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ABOUT US

Birth of Omega

On Friday evening, November 17, 1911, three Howard University undergraduate students, with the assistance of their faculty advisor, gave birth to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. This event occurred in the office of biology professor Ernest E. Just, the faculty advisor. The three liberal arts students were Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper, and Frank Coleman. 


From the initials of the Greek phrase meaning “Friendship is essential to 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. Edgar A. Love became the first Grand Basileus (National President). Cooper and Coleman were selected as Grand Keeper of Records (National Secretary) and Grand Keeper of Seals (National Treasurer), respectively. Eleven Howard University undergraduate men were selected as charter members.

MIGHTY MIGHTY CHI THETA

CHARTERED: August 1, 1970 on Florida State University Campus as the first Black Greek Letter Organization on a predominantly white institution in the southeast region of the United States.

NATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE CHAPTER OF THE YEAR:

- 2002

- 2003

- 2004

FLORIDA UNDERGRADUATE CHAPTER OF THE YEAR:

- 2008

- 2020

FLORIDA UNDERGRADUATE SOCIAL ACTION CHAPTER OF THE YEAR:

- 2020

NATIONAL MARCHDOWN CHAMPION:

- 2008

DISTRICT MARCHDOWN CHAMPION:

- 2018

FSU BSU PRESIDENTS: 

- Fred Flowers (1969)

- Everett Raines (1970-1971)

- Lance Williams (1983-1984)

- Derek Sands Jr. (1987-1988)

- Carl Solomon (1988-1989)

- Benjamin Crump (Two Terms, 1989-1991)

- Ahli Moore (1992-1993)

- Pedro Gassant (2007-2008)

- Cornelius Troy (2008-2009)

- Adrian Williams (2010-2011)

FOUNDERS

Dr. Ernest Everett Just: 

• August 14, 1883 – October 27, 1941

• Born in Charleston, South Carolina

• African American Biologist and Educator

• Attended Industrial School of State College, Orangeburg, South Carolina

• Attended Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, New Hampshire, Graduated 1903

• Bachelor of Arts, Dartmouth College, Graduated 1907, Magna Cum Laude (Phi Beta Kappa)

• Doctor of Philosophy Degree, University of Chicago, 1916

• 1st Honorary Member, February 28, 1912

• 1st recipient NAACP Spingarn Medal, February 12, 1915

• 19th Honoree US Postal Service Black Heritage Stamp Series, February 1, 1996

• Buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Maryland


Bishop Edgar Amos Love:

• September 10, 1891 – May 1, 1974 

• Born in Harrisburg, Virginia

• Attended Academy of Morgan College, Graduated 1909

• 1st Grand Basileus, Elected November 23, 1911

• 3rd Grand Basileus, Served from 1912-1915

• Received Bachelor of Arts, Howard 1913, Cum Laude

• Received Bachelor of Divinity, Howard 1916

• Received Bachelor of Sacred Theology, Boston University 1918

• Received Honorary Doctor of Divinity, Morgan College 1935

• Died in Baltimore, Maryland


Dr. Oscar James Cooper:

• May 20, 1888 – October 11, 1972

• Born in Washington, D.C.

• Attended M Street High School, D.C., 1909 (now known as Dunbar Highschool)

• Received Bachelor of Science, Howard 1913

• Received Doctor of Medicine, Howard 1917

• Practiced Medicine over 50 years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• 1st Grand Keeper of Records, Elected November 23, 1911

• 2nd Grand Basileus, 1912

• He was 84 years old when he died


Professor Frank Charles Coleman:

• July 11, 1890 – February 24, 1967

• Born in Washington, D.C.

• M Street High School, D.C., 1909

• Received Bachelor of Science, Howard 1913

• Received Master of Science, University of Chicago

• Wife: Edna Brown Coleman

• Died of heart failure

OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC. BASIC INFORMATION

Founded: November 17, 1911, Friday evening.

Incorporated: October 28, 1914

Colors: Royal Purple, Old Gold

Flower: White Chrysantheum

Symbol: Lamp

Publications: The Oracle, The Bulletin

Official Hymn: Omega Dear

MANDATED PROGRAMS

ACHIEVEMENT WEEK - Originally designed to promote the study of Negro life and history. Achievement Week is observed in November of each year and is designed to seek out and give due recognition to those individuals at the local and international levels who have made a noteworthy contribution toward improving the quality of life for black Americans. A High School Essay Contest is to be held in conjunction with Achievement Week. This contest is open to all college-bound high school seniors. College scholarships are awarded to the winners, each of whom must submit an essay on a theme/topic chosen by the fraternity. This contest is a phase of the International Achievement Week observance.


SCHOLARSHIP - The Scholarship Program is intended to promote academic excellence among the undergraduate members. Graduate chapters are expected to provide financial assistance to student members and non-members. A portion of the fraternity’s international budget is allocated to scholarships through the Charles R. Drew Scholarship Commission.


SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAMS - All levels of the fraternity are expected to facilitate, participate and coordinate activities that will uplift their communities. An international committee will coordinate the multifaceted programs of the various chapters. Some of the activities under the umbrella of social action include, but are not limited to: voter registration, education and “getting out the vote”; Assault on Illiteracy; Habitat for Humanity; volunteering time to charities and less fortunate individuals; mentoring; and participation in fundraisers for charities such as American Diabetes Association, United Way, Sickle Cell Anemia, etc.


TALENT HUNT PROGRAM - This program provides exposure, encouragement and financial assistance to talented young people participating in the Performing Arts. Winners of the competition are awarded recognition for their talents. Awards may include college scholarships.

MEMORIAL SERVICE - March 12th of each year has been established as Memorial Day. Chapters are expected to conduct an appropriate service to recall the memory of those members who have entered into Omega Chapter.

RECLAMATION AND RETENTION - A concerted effort at the international, district and local levels to retain active brothers and return inactive brothers to full participatory status so that they may enjoy the full benefits of Omega.


COLLEGE ENDOWMENT FUND - Each year the fraternity gives at least $50,000.00 to Historically Black College Institutions (HBCU) in furtherance of Omega’s commitment to provide philanthropic support. Chapters are assessed donations based on chapter size.


HEALTH INITIATIVES - All levels of the fraternity are expected to facilitate, participate and/or coordinate activities that will uplift their communities by promoting good health practices. An international committee will coordinate and facilitate multifaceted programs of the various chapters, districts, etc. It is anticipated that all local chapters will execute the health directives at the local level. Some of the programs under the umbrella of Health Initiatives are the Charles Drew Blood Drive (normally held in June), AIDS/HIV Awareness, and the American Diabetes Association Partnership. This does not prevent the local chapters from performing additional health initiatives under the umbrella of the Health Initiatives mandate.


VOTER REGISTRATION, EDUCATION AND MOBILIZATION - All levels of the fraternity are expected to facilitate, participate and/or coordinate activities that will uplift their communities through the power of the vote. An international committee will coordinate and facilitate multifaceted programs of the various chapters, districts, etc. It is anticipated that all local chapters will execute the directives at the local level. This does not prevent the local chapters from performing additional voter initiatives under the umbrella of the Voter Education, Registration and Mobilization mandate.


NAACP - Every district and chapter of the fraternity is required to maintain a Life Membership at Large in the NAACP. In the event that a chapter or district is not a life member of the NAACP, it must maintain a yearly membership to be in could standing with the fraternity. Furthermore, all members of the fraternity are strongly encouraged to become members of the NAACP.

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