The announcement comes on the 85^th Anniversary of the Beta Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which was the first fraternity established on the campus of Xavier University of Louisiana on March 29, 1936. Since its founding, hundreds of African American men from all over the world have graduated from Xavier and have taken the brotherhood, service and life skills gained through their experiences and connection to Beta Tau to build successful careers, families and communities, including legendary Xavier University President Emeritus Dr. Norman C. Francis, Sr., Vice Presidents of Administration Anthony Rachal and Calvin Tregre, Sr., V.P. of Development Clarence Jupiter in addition to countless members of the faculty. 

“The Beta Tau network of brothers are proud to bring together their resources in order to give back and continue to make a positive impact on Xavier University students as well the young men who are currently Beta Tau Chapter members,” said Dr. John H. Jackson, Chairman of the BTAA. “As a graduate and Trustee of Xavier University, I understand the transformative impact and social return on investment a commitment of this magnitude can have on a young person’s life and our institution.”

Fifty percent of the BTAA’s commitment will fund a $250,000 endowment awarding up to $12,500 annually in scholarship support for five deserving students.  Each scholarship award carries the name of noteworthy Alpha Phi Alpha brothers and supporters of Beta Tau Chapter including United States District Court Judge Ivan Lemelle, former Mayors of New Orleans Dutch and Marc Morial, former Cook County Commissioner John Stroger, former Beta Tau Chapter President, General President of Alpha Phi Alpha and President of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Fund Harry Johnson, and long-time Xavier University Dean of Students Joseph K. Byrd.  An additional $250,000 will support a host of programs and activities at the university targeting student enrichment, education and engagement.

Learnard Dickerson, Secretary/Treasurer of the BTAA noted that, “the BTAA is a membership-based foundation established on March 29, 2020, by alumni brothers of the Beta Tau Chapter.”  The initial founding members include:

Bro. Mark Adams, Bro. Rashad Arcement, Bro. Charles Brown, Bro. Glendell Brown, Bro. Isaac Brown, Bro. Darryl Bush, Bro. Justin Charles, Bro. Theartris Childress, Bro. Karl Connor, Bro. William Dailey, Bro. Learnard Dickerson, Bro. Brandon Edgerson, Bro. Larry Ferdinand, Jr., Bro. Ryan Goudeau, Bro. John Jackson, Bro. Alfred James, Bro. Claude Jarrett, Bro. Elliott Jessie, Bro. Alfred Johnson, Bro. Harry Johnson, Bro. Ronnie Jones, Bro. Ron Kelly, Bro. Nolan Knight, Bro. Henry LeBoyd, Bro. Ivan Lemelle, Bro. William Lovelady, Bro. Dallas Magee, Bro. Aaron McCalister, Bro. Donte McClary, Bro. Brian McGee, Bro. Cedric Mellion, Bro. Brian Monette, Bro. Jarvis Morgan, Bro. Victor Njoku, Bro. Stephen Noble, Bro. Lance Parrott, Bro. John Perez, Bro. Alejandro Perkins, Bro. Larry Perkins, Bro. Gregory Phillips, Bro. Marc Philpart, Bro. Leslie Pollard, Jr., Bro. Clarence Red, Bro. Donald Reed, Bro. Lauchland Roberts, Bro. Mitchell Stevens, Bro. Kerry Sterling, Bro. David Travillion, Bro. Torrin Velazquez, and Bro. Jeryl Williams.

The BTAA’s four main objectives include:
 

• Strengthening the Beta Tau Alumni network
• Strengthening the impact of the Beta Tau Alumni network on Xavier University
• Strengthening the Beta Tau Alumni network’s impact on communities
• Strengthening support for education and social programming led by the Beta Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Xavier University

The other members of the BTAA’s Interim Executive Committee are Larry Perkins, William Dailey, and Lance Parrott. The Committee considers this announcement an opportunity for alumni of the Beta Tau Chapter and affiliated Alpha brothers to join this philanthropic effort that will leave a sustained legacy for supporting the university and make a positive impact on future leaders of tomorrow. As a non-profit organization, the BTAA offers a variety of opportunities and ways for Beta Tau network members and donors to make a significant impact.

For more information about donating to the BTAA endowment and program initiatives, please visit giving.xula.edu/pages/alpha-phi-alpha-beta-tau-alumni-giving-pagecontact OR contact  Xavier University of Louisiana’s AVP for Institutional Advancement, Kimberly Reese at kreese@xula.edu

For more information about BTAA or membership, visit www.btaax.org.