OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.
A BRIEF BUT CONSISE HISTORY
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Phi Beta Kappa, the first American College fraternity, was organized on the campus of the College of William and Mary in 1776. Men and women are members of this college honorary scholarship society.
Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities have played a major role in American College life since 1776. Black college fraternities and sororities did not emerge until the early 1900Õs. Unlike their white counterparts, the black groups have remained very active at the graduate level. Since their founding, these groups have played a major role in the cultural, social and civic life of their communities.
The member organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council are:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Howard University, 1908
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Howard University, 1913
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Howard University, 1920
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Butler University, 1922
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Cornell University, 1906
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Indiana University, 1911
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Howard University, 1911
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Howard University, 1914
THE BIRTH OF OMEGA:
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated was founded on Friday November 17, 1911 in Thirkield Hall on the campus of Howard University. It was the first black fraternity to be established on the campus of a predominantly black learning institution. This event occurred in the office of the biology Professor Ernest E. Just, the faculty advisor. From the initials of the Greek phrase "friendship is essential to the soul" the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. The founders, Dr. Ernest E. Just, Bishop Edgar A. Love, Dr. Oscar J. Cooper and Professor Frank Coleman, all believed that a true man exhibited Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift, and that a true man could only be an Omega Man, thus these were adopted as the cardinal principles. A decision was made regarding the design of the pin and emblem, and thus ended the first meeting of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
The next meeting was conducted on November 23, 1911. Edgar A. Love became the first Grand Basileus, Cooper and Coleman were selected Grandkeeper of Records and Grandkeeper of Seals, respectively. Eleven Howard University undergraduate men were selected as charter members.
Alpha Chapter was organized with fourteen charter members on December 15, 1911. Love, Cooper and Coleman were elected the chapterÕs first Basileus, Keeper of Records and Keeper of Seals, respectively.
On March 8, 1912, the previously submitted fraternity constitution was rejected by the Howard University faculty council. The faculty council proposed to accept the Fraternity as a local but not a national organization. The Fraternity refused acceptance as a strictly local organization.
Oscar Cooper became the FraternityÕs Second Grand Basileus in 1912. Cooper authorized the investigation of a proposed chapter at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
Edgar Love was elected as the third Grand Basileus in 1913 and served until 1915. In 1914, Howard University withdrew its opposition and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 28, 1914. Beta Chapter at Lincoln University was chartered in February 1914.
George E. Hall, fourth Grand Basileus had been initiated at Alpha Chapter in 1914. Grand Basileus Hall authorized the establishment of Gamma Chapter in Boston, Massachusetts. However, the chapter was eventually established during the administration of fifth Grand Basileus James C. McMorries.
During the administration of Sixth Grand Basileus Clarence F. Holmes, the FraternityÕs first official hymn "Omega Men Draw Nigh" was written by Otto Bohannon.
Raymond G. Robinson, seventh Grand Basileus established Delta Chapter in Nashville, Tennessee in 1919. Robinson left office in 1920 with a total of ten chapters in operation.
Stanley Douglas served as Editor of the first Oracle published in the spring of 1919.
Harold K. Thomas, eighth Grand Basileus, was elected at the 1920 Nashville Grand Conclave. It was at this Conclave that Carter G. Woodson inspired the establishment of National Achievement Week to promote the study of Negro life and history.
The 1921 Atlanta Grand Conclave brought to an end the first decade of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
INTERNAL GROWTH:
In 1922, Grand Basileus J. Alston Atkins appointed the first District Representatives. Today, there are eleven such officers who are elected annually by the annual district conferences.
In 1922, the office of Vice Grand Basileus was created. The Grand Keeper of Records became the Grand Keeper of Records and Seals, the First Omega Bulletin was published in 1928, Campbell C. Johnson was the Editor.
"Omega Dear" was adopted as the official hymn in 1931. Charles R. Drew, Professor of Surgery, and Mercer Cook, Professor of Languages at Howard University were the composers. Cook wrote the music and first stanza, Drew wrote the last two stanzas.
THE FORTIES:
The Omega "Sweetheart Song" with words and music by Don Q. Pullen was adopted as the official sweetheart song by the 1940 Nashville Grand Conclave.
Founder Ernest E. Just entered Omega Chapter in 1941.
William Hastie resigned as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War in protest against discrimination in the Armed Forces. He was later appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands by President Truman.
In 1949, the first National Headquarters Building at 107 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. was purchased.
H. Carl Moultrie was selected to serve as the first National Executive Secretary.
THE FIFTIES:
In 1949, the scholarship was re-named the Charles R. Drew Memorial Scholarship Fund.
During this era the thrust was social change. Thousands of Omega men in every area of the country were actively involved in the first to eliminate official racial discrimination. An entire book could be written about this phase of OmegaÕs activities.
The 1955 Los Angeles Grand Conclave initiated a program whereby each graduate chapter would purchase a Life membership from the NAACP. Between 1955 and 1959 chapters contributed nearly $40,000 to the NAACP.
