The Foundation is named in honor of Dr. Henry Arthur Callis (January 14, 1887 – November 12, 1974) one of the seven founders, known as The Jewels, of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity established at Cornell University in 1906. Often regarded as the “philosopher of the founders” and a moving force in the Fraternity’s development, Callis co-authored the fraternity name with Eugene Jones and became the only Jewel to become General President of the Fraternity.
Callis was born in Rochester, New York and attended Cornell University and Rush Medical College. He became a physician and worked as a medical consultant at the Veterans’ Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama. He was Professor of Medicine at Howard University and a prolific contributor to medical journals.
Callis died in 1974 at age 87 in Washington, D.C. His death was a milestone for the Fraternity as Callis became the last founding Jewel to enter the Omega Chapter of deceased Fraternity members. Upon his death The Callis Papers were donated to Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
“The chief significance of Alpha Phi Alpha lies in its purpose to stimulate, develop, and cement an intelligent, trained leadership in the unending fight for freedom, equality and fraternity. Our task is endless.”
– H. A. Callis, May 1946
About the Foundation
Henry Arthur Callis was an esteemed founder whose passion was serving as an educator specializing in the field of medicine. The Henry Arthur Callis Education Foundation was established in1986 to support educational initiatives focused on youth in the Marietta/Cobb County area. One of these initiatives is to recognize and reward young men graduating from Cobb area High Schools who exhibit scholastic excellence, good character, and give back to their community in the form of service.
Over the years the Foundation has distributed thousands of dollars to deserving students seeking to further their education. It is our pleasure to continue our commitment of supporting our young people in this effort.
