# Nu Gamma Alpha

Nu Gamma Alpha Fraternity, Gents, Ltd. (NGA or ΝΓΑ) is an African American social fraternity. It was established in 1962 at Howard University in Washington, D.C. It has chartered at least twenty chapters in the United States.

## History

Ronald Gilkes and Robert Coates established Nu Gamma Alpha in 1962 at Howard University in Washington, D.C. It was a "quasi-serious" fraternity modeled after established Black Greek-letter organizations. Its charter members came from Howard and American University, including:
* Larkin Arnold
* Eddie Cleveland
* Robert Coates
* Gary Cole
* Arnie Evans
* Eric Garrison
* Ronald Gilkes
* Arvelle Greenwood
* William Hall
* Dennis S. Houston
* Althear Lester
* Luther McAdams
A second chapter, Beta, was formed at Lincoln College (now Lincoln University) in 1966. The fraternity was incorporated in the State of North Carolina.
As of 2024, the fraternity had chartered at least twenty collegiate chapters, with its only active chapter being the newly reestablished chapter at Shaw University. Its main activities take place through its four alumni chapters. The fraternity's mission includes fostering brotherhood, spiritual values, social change, and economic resources. Member raise funds for scholarships and volunteer for community organizations. Its national headquarters is in Raleigh, North Carolina.

## Symbols

The Greek letters Nu Gamma Alpha were selected to stand for "No Gottum Average" because "anti-intellectualism" and a grade point average under 3.0 were conditions for membership. The fraternity's colors are burgundy and white. Its principles or pillars are Empowering, Enhancing, Engaging and Enduring, Professionalism, Unity, Loyalty, and Integrity.

## Chapters
### Collegiate chapters

Following are the college chapters of Nu Gamma Alpha, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.
| Chapter | Charter date | Institution | Location | Status |
| Alpha | 1962 | Howard University | Washington, D.C. | Inactive |
| Beta | 1966 | Lincoln College | Lower Oxford Township, Pennsylvania | Inactive |
| Gamma | November 1967 | Livingston College | Salisbury, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Deta | Spring 1968 | Johnson C. Smith University | Charlotte, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Epsilon | Fall 1968 | North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Zeta | 1969 | Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Theta | Spring 1970 | North Carolina Central University | Durham, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Iota | October 5, 1971 | University of Arkansas Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | Inactive |
| Kappa | Fall 1970 | St. Augustine's College | Raleigh, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Lambda | | Virginia Union University | Richmond, Virginia | Inactive |
| Nu | | City College of New York | New York City, New York | Inactive |
| Omicron | Fall 1968–1979; Spring 2024 | Shaw University | Raleigh, North Carolina | Active |
| Pi | | Bennedict College | Columbia, South Carolina | Inactive |
| Rho | | Kean College | New York City, New York | Inactive |
| Omega | Spring 1974 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Beta Kappa | 197x ? | Chicago State University | Chicago, Illinois | Inactive |
| Sigma Nu | Spring 1977 | Aurora University | Aurora, Illinois | Inactive |
| Sigma Tau | Spring 1979 | Northeastern University | Boston, Massachusetts | Inactive |
| | | Cheyney State University | Cheyney, Pennsylvania | Inactive |
| | | Knoxville College | Knoxville, Tennessee | Inactive |
* ↑ The chapter was formed from the Wine SI FI Society, established in 1966 at Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College. The college became the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff in 1972.

### Alumni chapters

| Chapter | Location | Status |
| Arkansas | Arkansas | Active |
| Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia | Active |
| Raleigh | Raleigh, North Carolina | Active |
| Triad | Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Active |

## Notable members

* Larkin Arnold (Alpha), entertainment lawyer, talent management executive, and vice president of Capital Records and Arista Records, and CBS/Sony Music
* James E. Cheeks (Alpha, honorary), president of Howard University