On October 2, 1984, a formal Smoker was held in hopes of establishing a chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on the campus of George Mason University. On October 19, 1985 six young men were inducted into the Sphinx Club by Theta Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. On February 22, 1986 six other men were inducted into the Sphinx Club. On December 7, 1986 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. gave birth to IOTA ALPHA on the campus of George Mason University located in Fairfax, Virginia. The Chapter Founders of Iota Alpha consisted of ten untiring and intelligent young men who knew the importance of creating a legacy on this young campus. In doing this these young men set the foundation for a thriving undergraduate chapter in the Northern Virginia area.

• Brother David Christopher Atkins
• Brother Reginald Boykin
• Brother Edward Lee Broaddus
• Brother Darren Carlton Lyons
• Brother John Earl Jones II
• Brother Donald James Smith
• Brother Linwood Delmore Swann
• Brother James Wesley Thomas III
• Brother Norris Tazewell Tyler III
• Brother Keith Anthony Weatherford