It was a once-in-a-life-time opportunity for young brothers to mingle with some of the greatest black men that America had produced. Thirteen of 23 former Grand Basilei also attended this historic gathering. Founders - Love, Cooper, and Coleman were present. Grand Conclave highlighted Omega’s first 50 years of accomplishments. Moreover, undergraduate brothers especially were involved in the demonstrative aspect of the civil rights struggle. Brothers were active participants in the “sit-ins” and other civil rights demonstrations. The struggle for social justice shifted into high gear. Just became a world-renowned biologist and a recipient of the prestige NAACP Spingarn Medal. Cook wrote the music and first stanza Drew wrote the last two stanzas.Įach of the founders graduated and went on to have distinguished careers in their chosen fields: Edgar Love became a Methodist bishop Oscar Cooper practiced medicine in Philadelphia for over 50 years Frank Coleman became the chairman of the Department of Physics at Howard University and Dr. Drew, professor of surgery, and Mercer Cook, professor of languages, both members of the Howard faculty, were the composers. “Omega Dear,” was adopted as the official hymn in 1931. The first Omega Bulletin was published in 1928 and Campbell C. 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 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 to 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. 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. Robinson, the seventh Grand Basileus, established Delta Chapter in Nashville, Tennessee in 1919. Stanley Douglas served as editor to the first Oracle published in the spring of 1919. It was under his leadership that 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.Ĭlarence F. Omega Psi Phi was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 28, 1914. As a result, the fraternity operated without official sanction, until the university withdrew its opposition in 1914, the same year that the 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 only accept local recognition. Love was elected as the third Grand Basileus in 1912 and served until 1915.

Love, Cooper and Coleman were elected the chapter’s first Basileus, Keeper of Records, and Keeper of Seals, respectively.Ĭooper became the fraternity’s second Grand Basileus in 1912 and authorized the investigation of a proposed second chapter at Lincoln University, Penn. Eleven Howard University undergraduate men were selected to be the charter members.Īlpha Chapter was organized with fourteen charter members on December 15, 1911. Cooper and Coleman were selected to be the Grand Keeper of the Records (National Secretary) and Grand Keeper of Seals (National Treasurer), respectively. On Novemin Thirkield Hall, Love became the first Grand Basileus (National President). Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift were adopted as Cardinal Principles. Ernest Everett Just.įrom the initials of the Greek phrase meaning, “friendship is essential to the soul,” the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. Joining them was their faculty adviser, Dr. The founders were three Howard University undergraduates, - Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman. Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. is the first international fraternal organization to be founded on the campus of a historically black college.

Non black omega psi phi members