Fred Suggs was born into a working-class family in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended public schools and was involved in the Capitol Heights Methodist Church, where many of the older teens he looked up to attended Auburn University and joined Lambda Chi Alpha. Fred was invited to several Lambda Chi rush parties in high school and formed a positive impression of the fraternity at Auburn.

When Fred went to college at Kansas State University, he was already inclined to become a Lambda Chi himself, saying, "I was predisposed to consider Lambda Chi Alpha, and I'm glad I did." He ended up pledging in the fall of 1966, quickly taking leadership roles, first as High Beta (Vice President) and eventually, High Alpha (President). For Fred, these were formative experiences in understanding leadership.

After graduating, Fred's Lambda Chi journey continued. He served on the fraternity's Board of Directors (Grand High Zeta) from 1981 through 2001, eventually being elected as Grand High Alpha (Chair).

Professionally, Fred feels Lambda Chi helped prepare him for leadership roles within the legal field as well, including chairing professional committees for the South Carolina Bar and serving as the Bar's President. Fred credits Lambda Chi with teaching him teamwork and how to collaborate effectively towards shared goals. These skills have been invaluable in his law practice working with colleagues, staff, and clients.

Grateful for all that Lambda Chi added to his life, Fred wants to give back. Through a planned gift to the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation, he hopes to "pay back" his own positive fraternal experiences and "pay forward" the opportunity for future generations of members to benefit as well.

Although modest about his legacy, Fred aspires to live up to Lambda Chi's ideals and mottoes. After a lifetime guided by the fraternity's teachings, he wants to pass those lessons on for others to carry forward.