Brief History
Early in the year of 1935, a group of independent, aggressive college men sensed a need for a new fraternity at Drexel Institute.
This need was primarily motivated by an increasing enrollment of men students, but certain fraternities added impetus to the cause.  Alpha Pi Lambda’s first Anniversary Ball, 1936
The group worked diligently toward the creation of a new fraternity. Finally, on the night of March 3, 1935, their dreams materialized - a new fraternity dedicated to eliminate all prejudices and develop character in its members was born. The organization was called the Alpha Pi Lambda.
Alpha Pi Lambda has come of age. Few local fraternities have lasted more than ten years, however, the men of Alpha Pi Lambda proved they could not only perpetuate the fraternity, but continually place it in a position of leadership.
In March 2005, we celebrated Alpha Pi Lambda’s seventieth anniversary. This was a dubious milestone in our history. We celebrated our history and all of our success but also reaffirmed our faith in Drexel University and Alpha Pi Lambda fraternity. We are looking forward to fresh new start and adding another seventy years to our history.
In May 2006, Alpha Pi Lambda was officially reinstated and once again recognized at Drexel University. Since reinstatement, the Fraternity has seen steady growth and success in all aspects of fraternalism. What Does it mean to be Local?
One of the most prevalent questions on the minds of men rushing Alpha Pi Lambda arises from the national vs. local argument. Alpha Pi Lambda has remained a local Fraternity by choice. Several times during its history, the Fraternity has received invitations to join well known national Fraternities. It has not just been sentiment and tradition which has prompted our men to take the present course. Perhaps the most important advantage enjoyed by the local Fraternity is that the finances of the Fraternity may be geared to benefit the particular chapter. As members of a non-affiliated organization, the men of Alpha Pi Lambda are not subject to any rules or regulations not of their own making. Our officers, thus, have a greater opportunity to use imagination and initiative to benefit our house. This freedom and opportunity cannot be enjoyed without added responsibility.  It can be said that not having strong ties on other campuses has never hindered our men. All Fraternity men feel a communal bond whether they belong to a national organization or a local, such as Alpha Pi Lambda. This bond will be evidenced by the hospitality that you will receive when visiting fraternities at other schools. In view of the points mentioned here, it is easy to see why Alpha Pi Lambda enjoys its present stature as Drexel University’s one and only local fraternity. The “Castle on the Corner” The Alpha Pi Lambda house is a spacious mansion built by the late William Poth in 1887. Located at 216 North 33rd street, the mansion has been our home since 1939.
A four story house containing 16 bedrooms, the Alpha Pi Lambda house is the largest fraternity house on campus. Powelton was one of the earliest settlements in West Philadelphia. Many of the houses were built in the 1850's in the Italian age style, including several designed by Samuel Sloan. After the Centennial Exposition, the area attracted wealthy homeowners, such as Frederick A. Poth, a brewer, for whom this house was built.
The design reflects the High Victorian love of rich colors and details and the visual prominence wealthy industrialists sought for their homes. The walls have semicircular and polygonal bays and towers of red brick and brownstone trim in a variety of textures. A large porch, with delicate wood detailing sweeps dramatically across two sides of the house.  
From 1947 to the early 1950's, Alpha Pi Lambda grew in stature and prestige as an established brotherhood. Alpha Pi Lambda became the social center of the campus. The basement, the bathrooms, the basketball court, the dining room and many other parts of the physical plant were renovated, making the Alpha Pi Lambda house the pride of the Drexel Fraternities. It is a self-evident fact that we possess the finest physical plant of any Fraternity in the Philadelphia area.
After an aggressive and very successful Capitol Improvements Campaign spearheaded by the Alumni Corporation, the Pi house reopened in Fall 2008 with over $500,000 worth of renovations being done. Currently, the brothers enjoy living in such a luxorious home on a college campus.
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