Alphas present rebuilding class

The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity presented two new members to the Gamma Eta chapter Saturday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in hopes of rebuilding the chapter after this year. \nJuniors Antoine Jones and William Speed were given a warm welcome into the fraternity at their coming out celebration that was held after the Miss Black and Gold Pageant.\nSenior Michael House, chapter president, said the men's "crossing" is good for the fraternity. He said only four members will be left in the organization after May, once all the older members graduate, so Jones and Speed are important for the chapter's rebuilding. \n"We throw them into the fire and show them the ropes about how to run a chapter," House said.\nHouse said he is confident in the men and believes their seasoned brothers will teach them the way. He said the chapter has been down to only three members in the past.\nJunior Ueline Newmon, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, said he has a lot of faith in Jones and Speed. \n"I am ecstatic," Newmon said. "I feel blessed to have somebody join a frat for the better. They joined to do something for the people." \nSenior Jason Lee, an Alpha Phi Alpha member, said crossing over into the fraternity is a significant experience in their lives, and they are welcomed with open arms.\n"This is life changing once they join the organization," Lee said. "It's a brotherhood." \nSix hooded men wearing black and gold masks stomped onto the stage, chanting Alpha Phi Alpha slogans. They were accompanied by a grim reaper, who said, "Six were chosen, but only two were frozen," and the remaining four fell to the ground. \nOnce on stage, Jones and Speed took off their hoods and masks and began reciting raps in honor of their big brothers, while a crowd gathered around the stage to look on.\nThese "Neophytes," or new members, called themselves "The T.R.U.T.H." \nJones said his family was very proud of his accomplishment. He said his older brother drove from Alabama to watch. \n"I feel excited and blessed," Jones said. "It was a lot of work and long process. It took diligence (and) patience."\nSpeed said it was hard work, but he plans to keep on putting in a strong effort, while Jones said he plans to bring a sense of leadership and responsibility to the organization. \nAlpha Phi Alpha members from Purdue University, Indiana State University and Ball State University came to welcome their new brothers.\nAlpha Phi Alpha is the largest African-American fraternity in the United States.\n"We have a requirement of a 2.5 GPA, which is one of the highest GPA requirements in the greek system," Lee said. \nHe also said they look for certain leadership qualities in the new members. \n"They have to be involved in campus," he said. "We are leaders. We all hold positions outside of the fraternity. They have to bring something to the table." \nNewmon said he is proud of "The T.R.U.T.H." and feels they will be beneficial to the fraternity. \n"All greeks come from the people," Newmon said. "We are supposed to give back to the people. 'The T.R.U.T.H' is here to give back to people. They did not join for selfish reasons."\n-- Contact staff writer Patrice Worthy at pworthy@indiana.edu.