Most
Honorable Founder A. Langston Taylor was born in Memphis, Tennessee in
1890. He is regarded as one of the greatest names in Sigma; MHF Taylor
was the spark that lighted the Sigma flame among the three. More than
any other he is responsible for the growth of the fraternity especially
in the earlier years. He received his elementary and secondary
education in the schools of his native state, graduating from Howe
Institute, Memphis, TN in 1909. He received his college and
professional training at Howard University, Washington D.C., and
Frelinghuysen University, Washington, D.C.
Early in life he adopted as his motto, “Service to Humanity.” The record of his
activities indicates how well he has lived up to his motto. He began
serving Humanity by the founding of Phi Beta Sigma, to which he gave
twelve consecutive years of service as a National Officer serving, three
years as National President, two as National Treasurer, two as National
Secretary and five years as Fields Secretary. He is a member of the
Distinguished Service Chapter of the Fraternity.
Leonard
F. Morse
Most
Honorable Founder Leonard F. Morse was born in 1889. He was very much
the New Englander from New Bedford Massachusetts. He attended the New
Bedford Public Schools and entered Howard University in 1911.
In the organization of the fraternity, it became the tasks of MHF Leonard F. Morse to
determine the name of the Fraternity and to give meaning to the Greek
Letters chosen for the name. These meanings have become the idealistic
basis upon which the organization stands. MHF Leonard F. Morse wrote the
1st constitution of the fraternity. He was first elected
Alpha Chapter President; holder of Sigma’s Distinguished Service Key.
He gave Phi Beta Sigma the full measure of his devotion.
During his collegiate years, he met MHF A. Langston Taylor and MHF Charles I.
Brown. After hearing MHF Taylor’s plan to found a new fraternity at
Howard University, MHF Morse gave his wholehearted support. He graduated
from Howard in 1915. He also earned the Master of Arts Degree at Howard
University. MHF Morse was also the first male student at Howard
University to earn two degrees in three years. He earned (3) bachelor
degrees, (1) Master Degree (2) Doctorate Degrees before his death. He
later became a successful clergyman and was Dean of B.F. Lee Theological
Seminary.
Charles
I. Brown
The Most Honorable founding father Charles I. Brown was physically a little smaller than average; his cheek bones were high, his "cowlicks" deep. Socially, he was known to be a "perfect gentleman." This is to say that he had that gracious courtesy that is commonly associated with the Eighteenth Century ideal type; never hurried, never flustered reticent and affable. MHF Charles I. Brown entered Howard University in September 1907. After graduating in 1914, MHF Charles I. Brown taught public school system in Topeka, KS. He devoted many years of his life to education of our youth in the Midwest. He was the third member of the “Great Three” who founded Phi Beta Sigma. MHF Brown is noted for founding the “Dangerous” Delta Chapter at Kansas State University, the first chapter in Sigma History to be chartered on a racially diverse university campus.
