One of Vertner Woodson Tandy's crowning achievements at a young age would be first of all getting into Cornell University one of the top schools in the country. After he transferred to Cornell University a predominantly white school, it was hard to initially become acclimated with other African Americans. He along with the six other men pictured above felt the need to try and help African Americans at the school come together to form a society just for them. They first formed a study club for African Americans so that they could in a way bond

 

This society went on to become a fraternal organization. In turn Tandy along with the six other men pictured above became the seven founders or "Jewels" of Alpha Phi Alpha. It was the first ever african american fraternity founded. The fraternity was founded upon the aims: Mandly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for all Mankind. He went on to become the first treasurer of the fraternity  and create the fraternity pin and become a founder of other chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha once it expanded.