Zeta Nu

In the fall of 1967, Eastern Illinois University sophomores Ed Stephens and Bill Wooten aspired to join Alpha Phi Alpha. Influenced by his father, an Alpha man, Wooten emphasized the importance of brotherhood and leadership. Since EIU did not yet have a chapter, Stephens and Wooten contacted members of Tau Chapter at the University of Illinois. With approval from the Regional VP, they were permitted to pursue initiation through Tau.

During this process, Wooten connected with five EIU students, encouraging them to pursue fraternity membership. He often drove them to Champaign, Illinois, to attend Tau Chapter events, sharing the values and mission of Alpha Phi Alpha. Stephens and Wooten were eventually initiated as members. Their dedication inspired others, and in the fall of 1968, five EIU students and two Illinois students formed S.S. Tenacious 7. At the time, EIU required seven members to charter a student organization. On January 10, 1969, seven eligible EIU students signed the charter, establishing Theta Nu (later renamed Zeta Nu) as the 343rd House of Alpha.