THE SIXTIES:
The struggle for social justice shifted into high gear. Brothers were active participants in the "sit-in" and other demonstrations designed to call attention to the plight of Black Americans. Undergraduate brothers were especially involved in the demonstrative aspect of the civil rights struggle.
In 1961, the Washington, D.C. Grand Conclave did an excellent job of highlighting the fifty years of accomplishments by Omega. Brothers attended the 1961 Golden Anniversary Conclave in a record number. Founders Love, Cooper and Coleman were present. Thirteen of twenty-three former Grand Basilei were in attendance. Young brothers had the once in a life time opportunity to mingle with some of the greatest Black men that America had produced.
The golden Anniversary Conclave authorized $140,000-$150,000 for the construction of a new National Headquarters Building in Washington, D.C.
In 1964, the new National Headquarters Building was dedicated. The building was a dream come true and was the first building of its type to be built by a Black fraternity. Founders Love, Cooper and Coleman participated in the ceremonies.
Robert H. Lawrence in 1966 was selected as the first Black man to serve in the Astronauts Program. Lawrence had earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at Ohio State University.
Founder Frank Coleman entered Omega Chapter in 1967.
The 1968 Charlotte Grand Conclave mandated a 1969 Atlanta Constitutional Convention for the revision of the Constitution and By-Laws as well as the Ritual.
THE SEVENTIES:
The newly revised Constitution and By-Laws and the Ritual became effective at the close of the 1970 Pittsburgh Grand Conclave.
H. Carl Moultrie, OmegaÕs only National Executive Secretary, was appointed as a judge to the Superior Court of Washington, D.C. in 1972. MoultrieÕs resignation was accepted with regret. Omega conferred upon Moultrie the title of National Executive Secretary Emeritus.
The Seventies brought more unpleasant news. Founder Oscar J. Cooper entered Omega Chapter in 1972. In 1974 Edgar A. Love, the only surviving founder, entered Omega Chapter.
On November 16, 1975, an impressive granite monument was dedicated to the memory of our four founders. The monument is just a few feet away from Thirkield Hall, the site of OmegaÕs birthplace on the campus of Howard University.
A revived Life-Membership Program resulted in a very large number of new Life Members.
The 1976 Atlanta Grand Conclave was the largest in the history of the Fraternity.
Many new undergraduate chapters were chartered because of the increased enrollment of Black students at previously all white colleges and universities.
"Operation Big Vote" was successful in getting thousands of Black people to vote in the 1976 elections.
The 1979 Denver Grand Conclave made a commitment to contribute a minimum of $250,000 to the United Negro College Fund over the next five years.
THE EIGHTIES AND NINETIES:
In 1981, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity endowed its first Omega Faculty Chair. Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi was the recipient. President W.A. McMillian stated that the Chair would be used to promote the humanities.
The Fraternity completed its $250,000 contribution to the U.N.C.F., an organization under the direction of Chris Edley, and approved a plan to continue the annual gift of $50,000.
The Fraternity accelerated its financial support of the National Urban League. Mr. John Jacobs participated in Grand Conclaves on a regular basis.
The Fraternity increased its support of the NAACP. Many chapters completed their Life-Membership payment and started payment on their Golden Life Heritage Memberships. Ben Hooks, Executive Director of NAACP, became a fixture at Grand Conclaves.
Jesse Jackson, former president of Operation PUSH and founder of the Rainbow Coalition, attended Grand Conclaves on a regular basis and received support for his organization as well as for his 1984 campaign for the presidency of the United States.
The Seventy-fifth Anniversary Grand Conclave celebration was deemed the single most significant event on OmegaÕs horizon. The dates selected were July 25-August 1, 1986 in Washington, D. C., the city of OmegaÕs birth. It was the largest Conclave ever.
Grand Basileus Moses C. Norman, Sr., elected at the 1984 Louisville Grand Conclave, appointed a committee to review the structure and operations of the fraternity as a means of finance focus. In 1984, John S. Epps was selected as only the fifth Omega Man to wear the title of Executive Secretary. In 1990, the title was changed to Executive Director.
Two revised methods of bringing members into the fraternity were approved by the organization. Pledging was abolished and the new Membership Selection and Education Program came into being on August 1, 1985. In April 1991, the new Membership Intake Program was implemented.
Initial plans were begun for the writing of an updated history of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. H. Carl Moultrie, Executive Secretary Emetrius and Ronald E. McNair, noted Astronaut, entered Omega Chapter. Don Q. Pullen and W. Mercer Cook also entered Omega Chapter.
In the 1980Õs and again in the 1990Õs, the Fraternity reaffirmed its policy against the use of a canine (dog) reference in association with the organization. The Fraternity looks with disfavor upon members who violate this policy by wearing paraphernalia with a canine image. Further, it forbids the wearing of any such paraphernalia at its meetings and advises non-members that persons so attired or who make such references do represent the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in their actions.
Omega continued to flourish, largely because Founders Love, Cooper, Coleman and Just were men of the very highest ideals and intellect. The Founders selected and attracted men of similar ideals and characteristics.
It is not by accident that many of AmericaÕs great Black men are/were Omega Men. To this date, there are very few AmericanÕs whose lives have not been touched by a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
