Greek Lettered Organization History
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 1900's. 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:
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Howard University, 1913
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Howard University, 1911
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Howard University, 1914
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Cornell University, 1906
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Howard University, 1908
Iota Phi Theta Fraternty, Morgan State University, 1963
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Howard University, 1920
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Butler University, 1922
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Indiana University, 1911
A BRIEF HISTORY
THE BIRTH OF OMEGA
On Friday evening, November 17, 1911, three Howard University undergraduate students, with the assistance of their
faculty adviser, gave birth to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. This event occurred in the office of biology Professor Ernest E. Just,
the faculty adviser, in the Science Hall (now known as Thirkield Hall). The three liberal arts students were Edgar A. Love,
Oscar J. Cooper and FrankColeman. From the initials of the Greek phrase meaning "friendship is essentialto the soul," the
name Omega Psi Phi was derived. The phrase was selected as the motto. Manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift
were adopted as cardinal principles. A decision was made regarding the design for the pin and emblem, and thus ended the
first meeting of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The next meeting was conducted on November 23, 1911. EdgarLove
became the first Grand Basileus (National President). Cooper and Coleman were selected Grandkeeper of the Records
(National Secretary) and Grandkeeper of Seals (National Treasurer), 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 chapter's 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 fraternity's second Grand Basileus in 1912. Cooper
authorized the investigation of a proposed second chapter at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. Edgar Love was elected as the
third Grand Basileus in 1912 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, the 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 the fifth Grand Basileus, James C. McMorries.
During the administration of the sixth Grand Basileus, Clarence F. Holmes, the fraternity's first official hymn, "Omega Men
Draw Nigh", was written by Otto Bohannon. Raymond G. Robinson, the 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, the 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 district conferences/meetings. In 1922, the office of Vice Grand Basileus was created.
The Grand Keeper of Records became the Grand Keeper of the Records and Seal. The first Omega Bulletin was published in
1928. Campbell C. Johnson was the Editor. "Omega Dear" was adopted as the official hymn in 1931. Two faculty from
Howard University, Charles R. Drew, Professor of Surgery, and Mercer Cook, Professor of Languages, 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.
In 1941, Dr. Charles Drew perfected the use of blood plasma as a life saving tool.
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, I was selected to serve as the first National Executive Secretary.
In 1949, the scholarship fund was renamed the Charles R. Drew Memorial Scholarship Fund.
THE FIFTIES
During this era, the thrust was social change. Thousands of Omega men in every area of the country were actively involved
in the fight to eliminate racial discrimination. An entire book could be written about this phase of Omega 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.
In the fifties, Omega Psi Phi took an official position against hazing as a fraternity activity. This anti-hazing position remains
in effect today, and the policy banning hazing has been strengthened.
THE SIXTIES
The struggle for social justice shifted into high gear. Brothers were active participants in the "sit-ins" and other demonstrations
designed to call attention to the plight of black Americans. Undergraduate brothers especially were 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 record
numbers. 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. The name was later changed to the International Headquarters. It is
located at 2714 Georgia Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001.
Robert H. Lawrence (in 1966) was selected as the first Black to serve in the Astronaut Program. Lawrence had earned a
Ph.D. Degree in chemistry at Ohio State University. Founder Frank Coleman entered Omega Chapter in 1967.
The 1968 Charlotte Grand Conclave mandated a Constitutional Convention for the revision of the Constitution andBy-Laws
as well as the Ritual. The Convention was held in Atlanta in 1969.
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 I, Omega's only National Executive Secretary to this point, was appointed as a judge to the
Superior Court of Washington, D.C., in 1972. Moultrie's resignation was accepted with regrets. Omega conferred upon
Moultrie the title of National Executive Secretary Emeritus which was later changed to 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 the four founders. The monument is just a few feet away from Thirkield Hall, the site of
Omega's birth place on the Howard University Campus. 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 up to that point in time.
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 election. Many Omegas were active participants. The 1979 Denver Grand Conclave made a commitment to contribute
a minimum of 250,000 dollars 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, Holly Springs, Mississippi, was
the recipient. President W.A. McMillan stated that the Chair would be used to promote the humanities. The fraternity
completed its 250,000 dollars contribution to the United Negro College Fund, an organization under the direction of
Christopher Edley, and approved a plan to continue the annual gift of 50,000 dollars to that organization in perpetuity.
The fraternity accelerated its financial support to the National Urban League. Mr. John Jacobs, Executive Director of the
Urban League, participated in Grand Conclaves on a regular basis. Jesse Jackson, former president of Operation PUSH and
founder of the Rainbow Coalition, attended Grand Conclaves on a regular basis and received support for these organizations
as well as for his 1984 and 1988 campaigns for the presidency of the United States. The Seventy-fifth Anniversary Grand
Conclave celebration was deemed the single most significant event on Omega's horizon. The dates selected were July 25-
August 1, 1986 in Washington, D.C., the city of Omega's 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 future 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, I, Executive Secretary Emeritus and Ronald E. McNair, noted Astronaut, entered Omega Chapter. Don Q. Pullen
and W. Mercer Cook also entered Omega Chapter. In the 1980s and again in the 1990s, 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 not 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 America's great black men are/were Omega Men. To this date, there are
very few Americans whose lives have not been touched by a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
Omega has a rich heritage to be protected, celebrated and enhanced!
