Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

National service fraternity founded on the principles of the Boy Scouts of America and opened to women in 1976. Minute books, officer's reports, correspondence, records of service projects, publications, scrapbooks and photographs.

The records of the national service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega (APO), Gamma Pi chapter, document the student organization from its structural roots in 1939 to the present day, and exemplify organizational commitment to the founding principles of leadership, fellowship and service. Since operational policies and procedures are directed by a national Board of Directors, many of the record series contain materials originating from national headquarters. The records are arranged in seven series: Correspondence, Minutes, Service Projects, Scrapbooks and Clippings, Topical, Printed Materials, and Photographs.

Dr. Richard E. Smith is a Black University of Michigan alum, member of the Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, a historically Black fraternity, and an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) who worked to enhance prenatal care for teenage and young mothers. He was also involved in efforts to commemorate the role that Detroit and its institutions played in the Underground Railroad. Includes award information, biographical and genealogical material, correspondence, publications, a scrapbook, and topical files.

The Richard E. Smith papers document Smith's personal and professional activities, particularly his involvement in the Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, professional career as an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), and efforts to commemorate the role that Detroit and its institutions played in the Underground Railroad. Material is dated from 1969-2022 and includes award information, biographical and genealogical material about his family, historical material about St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, correspondence relating to his professional career and activities, publications, an Alpha Phi Alpha scrapbook, and topical files.