History of Nu Lambda Chapter
The Nu Lambda Chapter was chartered on December 18, 1923, at Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia. The charter members were: W.A. Hall, J. A. Derbigny, J. M. Gandy, C. W. Florence, W.A. Rogers, J. H. Johnston, F. D. Patterson, B. N. Thurston, and T. L. Puryear.
Nu Lambda, throughout its history, has contributed to projects which have aided “scholarship and love for all mankind.” These projects have included gifts of books to students and to various libraries, visits to schools and churches to encourage students to “Go to High School, Go to College,” provide scholarship aid to students, sponsor contests to encourage oratory and creative writing among high school students, and provide welfare donations to persons in distress.
In 1953, Nu Lambda assisted in the purchase of band uniforms for Peabody High School, which was the senior high school for African Americans in the City of Petersburg. In 1956 and thru the present, substantial gifts of cash, books, and magazine subscriptions have been given to the Baptist Children’s Home of Chesterfield County. Since 1961, the chapter has provided scholarship awards annually to Virginia State University students of outstanding scholarship and promise.
Additional chapter programs include:
- Food, hygiene and toy drives
- School supply drive for Petersburg City Public Schools
- My Brother’s Keeper
- Project Alpha at Vernon Johns Middle School, Dinwiddie HS and Matoaca HS
- Fall and Spring Blood Drives
- March of Dimes
On December 18, 2023, the chapter celebrated 100 years of existence in the fraternity. This was a momentous occasion for brothers of Nu Lambda, near and far.