By Bros. Anthony Thomas, Eta Gamma ’88, and Kelvin Moses, Tau Lambda ‘17
Bro. Dr. Calvin O. Atchison, a stalwart of the Nashville and Tennessee State University communities, entered the Omega Chapter of sweet rest on November 5, 2018. He was a longtime, and oldest, member of Tau Lambda Chapter at the age of 98.
Dr. Calvin O. Atchison was born on September 15, 1920, in the farming community of Washington County, Alabama. A Depression era kid who dared to be different, he eschewed the customary dress of his youth, “overalls”, and chose the more refined look, “knickers.” He firmly believed that in order to be somebody, one must look like somebody. He dreamed of a life other than farming by aspiring for academic achievement. He graduated from Alabama A & M University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and with plans to pursue a teaching career in counseling and psychology. The day following his graduation from Alabama A & M, he was sworn into the United States Navy where he served his country with dedication during a time when the Armed Forces of the United States of America were segregated and did not know what to do with a “Colored Man” with a college degree. After completing his tour of duty, he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Psychological Services from Columbia University, and an Ed.D in Psychology from Indiana University.
On Monday, March 13, 1950, Brother Atchison was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., through the Eta Nu Lambda Chapter seated in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Atchison began a long and an illustrious career in education, with numerous firsts, including being hired as the first Black male school psychologist in the state of North Carolina. In 1953, Brother Atchison arrived at Tennessee A & I State University where he published a seminal research study, which began in Charlotte, North Carolina. Atchison remained at Tennessee State University for over sixty years advancing through the faculty ranks to the administrative level, and eventually was named Executive Vice President of Development/Foundation.
Upon his arrival in Nashville in 1953, Brother Atchison immediately affiliated with the Tau Lambda Chapter where he became, at age 98, the oldest, active member of the Chapter. Brother Atchison once said, “I believe one must put something into an organization to get something out of it.” He insisted that the chapter do more than dance at the annual Yellow Rose Ball and thus, became the first chairman of the Chapter’s education committee. He was instrumental in the organization of the Tau Lambda Education Foundation, established in 1978, which provided tens of thousands of dollars in full and partial scholarships focusing on making education attainable for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Upon receiving recognition from the Tau Lambda Chapter in 2017 in honor of his 77 years of service, Dr. Atchison remarked, “Don’t ever turn away from your chapter because you are disappointed in the program or activities. You cannot correct or change things when you walk away. You stay to make change. If you think that no one is listening, take action. It takes time for change to take place.”
Brother Calvin O. Atchison was a devoted husband to his beloved wife Amanda, and remained a loyal father, grandfather, a true friend and dedicated brother of Alpha, an educator, and consecrated Christian. He demonstrated in countless ways his dedication to the welfare of others and earned the respect and admiration of people from all walks of life and all ages; and he lived a life of self-sacrifice, always putting others first. The Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., transfers the membership of Bro. Dr. Calvin Oglin Atchison to the higher realm of its Omega Chapter where he may stand in noble peace alongside our other dearly departed brothers.
