Darrell Casteel, a student at Wichita State University, established Lambda Alpha on March 15, 1968.

[1][3][4] In 1968, the society began planning the Lambda Alpha Journal of Man; the first issue was published in January 1969.

[3] The national society was initially run by student members from Wichita State but this resulted in some problems.

[1] Dr. Charles R. Jenkins, the faculty sponsor of Alpha of Pennsylvania, was selected to serve as the society's national executive secretary at that time.

[6] [5] Dr. B. K. Swartz Jr., founder of the Alpha of Indiana chapter at Ball State University, served as national executive secretary from November 5, 1985 to 2011.

Its regalia stole is white with a gold globe and a blue insignia.

[8] Its pen or key is one inch in length and is either of 10 carat white or yellow-gold filled.