HISTORY OF THE SAVANNAH (GA) ALUMNI CHAPTER

Charter Member Joseph R. Jenkins

The Savannah (GA) Alumni Chapter was chartered on April 18, 1941 and is the second oldest alumni chapter in the
Southeastern Province. The charter members include Joseph R. Jenkins, W. Dickerson Donnelly, Albert W. Jackson, M. D. Bryant, Nathaniel Dunmore, Bowles C. Ford, Nathaniel H. Collier, W. D. Turner, W. Vergil Winters, James W. Brown, Emerson W. Lash and John W. Lyons. Down through the years the chapter has experienced many accomplishments to include being presented with the "Alumni Website of the Year Medium Chapter Award" at the 96th Southeastern Province Council Meeting. Charter members, W. Dickerson Donnelly and Joseph R. Jenkins both served as Polemarch’s for the Southeastern Province for a combined total of 16 years (1951-1967). Charter member Bowles C. Ford was the first black to be elected on Savannah’s City Council (1970 – 1978). Subsequent members to include Bro. Johnnie P. Jones, Sr. was one of the first eight African-American police officers hired in the City of Atlanta and is a recipient of the Joseph R. Jenkins Award. Bro. Eddie B. Bivens held the office of SE Province Keeper of Records and Exchequer, Middlewestern Province Polemarch and member of the Laurel Wreath Commission. Bro. Thurmond N. Tillman held the office of SE Province Chaplain (1983 – 2008) and is also a recipient of the Joseph R. Jenkins Award. Bro. John Camper served as SE Province Guide Right Director and Bro. Andrew Young served as SE Province Junior Province Vice-Polemarch. The chapter is active with local community outreach efforts, Guide Right programming, serving as advisor to the Gamma Chi Chapter at Savannah State University and providing mentoring for Kappa League. The chapter has also established an endowed scholarship fund at Savannah State University and Georgia Southern University. Mindful of the high achievements of its charter members, chapter members continue to train for leadership and maintain the achievement bar at a high level.

The Savannah (GA) Alumni Chapter Polemarch is Bro. Johnny McDonald.