Honoring a Living Legacy: Brother Isaac Warnick (71 yrs in the Fraternity)

Brother Isaac Warnick was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on April 28, 1955, through the Delta Pi Chapter at Cheyney University, Pennsylvania. Born in July 1933, Brother Warnick remains a vibrant and inspiring presence in the fraternity nearly seven decades later. At the most recent Pennsylvania Area of Alpha Chapters (PAAC) District Conference, Brother Warnick received a resounding round of applause from his fellow brothers—an acknowledgment of his unwavering commitment to the fraternity and to the generations of Alpha men who follow in his footsteps.



Despite his age, Brother Warnick’s energy and dedication are unmatched. He is a regular attendee at Sigma Mu Lambda Chapter meetings, a familiar face at church alongside his beloved wife, Mrs. Olivia Warnick, and an active participant in community service initiatives. Chapter President Brother Kewin Gales shared, “It’s a pleasure to see Brother Warnick at chapter meetings and out in the community with us. He’s outperforming some of our younger tenured Alphas by leaps and bounds.”


Brother Warnick credits his continued mobility and engagement to the support of his close friend and fraternity brother, Brother Fred Wright, Jr. “I’m at the age where I no longer drive,” he says, “but I thank God for placing the right folks around me—people who help my wife and me get where we need to go with ease.”


(Pictured with: ERVP Brother. Rasheen Smith Brother Isaac Warnick, PAAC District Director Dr. Brother Leonard Wakefield)

Reflections from Delta Pi

Brother Warnick fondly recalls his formative years at Cheyney University during the height of the civil rights movement—a time of both challenge and transformation. As the nation’s oldest historically Black college or university (HBCU), founded in 1837, Cheyney served as a beacon of hope and empowerment for African Americans seeking access to education in an era of segregation and systemic racism.

During his tenure as an educator in Wilmington, DE, Brother Warnick—alongside James Shaw, Steven Garner, Roberta Purnsley, and several building representatives—helped draft the first collective bargaining contracts for teachers, secretaries, and paraprofessionals in the state of Delaware. His leadership extended even further when he was elected one of twenty national vice presidents of the American Federation of Teachers, a role that took him across the country organizing and advocating for professionals in these fields.

Greek-letter organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha, played a pivotal role in campus life. Students organized voter registration drives, educational forums, and community service projects—efforts that echo the fraternity’s enduring mission today. There are unmistakable parallels between the challenges of today and those experienced during the 1950s and 1960s. At Sigma Mu Lambda, we hold firmly to the belief that no brother’s “A” or “Alpha” is greater than another’s, and that the true measure of our bond lies not in what Alpha can do for us, but in what can we contribute and do for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Brother Warnick embodies this principle wholeheartedly. At every event he attends and every conference he participates in, he consistently demonstrates humility, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to being a model that others can and should mimic in their senior years.

Brother Fred Wright who is a friend and Alpha Brother of Brother Warnick reflected on his influence: “I cannot express in words the countless ways Brother Warnick has been a role model and inspiration to me. Despite humble beginnings, he is a very present example of persistence and determination, and strong willpower to always learn lessons from struggles and setbacks. A quote from Colin Powell comes to mind: ‘There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.’”

Brother Warnick’s life and legacy are a testament to the power of perseverance, brotherhood, and service. His story continues to inspire, reminding us that age is no barrier to impact—and that the spirit of Alpha lives on through those who embody its values every day.

Onward and upward.