Albert Hicks, Lonnie Spruill, Jr., Charles Briscoe, Frank Coakley, John Slade, Barron Willis, Webster Lewis, Charles Brown, Louis Hudnell, Charles Gregory, Elias Dorsey Jr., and Michael Williams.

This group of men were unique for several reasons. The first of those reasons being that many of them had been long time friends. Four of which (Spruill, Coakley, Dorsey, and Gregory had known each other since grade school.

Another testament to the uniqueness of the group was that many of them would now be call "Non-traditional students". Gregory, Willis, and Briscoe were all Armed Services Veterans. Brown, Hicks, and Briscoe were married and had children. Several had ful l time jobs. Most were3-5 years older than the average student. Yet they were all still full time students.

Being that the group had a heightened sense of responsibility, and maturity, they held a slightly different perspective than the normal college students at the time. They recognized that as a group of mature black men, they could take on the role of te acher and unify our people in such a time of struggle. It was this unique perspective from which the Fraternity's purpose was established, "The development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, and Brotherhood among Men." In addition they conceived the Fraternity's motto, "Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One."

The Fraternity functioned as a local entity at Morgan State, and in Baltimore until the first interest groups were established in 1967 at Hampton Institute and Delaware State College, which became the Beta and Gamma Chapters respectively. Furth er growth took place in 1968 with chapters being formed at Norfolk State College (Delta Chapter) and Jersey City College (Epsilon Chapter). The Fraternity was officially and legally incoprated on November 1, 1968 as a national Fraternity under the laws of the state of Maryland.

In 1974, the Fraternity began to move from a regional scope to a more national scope with the creation of a chapter at Southern Illinois University (Upsilon chapter). Also in the years immediately following and preceding Upsilon chapter's founding the first four graduate chapters were founded. Those Graduate chapters paved the way for Iota's expanding into regions that were previously uncharted.

In past years however, the NPHC did not have a mechanism or criteria for accepting new member organizations. This had been an ongoing concern for Iota Phi Theta and had developed into an area of increasing focus. At it's National Convention in 1993, the NPHC adopted a constitutional amendment which provided for expansion. Subsequently, an expansion committee developed criteria for potential new member organizations and a procedure by which they might apply. Upon receiving the criteria and procedure, Iota Phi Theta submitted a formal application to the NPHC expansion committee. This application was carefully reviewed by the committee and was delivered to the NPHC Executive Board for determination. After careful consideration and deliberation, Iota Phi Theta's membership application was approved unanimously and effective November 12, 1996, Iota Phi Theta was accepted as a full member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council with all rights, privileges, and responsibilities thereto.

As Iota Phi Theta continues to grow and strengthen, so will its commitment to make meaningful contributions to society in general, with particular emphasis in the African-American community. Throughout America, Iota Phi Theta has come to represent excellence in all areas. The Fraternity is, and shall forever remain dedicated to its founders' vision of "Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!"