“Alpha Phi Omega is destined to be one of the greatest college fraternities in the world because it has as its foundation the highest ideals of the ages, the most perfect standard the generations have been able to produce, a standard accepted by all nations, all religions and all people, where the motivating idea is to look for the good and try to do good to everyone regardless of who or what belief and furthermore has the practical application in most commendable educational social services.”
Founding Members
Frank Reed Horton
Founder, President
Born in Sewickley, PA on July 17, 1696. Ensign on US Minesweeper USS Whippoorwill during World War I. A.B. degree, Lafayette College, 1926. MA. degree in History from Lafayette College in 1938. Studied law in law office; also student at Boston University Law School; LL.B. degree, LaSalle Extension University,1937. Taught history, government and English at Cedar Crest and Muhlenberg Colleges, Allentown, PA for three years. Industrial accountant, Ingersoll-Rand Company. American Legion, VFW, Mason. Author of college text. Poetry Writing and Appreciation. Numerous Scouting and Alpha Phi Omega honors and awards. He passed away on August 28, 1966.
Everett W. Probst
Vice President
Born in Jersey City, NJ on June 22. 1905. One of the founders of the “Krescents” social fraternity (now Kappa Delta Rho). Twenty years of age when he became a charter member of Alpha Phi Omega. Served in every Scout office from Assistant Patrol Leader to scoutmaster. B.S. degree in chemistry, Lafayette College, 1926. M.D. degree in 1940 from New York University.
Gordon M. Looney
Secretary
Born in Sedalia, MO on October 10, 1905. Twenty years of age when he became charter member of Alpha Phi Omega. Member of Boy Scouts in Oak Park, IL. A.B, degree, Lafayette College,1927. M.B.A. degree, Harvard University, 1929.
Thane S. Cooley
Treasurer
Born in Chicago, IL on January 1, 1905. Twenty years of age when he became charter member of Alpha Phi Omega. Scout in Oak Park, IL, 1917-1922. Captain of soccer team; B.S. degree in 1927 from Lafayette College. Law degree, J.D., Northwestern University, 1930.
William T. Wood
Born in Penn’s Grove, NJ on November 4, 1905. Twenty years ot age when he became a charter member of Alpha Phi Omega. Scout before going to Lafayette College, from which he received a B.S. degree in 1927.
Ephraim M. Detwiler
Born in Lansdale, PA on October 19, 1904. Twenty years of age when he became a charter member of Alpha Phi Omega. Played football, and was captain of lacrosse team, at Lafayette College. B.S. degree, 1927.
Lewis B. Blair
Born in Tyrone, PA on April 10, 1906. Member of BSA in Tyrone. Enrolled in electrical engineering at Lafayette College in class of 1928. Nineteen years of age when he became a charter member of Alpha Phi Omega.
Donald L. Terwilliger
Born in Lakewood, NJ on July13, 1907. Member of BSA in Orange, NJ. Eighteen years of age when he became charter member of Alpha Phi Omega. Editor, College Year Book at Lafayette College, from which he received A.B. degree in 1928. Basketball player at Lafayette College.
William W. Highberger
Born in Pittsburgh, PA on April 9, 1905. Member of BSA in Pittsburgh. Member of swimming and football team at Lafayette College, from which he received B.S. degree in 1927. Twenty years of age when he became a charter member of Alpha Phi Omega.
Donald H. Fritts
Born in Washington, NJ on March 13. 1905. Member of BSA in Washington. Twenty years of age when he became charter member of Alpha Phi Omega. B.S. degree, Lafayette College, 1926; M.A degree, Columbia University, 1931.
George A. Olsen
Born in New York City on February 2,1904. Manager of baseball team in college. B.S. degree, Lafayette College, 1928. BSA. Twenty-one years of age when he became a charter member of Alpha Phi Omega.
Robert J. Green
Born in Brooklyn, NY on October 6, 1905. Scout in Richmond Hill, NY. Later became a Scout Commissioner. Twenty years of age when he became a charter member of Alpha Phi Omega. B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, Lafayette College, 1929.
Herbert Heinrich
Born in New York City on January 18, 1906. BSA in Leonia, NJ. Nineteen years of age when he became charter member of Alpha Phi Omega. B.S. degree in electrical engineering, Lafayette College,1927.
Ellsworth S. Dobson
Born in Detroit, MI on April 20, 1905. BSA. B.S. degree in electrical engineering. Lafayette College, 1928. Twenty years of age when he became charter member of Alpha Phi Omega.
Of the 14 charter members, 8 were members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) social fraternity; 5 were from the “Krescents” social fraternity (now Kappa Delta Rho); and one, Lewis B. Blair, was an independent.
Faculty Advisors
John H. McCraken
President
Lafayette College
Donald B. Prentice
Dean
Lafayette College
David A. Hatch
Professor
Lafayette College
Harry T. Spengler
Professor
Lafayette College
Scouting Advisors
Herbert G. Horton
Scout Executive
Easton, Pennsylvania
Ray O. Wyland
National Director, Education
Boy Scouts of America