event in a speech to the brotherhood: “Our shield should never, be changed nor altered in any way. 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