Chapter History

The year 1974 was a tense time for African-American students. At this time, the University of Virginia was less than 5% black, as it had only recently begun a policy of Affirmative Action. African-American students sought avenues with which they could improve the University atmosphere, as well as help the Charlottesville community. With this in mind, a group of six courageous men, under the guidance of Honorable Brother T.H. Lacy, looked to charter a chapter of Phi Beta Sigma at the University. Brothers Chavis Harris, Clarence Cain, Charles Scott, John James, Larry Walker and Charles Conyers founded the Electrifying Zeta Eta Chapter on April 17, 1974. Brother Donald Spell was on the charter line but was initiated in the summer prior to the 1974-1975 school year. The chapter would flourish for the next two decades.

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Zeta Eta not only carried out the ideals of Sigma, but did whatever it could to improve conditions at the University. ZH has produced many succesful lawyers, doctors, businessmen, educators, and even professional athletes. Over the years, we have also developed a strong bond with our sorors from the Talented, Tough, and Oh So Very Thorough Tau Theta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. We have both benefited from each others presence at the University. Unfortunately, Zeta Eta became inactive in 1993, and would not return until the turn of the century. With the help of other undergraduate and graduate chapters around the region, and our sorors, in 2000, the reactivation process began.

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Two dedicated young men, Brother Michael McCoy and Brother Natario Couser, were the first to be initiated into the newly-reactivated ZH chapter. They worked diligently to not only implement programs that would uphold the principles of Sigma, but to ensure that the chapter would stay active after they left the University. The Spring 2002 initiation of Brothers Joseph Obi, Ingo Harry, Kofi Owusu and Jude Norelus ensured that Sigma's presence would once again be felt on the University grounds. With the solid foundation created by these brothers, ZH continues to creatively serve UVA and Charlottesville communities through service, programming, leadership, artistic expression, and visibility on Grounds. ZH looks forward to continuing the legacy forged by all of the brothers who have come through the chapter.

"Our cause speeds on its way."