MBP 2020-21 Book2 - Flipbook - Page 85
THE HISTORY OF OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a
historically black college. On the evening of November 17, 1911, Omega Psi Phi was founded inside the
Science Building (later renamed Thirkield Hall) at Howard University located in Washington, D.C. The
founders were three undergraduates — Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper, and Frank Coleman.
Joining them was their faculty adviser, Ernest Everett Just. From the initials of the Greek phrase
meaning, “friendship is essential to the soul “, the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. That phrase was
selected as the motto.
Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift were adopted as Cardinal Principles.
On November 23, 1911, Edgar A. Love became the first Grand Basileus (National President). Oscar J.
Cooper and Frank Coleman were selected to be the Grand Keeper of the Records (National Secretary)
and Grand Keeper of Seals (National Treasurer), respectively. Eleven undergraduate men were selected
to become the charter members.
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’s first Basileus, Keeper of Records,
and Keeper of Seals, respectively.
In the late Spring of 1925, several local professionals in the education and medical field discussed the
possibility of chartering an Omega Chapter in the Middle Georgia area. The brothers submitted their
formal request to organize a chapter in Fort Valley, GA on January 9, 1926 by the original charter
members designated Lambda Phi Chapter-Fort Valley were Brothers Dr. Wanzie Allen Davis, M.D.
(Lambda Phi, ’25), Dr. Relliford Stillmon Smith M.D. (Lambda Phi, ’25), Dr. C.W.E Dyer, M.D. (Phi, ’25), Dr.
Richard Carey, M.D. (Iota Omega, ’25), Dr. William Neal Frayser, M.D.(Lambda Phi, ’25), Leroy R.
Bywaters (Lambda Phi, ’25), Clarence W. Moore (Psi, ‘25), Birtill Thomas Barrow (Gamma, ‘25), Dr. G.
N. Woodward, M.D. (Lambda Phi, ‘25), W. A. Holmes (Eta, 1924), Father J. H. Brown
(Omicron, ‘22), C. R. Woodward (ETA,’22), Rev. R. White Stennett (Gamma,’23),
Dr. Dewitt T. Walton, Sr., D.D.S (Lambda Phi, ’25), Dr. J. S. William, M.D. and Hewitt S Toney (Phi,’
25).
Lambda Phi received its charter on January 26, 1926. However, the brothers recognized there
was an equal number of brothers from Macon, thus a formal request was made to the National
Office to change the original charter to read Lambda Phi Chapter- Fort Valley- Macon Graduate
Chapter. On March 9, 1926 the amended charter was received. This marked a significant
moment in the history of Omega, because Lambda Phi became the first Black Greek Letter
organization in the Middle Georgia Area.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. embraces four cardinal Principles of MANHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP,
PERSEVERANCE AND UPLIFT. These principles have found expression in a number of major programs
undertaken by the Fraternity since its early inception. The Annual Observance of National Achievement
Week began as the result of the exhortation of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Founder and Director of the
Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. It was determined that the purpose of the
85