The Lambda Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Omega was chartered May 8,1953 on the campus of East Tennessee State University. The Lambda Alpha chapter became inactive in 1980 due to the lack of members. Bob Tauscher was the last active president of the Lambda Alpha chapter.

     During the years between 1988-90 Dr.William Bridgforth contacted the National office to try and get the Lambda Alpha chapter rechartered. Dr. Bridgforth was affiliated with the local scout district and was also a faculty member at the Quillen College of Medicine. An interest group was created in the fall of 1991.

     An informational meeting was held in a restaurant in Johnson City. The meeting was attended by Dr. William Bridgeforth, Charles McGrew(a brother from the Alpha Phi Omega chapter at Western Kentucky), Greg Whitfield(Section 68 chair), and Julie Whitfield. Another meeting was held for students on the campus of East Tennessee State University soon after that.

     A petitioning ceremony was held on Sunday, November 24. The petitioning group created a staff with Julie Whitfield as president, Spring Weaver as VP of service, Lynne Gotterbarn as VP of membership, Melissa Curtis as Treasurer, and Donna Horton as Secretary. The group began working on requirements. They held several rushes, spread information by word of mouth, put flyers and recruited interested friends. They also attended many conferences and held a chapter planning workshop. Many service projects were held such as Special Olympics, working with the American Red Cross, working with the Boy Scouts and a Halloween party with the campus daycare. After all of the hard work and dedication the Lambda Alpha chapter got their charter back on April 25, 1992.

In the fall of 1993, Lynne Gotterbarn served as the first president of the chapter after rechartering. Lambda Alpha had their first pledge class and inducted four new pledges.