Since 1968, 255 Lambda Alpha chapters have been established nationally.  From modest beginnings Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society was founded on March 15, 1968 at Wichita State University by student Darrell Casteel.   Dr. Lowell D. Holmes became the first faculty sponsor for Alpha of Kansas at Wichita State.

Dr. Charles R. Jenkins was faculty sponsor for Alpha of Pennsylvania, established in 1969 at Alliance College.  He proposed that the position of National Executive Secretary be created by the organization.  Dr. Jenkins was appointed to this position in November  1973.  The Lambda Alpha National Executive Council was also created at this time.

Dr. B. K. Swartz, Jr. established Alpha of Indiana at Ball State University in June 1968 and remained faculty sponsor until his retirement in 2001.  He also served as National Executive Secretary from November 1985, when he joined the National Executive Council, to 2011.  Between 1985 and 2017, the Lambda Alpha National Office was hosted by Ball State University.  Dr. Swartz was assisted in managing the Lambda Alpha National Office at Ball State University by Mrs. Barbara Di Fabio, Administrative Coordinator, from  1997 to 2017.  Dr. Mark D. Groover joined the National Executive Council in November 2010, and was appointed National Executive Secretary by the council in early 2012.