Omega Psi Phi becomes the first black Greek organization to span its membership across the United States - from the Atlantic (Iota in Atlantic City) to the Pacific (Lambda in Los Angeles). In 1923, Lambda Chapter affectionately referred to as “the pearl of the west coast,” was organized at the University of Southern California. The Grand Keeper of Records became the Grand Keeper of the Records and Seal. Today, there are eleven such officers who are elected annually at district meetings.Īlso in 1922, the office of Vice Grand Basileus was created. Alston Atkins, the 9th Grand Basileus, appointed the first district representatives. Omega built a strong and effective force of men dedicated to its cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift. The Atlanta Grand Conclave in 1921 brought an end the fraternity’s first decade. Woodson inspired the establishment of National Achievement Week to promote the study of Negro life and history. Thomas, the eighth Grand Basileus, was elected at the Nashville Grand Conclave in 1920.ĭuring this Conclave, Carter G. When Robinson left office in 1920 there were ten chapters in operation. Stanley Douglas served as Editor of the Oracle which was first published in the spring of 1919. Robinson, the seventh Grand Basileus, established Delta chapter on the campus of Meharry Medical School which is located in Nashville, Tennessee. Stanley Douglas served as editor to the first Oracle which was published in the spring of 1919. A year later in 1918, retired Colonel Charles Young, rode 500 miles on horseback, from Wilberforce, Ohio, to the nation's capital, to show he was always fit for duty. Johnson, John Purnell and founders Frank Coleman and Edgar A. Omega played a vital role when the United States entered World War I in 1917 by having several brothers in the first class of black soldiers graduate from Camp Fort Des Moines, a military training facility located in Iowa. Under his leadership, the fraternity’s first official hymn, "Omega Men Draw Nigh," was written by Otto Bohannon. Holmes served as Omega’s sixth Grand Basileus. Hall, the fourth Grand Basileus, authorized the establishment of Gamma chapter in Boston.īrother Clarence F. Omega Psi Phi was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 28, 1914.īrother George E. As a result, the fraternity operated without official sanction, until the university withdrew its opposition in 1914, the same year Beta chapter was chartered at Lincoln University. In 1912, Howard University officials did not initially recognize the fraternity as a national organization and Omega Psi Phi’s leadership refused to accept limited recognition. Cooper, and Frank Coleman were elected the chapter’s first Basileus, Keeper of Records, and Keeper of Seals, respectively.īrother Cooper became the fraternity’s second Grand Basileus in 1912 and authorized the investigation of establishing a second chapter on the campus of Lincoln University located in Pennsylvania.īrother Love was elected as the third Grand Basileus in 1912 and served until 1915. The Alpha chapter was organized with fourteen charter members on December 15, 1911. Eleven undergraduate men were selected to become the charter members. Cooper and Frank Coleman were selected to be the Grand Keeper of the Records (National Secretary) and Grand Keeper of Seals (National Treasurer), respectively. Love became the first Grand Basileus (National President). Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift were adopted as Cardinal Principles. "friendship is essential to the soul," the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. Joining them was their faculty adviser, Ernest Everett Just. The founders were three undergraduates - Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman. Thirkield Hall) at Howard University located in Washington, D.C. is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college. HISTORY OF OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.
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