Omega Psi Phi History
When Was Omega Psi Phi Founded?
November 17, 1911 at Howard University (Thirkield Hall) formerly known as "Science Hall"
Who are the Founding Fathers of Omega Psi Phi
Dr. Ernest Everett Just (1883-1941)
Professor Frank Coleman (1890-1967)
Dr. Oscar James Cooper (1888-1972)
Bishop Edgar Amos Love (1891-1974)
Why was the Science Hall changed to Thirkield Hall
In 1907, Howard's President Wilbur P. Thirkield, who recognized the growing importance of science in
education, was able to convince the Federal Government to appropriate $90,000 for a new science hall,
and the building was dedicated in 1910.
Members Vs Men
Members Versus Men
Bro. Walter H. Mazyck
The Greek Letter Societies among our group appear to have entered into a period of mad competition
for obtaining members. Pledges are increasing in numbers. Scarcely a student on the college campus but
wears a pledge pin or a frat pin. Are the fraternities forgetting their original high standards? Can it be
said that every man who enters college is of Fraternity material? If in any place, Omega has entered this
mad race for members, pause and consider.
The value of our Fraternity is not in numbers, but in men, in real brotherhood.
,Eight men thoroughly immersed in the true Omega spirit are far greater assets than eighty with
lukewarm enthusiasm.
What is the Omega Psi Phi motto"
"Friendship Is Essential to the Soul"
What are the Cardinal Principals of Omega Psi Phi?
Manhood
Scholarship
Perserverance
Uplift
When was Omega Psi Phi Incoporated?
Omega Psi Phi was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 28, 1914.
When was Alpha Chapter Formed?
Alpha chapter was organized with fourteen charter members on December 15, 1911. Brothers Edgar A.
Love, Oscar J. Cooper and Frank Coleman were elected the chapter first Basileus, Keeper of Records, and
Keeper of Seals, respectively.
Who was the First Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi?
Bishop Edgar Amos Love - November 23, 1911
Dr. Oscar James Cooper as Grand Keeper of Records (Grand Keeper of Records and Seals or Grand KRS)
,Professor Frank Coleman as Grand Keeper of Seals (Grand Keeper of Finance or Grand KF).
Recite "Invictus"
Invictus
By William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
, First Honorary Member of Omega Psi Phi
Dr. Ernest Everett Just (1883-1941)
Who is the Epsilon Tau Chapter Current Basileus?
David A. Louis, PhD
Who is the First Lady an the only woman member of Omega Psi Phi?
Lottie B. Wilson (Mr's Charlotte T. Wilson)
Lottie Wilson - Mrs. Charlotte T. Wilson (Only Woman Omega Member) taken from the 1961 Oracle
Lincoln University, Pa.
Beta Chapter aka First Stepping Stone of Omega's Expansion
In a big hotel structure on Lincoln University, Maple Avenue, lives a Woman whose life is vital not only
to Omega Psi Phi, but especially to the history of Beta chapter, the second of Omega's birth. Meeting
this great lady is an experience within itself. You see a rather small, gray haired lady, with sparkling eyes
and a radiant countenance.
Logic tells you that this lady is far up in years, because she's been a part of Lincoln since 1901. Yet she is
so young in spirit, in thought, and in action. She has lost none of her zest for living and when shaking her
hand, you are astonished at the firmness with which she meets your grip. This woman's life symbolizes
all lives that have been given to the service of mankind. Hers has been a life of service to the men of
Omega Psi Phi, Beta chapter. After Alpha chapter was founded at Howard University in 1911, the
founders decided that the second chapter of the fraternity should be located at Lincoln University, Pa.
When Founder Love visited Lincoln University in 1914, he was told by the faculty that they would not
give recognition to a chapter of Omega Psi Phi on this campus. Founder Love and those interested
Lincoln men left the faculty meeting full of sadness. Thus begins Lottie Wilson's part in Omega Psi Phi,
Beta chapter. As the dejected men were on their way to see Founder Love board the train back to
When Was Omega Psi Phi Founded?
November 17, 1911 at Howard University (Thirkield Hall) formerly known as "Science Hall"
Who are the Founding Fathers of Omega Psi Phi
Dr. Ernest Everett Just (1883-1941)
Professor Frank Coleman (1890-1967)
Dr. Oscar James Cooper (1888-1972)
Bishop Edgar Amos Love (1891-1974)
Why was the Science Hall changed to Thirkield Hall
In 1907, Howard's President Wilbur P. Thirkield, who recognized the growing importance of science in
education, was able to convince the Federal Government to appropriate $90,000 for a new science hall,
and the building was dedicated in 1910.
Members Vs Men
Members Versus Men
Bro. Walter H. Mazyck
The Greek Letter Societies among our group appear to have entered into a period of mad competition
for obtaining members. Pledges are increasing in numbers. Scarcely a student on the college campus but
wears a pledge pin or a frat pin. Are the fraternities forgetting their original high standards? Can it be
said that every man who enters college is of Fraternity material? If in any place, Omega has entered this
mad race for members, pause and consider.
The value of our Fraternity is not in numbers, but in men, in real brotherhood.
,Eight men thoroughly immersed in the true Omega spirit are far greater assets than eighty with
lukewarm enthusiasm.
What is the Omega Psi Phi motto"
"Friendship Is Essential to the Soul"
What are the Cardinal Principals of Omega Psi Phi?
Manhood
Scholarship
Perserverance
Uplift
When was Omega Psi Phi Incoporated?
Omega Psi Phi was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 28, 1914.
When was Alpha Chapter Formed?
Alpha chapter was organized with fourteen charter members on December 15, 1911. Brothers Edgar A.
Love, Oscar J. Cooper and Frank Coleman were elected the chapter first Basileus, Keeper of Records, and
Keeper of Seals, respectively.
Who was the First Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi?
Bishop Edgar Amos Love - November 23, 1911
Dr. Oscar James Cooper as Grand Keeper of Records (Grand Keeper of Records and Seals or Grand KRS)
,Professor Frank Coleman as Grand Keeper of Seals (Grand Keeper of Finance or Grand KF).
Recite "Invictus"
Invictus
By William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
, First Honorary Member of Omega Psi Phi
Dr. Ernest Everett Just (1883-1941)
Who is the Epsilon Tau Chapter Current Basileus?
David A. Louis, PhD
Who is the First Lady an the only woman member of Omega Psi Phi?
Lottie B. Wilson (Mr's Charlotte T. Wilson)
Lottie Wilson - Mrs. Charlotte T. Wilson (Only Woman Omega Member) taken from the 1961 Oracle
Lincoln University, Pa.
Beta Chapter aka First Stepping Stone of Omega's Expansion
In a big hotel structure on Lincoln University, Maple Avenue, lives a Woman whose life is vital not only
to Omega Psi Phi, but especially to the history of Beta chapter, the second of Omega's birth. Meeting
this great lady is an experience within itself. You see a rather small, gray haired lady, with sparkling eyes
and a radiant countenance.
Logic tells you that this lady is far up in years, because she's been a part of Lincoln since 1901. Yet she is
so young in spirit, in thought, and in action. She has lost none of her zest for living and when shaking her
hand, you are astonished at the firmness with which she meets your grip. This woman's life symbolizes
all lives that have been given to the service of mankind. Hers has been a life of service to the men of
Omega Psi Phi, Beta chapter. After Alpha chapter was founded at Howard University in 1911, the
founders decided that the second chapter of the fraternity should be located at Lincoln University, Pa.
When Founder Love visited Lincoln University in 1914, he was told by the faculty that they would not
give recognition to a chapter of Omega Psi Phi on this campus. Founder Love and those interested
Lincoln men left the faculty meeting full of sadness. Thus begins Lottie Wilson's part in Omega Psi Phi,
Beta chapter. As the dejected men were on their way to see Founder Love board the train back to
